The saloon is unquestionably a dying breed when it comes to best family cars these days. The ever-rising popularity of SUVs, and manufacturers bending to market demand, has driven nail after nail into the coffin of the stalwart four-door saloon body style.
Which is a shame, in many respects, given that a good saloon can be a tremendously comfortable and enjoyable car to drive – often more so than a taller SUV. And saloons frequently clock in with other advantages, such as lower running costs and kerb weights. Some buyers may also simply appreciate the more subtle nature of saloons, compared to a tall and bulky-looking SUV.
Even though their popularity is diminishing, there are still quite a few saloons available to buyers, ranging from all-electric options to high-performance super-saloons, and everything in between. Scroll down to see our top 10 list of the best saloon cars for 2024.
The best saloon cars for 2024
Editor’s choice: BMW 3 Series
A comfortable compact saloon that’s great fun
Pros:
✅ Wide range of choice, including powerful M3
✅ Enjoyable to drive but also comfortable
Cons:
❌ Can get expensive, particularly with options
❌ A few minor quality grumbles inside
The compact executive saloon car class, even in this day and age, isn’t devoid of competition. There are the likes of the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and myriad less common choices, such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Peugeot 508, Jaguar XE and Lexus IS. But, out of all of them, the mainstay in the sector is undoubtedly the BMW 3 Series.
From its high-quality interior to its extensive powertrain and equipment line-up, there’s little that the BMW doesn’t do well. When you want to travel in comfort, it’ll oblige, with an easy-going and relaxed nature; when you want to have some fun, it’s sharp to drive and responsive. Few cars cover the bases as well as the 3 Series does, which is why it remains the prime choice for many.
Read our full BMW 3 Series review
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Tesla Model 3
A great long-range electric saloon
Pros:
✅ Gratifying to drive
✅ Excellent real-world range
Cons:
❌ Interior not to all tastes
❌ Reliability and service issues
The Model 3 is Tesla’s most recent entrant for the saloon car market. Like the Model S that preceded it, the Model 3 serves up an alluring combination of excellent usability, a great real-world range and an array of modern features. It’s also good to drive and, in higher specifications, extremely quick.
Go for the standard Model 3 and you’ll get a swift electric saloon that’s capable of covering up to 305 miles on a single charge, while the Long Range can hit 374 miles. And if you want outrageous acceleration, opt for the Model 3 Performance – it can sprint from 0-60mph in just 3.1 seconds.
Read our full Tesla Model 3 review
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Mercedes-Benz S-Class
A luxury saloon that’s refined and clever
Pros:
✅ Impressive comfort and tech
✅ Agile handling for its class
Cons:
❌ Some features can be overbearing
❌ Expensive to buy and run
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is, and has been since its inception, one of the best luxury cars available. The latest W223-generation model features a plethora of advanced technology, including an augmented-reality heads-up display. You can even get a plug-in-hybrid long-wheelbase model capable of covering 68 all-electric miles on a single charge.
What’s particularly impressive is that, despite its size and weight, the Mercedes-Benz remains enjoyable to drive. It’s also tremendously comfortable and there is plenty of choice on the options front. These factors, and more, all resulted in the S-Class being awarded the Parkers 2022 Luxury Car of the Year.
Read our full Mercedes-Benz S-Class review
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
A charismatic and capable sporting saloon
Pros:
✅ Serious performance and great fun
✅ Sublime looks and captivating character
Cons:
❌ Tech and interior lags behind rivals
❌ Lack of all-wheel drive may put some off
It’s all too easy to default to the German options if you want a high-performance saloon. But, if you were to do so, you’d be overlooking one of the most compelling and entertaining options around: the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, which deserves a stand-out mention here.
The stylish, soulful saloon packs a twin-turbocharged V6 that punches 510hp to the rear wheels and, if traction is on your side, it’ll sprint from 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds. But it’s also a balanced, engaging and controllable car, and one that’s eminently rewarding to drive. If the traditional options leave you cold, this honed Italian super-saloon could be just what you’re looking for.
Read our full Alfa Romeo Giulia review
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Audi A6
Handsome, understated and easy to live with
Pros:
✅ A subtle and capable all-rounder
✅ Plenty of engine and tech options
Cons:
❌ Starting to get a little old
❌ A bit drab and unexciting
The Audi A6 is a good option for buyers wanting a comfortable and refined saloon that can vacuum up terrific distances with ease. Options such as powerful yet efficient diesel engines give it superb legs, while a high standard of build quality and modern technology give it the premium edge it needs to readily compete with rivals such as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Admittedly, it might not drive as sharply as the comparable BMW, erring more towards comfort than outright driving fun in its standard specification – but, for some, that could be preferable. Regardless, if you can find a good deal on one, the understated A6 is a solid choice in the saloon marketplace. And if you need something smaller or bigger, well, there’s always the A3, A4 and A8 saloons to look at.
Read our full Audi A6 review
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Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Modern technology and a striking interior
Pros:
✅ Refined petrol and diesel engines
✅ Fantastic interior and technology
Cons:
❌ Interior space is a little lacking
❌ Not hugely compelling to drive
This generation of C-Class might not have been a clean-sheet design, but Mercedes certainly put in the effort to make it feel like a very different machine. New styling, a dramatically different interior, a host of mechanical upgrades and an array of new technology all serve to deliver a desirable and capable modern saloon.
