What are the best saloon cars?

Saloon cars might not be the latest thing (hello SUVs, we’re looking at you…) but they still have a lot to offer, with the best saloon cars offering a great drive, premium feel and a large boot. 

Here, we’ve used our expertise to select our top 10 saloon cars. Our focus is on used models, but many of these are also available new. Although there’s not such a wide range of saloon cars to choose from as there are with hatchbacks or SUVs there’s something to suit a variety of budgets and tastes, from budget-friendly compact cars to luxurious high-performance models.

1. BMW 3 Series

Any list of the best saloon cars has to start with the BMW 3 Series. It’s the law. Ok, it’s not the law but the 3 Series is a legend among saloons. Not just because it’s been around since 1975 but because of its quality, sporty drive and all-round brilliance. It’s the benchmark that other premium mid-size saloons are judged against, and has been for a long time. 

BMW has refined the formula over the years and the latest 3 Series – which was introduced in 2019 – is arguably the best yet. It feels like an extremely well-engineered car, from its responsive feel on the road to its beautifully designed interior. There are a huge variety of engine and trim combinations to choose from and there’s not a dud among them. Saloons don’t get much better than this.

2. Audi A3 Saloon

If you’re looking for a saloon car that’s compact and classy the Audi A3 Saloon should be your first port of call. It takes everything that’s great about the A3 Sportback (the hatchback model) and adds a large boot. It’s stylish yet subtle, while the interior has the high-quality, high-tech feel you expect of an Audi. 

Although it looks a million dollars the A3 Saloon is keenly priced and there are versions that give great fuel economy. Alternatively you could go for one of the sporty S3 models or the seriously sports RS 3.

3. Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 looks for all the world like a hatchback but it is, in fact, a saloon. It’s an impressively practical one because as well as having a spacious interior and a large boot it also has a useful extra storage space under the bonnet, where you’d normally find a petrol or diesel engine. This extra cubby is often referred to as a ‘frunk’. “Front trunk’, geddit? So in UK parlance a front boot, or ‘froot’. Hmmm.

Although it’s been around since 2019 the Model 3 remains one of the best electric cars for battery range. With a full charge the latest model can cover 436 miles (according to official figures), which is enough to drive from London to Edinburgh. Even the earliest models have a range of about 250 miles and these are now surprisingly affordable. You might not be a fan of Elon Musk, but the Model 3 is one of the best electric saloons around.

Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz has been making large, luxurious saloon cars longer than most other brands and all that knowledge is distilled into the E-Class. The first model to wear the badge hit the road in 1994 but the E-Class has always been ahead of its time and the latest version is available with features such as an augmented-reality sat-nav display and an infotainment system that uses AI to predict your sat-nav destination or the radio station you want to listen to.

As well as advanced tech, the E-Class has always been synonymous with comfort. Whichever version you’re in you can be sure that the E-Class will give you oodles of space, a smooth ride and the kind of plush materials and elegant design that give you a general sense of wellbeing on board.

5. Alfa Romeo Giulia

Fed up with the usual suspects? Why not try something a bit different, bursting with Italian flair. The Alfa Romeo Guilia is certainly bellissimo, but it’s substance to back up its style because it’s also one of the most enjoyable saloon cars to drive, giving you a real feeling of connection to the road. 

Prices for new models are on the high side and the Giulia does suffer from worse depreciation than some rival cars. The upside of that, however, is that if you’re buying used you could bag a bargain.

6. Porsche Taycan

The Porsche Taycan is a large, electrically powered saloon but you only need a short drive in it to realise that it’s also a true Porsche. By that we mean it’s fast. Really fast. And also very rewarding to drive, with steering and handling that make it feel like a thoroughbred sports car. 

Inside there’s lots of space for four and a cockpit-like dashboard that combines cutting-edge tech and a sense of craftsmanship. Maximum battery range is more than 400 miles for the latest models, and because the Taycan supports fast charging speeds it’s possible to charge it from 10 to 80% capacity in just 18 minutes.

7. Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon

We’ve already established that Mercedes-Benz knows a thing or two about making classy saloon cars and here’s another one – the A-Class Saloon. This one is its smallest, yet it has all the prestige and quality that goes with a Mercedes. 

It’s based, as the name suggests, on the hugely popular A-Class hatchback, so you get a wide choice of engines and trims, ranging from budget-friendly and fuel-efficient to high-powered AMG models. There’s also a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version that can travel more than 50 miles on electric power alone.

8. Volkswagen Passat

With Volkswagen best known for its SUVs and iconic Golf hatchback these days, the Passat saloon is something of an under-the-radar option. It’s well worth seeking out because it’s a brilliant family car that has bags of interior space, looks good and drives nicely. 

While the latest Passat is available only as an estate, the previous version (sold new between 2015 and 2022) we’re recommending was also sold as a saloon. It’s subtly stylish and feels a cut above most mainstream rivals for interior tech and quality. There are plenty of variants to choose from, and the earliest models are now very affordable.

9. Citroen C4 X

Can’t decide whether to get an SUV or a saloon? The Citroen C4 X is one of the few cars that gives you the best of both worlds. So you get the raised driving position and rugged looks of an SUV as well as the large, separate boot of a saloon. It’s based on the C4 crossover SUV and, like that car, is available with either hybrid or pure-electric power.

Value for money is a major part of the C4 X’s appeal – it’s comparatively cheap to buy yet all versions are well-equipped, with the latest entry-level models having a rear-view camera, sat-nav and LED headlights as standard.

10. BMW 5 Series

BMW’s latest 5 Series is a technological marvel, with some mind-boggling features and the option of a powerful pure-electric model. But our recommendation is the previous 5 Series, sold new between 2017 and 2024. 

Why the older car? Well it still feels up to date, has a more user-friendly interior (the new one is a bit too touchscreen-dependent for our tastes) and it costs less. Like every 5 Series it’s sporty yet supremely comfortable to drive, and is available with a wide range of engines, from fuel-efficient diesels to high-powered petrols. And if you want a spacious saloon that drives like an out-and-out sports car there’s always the wildly quick M5 model.