Top 10 best executive cars 2023
Executive cars might cost a little more, but the best ones add a real touch of class to your motoring experience…
If you’re looking to buy an executive car then you’ll quickly find yourself in a sea of prestigious, premium badged models, typically in saloon bodystyles. With more manufacturers trying to gain a slice of the lucrative premium car market, the ‘executive car’ moniker can now be attributed to more models than ever.
To help narrow down your search, we’ve compiled this list of the top 10 best executive cars you can buy right now, based on our own extensive testing of every new car on sale.
What is an executive car?
This was once a very straightforward question to answer. You had your executive saloons like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, then you had your compact executive saloons like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. Today, the variety of options has multiplied.
Cars such as the Peugeot 508, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Arteon all have aspirations of upsetting the traditional executive car offerings like the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series. The best offer most of the necessary quality and tech, only really lacking the premium badge.
Even without dipping into the SUV and crossover class where executive car buyers will increasingly find tempting options, there are more body styles available to the executive car buyer than ever. As well as the traditional saloons, there are the usual estate versions on offer and beyond that things start to get interesting.
Two-door coupes such as the Audi A5 Coupe, BMW 4 Series and Mercedes C-Class Coupe offer similar engine ranges to their saloon counterparts for similar tax and running costs, while looking and driving that bit sharper. Many also come in convertible guise for open-air motoring. Then there's the rise of the four or five-door coupe, typified by cars like the Audi A7 Sportback, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes CLS.
The usual cohort of German executive car manufacturers has other challengers too. There are now pure-electric models that qualify for executive car status as well such as the Tesla Model 3.
With the executive car market so strongly reliant on business and company car buyers, EV powertrains are a huge draw because of the lower associated Benefit-In-Kind company car tax. Diesel and petrol powertrains are still popular for private buyers, but plug-in hybrid and electric drivetrains have become increasingly popular. Plug-in hybrid models such as the Audi A6 TFSI e and Mercedes E300 e can really cut your overheads and if you're willing to take the plunge into EV territory, the BMW i4, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 offer sports car-rivalling straight-line performance, acres of space and super-low everyday running costs.
So, in light of all that, whatever mix of efficiency, practicality, performance, technology and a premium feel best suits you, chances are there’s an executive car that’ll take your fancy. Let’s take a look at the 10 best ones you can buy today.
Top 10 executive cars to buy
- BMW 5 Series
- BMW 3 Series
- Mercedes C-Class
- BMW i4
- Mercedes E-Class
- Audi A6
- Volvo S90
- Tesla Model 3
- Alfa Romeo Giulia
- Jaguar XF
1. BMW 5 Series
BMW's Ultimate Driving Machine philosophy remains intact with the current 5 Series. The engaging rear-wheel-drive handling and excellent performance is visible from the entry 520d to the ballistic M5. But the main thing that sets the latest 5 Series apart from its rivals is the sheer amount of technology on board.
There’s a new 5 Series due out in 2023 which will spawn an all-electric i5 variant, but the current car still feels up to date. Technology like lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic in its construction, a long list of electronic driver aids, including adaptive cruise and lane keeping, and even remote-control parking from outside the vehicle can all be had on your 5 Series.
Where the 5 Series really impresses is that it manages to be a technical showcase, yet still delivers the efficient running costs business users need. There’s also the spacious Touring model for extra practicality. Go for the 520d, and you get emissions from 126g/km, which will keep BIK costs keen.
The plug-in hybrid 530e was updated in 2022 with improved electric-only efficiency with a range comfortably over 30 miles. Although you’ll take a slight hit in terms of boot space - the PHEV Touring estate model offers 430 litres to the regular petrol Touring’s 560 litres.
2. BMW 3 Series
BMW takes a one-two in this list because the 3 Series pretty much offers the same attributes as its bigger 5 Series sibling. Driving dynamics are arguably better, there’s still an excellent, premium-feeling interior with plenty of technology and the Touring estate model should be practical enough for most families.
The current G20-generation 3 Series represents a marked improvement over the old car - which struggled against tough competition from the Audi A4, Jaguar XE and Mercedes C-Class. A facelift arrived in 2022 which improved the 3 Series in pretty much every area, especially thanks to a slick dual-screen setup borrowed from the iX.
The 3 Series has long been the default compact executive car choice for those seeking a sporty drive and the new car builds on this by reducing weight by up to 55kg and increasing rigidity up to 50 per cent. Despite being larger than its predecessor, the new 3 Series is even more agile and nimble in the bends.
