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best-used-executive-cars-and-one-to-avoid

You'd think with all the recent hoo-ha over large and plush&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/suvs/n26176">SUVs</a>&nbsp;people would have forgotten about the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/executive-cars/n2004">executive car</a>.

However, the&nbsp;executive car class is alive and well and thriving, both on the new car market and the used one. People after a top-flight driving experience and a comfortable, classy and well-equipped car that'll transport a family and gobble motorways with equal ease should look no further.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Here, we've compiled&nbsp;a list of our top 10 favourite executive cars, as well as one to avoid. Click on the links and you can even put one on your driveway for less than you think.&nbsp;

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Best used executive cars (and one to avoid)

Saloon

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

C CLASS

Mercedes has built its reputation on luxury,&nbsp;and that's reflected in the attractive, plush&nbsp;interior of the current&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/estate/review/n17346">Mercedes C-Class</a>.&nbsp;Add decent practicality&nbsp;and you have yourself a compelling package – one you can pick up for less money than you might think. It rides well, has a striking interior and the hybrid version has a very long electric-only range.

Its only problem has always been the strength of the competition it's always faced in this class, but a nearly new C-Class is still a very desirable thing.&nbsp;

"If the&nbsp;E-Class&nbsp;is just a fraction more than you actually need or want, try the C-Class. This latest model is a class act and if you can stretch to the plug-in hybrid version I've found that to be unbelievably frugal too. " - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found:&nbsp;2022&nbsp;Mercedes C-Class&nbsp;C200h AMG Line, 35,000 miles, £29,000&nbsp;

10: Mercedes C-Class

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Long range in the plug-in hybrid model</li>
	<li>Composed ride</li>
	<li>Neat handling</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Interior quality mixed</li>
	<li>BMW 3 Series is more fun to drive</li>
	<li>Mercedes' reliability record is subpar</li>
</ul>

Estate

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

PASSAT

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat/saloon/used-review/n810">VW Passat</a>&nbsp;is a fantastic all-rounder, blending comfort and efficiency with handling that’s both enjoyable and safe and a delightfully classy interior. There’s plenty of room for everyone, too, and a capacious boot; it even looks good, and used prices are really competitive. Reliability is another strong point in this impressive car's&nbsp;favour.&nbsp;

Diesels dominate the Passat range and most of the cars on the used market are oil burners. Our pick is the 2.0 TDI 150, which is punchy and flexible enough for overtaking and refined on the motorways. It’s also more economical than the more powerful 2.0 TDI 190.

Entry-level S trim is a little sparse, although it gets air-con and electric windows. We’d go with SE trim: it&nbsp;adds desirable goodies such as automatic lights and wipers, cruise control and parking sensors all round.&nbsp;

"The poor Passat was one of our very favourite executive cars but this year its reliability score in our survey was startingly low, hence it finishes down our list. Shame." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found:&nbsp;2022&nbsp;Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 150&nbsp;SE, 49,000&nbsp;miles, £18,950

9: Volkswagen Passat

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Spacious and comfortable interior</li>
	<li>Classy and refined</li>
	<li>Well equipped in higher trims</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Low-speed ride can be firm</li>
	<li>Boot opening not as versatile as a hatchback's</li>
	<li>Poor reliability rating</li>
</ul>

Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive, while the closely related Stelvio and smaller Tonale both competes in the booming SUV class.

It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.

ALFA ROMEO

GIULIA

Few executive cars are as stylish and fun to drive as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/alfa-romeo/giulia/saloon/review/n159">Alfa Romeo Giulia</a>&nbsp;is. It’s actually very comfortable, too, with a supple ride in most versions, and you'll get plenty of equipment. All versions come with a punchy yet efficient range of engines. But it's its quick steering and eager handling that'll please the keen driver here. Few others in our top 10 can match it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The standard Giulia comes with plenty of equipment, but, of the early cars, it’s the Super version that we would recommend, because it has a slightly better interior and part-leather seats that give it a more premium feel.

