best
Best executive company cars 2021
The best company cars obviously need to be kind to your wallet, but also need to be comfortable and practical enough to make every journey a joy. Here we count down the top 10 choices from the ex...
Choosing the right company car can be a tricky business, because as well as wanting a good car in its own right, you also need to be mindful of how much it will set you back in terms of company car tax. While this amount differs depending on whether you're a 20% or 40% tax payer, you'll want something with low C02 emissions to keep the figure as low as possible
Here, we're looking at the best company cars to buy among the executive car class. These saloons and hatchbacks are most commonly associated with buyers who spent a lot of time on the motorway, so a comfy ride and low running costs are important, but since these cars will also be used as family transport, they also need to be practical and spacious.
In each case on the list below, you can see the P11D price of our preferred model, as well as how much it will cost you. And don't forget, you can read more about each car in our dedicated reviews, and see how much we can save you through our free New Car Buying service.
Mazda 6
What Car? Target Price from
£24,275
RRP from £24,975 to £32,355
See new car deals Save up to £700 with What Car?
Model 2.0 Skyactiv-G SE-L | C02 142g/km | P11D price £24,130 | BIK tax rate 2020/21 @20% £1592.58, @40% £3185.16
If you don't fancy driving something with a German badge on its bonnet, then why not go Japanese instead? The Mazda 6 offers an excellent infotainment system, and lots of kit in our recommended SE-L specification. The 2.0-litre petrol engine you get here needs to be worked hard to perform at its best, but it should be economical.
Pros
- Strong but quiet diesels
- Excellent infotainment system
- Very well equipped
Cons
- Firm low-speed ride
- Handling not as precise as some rivals
- Boot is on the small side in the class
Mercedes A-Class Saloon
What Car? Target Price from
£24,742
RRP from £26,190 to £45,420
See new car deals Save up to £2,060 with What Car?
Model A180d Sport auto | C02 130g/km | P11D price £28,870 | BIK tax rate 2020/21 @20% £1674.46, @40% £3448.92
If the regular A-Class family hatchback isn't up your street, then try the A-Class Saloon instead. It offers a comfortable ride, which means it should soak up long motorway journeys with ease, giving you enough time to enjoy its snazzy interior and feature-packed infotainment system. This A180d diesel-engined version is our recommended choice, while Sport trim gets you 17in alloy wheels, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control and cruise control.
Pros
- Comfortable ride
- Good infotainment system
- Glitzy-looking interior
Cons
- Boot smaller than rivals'
- Dashboard flimsy in places
- Rear head room could be better
Alfa Romeo Giulia
What Car? Target Price from
£33,161
RRP from £34,995 to £67,995
See new car deals Save up to £2,297 with What Car?
Model 2.0 TB 280 Veloce [Performance brake] | C02 169g/km | P11D price £39,600 | BIK tax rate 2020/21 @20% £2851.20, @40% £5702.40
The Giulia may be an outsider's choice in the company car park, but that doesn't mean it's a bad one. In fact, the Giulia suits keen drivers well, with engaging handling and strong performance coming from our recommended 2.0-litre petrol engine. Its interior quality can't quite match that of German rivals, but at least Veloce cars come with everything you're likely to want, including 18in alloy wheels and upgraded brakes.
Pros
- Engaging handling
- Strong performance
- Competent petrol engines
Cons
- Diesel engines could be quieter
- Rivals have a bigger boot
- Interior quality still can’t match German rivals
Jaguar XE
What Car? Target Price from
£29,353
RRP from £29,635 to £40,140
See new car deals Save up to £383 with What Car?
Model D200 S | C02 128g/km | P11D price £29,975 | BIK tax rate 2020/21 @20% £1678.60, @40% £3357.20
You'll enjoy relative exclusivity with the Jaguar XE, but that affords you the opportunity to show off its agile handling and keen engine whenever possible. S models are our favourites, and get you 18in alloy wheels, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control and automatic lights and wipers.
Pros
- Agile, enjoyable handling
- Relative exclusivity
- Generous equipment list
Cons
- Tight rear-seat and boot space
- Interior could be classier
- Poor reliability record
Audi A3 Saloon
What Car? Target Price from
£23,863
RRP from £25,265 to £46,215
See new car deals Save up to £2,245 with What Car?
Model 35 TFSI Sport | C02 128g/km | P11D price £26,600 | BIK tax rate 2020/21 @20% £1489.60, @40% £2979.20
Like the A3 family hatchback on which it is based, the Audi A3 Saloon offers a good balance between agile handling and a comfortable ride, and combined with our favourite 35 TFSI petrol engine, this is an executive car which will suit both keen drivers and those looking for a good motorway car alike. Sport trim may be the entry-level choice, but it comes with everything you'll want including 17in alloy wheels and cruise control.
