Fleet options: 40 of the best company cars
- Gareth Herincx
- @garethherincx
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Around half the cars sold in the UK every year are company cars – that’s some 1.3 million vehicles based on 2015 registrations.
Ideally, company cars should have efficient engines to make them cheap to run, but they should also be comfortable, refined, enjoyable to drive and packed with the latest infotainment and safety technology.
In our hotlist, we’ve also included annual Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) tax percentages alongside each car. The least polluting models earn a 5% BIK rate, while the highest polluters are taxed at 35%. Company car drivers’ tax calculations are based on a combination of CO2 emissions, the car’s official list price, the value of optional extras, what type of fuel it uses, plus how and when the car is paid for and used.
Volvo S90 2.0 D4 R-Design 190HP Geartronic - £35,055
The all-new Volvo S90, along with its very handsome estate (V90) sibling is safe, classy, comfortable and economical. It’s fitted with Volvo’s superb portrait-orientated touchscreen infotainment system.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 23%
CO2 emissions: 116g/km
Economy: 64mpg
Luggage space: 500 litres
Reliability: Volvo finished a lowly 22nd in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Jaguar XE 2.0d Portfolio 163PS - £32,975
Now there’s a plucky British alternative to the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. Jaguar’s InControl Touch infotainment system comes as standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, but you can upgrade to a 10.2-inch Pro system.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Economy: 74mpg
Luggage space: 455 litres
Reliability: Jaguar came a reasonable 17th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
BMW X1 sDrive18d M Sport - £30,440
Launched in 2015, the latest X1 is an SUV transformed. Comfortable and practical with plenty of kit available. As with all BMWs, the infotainment is standard.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 21%
CO2 emissions: 109g/km
Economy: 60mpg
Luggage space: 505 litres
Reliability: BMW came just 21st in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI SE Business 150PS - £22,555
Classy, safe, spacious and comfortable – the Superb is a great cruiser. The estate is enormous. Top-of-the-range models fitted with an 8-inch touchscreen.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 21%
CO2 emissions: 118g/km
Economy: 63mpg
Luggage space: 625 litres
Reliability: Skoda finished a superb eighth in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
MINI Clubman 1.5 One D 116hp - £21,375
An alternative estate with its twin boot doors and funky feel, the new Clubman is definitely worth considering. The quirky centre dial incorporates the infotainment system.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Economy: 74mpg
Luggage space: 360 litres
Reliability: MINI came last in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Lexus NX 300h S E-CVT - £30,995
This distinctive looking hybrid SUV is worth considering. Sat nav is only standard on the top spec trim though.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 20%
CO2 emissions: 116g/km
Economy: 57mpg
Luggage space: 475 litres
Reliability: Lexus came as superb second in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Porsche Panamera 3.0 S E-Hybrid Tiptronic S - £79,770
Its looks may be divisive, but the Panamera’s blend of performance, economy and luxury is mind-boggling. It comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 11%
CO2 emissions: 56g/km
Economy: 113mpg
Luggage space: 405 litres
Reliability: Porsche came a reasonable 14th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 BlueHDi Touch Edition 100hp S&S - £20,690
Updated in 2016, it looks more futuristic than ever, and there’s plenty of slick tech inside.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Economy 74mpg
Luggage space: 537 litres
Reliability: Citroen came a so-so 19th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi Style ECOnetic 105PS - £19,595
The Focus isn’t the biggest-selling car in its sector for nothing. Fun to drive and practical, the SYNC 2 touchscreen infotainment system is available from Zetec trim level upwards.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 18%
CO2 emissions: 88g/km
Economy: 83mpg
Luggage space: 316 litres
Reliability: Ford came a lowly 26th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 350e PHEV Sport Auto - £38,900
The plug-in hybrid version of Merc’s best-selling compact executive saloon blends performance and economy.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 7%
CO2 emissions: 48g/km
Economy: 134.5mpg
Luggage space: 335 litres
Reliability: Mercedes-Benz came just 18th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Vaxuhall Insignia 1.6 CDTi Design 136PS Start/Stop ecoFLEX - £20,584
Vauxhall’s comfortable cruiser is a company car favourite. The IntelliLink infotainment system is fitted as standard to higher-spec models.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Economy: 74mpg
Luggage space: 5300 litres
Reliability: Vauxhall finished just 20th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC S 120PS - £19,995
The Civic is a solid choice and especially practical in Tourer form. Honda CONNECT with a 7-inch touchscreen available from SE Plus trim level.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Economy: 74mpg
Luggage space: 624 litres
Reliability: Honda came a superb fifth in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
BMW 3 Series Saloon 320d ED Plus Auto - £32,220
Great to drive with added badge appeal, the 3 Series is a company car favourite, plus there’s a quality infotainment system as standard.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Economy: 72mpg
Luggage space: 480 litres
Reliability: BMW came just 21st in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Jaguar XF 2.0d Prestige 163PS - £32,300
At last, a British alternative to the German executive saloons – and the XF drives as well as it looks. An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, but it can be upgraded to a 10.2-inch version
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 20%
