Category:
Executive
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The best executive cars should combine plenty of space with real driving abilities and then add a touch of class.
In theory, there’s nothing like an executive car for offering the best blend of space, comfort and driving ability. After all, their remit is to provide the fast-moving executive with a dependable car that must keep them comfortable on a long motorway journey and entertained when they turn onto a back road.
It’s also got to be classy enough to make the right impression when they arrive at their destination. And when you get that car home, it has to fit the role of a family car, transporting people and luggage as well as handling the weekly shop, and quite possibly coping with the annual holiday too.
Finding such a combination of talents in a car costing less than £5000 might seem an impossible task, but there are plenty of excellent choices on the used market. Take a look at our top 10 and see for yourself:
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10. Lexus IS
Buy a Lexus IS and you’ll get a sharp-looking and beautifully made executive saloon. Not only does Lexus consistently feature at the very top of most customer satisfaction and reliability surveys, the IS is often the individual model that tops the lists too. True, it’s not the most exciting car to drive, but the interior is laden with kit and the finish is very impressive, and this second-generation car certainly looks the part.
We found 2008 IS250 SE, 73,000 miles, full service history, £5000
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9. Citroën C5
It might seem like a bit of a left-field choice – after all, the Citroën C5 was never one of the bestselling or most popular executive cars – but that doesn’t mean this soft-riding and spacious saloon should be overlooked on the used car market. There are bargains to be had and what you’ll get for your money is an immensely comfortable and impressively refined motorway cruiser with more than enough room for the family.
We found 2010 1.6 HDI VTR+, 55,000 miles, full service history, £4995
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8. Honda Accord
The thing to remember about the Honda Accord is that it’s a much better car than its looks and image would lead you to believe. It’s beautifully made, for starters, with an exemplary reliability and customer satisfaction rating. In addition, all models have a healthy supply of standard equipment and safety kit. It’s good to drive, too, with nimble handling and a spacious interior. What’s not to like?
We found 2008 2.0 VTEC SE, 48,000 miles, full service history, £4995
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7. Audi A4
The Audi A4 is a very fine car, indeed. In fact, the only reason it doesn’t feature higher in our top 10 is because it’s been so successful that prices on the used car market are rather high, limiting the type of A4 you can buy for our admittedly small budget. What you get is an elegant executive car that’s great to drive with a wide choice of efficient engines and many trim options. Add to that its excellent levels of fit and finish and the A4 will always be a contender in any executive car list.
We found 2009 2.0 SE, 46,800 miles, service history, £4995
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6. Mazda 6
It might not be the first car that springs to mind when you think of a smart executive car, but the Mazda 6 is a sharp and practical all-rounder. It’s good to drive, with precise – almost sporty – handling, and it rides well too. Inside, there’s plenty of space, although taller passengers might find the swooping roofline cuts into the rear head room a little. The Mazda 6 is also well screwed together and has proved to be one of the more reliable cars in this class.
We found 2010 2.2 TD SL, 79,000 miles, full service history, £4295
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5. Toyota Avensis
Admittedly, it is not the most exciting car to look at, or even to drive, but the Avensis is the epitome of comfortable and ultra-dependable executive car motoring. It’s refined, well equipped and has plenty of space inside. Add in the fact that it’s possible to pick up an Avensis that, price for price, is much newer than most of the other cars listed here and you can see why we rate it so highly.
We found 2012 2.0 D-4D TR, 68,000 miles, £4995
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4. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
When it comes to a rock-solid premium image, there’s little to beat a Merc. After all, who doesn’t want to ride behind that famous three-pointed star? The C-Class has actually always been up against stiff opposition in the executive car class, but its comfort and relaxed driving experience, not to mention the air of dependability, have won it many admirers on both the new and used car markets.
We found 2009 C180 SE, 75,000 miles, full service history, £4995
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3. BMW 3 Series
If you were asked to pick the archetypal compact executive saloon, the 3 Series would be it. It is, in fact, the car that has defined the class for years. Why has it been so successful? Because it drives beautifully, is lovely to be in, is economical to run and has an upmarket and sporty image. It’s also well equipped in most forms and reliable in long-term use. Such popularity means it isn’t always cheap, but you do get what you pay for.
We found: 2009 318i SE, 73,000 miles, full service history, £4965
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2. Ford Mondeo
Sometimes, in the course of a long life, a particular generation of car will hit the sweet spot. Such is the case with this third-generation Mondeo, which is practically faultless in the way it tackles roads both major and minor. A quiet motorway cruiser, it is also a nimble and downright fun car in which to attack country lanes, as well as being an immensely spacious and comfortable family load lugger. It’s reliable and cheap to run, too.
We found 2010 1.8 TDCi Zetec, 65,000 miles, full service history, £4795
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1. Volkswagen Passat
Those looking for an upmarket and dependable executive saloon at this price level can do no better than the Volkswagen Passat. It’s the car’s combination of talents that make it a winner. For starters, it’s great to drive, being nimble, alert and involving. It rides superbly, too, and is refined and relaxing at all speeds. The interior is fantastically spacious and there’s plenty of standard equipment to keep you amused. It’s also reliable and, considering what a classy product it is, excellent value for money.
We found 2009 2.0 TDI Sport, 54,000 miles, full service history, £4900
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And the executive car to avoid…
Kia Magentis
Modern Kias are generally great: good to drive, nice to be in and pretty pleasing to look at. Add in that wonderful seven-year warranty and they’re extremely competitive. The Magentis, though, dates from an era when Kias weren’t very good to drive or nice to be in.
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