Inside, the shades of the bigger S-Class make the C-Class feel every inch the premium option, while its smart styling and good motorway manners add to its appeal further. It’s not as engaging as a BMW 3 Series, for sure, but the high-performance Mercedes-AMG C43 and C63 derivatives will certainly get your pulse racing.
Read our full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
BMW i7
An excellent luxury electric saloon
Pros:
✅ Quick, comfortable and easy to drive
✅ Wide array of terrific technology
Cons:
❌ Interior and tech may not be to all tastes
❌ Regular 7 Series is slightly better to drive
The Tesla Model S has long been the go-to option for those wanting an all-electric luxury saloon. However, in the past few years, other manufacturers have started catching up and offering their own pure electric models, giving buyers more options.
BMW’s i7 is the German manufacturer’s first foray into the luxury saloon market and it is, quite simply, a superb one. It’s great to drive, quick, spacious, comfortable and high quality, unlike the comparable Mercedes-Benz EQS. Some people won’t like its reliance on touch-screen controls, but if you can get used to the technology then you’ll find plenty to like about the BMW i7.
Read our full BMW i7 review
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Mercedes-Benz E-Class
A top-drawer executive saloon
Pros:
✅ Sublime interior refinement and comfort
✅ Petrol, diesel, plug-in and performance options
Cons:
❌ Can get expensive as you work up the range
❌ You’ll have more fun in a BMW or Jaguar
If you’re shopping for a new executive car, and want something sizeable, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class will probably be near the top of your list. And justifiably so; it’s stylish, spacious, remarkably comfortable and ideal for those with lots of long-distance driving in mind.
What’s also appealing is that it is available with a choice of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, of which even the entry-level options work well. Some E-Class variants are also offered with all-wheel drive and, like other Mercedes, high-performance AMG derivatives are available, too. But if you want something innately more involving to drive, go for a BMW 5 Series.
Read our full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
BMW 5 Series
A compelling and comfortable saloon
Pros:
✅ An excellent saloon to be in and to drive
✅ Good range of tech and engine options
Cons:
❌ Ticking options quickly ramps up the price
❌ Some versions drive notably better than others
BMW is renowned for delivering more engaging cars than many competitor offerings, and the story’s no different with the 5 Series. It offers an involving driving experience, coupled with strong performance and a first-class cabin, frequently making it the premium executive saloon against which others are measured.
That isn’t to say that it’s completely flawless, mind; an E-Class has a slightly larger boot, for example. But, that aside, any 5 Series will serve up a luxurious and satisfying driving experience. Couple this with options such as the plug-in hybrid and outrageous M5, and it’s easy to see why it makes the top of many a shopping list.
Read our full BMW 5 Series review
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Porsche Taycan
Incredible all-electric performance and comfort
Pros:
✅ Terrific performance and handling
✅ Decent efficiency and a long range
Cons:
❌ Not as practical as some rivals
❌ Limited 800V charging support
A lot of EVs will put a smile on your face when you press the accelerator, but not a huge number will do the same when you tackle a series of corners. The Porsche Taycan is one of the few that will, delivering a thrilling driving experience, despite its substantial kerb weight.
But there’s more to the Porsche Taycan than just handling prowess; it’s also quick, easy to live with, comfortable, packed with kit and prestigious. And, as a bonus, some variants can cover more than 300 miles on a single charge.
Read our full Porsche Taycan review
Any other cars to consider?
Dig through the manufacturer configurators for saloons and you might be surprised by the variety of options that are still out there. At the upmarket end, you’ve choices such as the Bentley Flying Spur, Rolls-Royce Phantom and Rolls-Royce Ghost, which are all sublime yet terrifically expensive.
At the more accessible end of the scale, there are choices such as the Audi A3 saloon, which is ideal for those wanting a smaller yet mature-feeling and capable compact four-door option. It’s a little shy on the equipment front, though, and the less expensive A3 hatchback is more practical due to the design of its boot, making it harder to justify. It’s a similar story with the saloon variants of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Mazda 3.
What we’d also recommend considering, if you’re not sold on any of the more conventional options, older Tesla Model S aside, is the Genesis G80 Electrified (below) and Hyundai Ioniq 6 saloon. These latest entries to the saloon market are interesting, if not quite as good as some competitors, but their distinctive nature might be compensation enough for their foibles elsewhere.
Why buy?
A saloon is a good option if you’re looking for a car for longer commutes and long-distance distance driving. Typically, they’re spacious, comfortable, easy to drive and refined, making them ideal for trips measured in hours, not minutes. The subtle styling of many a saloon will be appreciated by some, too, unlike the taller and more imposing presence of an SUV.
Most saloons can carry four or five adults with ease, and the array of models out there should allow you to find something that matches your driving style and use without much fuss. Electric, hybrid, performance and long-range diesel options are all available, and you’ll find some of the most advanced technology around in the range-topping models.
What will also appeal to certain buyers is the improved performance and comfort offered in some saloons, compared to their SUV counterparts. The lower centre of gravity of saloons often translates to improved handling and comfort, resulting in a more engaging and enjoyable driving experience. And, in some cases, a high-performance four-door saloon will prove far more usable and practical than its two-door coupe counterpart.