If you can afford the extra money both to buy and to run, or if your annual mileage is a little lower, we do love the decently swift 2.0 280 Veloce model, and we love the Giulia QV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/performance-cars/n23035">performance car</a>. Keen drivers will adore them, although Giulia reliability can be a little mixed.&nbsp;

"I've owned many Alfas over the years and run a Giulia as a long-term car too. I'm hopelessly biased therefore but I really like this car. Shame about the reliability" - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found:&nbsp;2022&nbsp;Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.0T&nbsp;Veloce, 21,200 miles, £22,995

8: Alfa Romeo Giulia

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Strong performance</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Awkward boot opening</li>
	<li>Disappointing interior quality</li>
	<li>Rear seat space</li>
</ul>

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

This suave four-door ticks many desirable boxes. It features a traditional rear-wheel-drive layout, plenty of driver appeal, plus&nbsp;all the style and&nbsp;equipment buyers could want.&nbsp;It’s refined on the motorways and the ride is comfortable. True, there are others that are better finished inside and more spacious, but few handle as sweetly –&nbsp;if you’re after a sporty executive saloon, the XE is up there with the 3 Series as one of the best.&nbsp;

We’d opt for an example bearing&nbsp;the 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel – it feels usefully quicker than the lower-powered version, yet is almost as economical and efficient. The petrol models are smoother and quieter than the diesels, so they're even more pleasant to drive, but fuel economy suffers. If you can afford the bills, the 237bhp 2.0-litre petrol is worth a look.

All XEs get plenty of equipment, but of the earlier cars, Prestige models feel a little bit more premium than entry-level SE, making&nbsp;it our choice. With later cars, even the now-entry-level S trim is kitted out, making it a recommendable option, too.&nbsp;

"Ah, a traditional old-school Jag, and none the worse for it. Runs the BMW 3 Series close for sheer driving fun in my book." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found:&nbsp;2021&nbsp;Jaguar XE D180 S, 31,000&nbsp;miles, £21,000

7: Jaguar XE

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Keen handling</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Surprisingly low prices</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rivals offer more space</li>
	<li>Interior build quality</li>
	<li>Running costs can be high</li>
</ul>

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

SUPERB

The clue is in the name, it would seem. The Superb is good&nbsp;to drive, can be found&nbsp;with a wide selection of engines and is extremely efficient. What’s more, it’s spacious enough to moonlight as a limousine&nbsp;and every&nbsp;version is extremely&nbsp;comfortable. For the money, there's almost nothing to touch the all-round capabilities of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/hatchback/review/n93">Skoda Superb</a>.&nbsp;

The entry-level S model is fine, but we’d be tempted to spend a bit more money and find an example in SE Technology trim, because it has the best compromise of equipment and price.&nbsp;

Among the later, post-2018 Superbs, we prefer the 1.5 TSI 150 engine. It's smooth, punchy and economical. The earlier 1.4-litre petrol is similarly refined. Neither of the two 2.0-litre petrol engines is worth the added expense in fuel (unless you do mainly urban driving).

"The bargain exec, especially if you factor in space. It's large enough that with the driver's seat set up for 6ft 2in of me, I can still sit behind in supreme comfort." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found:&nbsp;2022&nbsp;Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI SE Technology, 39,000&nbsp;miles, £17,500

6: Skoda Superb

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Vast interior and boot</li>
	<li>Good value for money used</li>
	<li>High-quality materials</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Some rivals are more fun to drive</li>
	<li>Diesel engines are occasionally gruff</li>
	<li>2.0-litre petrols are quick, but rather thirsty</li>
	<li>Reliability a bit mixed</li>
</ul>

E CLASS

The&nbsp;Mercedes E-Class&nbsp;is available used with a great range of engines, comes very well equipped and is a quiet and smooth cruiser. It’s not as spacious in the rear seats as some – including the larger S-Class – and the ride can be quite firm in the ride on certain versions too. Still, those are minor flaws in a&nbsp;very elegant, classy and&nbsp;comfortable&nbsp;package that happens to be&nbsp;really good value used.&nbsp;Its reliability record is pretty good, too.&nbsp;

"There's something about the E-Class that's still really desirable, even when faced with such sterling opposition. It's quite reliable, and I love its wafting ability." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found&nbsp;2022&nbsp;Mercedes E400d AMG Line, 50,000&nbsp;miles, £24,490

5: Mercedes E-Class

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Sumptuous interior</li>
	<li>Supple ride</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not as fun to drive as some rivals</li>
	<li>E220d not as quiet as some diesels</li>
</ul>

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

5 SERIES

You’d be hard pushed to find a car at any price that has as broad a range of talents as the&nbsp;BMW 5 Series&nbsp;– a previous What Car?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/used-car-awards">Used Car of the Year</a>&nbsp;in our chosen form. It comes with a range of punchy yet efficient engines, neat styling and a wonderful ride and handling balance. It's wonderfully refined, too.

Our recommended version is the 530e&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>, because it&nbsp;has the potential for great economy. Add to that its luscious and spacious interior, excellent ergonomics and class-leading iDrive infotainment controller and it’s no wonder we rate this car above all others as a used luxury buy.

