Executive Reviews

Top Gear’s guide to: Executives

A saloon with a premium badge, generally better quality… and the associated weighty price hike

What you need to know

Check spec

A better badge means you pay more for less obvious toys. So be careful totting up

Driving

A proper executive saloon should really deliver driving pleasure. If not, ditch it

Speed

Some of the Execs really are very fast indeed. Some of the large diesels especially so

Eco versions

BMW’s ‘Efficient Dynamics’ has made it cool to be efficient; look out for clean variants

Service

If you’re shelling out, a dealer should treat you with respect. Make sure that they do

Residuals

Exec saloons tend to have very good residual values. Good news when you come to trade
Found 7 results
8/10
Mercedes-Benz

E-Class

£38,285 – £105,330

Mercedes has thrown everything it knows into the new E-Class. You can tell.

8/10
Volvo

S90

£38,200 – £47,900

Goes in a different direction to the German alternatives, with convincing success.

8/10
BMW

5 Series

£37,375 – £56,425

Typically BMW for its sheer composure on the road and fine refinement.

8/10
Audi

A6

£39,110 – £76,310

A brilliantly-designed item. Every inch the mini-A8, but not as good to drive as a 5er.

7/10
Jaguar

XF

£34,725 – £52,125

In isolation, the Jaguar XF is a good car. But against an immensely talented - and varied - crop of rivals, it falls a little short

7/10
Audi

A5 Sportback

£34,525 – £56,240

Beautifully built and beautiful to look at. But the A4 is 98 per cent as good, cheaper and less pretentious.

7/10
Maserati

Ghibli

£62,850 – £91,910

Credible alternative to the establishment, without being quite as talented as the key players.