CO2 emissions: 104g/km
Economy: 71mpg
Luggage space: 540 litres
Reliability: Jaguar came a reasonable 17th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Renault Megane 1.5 dCi Expression+ 110 - £18,250
The all-new Renault Megane is better than ever – refined, safe, comfortable and well equipped. Lovely big tablet in the centre console, though it’s not standard on the entry level.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 96g/km
Economy: 76mpg
Luggage space: 384 litres
Reliability: Renault came a decent 11th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi 2 114hp ISG - £22,300
The all-new Kia Sportage is the best yet – distinctive looks, practical and spacious. The touchscreen infotainment system comes on every model from the “2” trim upwards.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 23%
CO2 emissions: 119g/km
Economy: 61mpg
Luggage space: 503 litres
Reliability: Kia came a very good 10th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro SE 218PS Tiptronic - £48,455
The new Audi Q7 launched in 2015 and it’s the best yet. Big, safe, luxurious, plus Audi’s superb “virtual cockpit” is available.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 30%
CO2 emissions: 150g/km
Economy: 49mpg
Luggage space: 770 litres
Reliability: Audi came a surprisingly low 23rd in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 TD4 HSE 150hp - £35,795
Good looking, competitively priced and superb off-road, the Discovery Sport can also seat seven. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 25%
CO2 emissions: 129g/km
Economy: 58mpg
Luggage space: 689 litres
Reliability: Land Rover came a lowly 30th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Volvo XC90 2.0 T8 Twin Engine Hybrid Momentum Auto - £60,455
Volvo’s acclaimed big SUV looks and feels classy. Go for this hybrid and you potentially get great economy too. It’s fitted with Volvo’s superb portrait-orientated touchscreen infotainment system.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 7%
CO2 emissions: 49g/km
Economy: 134mpg
Luggage space: 314 litres
Reliability: Volvo finished a lowly 22nd in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Lexus CT200h S E-CVT - £21,940
Handsome and refined, this is one of the best hybrids out there. It has a 7-inch touchscreen embedded into the centre console.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 15%
CO2 emissions: 82g/km
Luggage space: 375 litres
Economy: 78mpg
Reliability: Lexus came as superb second in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Mazda6 2.2 SE 150PS SKYACTIV-D - £22,295
Mazda’s big executive saloon is a great motorway cruiser, while the estate version is cavernous. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 21%
CO2 emissions: 107g/km
Economy: 67mpg
Luggage space: 489 litres
Reliability: Mazda came an excellent sixth in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Volkswagen Passat Saloon 1.6 TDI SCR BlueMotion 120PS - £23,560
It may have divisive styling, but the Passat is a solid, classy choice with loads of space. A 6.5-inch central touchscreen is standard from the entry level model up.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 95g/km
Economy: 76mpg
Luggage space: 586 litres
Reliability: VW finished a surprisingly low 29th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Mitsubishi Oultander PHEV 2.0 GX4H Auto - £38,954
More than 25,000 of these popular plug-in hybrids are on UK roads (half of PHEVs). Say no more. All models bar the base GX3H trim get a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 7%
CO2 emissions: 42g/km
Economy: 157mpg
Luggage space: 463 litres
Reliability: Mitsubishi came a so-so 15th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi Visia 110PS - £20,375
It’s the car that arguably started the crossover craze and the latest version is better than ever. It’s fitted with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Economy: 74mpg
Luggage space: 430 litres
Reliability: Nissane came a surprisingly low 28th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi Premium 116PS 2WD ISG - £25,395
The Tucson is a great alternative to the Nissan Qashqai – easy to drive, practical, spacious and great value, the 8-inch touchscreen is available from SE Nav trim level upwards.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 23%
CO2 emissions: 119g/km
Economy: 61mpg
Luggage space: 488 litres
Reliability: Hyundai came just 25th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Peugeot 508 1.6 BlueHDi Active 120 S&S - £23,650
Peugeot’s spacious saloon is a slightly unconventional choice, but it’s hard to beat on economy – entry-level trim includes a 7-inch touchscreen sat nav.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Economy: 74mpg
Luggage space: 473 litres
Reliability: Unlucky for some – Peugeot came 13th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Kia Optima Sportswagon 1.7 CRDi 2 139hp ISG - £22,295
It’s not just one of the best looking estates on the road – it drives well too, plus it features a 7 or 8-inch infotainment screen depending on which trim level you go for.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 22%
CO2 emissions: 113g/km
Economy: 64mpg
Luggage space: 552 litres
Reliability: Kia came a very good 10th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Renault Kadjar 1.5 dCi 110 Expression+ - £21,895
Practical, good looking and spacious, the Kadjar features Renault’s R-LINK 2 infotainment system as standard on higher spec models.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Economy: 74mpg
Luggage space: 472 litres
Reliability: Renault came a decent 11th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Search for a Renault Kadjar on Auto Trader
Jaguar F-Pace 2.0 Portfolio 180PS - £40,020
The first Big Cat SUV looks fantastic, is very spacious and drives well, while the latest InControl infotainment system is a big improvement.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 25%
CO2 emissions: 129g/km
Economy: 58mpg
Luggage space: 650 litres
Reliability: Jaguar came a reasonable 17th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Audi A4 SE 2.0 TDI 150PS Ultra - £29,600
The all-new Audi A4 launched in 2015 is better than ever – classy, safe and economical with an optional digital dashboard (virtual cockpit).