Ride comfort only loses out to the super-comfortable Mercedes C-Class but the BMW’s specially developed damper technology means long drives are no chore. The 3 Series is exceptionally smooth at motorway speeds with little road noise entering the cabin.
Two gearboxes were available from launch, a six-speed manual and an eight-speed ZF automatic - although the manual is now off sale. The automatic is silky smooth during shifts and the manual is a big improvement over the slightly notchy change of the previous generation.
3. Mercedes C-Class
The latest C-Class is the best version of Mercedes compact executive for decades. The C-Class has always been known as one of the more comfortable offerings in its segment and this new one utilises a smaller version of the MRA architecture underpinning the flagship S-Class limousine.
That translates into a superb ride which can rival cars a few segments above the C-Class. Couple the smooth ride with the classy, tech-filled interior and the C-Class is an excellent car to rack up the miles in – and this can be done on 68 miles of pure-electric power if you choose the plug-in hybrid C 300 e version. We liked this model so much we even gave it the Premium Hybrid Car of the Year award in 2022.
There are still diesel models available in mild-hybrid form and the C 220 d offering up to 62.8mpg on a combined cycle should be a little kinder on tax. Pure petrol powertrains haven’t been killed off for electrification within the C-Class range either, the C 200 and C 300 may only reach the mid-40s for mpg, but they’re a little cheaper to buy over their diesel counterparts.
Mercedes is investing in an all-new MB.OS infotainment system for upcoming cars, but C-Class buyers today won’t be left out in the cold. The MBUX system on the C-Class will continue to be updated for years to come.
4. BMW i4
The BMW i4 features in this list for many of the reasons the 3 Series does, it just happens to have an all-electric powertrain. It’s more than just BMW’s challenger to the Tesla Model 3, because it has the American competitor beaten in a number of crucial areas.
The entry-level eDrive40 is priced from a touch more than £56k and for that you get 335bhp, 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and most importantly, an impressive 367 miles of range. Step up to the £69,000 M50 model and there’s 537bhp on tap, a 3.9-second 0-62mph time and a more-than-adequate 318-mile range.
The interior feels up to date with BMW’s new iDrive 8 infotainment system, which is operated through a large, seamless display that combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9 inch centre screen.
Perhaps the main area where the i4 loses out to the 3 Series is practicality. Its 470-litre boot is only 10 litres short of the 3 Series, but there’s no Touring model. The hatchback rear does allow for a larger opening, however.
5. Mercedes E-Class
A brand-new E-Class is set to arrive in 2023, but the current one is definitely still worth a look. The fifth-generation E-Class arrived in 2016, and is easily one of the best cars to come from the brand in recent years. The E-Class possesses such a high level of technology, comfort and overall luxuriousness that it could even be enough to make you think twice about the need to step up to an S-Class.
On the outside, it's fair to say Mercedes hasn't strayed far from the standard formula – the design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, and could easily be mistaken for its larger or smaller siblings, the S-Class and C-Class. It also received an update in 2020 which featured even more design influence from other Mercedes. A sleek estate version, coupe and convertible are available for those wishing to stray from convention, although an incoming CLE will kill off the two-door E-Class models.
With all the tech on the inside, it's almost easy to forget about what's under the bonnet. The E-Class offers a selection of engines with a punchy diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid units. The four-cylinder diesel is particularly refined – something not true of previous E-Class diesels. The inclusion of more environmentally friendly hybrid engine options means that there are some real savings to be had on Benefit-in-Kind and Vehicle Excise Duty rates.
6. Audi A6
The A6 is much more than just a third wheel to the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series. It’s a smart blend of refinement, equipment and relatively low running costs.
The latest model comes with refreshed exterior styling and an updated interior, including Audi's new MMI infotainment system. A facelifted model is set to hone the recipe even further when it arrives in 2023.
The A6 feels agile on the move thanks to its extensive use of aluminium in its structure – agility is aided further still with the optional four-wheel steering. That said, the steering can't match that of the BMW 5 Series but it remains a precise and good car to drive.
Unlike previous A6s, the ride offers more comfort, but sportier models like the S6 and RS6 Avant firm up the ride with more aggressive suspension and larger wheels. The engine line-up includes a range of purely diesel and petrol powertrains. The plug-in hybrid TFSI e was revised in 2022 with a bigger battery - improving the all-electric range to 41 miles. This is good news for company car buyers - the A6 PHEV sits in the eight per cent BiK tax bracket.
7. Volvo S90
Big Volvos have long been top executive choices, and Volvo is on top form with the S90, which is a fantastic car that’s a genuine alternative to large executive saloons.
