Tesla Model 3 review - one car to rule them all?
The best saloon cars to buy in 2024
For a balance of space, comfort and performance, saloon cars are hard to beat. Here are the ones to buy
Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, saloon cars remain one of the most well-rounded types of car on sale today. The traditional ‘three box’ shape – with three distinct compartments for the engine, passengers and cargo – lends itself to good interior space, classy looks, and impressive aerodynamic efficiency.
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In recent years, many saloon models have adopted hatchback-style bootlids to improve luggage space, while the once-commonplace diesel engine has been largely replaced by efficient petrol, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. There are plenty of fully electric saloon cars to choose from today, too, many of which outperform their combustion-engined counterparts.
Whether you want something large and luxurious or small and sporty, there’s a saloon car for you. We’ve picked the 10 best models on sale today, covering a variety of sizes, fuel types and price points. If you need something comfortable and classy, you may be interested in our list of the best executive cars. On the other hand, enthusiasts will want to take a look at the best four-door sports cars…
The top 10 best saloon cars
Read on for our list of the best saloon cars on sale today:
- Priced from around £40,000
When it arrived in the UK in 2019, the Tesla Model 3 had fewer electric saloon car rivals than it does today, but it remains a fantastic choice in 2024. Tesla’s Model 3 took the Model S’s recipe and put it in a slightly smaller, more affordable saloon package. Tesla is now a household name largely thanks to the Model 3, and for good reason.
The Model 3 offers face-bendingly quick performance, excellent electric range that still stands up next to competitors, and a suite of impressive tech features the Tesla brand has become well-known for. Entry level single-motor models can manage up to 318 miles of electric range with a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds. A step up from this is the Long Range version which bumps the range up to 390 miles, but adds around £10k to the price tag. Go for the top-spec Performance model and you’ll get 329 miles of range and a sub-three second 0-60mph time, giving it the pace to rival the likes of many sports cars, let alone its fellow executive saloons.
As a complete package, the Tesla Model 3 is hard to beat. It’s comfortable, spacious and still offers cutting edge EV tech. So long as you’re able to get on with the minimalist interior – and its frustrating touchscreen controls and indicators – you’ll struggle to find a better saloon car.
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- Priced from around £40,000
If you have £40,000 to spend on a saloon car but Tesla’s hi-tech offering doesn’t tickle your fancy, BMW offers a more traditional alternative with the 3 Series. It was the original compact executive saloon and the latest version represents years of evolution and fine-tuning, the result of which is an incredibly talented all-rounder. The 3 Series’ famous rear-wheel drive layout endures, delivering a sporty driving experience for which the car has become renowned. The impressive handling comes with the luxury and tech you’d expect of a modern BMW saloon.
The 3 Series range isn’t quite as expansive as it once was; buyers can now choose from two petrol models and a plug-in hybrid – diesel is now off the menu for good. The base petrol model will suit most buyers, while the PHEV is aimed at business drivers looking for a low Benefit-in-Kind rate. The four-wheel drive M340i xDrive ramps up performance with its 370bhp straight-six engine, while the BMW M3 remains the top dog of the super saloon world.
The 3 Series isn’t cheap – especially the £86,000 M3 – but it feels worth it. If you’re looking for a fully-electric alternative to the 3 Series, the similarly-sized BMW i4 is also worth considering, which you can find out more about further down.
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- Priced from around £55,000
If it’s comfort and opulence you’re after, you’ll struggle to find something better than the Mercedes E-Class without venturing into luxury car territory. It’s the smaller sibling to the S-Class saloon, but it packs almost the same cosseting experience into a smaller, less expensive package. Sure, you can’t describe the E-Class as either small or cheap, but it makes you question why anyone would need to upgrade to the full-fat S-Class.
While the E-Class looks traditional from the outside, the interior is right at the cutting edge of passenger car technology. The dashboard houses a bank of three large digital displays, all of which are slick, crisp and not too tricky to use on the move. As expected, material and build quality is top-notch, while the seats are comfy and the suspension does well to iron out any road imperfections.
Mercedes still sells a selection of diesel E-Class models in 2024 – giving it an edge over the rival BMW 5 Series – which will be suited to those who cover lots of motorway miles. The plug-in hybrid system is offered with both a petrol or diesel engine and delivers a class-leading electric range, while the base mild hybrid petrol engine is both efficient and punchy enough.
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- Priced from around £51,000
The i4 is BMW’s first fully-electric executive car and it proves that you can still get the ‘ultimate driving machine’ experience with a battery pack instead of a combustion engine. It stands apart thanks to its fantastic handling – something that can’t be said for most heavy EVs. Technically it’s a four-door coupe, with a hatchback boot lid instead of a separate saloon-style boot, but as BMW doesn’t yet sell an electric 3 Series, we’ve included it in this list.
The interior looks and feels far more traditional than that found in the Tesla Model 3, appealing to buyers making the switch from a regular saloon car. There’s an intuitive mix of both physical and touchscreen controls, although the infotainment system takes some getting used to. Build-quality is up to the high standard we’ve come to expect from the Bavarian brand, although space in the rear seats isn’t quite as generous as a 3 Series or 4 Series Gran Coupe.
There really are very few compromises for BMW's first electric saloon – it’s just as competent and well-rounded as its petrol models. All of that EV tech does come at a price premium, which may deter some private buyers, but the i4 is the electric saloon to have if you’re after driving enjoyment.
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- Priced from around £35,000
The Skoda Superb is an excellent choice for drivers who want a saloon car with huge space without a huge price tag. The new fourth-generation model has grown in length over its predecessor, opening up more space in the cabin for both front and rear passengers, and it’s just as comfortable. It’s certainly not the most sporty or stylish pick, but the Superb get’s the essentials spot on, with an excellent interior and class-leading practicality.
