Best used executive cars (and one to avoid)

Styish, efficient and classy: the Audi A5 Sportback is ideal for those who hanker after all the looks of a coupé but need some of the additional practicality of an executive car. Rear occupants won't have quite as much room to stretch out in compared with the regular Audi A4, but that's the sacrifice you have to make for the sleeker looks. Watch out for a firm ride on S line models with the sports suspension. 

We found: 2020 Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TDI quattro Sport, 45,000 miles, £20,990

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Reliability and quality are the hallmarks of the Mazda 6; it feels beautifully built inside and has a great reputation for long service and dependability. But it isn’t a one-trick pony; it’s also great to drive, with sharp responses and punchy engines, and it’s remarkably fuel efficient. If you want a smart executive car that shouldn’t let you down, the 6 ticks those boxes.

We found: 2020 Mazda 6 2.0 SE-L Nav, 30,000 miles, £16,995

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Few executive cars look quite as slinky or drive quite as well as the Alfa Romeo Giulia. 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.  

We found: 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.2 JTDM Super auto, 20,000 miles, £22,000

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This suave four-door ticks many desirable boxes. It features a traditional rear-wheel-drive layout, plenty of driver appeal, plus all the style and equipment buyers could want. It’s refined on the motorways and the ride is comfortable. True, there are others that are better finished inside and more spacious, but none handle as sweetly - if you’re after a sporty executive saloon look no further. 

We found: 2020 Jaguar XE 2.0d R-Sport, 25,000 miles, £20,995

Shop for a used one here

It’s rather small by comparison with its rivals here, and consequently, it’s tight on space in the boot and rear seats, but the Audi A3’s fantastic combination of comfort, efficiency and agility might make it worth the sacrifice. And, of course, you get the same fabulous interior you do in all of these 2013-2020 A3s. What’s more, those diminutive dimensions make it one of the easiest cars on our list to drive and park. If you don't need the extra space it makes for a fantastic executive saloon.

We found: 2016 Audi A3 1.4 TFSI Sport S tronic, 35,000 miles, £18,995

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The only fully electric car on our list, but the Model 3 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, is WLTP-certified for a claimed range on a full charge of up to 254 miles, or 267 miles for the 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. 

We found: 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Plus, 69,000 miles, £27,000

Shop for a used one here

The Passat is a fantastic all-rounder, blending comfort and efficiency with handling that’s both enjoyable and safe and an interior that's delightfully classy. 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 favour. 

We found: 2020 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 190 GT, 46,000 miles, £18,995

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The BMW 3 Series is great to drive and available with a wide selection of superb engines that are extremely efficient. It's supremely competent and wonderfully classy. What’s more, it’s spacious enough for the average family and most versions are very comfortable. Used versions of this latest-generation car are still quite pricey (otherwise it would have finished even further up our list) but if you can afford the extra it's a pretty great second-hand proposition. 

We found: 2021 BMW 3 Series 320d M Sport, 29,000 miles, £27,995

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The clue is in the name, it would seem. The Superb is good to drive, can be found with a wide selection of engines and is extremely efficient. What’s more, it’s spacious enough to moonlight as a limousine and every version is extremely comfortable. For the money, there's almost nothing to touch the all-round capabilities of the Skoda Superb. 

We found: 2021 Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI SE Technology auto, 30,000 miles, £22,000

Shop for a used one here

Possibly the classiest car here, the Audi A4 continues to live up to its award-winning reputation and is still one the best executive cars you can buy, new or used. It isn’t as lively to drive as the BMW 3 Series but it is still deeply impressive on the road and good fun, and 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 of desirable equipment. It's a fantastic all-rounder. 

We found: 2021 Audi A4 1.4 TFSI Sport, 22,000 miles, £23,995

Shop for a used one here