Launched more than six years ago, the S90 is still an imposing car thanks to Volvo’s distinctive 'Thor's Hammer' headlights and a bold and upright grille. A tiny exterior facelift came in 2020, but the overall good look remained. The interior is great – it's effortlessly stylish, great quality, and a wonderful place in which to sit. The comfy seats help, too.
There’s just one plug-in hybrid powertrain available. The powerful T8 plug-in hybrid combines a 2.0-litre petrol unit with an electric motor, delivering 455bhp. It delivers plenty of straight-line performance, but doesn’t challenge a BMW 530e for driving engagement. A 353.1mpg claim will be attractive to those looking to minimise trips to the fuel station, but getting close to this will rely on the battery being charged up very regularly.
Even with the plug-in hybrid powertrain, the V90 estate version offers an impressive 560 litres of boot space and can be had with the T8 unit or a lesser-powered T6 with 345bhp.
8. Tesla Model 3
The Model 3 created a bit of a storm when it launched four years ago. We were (and still are) impressed enough by the powertrain, which offered up segment-leading range and supercar-baiting performance, to give it plenty of awards - including Car of the Year and Best Electric Car of the Year at the Auto Express New Car Awards in 2019.
Today, it still remains one of the very best EVs you can buy. With up to 374 miles of range, the Model 3 should quell any anxiety around charging. The standard version is our pick as it’s the cheapest, is good for 305-mile range and a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds. While this is enough to surprise many focused sports cars, the Performance version shoots from 0-60 in an incredible 3.1 seconds while still offering 340 miles of range.
It’s not just acceleration and range where the Model 3 excels. The quietness of the electric motor and the relatively well-judged damping make for a refined ride, despite the Model 3’s considerable heft. The steering isn’t as accurate as in a BMW 3 Series however, and it just comes up short of the German car in terms of sheer driving fun.
The interior is futuristically minimalist and is a refreshing approach to the clutter of having dozens of buttons, though some might call it dull. There’s plenty of space inside with plenty of headroom in both the front and rear. The big windows also help with the feeling of airiness in the cabin. When coupled together, the front and rear boots total 425 litres - 55 litres smaller than a 3 Series.
Fans of old-fashioned buttons won’t like the 15-inch infotainment screen which controls every conceivable function on the Model 3. The infotainment system itself is different to most other manufacturer’s designs and takes some getting used to, but it’s intuitive and responsive. Over-the-air updates for the Model 3 have been frequently installed to keep it fresh against competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and BMW i4.
9.Alfa Romeo Giulia
If looking good ranks high on your list of priorities for an executive car, then the Alfa Romeo Giulia should be near the top of the pile. That said, the Giulia is no disappointment when it comes to running costs and refinement either.
UK buyers will have to be happy with an automatic as the manual isn’t on offer on our shores. The 2.2-litre 187bhp diesel has been axed, there’s now only a 276bhp four-cylinder petrol engine - which is certainly peppy enough to have fun with the rear-wheel drive set up.
The interior is a great improvement over Alfa saloons of old, with good-quality materials and slick design helping give an upmarket appeal – even if it falls just shy of the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. Where the Giulia falls down is on practicality – there’s no estate model to challenge the A4 Avant or BMW 3 Series Touring. A mid-life facelift launched in 2022, but thankfully this didn’t mess with the styling too much. For supercar performance, check out the 503bhp Quadrifoglio super saloon - it’s good enough to provide real competition to the BMW M3.
10. Jaguar XF
Cast your mind back to the late 2000s and you’ll remember the XF is the car that helped turn Jaguar into a real competitor in the executive car class. The current XF remains a handsome-looking, good-to-drive executive saloon that offers something different from the German norm. The cabin design is smart, and complaints about an outdated infotainment system were settled with the 2021 update introducing Jag’s new Pivi Pro system operating through an 11.4-inch touchscreen.
The XF is poised and agile when on a twisty country road, and the steering is quick and well weighted. There’s plenty of grip, but the XF does suffer from body roll on its soft suspension – although it’s well balanced and has good feedback through the wheel. The standard eight-speed automatic gearbox is responsive and smooth.
The P250 and P300 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engines deliver a good mix of performance and efficiency. There’s also the entry-level D200 diesel with 201bhp, which still allows for a 7.1 0-60mph time and more importantly a 56.8mpg figure. Unfortunately, while Jaguar has launched plug-in hybrid versions of the E-Pace and F-Pace, there’s still no XF PHEV. There’s also no version of the blistering XFR super saloon for this generation model.
Searching for something a bit more premium? Read our list of the best luxury cars...