"Almost as good to drive as the smaller 3 Series and even more of a luxury hit. I've always loved the sheer rightness in so many areas of the 5 Series." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found&nbsp;2021&nbsp;BMW 530e M Sport, 46,000 miles, £23,900

4: BMW 5 Series

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Delightful to drive</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Very economical</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>A little pricey</li>
	<li>Average rear seat space</li>
	<li>Slight question mark over reliability</li>
</ul>

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Possibly the classiest car here, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a4/saloon/review/n105">Audi A4</a>&nbsp;continues to live&nbsp;up to its award-winning reputation and is still&nbsp;one&nbsp;the best executive cars you can buy.

It isn’t as lively to drive as the 3 Series, but it&nbsp;still impresses on the road and is good fun –&nbsp;it's wonderfully refined, too. It also has a comfortable ride (as long as you avoid big wheels on S line models), a well-built interior and loads&nbsp;of desirable equipment. It's reliable, too. In short, the A4 is&nbsp;a fantastic all-rounder.&nbsp;

We’d go for the 160bhp 35 TDI diesel, because it has plenty of low-down punch (so you can tootle around town effortlessly) yet has&nbsp;enough pace to whisk you up to motorway speeds effectively – 0-62mph takes 8.2sec.

Our preferred trim – entry-level Technik – is pretty well-equipped. You get 17in alloy wheels, power-folding door mirrors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, heated front seats, front and rear climate control, cruise control, keyless start, parking aids, LED headlights and infotainment features.

"So classy inside and a really suave executive car. I had one as a long-termer for six months and loved its refinement." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found:&nbsp;2022&nbsp;Audi A4 2.0 TFSI 35 Technik, 39,000&nbsp;miles, £18,000

3: Audi A4

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Class-leading interior</li>
	<li>Extensive engine choice</li>
	<li>Very comfortable</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>One or two rivals are more fun to drive</li>
	<li>S line ride quality a bit firm</li>
	<li>Ultra version uses S Line sports suspension</li>
</ul>

3 SERIES

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a>&nbsp;is&nbsp;great to drive and available with a wide selection of superb engines that are&nbsp;extremely efficient. It's supremely competent and wonderfully classy. What’s more, it’s spacious enough for the average family and most versions are comfortable and reliable.&nbsp;

Our favourite engine, if it fits into your lifestyle, is the plug-in hybrid (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">PHEV</a>) 330e. It&nbsp;offers great performance (0-60mph is achievable&nbsp;in just 5.9sec), yet it also has&nbsp;the potential for huge savings in fuel bills, provided you can charge it up regularly and the majority of your journeys are short.

Mid-range Sport comes with all the equipment you’d need and allows you to avoid the overly firm suspension of M Sport.

"A terrific car,&nbsp; just beaten for value by the Tesla Model 3 but if anything even better to drive. I'd happily have one on my driveway." - George Hill, used cars writer

2: BMW 3 Series

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Great fun to drive</li>
	<li>Sharp steering and superb body control</li>
	<li>Intuitive infotainment system</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Interior not as well finished as Audi A4</li>
	<li>Lumbar support was an expensive extra</li>
	<li>Rather firm ride, especially on M Sport models</li>
</ul>

Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.

&nbsp;

TESLA

MODEL 3

It may be the only fully&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/electric">electric car</a>&nbsp;on our list, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a>&nbsp;is a great proposition if it fits into your lifestyle. It's good to drive and well equipped, and even the Standard Plus model, which will be the cheapest used buy, has an official&nbsp;range of 254 miles –&nbsp;or 267 miles if you go for a&nbsp;post-2020 facelifted version. It'll also see off the 0-60mph dash in just 6.1sec, and do it all in a hushed, smooth and suave manner.&nbsp;

The Performance version goes a few steps further on the acceleration front, shrinking the 0-60mph time to just 3.3sec. Its official range is good –&nbsp;at 329 miles –&nbsp;too.&nbsp;There's also the Long Range and it can officially travel&nbsp;348 miles before running out of juice.&nbsp;

"The cream of the electric car crop and now the king of the executive cars. So smooth and now excellent value. I love its instantaneous responses and its ability to swoosh is addictive." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found:&nbsp;2021&nbsp;Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, 40,000&nbsp;miles, £16,100

1: Tesla Model 3

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Tremendous performance</li>
	<li>Long range</li>
	<li>Surprisingly practical</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Build quality could be better</li>
	<li>Ride and handling not up to top ICE rivals</li>
</ul>

The Infiniti Q50 is thirsty, noisy and odd to drive, due to&nbsp;its vague steering. And, despite all of that, it isn't a bargain either.

And the used executive car to avoid: Infiniti Q50

For those looking for a good executive car, here are your top 10 best options from the used market, as well as one to steer away from

NEW REVIEWS:

Best used executive cars (and one to avoid)

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