The Superb’s interior shows just how far the Czech car maker has come in recent years. It no longer feels like the budget option in the Volkswagen Group’s lineup – in fact, we’d argue that it feels more premium than its pricier sister car, the Volkswagen Passat. All models are well-equipped, with an intuitive 13-inch infotainment touchscreen and a set of ‘Smart Dials’ which are used to control temperature, volume and other settings. The boot is simply enormous, measuring at 645 litres – that’s over 100 litres bigger than the BMW 5 Series.
The engines on offer are nothing to write home about, but they’re punchy enough to ensure the Superb never feels sluggish. There’s a pair of diesels to satisfy motorway drivers, while the mild hybrid petrol engine will do the job for most buyers. It’s a shame that the Superb Estate’s PHEV engine isn’t offered here, which would’ve added another string to the saloon’s bow.
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- Priced from around £45,000
The Mercedes C-Class is more about comfort than outright performance, delivering refinement for occupants and a luxurious, elegant style. The updated interior is plush, especially in the more expensive models, and the dashboard is modern, borrowing the portrait infotainment screen from the latest S-Class. It’s easy to use and good to look at, even if some of the materials aren’t quite as high quality as those in an Audi A4.
Minor gripes include slightly less rear seat space and boot space compared with rivals, and the diesel engines can be a bit noisy, too. However, the C-Class is good – if not the last word in sporty – to drive, comes with plenty of tech and is economical.
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- Priced from around £87,000
The Porsche Taycan has been a vital car for the German brand. It took the saloon-car world by storm when it was released, offering blisteringly quick performance and a level of driver engagement that has been missing from many EVs – those facts make it not only one of the best saloon cars on sale, but also an extremely impressive sports coupe.
We gave the Taycan our best large company car award at our Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2022, and it’s our favourite electric car to drive so far. The Taycan ranges in power output, with entry-level models offering 402bhp, and top-of-the-range Turbo S models boasting a mind-boggling 939bhp. Even opting for the entry-level single-motor rear-wheel drive model will offer a satisfying drive with plenty of performance for most and up to 367 miles of range.
All other versions get dual-motor setups, with the lowest-powered four-wheel drive model, the 4S, getting 537bhp. Standard rear-wheel drive models with the ‘Performance Battery Plus’ pack offer the longest electric range at up to 421 miles on a single charge.
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- Priced from around £51,000
Long-time rival of the Mercedes E-Class, the BMW 5 Series offers a slightly sportier take on the large executive saloon formula. In typical BMW fashion, the 5 Series handles like it’s on rails, despite growing to nearly two tonnes for this new eighth-generation model. It’s now longer than a BMW 7 Series from the early 2000s, which sounds rather daunting, but you’d never know it from behind the wheel. Settle into a motorway cruise, and the 5 Series is just as happy as it is on a B road, with excellent refinement – although it’s not quite as comfortable as an E-Class.
As we’ve come to expect from the latest crop of BMWs, the interior of the 5 Series is fantastic. The seats offer plenty of support, the iDrive infotainment screens are great and the build-quality leaves nothing to be desired. Starting at over £50,000 before options, the 5 Series is an expensive car, but at least all models come well-equipped. Engine options are rather limited, consisting of a single 2.0-litre petrol unit with mild hybrid assistance. It’s effective, if not inspiring, while there are two plug-in hybrids for more power and better efficiency. There’s even the fully-electric BMW i5, which offers the same driving experience with no engine noise and zero-emissions.
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- Priced from around £46,000
The BYD Seal is the third aquatic-themed EV from the Chinese car maker to reach UK showrooms and its first saloon car. Pitched as a rival to the hugely popular Tesla Model 3, the Seal has a serious task on its hands if it’s to win over saloon buyers from the American brand. It may not be quite as affordable, but there are a few good reasons why you might pick the Seal instead.
BYD is beginning to build traction in the UK, bringing its battery tech that’s been used across multiple industries for years. The Seal gets its latest 83kWh ‘Blade’ battery, good for up to 354 miles of range – more than the base Model 3. While that’s an impressive figure, we were most surprised by how well the Seal drives. It’s quick, with keen steering and a well-controlled ride – although the latter suffers a bit in the all-wheel drive model.
The interior lives up to the price tag, with a mixture of premium materials and all the tech that you’d expect, even if the rotating central infotainment screen feels a bit unnecessary. The standard kit list is lengthy for every model and includes a panoramic sunroof, double-glazed side windows and leather upholstery. The boot is on the smaller size – it’s a typical saloon-style opening and not a hatchback – but at least the cabin feels more spacious than the Model 3.
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- Priced from around £30,000
Not everyone wants a saloon car the size of a limousine, so hatchback-based models like the Audi A3 Saloon fill a small but important niche. Everything in front of the rear wheels is essentially carried over from the regular A3, but you get a longer saloon-style boot instead of a boxy hatchback body. As a result, it’s not quite as practical as its twin, but the style of the Saloon model will no doubt win over some buyers.
Everything we like – and dislike – about the regular Audi A3 applies here. You get the same superb interior that punches above its price tag, with good material quality and a useful set of physical controls below the infotainment screen. There’s plenty of legroom in the rear for a car of this size, but we found headroom to be slightly restricted.
As the Audi A3 Saloon is essentially a Volkswagen Golf under the skin, the driving experience is reassuringly planted and predictable. It’s not particularly sporty – unless you opt for the rapid S3 or RS 3 Saloon – but most buyers will prefer its comfortable suspension setup. There are two petrol engines and one diesel to pick from, all feeling punchy and refined while returning respectable fuel economy.
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Got a four-legged friend to bring for the ride? Read our list of the best estate cars…
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