The Best Executive Cars For Commuting

First launched in 1975, the BMW 3 Series is now in its seventh generation and throughout the many years it has consistently been a frontrunner, with solid build quality, the latest technology, and an excellent driving experience. It was an easy pick for first place, despite the strong competition. Its popularity speaks volume: it is the best-selling car for BMW and it accounts for approximately 30% of the German marque’s global car sales. And it’s no surprise why. In terms of engineering quality, it’s up there with the mighty Porsche 911. It is class leading to drive, unmistakably polished and suitably sophisticated in its styling,  with a practical and upmarket cabin, and comes with a good range of engines, from the fuel efficient to the punchy. There are hybrid and plug-in hybrid variations too, offering low C02 emissions and high miles per gallon. Finally, it’s known to be reliable, as well as being smooth and quiet in its ride experience – perfect for executives on their way to work.

One of few rivals to the 3 Series able to genuinely hold its own, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class excels in the luxury department, offering a premium cabin laced with soft materials and a very refined ride experience. Introduced in 1993, the car is now in its fourth generation, with each one improving on the last. And even at this successful stage of life, Mercedes are keen to push the C-Class further, changing the design of the car by almost 50%. Most of those changes were made to incorporate the innovative technologies of the prestigious S-Class (Mercedes’ class-leading luxury car), which basically means the C-Class is even more luxurious, high-tech, and  cutting-edge than ever. It’s packed with a host of safety features, drivers assists, and equipment too. It’s available with a choice of frugal and powerful engines, as well as a fuel-efficient hybrid. And when it comes to driving, it offers an involved and sporty experience, getting you to the office in comfort and style.

Despite being one of the newer car manufacturers on the scene, Tesla has managed to make a big impact on the motoring world. Arguably, it is the company that popularised electric vehicles for modern audiences and mass production, bringing attention to EVs like no other, with premium quality, upmarket designs, and a wealth of cutting-edge technology. Launched in 2017, the Model 3 is such a car, continuing Tesla’s distinct brand of motoring. And it’s a superb choice as an executive vehicle for commuters: it has an outstanding range up to 254 miles (or 348 miles in the long-range version),  enjoys incredible performance with lightning fast acceleration, and is a lot of fun to drive. Furthermore, the car is incredibly refined and quiet, providing a smooth journey. Of course, the cabin is laden with state-of-the-art tech too, including a 15-inch touchscreen which is one of the best in the business. And then there’s the Tesla Autopilot system, which one day will allow executives to sit back and relax, whilst the car does the driving for them. With this winning formula, the Model 3 has become the world’s best-selling electric vehicle with over 500,000 units sold around the globe.

Superb by name and superb in nature, Skoda’s executive car might not carry the same brand appeal as those in the podium positions, but then again, they don’t carry the bargain price tag thatthe Superb does. It offers a lot of car for your cash, proving great value for money. When it comes to an affordable executive vehicle with an abundance of cabin space and practicality, the Skoda Superb is at the top. And although it may be cheaper in price compared to the competition, it is in no way cheap. In fact, it offers good levels of luxury throughout, from its sophisticated styling, to the upmarket cabin. Now in its third generation, the Skoda Superb continues to hold its own against the big three on our podium positions.

If you need a mid-size executive car with more interior space and a larger boot, then the BMW 5 Series is a leader here. The long running car, arriving in the 70s, has consistently been ahead of the pack.At the heart of every generation one key aspect has remained the same: it is involving, and a lot of fun to drive. Many features from BMW’s top-spec 7 Series are incorporated into the 5 Series, before any of the other cars in the German marque’s range, so it’s always at the forefront of technology. The latest 5 Series goes one step further with a new and improved lightweight body, and almost all new parts based on the chassis of the luxury 7 Series. Needless to say, it is a very impressive car with solid build quality, high-levels of refinement, leading equipment, and a top-class driving experience that will put a grin on your face – perfect for starting the day in the right frame of mind.

Sharing its underpinnings with the fantastic XC90 SUV, the Volvo S90 is another example of the brand’s commitment to safety and practicality – two areas the car absolutely excels in. Like its SUV sibling, it also offers an excellent amount of space with lots leg and headroom. Typical of the marque, the S90 also comes packed with the latest safety features and driver’s assists, as well as a load of equipment as standard. It’s the biggest saloon in the Volvo range, standing alongside the V90 estate and providing an alternative to other large executive cars like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. And the S90 holds its own with classy, understated styling, a range of fuel efficient engines (including hybrid options), and a very relaxing and comfortable ride experience.

Tesla’s second attempt at an electric vehicle after the Roadster, the Model S was unveiled in 2012, arriving on British shores in 2014. If you can afford it, you can put it on a podium spot – it’s that good. Simply put, it is the class-leading EV, boasting incredible performance, a wealth of cutting-edge technology, and an outstanding range up to 405 miles (with the latest models). In fact, the Model S is also a class leader against its fossil fuel counterparts, with a leading 804-litre boot and supercar acceleration in P100D models, achieving 0-60mph in a blisteringly fast 2.3 seconds. Even outside the top-spec variants, this executive vehicle still accelerates like a sports car. It goes without saying, but  the Model S is a lot of fun to drive.

In the same league as the BMW 5 Series, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the car that sits just below the company’s flagship luxury saloon, the S-Class, which is renowned for being a leader in the premium segment and for its ground-breaking technology. Similar to the 5 Series, the impressive tech from the S-Class rolls down to the E-Class first, making it one fantastic executive car. It is a truly deluxe vehicle with premium badge appeal. Plus, it is packed with the latest equipment, incredibly refined and comfortable, very practical with a 640-litre boot, and enjoys a class-leading cabin that is very elegant and plush. From its rollout in 1993, the E-Class has consistently run at the front of the pack, alongside BMW, and the latest models continue the trend.

Introduced in the UK in 2002, the Mazda 6 is now in its third generation with a couple of updates. If you’re looking for an executive commuter car with a bit of a difference, then the Mazda 6 is a worthy vehicle to consider. It might not be as spacious or luxurious as others on this list, and it might not match the interior quality set by the class leaders, but it does two very important things absolutely spot on: the driving experience and the car’s reliability. It’s quite simply one of the best to drive in the segment, even giving the 3 Series a run for its money in that department. Furthermore, it is known for being very reliable too. It has excellent styling and it comes with a good range of efficient and powerful engines as well.

The Volkswagen Passat is a top-selling car in the UK with a nameplate stretching back to 1973, spanning an impressive eight generations. It offers a similar low starting price, in the same vein as the Skoda Superb, providing an affordable executive car that looks every bit the part with suave, reserved styling and a premium finish. It’s a very spacious and practical auto too, with a huge boot and a roomy cabin. For those who have a long commute or those who frequently travel up and down the motorway network, the Passat is an executive car worth considering, as it is a very comfortable cruiser with good levels of refinement. Plus, it is offered with a fantastic range of engines from the fuel efficient, to the powerful, as well as a plug-in hybrid variant.