Pros
- Good ride and handling balance
- Punchy 35 TFSI petrol engine
- All versions are well equipped
Cons
- Distracting infotainment system
- Road noise at speed
- Small boot by class standards
Volkswagen Passat
What Car? Target Price from
£21,252
RRP from £27,085 to £39,480
See new car deals Save up to £6,457 with What Car?
Model 1.5 TSI Evo SE Nav | C02 139g/km | P11D price £26,815 | BIK tax rate 2020/21 @20% £1608.90, @40% £3217.80
It might not have the same badge appeal as some of the other entrants on this list, but don't rule out the Volkswagen Passat just yet, because this executive car has a comfortable ride and a spacious yet plush interior. It's quiet at high speeds, too, and our top 1.5-litre petrol engine is pleasantly punchy while still keeping running costs sensible.
Pros
- Comfortable ride – if you stick with smaller wheels
- Spacious and reasonably plush interior
- Quiet at high speeds
Cons
- Diesel engines can be gruff and aren't RDE2 compliant
- Big wheels produce too much road noise
- Less versatile than hatchback rivals, despite big boot
Skoda Superb
What Car? Target Price from
£23,348
RRP from £25,105 to £41,500
See new car deals Save up to £2,710 with What Car?
Model 1.5 TSI 150 SE Technology | C02 137g/km | P11D price £25,490 | BIK tax rate 2020/21 @20% £1529.40, @40% £3058.80
If you want a large, comfortable car and aren't bothered about a prestige badge, then the Skoda Superb is the executive car for you. It consistently ranks among our favourite cars in this class for its mixture of gigantic space, classy interior, smooth engine and exceptional value for money. You don't need to splash out on a high trim level, either, because mid-range SE Technology has all of your equipment needs covered.
Pros
- Vast interior and boot space
- Exceptional value for money
- Classy, high-quality interior
Cons
- Some rivals are more fun to drive
- Diesel engines sound a little gruff
- Automatic gearbox can be a tad jerky in traffic
Audi A4
What Car? Target Price from
£27,994
RRP from £30,835 to £57,590
See new car deals Save up to £4,929 with What Car?
Model 35 TDI Technik | C02 125g/km | P11D price £34,995 | BIK tax rate 2020/21 @20% £1959.72, @40% £3919.44
This former What Car? Car of the Year remains one of the very best executive car choices, with class-leading interior quality, lots of standard equipment and a smooth range of engines. This 35 TDI diesel is perfect for someone who mainly drives in town, but long motorway treks aren't out of its comfort zone either. It also happens to be the most efficient A4 around, which helps with your running costs.
Pros
- Class-leading interior quality
- Smooth engines
- Well equipped
Cons
- Entry-level engines a touch weedy
- A BMW 3 Series is more fun to drive
- You can’t add many options
Tesla Model 3
What Car? Target Price from
£43,490
RRP from £43,490 to £59,990
Model Performance| C02 0g/km | P11D price £56,435 | BIK tax rate 2020/21 @20% £0, @40% £0
As a fully electric car, the Model 3 is the only car here which will cost you nothing in terms of company car tax, and combined with far lower running costs than your average executive car, it should be very cheap to run. Handily, the Model 3 is also an excellent car in its own right, offering savage acceleration, a long range, and surprising practicality. You also get access to Tesla's wonderful Supercharger network, which makes topping up both fast and convenient.
Pros
- Savage acceleration
- Long range between charges
- Surprisingly practical
- Fast charging via Tesla's prolific Supercharger network
Cons
- Build quality could be better
- Handling not as entertaining as petrol rivals
- Some may find the ride a touch firm
BMW 3 Series
What Car? Target Price from
£29,304
RRP from £31,590 to £50,875
See new car deals Save up to £3,719 with What Car?
Model 330e M Sport [M Sport Pro Pack]| C02 34g/km | P11D price £44,580 | BIK tax rate 2020/21 @20% £891, @40% £1783
The latest BMW 3 Series has consistently impressed us since it went on sale, but this 330e plug-in hybrid version is the cream of the crop. Not only does it have a decent electric range of up to 30 miles, but its low C02 emissions also make it one of the cheapest cars here in terms of company car tax. It's a great choice then, even before you factor in its class-leading infotainment system, its engaging driving style or its family friendly space. It's the best executive company car by some margin.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
Pros
- Brilliant fun to drive
- Class-leading infotainment system
- Great range of engines
Cons
- Ride is rather firm – particularly in M Sport versions
- Not as well finished inside as an Audi A4
- Adjustable lumbar support costs extra
