Efficient, classy and comfortable, these executive cars do it all with a premium touch
by Tom Gumbrell
22 Mar 2024
As classy as they are comfortable, executive cars are just the ticket for those who need a medium-sized, premium set of wheels. They’re larger than a typical hatchback but smaller than a full-fat luxury car, offering drivers an excellent middle ground that still boasts plenty of tech, equipment and an excellent driving experience.
We’ve examined today’s executive car market and chosen our 10 favourite models meeting the criteria above. They’re all practical and economical enough to use as daily drivers, but they’re also great looking, well equipped and good to drive. We’ve picked models with a range of powertrains, from economical hybrids to powerful petrol engines and even a few electric options. Most importantly, every car on our list is special enough to make you look twice.
The best executive cars on sale today
Read on to find out what we think are the 10 best executive cars on sale in the UK today. Meanwhile, business users may be interested in our guides to the best company cars and best small company cars. Looking for more opulence? Read our list of the best luxury cars on sale.
Mercedes C-Class review – comfortable and drives better than before
The executive car segment has long been dominated by German saloon cars, and the Mercedes C-Class proves why. It’s everything you’d expect a Mercedes to be – plush, tech-laden and great to drive, but wrapped up in a conveniently-sized saloon package. It has more of an elegant look than a sporty one, while its use of chrome is well-judged and contributes greatly to its upmarket image. We’d go as far as to say that it looks like a shrunken S-Class saloon.
The family resemblance continues on the inside. You couldn’t ask for a more luxurious atmosphere at this price point, with excellent materials everywhere you touch, combined with cutting-edge infotainment and driver displays.
Mercedes offers the C-Class with a wide range of engines, but the plug-in hybrid is a real highlight, with a class-leading electric range of over 60 miles. No matter which engine you pick, this is a car that delivers genuine driving pleasure while also being packed with technology and achieving excellent fuel economy. A classy choice.
Tesla Model Y review – clever tech and practical, top charging access
Carbuyer rating
4.2 out of 5
- Priced from £44,990
The Tesla Model Y is the firm’s follow-up to the popular Model 3 saloon, offering a near-identical driving experience but with far more interior space. Being an electric car, you get rapid performance, a smooth and quiet ride as well as low running costs. The latter is even more apparent for business car drivers, who will benefit from the significant tax incentives for EVs. In fact, the Tesla Model Y makes such a good company car that we awarded it first place in the category in this year’s Carbuyer Car of the Year Awards.
Its range is just as impressive as its performance, with even the cheapest model capable of 283 miles on a single charge, extending to 331 miles for the Long Range version. Inside, the cabin of the Model Y is a minimalist affair with a large central touchscreen controlling nearly all of the car’s main functions and only a few physical buttons dotted around the cabin. It’s practical, with a spacious cabin and a handy storage space under the bonnet alongside the regular rear boot space. As a showcase of how far Tesla has advanced in a decade, the Model Y is an excellent example.
