Even if the hatchback and the crossover classes often have the sharp end of the sales charts to themselves these days, there is still a big market for the saloon car.
Whether you simply need more interior space than a hatchback, or you regularly partake in longer journeys up and down the country’s motorways, the saloon body shape is as relevant to the car industry as ever.
With countless saloons on the market, it can be difficult to work out which serve as the cream of the crop; this is the list we have narrowed down as the best saloon cars on sale today.
Volvo S60
With an immaculate design, a focus on technology and safety, and a good reputation for reliability, there are few cars that make as much sense to buy as the Volvo S60.
Long lauded for its estate and saloon output, Volvo’s proved with the S60 that it can also produce a damn good saloon, too. Opt for the more luxurious S90 if you want more space.
Audi A6
Established as a model in the 90s to combat Mercedes’ E-Class and the BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6 is certainly a sober option in the mid-size saloon market. While the driving dynamics don’t quite match those offered from the BMW camp, and Mercedes is likely to always have the edge on sheer image, there are few better all-rounders than the A6.
BMW 3 Series
With a history dating back over 40 years, the 3 Series and its plethora of variants are a key backbone to the BMW brand. Now in its seventh-generation, the 3 Series looks unlikely to lose its place as the definitive compact executive saloon any time soon.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
For Alfa Romeo, the reintroduction of the Giulia nomenclature was a signal of intent. Replacing the 159 in the line-up, the Giulia did away with front-wheel drive in favour of rear or all-wheel drive, allowing the car’s improved chassis dynamics to shine through properly.
The experience behind the wheel – as well as the truly gorgeous looks – is all the convincing some will need to opt for the Italian over its countless rivals from Germany.
Mercedes E-Class
While its predecessors date back as far as the 1950s, the E-Class name itself debuted in 1993. While its bigger brother – the S-Class – has proven to be the showcase for technologies of the future, a good portion of what we see in the Mercedes flagship does also work its way down to the E-Class.
Currently in its fifth generation, the E-Class sits at the cutting edge of autonomous tech, and creature comforts as a whole.
Jaguar XE
Debuting in 2015 as Jaguar’s answer to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, the XE was envisioned as the model that would bridge the gap between luxury and mainstream for the British marque.
While it hasn’t sold in droves thus far, the XE is a perfectly capable alternative to the German offerings, and a recent refresh of the model ensures that it still looks entirely up-to-date.
VW Passat
Overall, it could be said that the Volkswagen brand does a superb job of balancing itself between being the people’s car it was always intended to be, and a prestigious brand.
The Passat is a great example of this. Essentially a middle-ground within its group between offerings from Skoda and Audi, the Passat is sleek and refined, and an update for 2019 is set to arrive on forecourts soon.
Kia Optima
While stablemate Hyundai’s stock is also rising, it is fair to say that Kia has done the best job of positioning itself among the mainstream manufacturers, to become one of the more popular brands in the UK.
And while the Optima doesn’t necessarily have the mass-market appeal of its crossover siblings from within the Kia brand, it’s still a handsome and very practical car. Those of a green disposition can even opt for a plug-in hybrid model.
Mazda6
While the third generation of Mazda’s 6 saloon has been around for a while, it was refreshed in 2018 to better represent the marque’s Kodo design language.
It certainly looks the part, and it drives beautifully as well – Mazda may be the best non-premium manufacturer for making cars like this. The 6 is a strong contender that should be on your shortlist.
Skoda Superb
Long gone are the days when Skoda dubbing its flagship the Superb was considered a misnomer. This is a truly brilliant car, though its hatchback boot opening does technically exclude it from this list.
With good value for money, a genuine luxurious streak and impressive performance at the top end of the range, the Superb can offer something for everyone – particularly those who want ultimate practicality with a strong hint of class.