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 19%
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Economy: 74mpg
Luggage space: 480 litres
Reliability: Audi came a surprisingly low 23rd in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 200 d SE 9G-Tronic - £34,440
The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is better than ever – classy, spacious, safe and economical. Pay extra for the amazing twin 12.3-inch widescreen display.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 20%
CO2 emissions: 102g/km
Economy: 72mpg
Luggage space: 540 litres
Reliability: Mercedes-Benz came just 18th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI CR SE Business Greenline III 110PS - £20,225
Spacious, safe, very economical and well built – the estate version is cavernous. Infotainment touchscreen standard across the range.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 18%
CO2 emissions: 115g/km
Economy: 64mpg
Luggage space: 590 litres
Reliability: Skoda finished a superb eighth in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Audi A6 2.0 TDI ultra SE Executive 190PS S Tronic - £34,525
The classy A6 is up there with the best of the big executive saloons – the state-of-the-art digital dashboard (virtual cockpit) is available too.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 21%
CO2 emissions: 109g/km
Economy: 66mpg
Luggage space: 530 litres
Reliability: Audi came a surprisingly low 23rd in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
BMW 5 Series Saloon 520d SE Auto - £34,165
Another executive car favourite from BMW that’s great to drive, offering plenty of comfort and a quality infotainment system.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 21%
CO2 emissions: 109g/km
Economy: 66mpg
Luggage space: 520 litres
Reliability: BMW came just 21st in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Tesla Model S 60kWh - £53,835
Tesla’s luxurious, ground-breaking 100% electric saloon is already the stuff of legend. Packed with tech, it sports a massive tablet in its clutter-free centre console.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 7%
CO2 emissions: 0 g/km
Range: 253 miles
Luggage space: 894 litres (inc 150l up front)
Reliability: Tesla finished a stunning fifth in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi Tech Line 110PS S/S ecoFLEX - £18,815
The latest version of the Astra is better than ever – this version can manage an amazing 85mpg in theory. All models come with Vauxhall’s IntelliLink touchscreen infotainment system.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 18%
CO2 emissions: 88g/km
Economy: 86mpg
Luggage space: 370 litres
Reliability: Vauxhall finished just 20th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers
BMW 1 Series 116d ED Plus - £22,180
The 1 Series drives as well as it looks, plus there’s a quality infotainment system as standard – and it’s got big badge appeal.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 18%
CO2 emissions: 89g/km
Economy: 83mpg
Luggage space: 360 litres
Reliability: BMW came just 21st in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Ford Mondeo 1.5 TDCi Style 120PS ECOnetic - £21,795
Big and comfortable, the Mondeo is a great motorway mile muncher. Standard equipment is generous with an 8-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system available from the entry level up.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 18%
CO2 emissions: 94g/km
Economy: 79mpg
Luggage space: 541 litres
Reliability: Ford came a lowly 26th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion 110PS - £21,705
The latest Golf is better than ever – classy and it drives well do with a great range of engines. Even entry-level S models get a 5.8-inch infotainment touchscreen.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 18%
CO2 emissions: 89g/km
Economy: 83mpg
Luggage space: 380 litres
Reliability: VW finished a surprisingly low 29th in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.
Toyota Prius 1.8 VVT-i Business Edition Plus CVT - £26,300
The fourth generation Prius hybrid finally looks good. Taxi drivers love them for good reason. Even the entry level model comes with a Touch 2 touchscreen infotainment system.
BIK (benefit in kind) tax band (2016/17): 15%
CO2 emissions: 76g/km
Economy: 86mpg
Luggage space: 502 litres
Reliability: Toyota finished an excellent fourth in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power survey of most reliable car manufacturers.