With many buyers flocking to SUVs, prices for saloon cars can be surprisingly affordable – especially on the used market.
Saloons make great family cars, too. They have plenty of passenger and cargo space, and often handle better while using less fuel than SUVs by being lower and lighter.
Here are our 10 favourite saloon and saloon-like models you can buy as nearly new cars – saving thousands on the brand-new price.
Audi A6
Audi might be more famous for its Avant estate models, but the A6 saloon cuts an imperious form wherever you drive it. Plus, with no SUV tax to pay when you buy it, this big Audi might be more affordable than you think. That's especially true on the used market, where the A6 tends to be priced a little under its key BMW and Mercedes rivals. There's space for a pair of VIPs to luxuriate in the back seats, and there'll be no complaints about the ride quality thanks to the A6's well-judged suspension. Check out the smaller Audi A4 if you want the same qualities at a lower price.
See used Audi A6 cars or read our Audi A6 review
Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Hyundai Ioniq 6's styling is so unique that you might not immediately think of it as a saloon, especially with its dramatically curved roofline. It does fit the bill, however, thanks to its gargantuan interior with ample rear legroom, and its traditional saloon-style boot lid. Its aerodynamic shape makes the most of its 77kWh battery pack, with a 338-mile range for rear-wheel-drive cars and 322 for all-wheel-drive models – the latter of which will handily thrash most hot hatches in a sprint, racing from 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds.
Check out used Hyundai Ioniq 6 cars or read our Hyundai Ioniq 6 review
Mazda 6
The Mazda 6 is one of the older cars on this list, but several substantial facelifts have kept it in contention among this company. What's remained the same throughout its sales run is the car's svelte styling, featuring swoopy bodywork, pointed lighting and the company's signature shield-shaped front grille. Material quality in the cabin is great, with plenty of soft touch surfaces and a tasteful, understated look without the wall-to-wall screens so many rivals have embraced. Mazda's clever Skyactiv engines feel responsive on the road with respectable fuel economy.
Take a look at used Mazda 6 cars for sale
BMW 5 Series
BMW's answer to whether a large saloon should be sporty or comfortable is "why not both?". The 5 Series feels like a precision instrument on the road, with planted handling and sharper turn-in than you'd expect for a car this size. But, for all its agility, it still softens bumps impressively, so your rear passengers won't be complaining about your driving while they're stretching out. There are mild-hybrid petrols at the entry-level point, or check out the 530e plug-in hybrid or the fully electric BMW i5 if you do more urban driving.
Shop used BMW 5 Series cars for sale or read our BMW 5 Series review
Mercedes C-Class
If you need more than just a car to get from A to B, consider the Mercedes C-Class. It's not the most affordable option on this list but, once you step inside, you see where the extra budget went. The materials and build quality are impeccable at this price point, with leather and metal trim on most of the surfaces and controls you regularly interact with. What's more, the C-Class is brilliant to drive, with a composed-yet-cosseting ride quality that floats over bumps, and easy, accurate controls.
Check out used Mercedes C-Class cars or read our Mercedes C-Class review
Lexus ES
If some of these options are a little too German for your tastes, take a look at the Lexus ES. This is a 5-Series-sized saloon with immaculate build quality and the reassurance of Lexus' fantastic 10-year service-activated warranty. Unlike many rivals, there's less of a focus on making the ES a sports saloon, with its light controls, soft setup and full-hybrid engine gearing it more toward a comfortable cruiser. Once you embrace its calm character, you'll find it's very easy to live with, thanks to quick reactions from the hybrid electric motor and excellent fuel economy in urban driving.
See used Lexus ES cars for sale
Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia is actually a hatchback masquerading as a saloon but you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference with the boot lid shut. It's a good chunk cheaper than most of the other options on this list, but you don't need to sacrifice build quality or practicality to enjoy the Octavia's many talents. Efficient petrol and diesel engines borrowed from the rest of the VW Group lineup are available, or you can check out the sporty Octavia vRS if you want a practical family saloon that can also blast down a back road.
Check out used Skoda Octavia cars or read our Skoda Octavia review
Volvo S60
You can't fail to notice the abundance of German brands in the saloon class. If you want something a little less Teutonic, check out the Volvo S60. This graceful Swedish 3 Series rival has most of the same tech and features as German rivals, but deploys them more subtly. Only the most important controls and information are presented directly to the driver, with everything else hidden away in the vertical touchscreen. The driving experience has all the stability and composure you'd want while feeling more calm than sportier BMW and Audi rivals.
Browse used Volvo S60 cars for sale
Volkswagen Arteon
Again, the Volkswagen Arteon is a saloon that actually has a hatchback boot lid, but that simply comes as a consequence of the stunning coupe-saloon bodywork that marks this car out in the multi-storey. Under the bonnet, there's the same great selection of turbocharged VW engines and, on most versions, the slick-shifting DSG automatic gearbox. Plus, unlike some coupe-saloon cars, the Arteon actually has lots of passenger space in the rear seats, making it a car everyone can enjoy – even those stuck in the back.
Shop used Volkswagen Arteon cars or read our Volkswagen Arteon review
BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series has become the definitive sports saloon. Dynamic handling and powerful engines make it good fun to hurl down a twisty road, while retaining enough compliance and refinement that your passengers won't dread every journey. It's not quite as modern inside as the 5 Series as it's been on sale for longer, but that means you still get a handy rotary controller which makes the infotainment system easier to use on the move. There's enough space to use the 3 Series as a family car, but very tall rear passengers might feel a bit cramped.
View used BMW 3 Series cars or read our BMW 3 Series review
Found the perfect saloon for you?
Check out thousands of great-value used cars for sale at Motorpoint. To see more tempting options, check out our picks for the best cars with big boots.
