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 A4
There's almost nothing the Audi A4 isn't good at. The exterior is stylish, the interior is supremely well made, and there's a vast amount of on-board tech to keep you busy. On the road, the A4 is accurate and easy to drive, while being keener to turn into corners than older versions. The ride quality is excellently judged and the cabin isolated from big bumps without feeling floaty. All engine options are great to use, but performance fans should check out the fire-breathing S4 and RS4 for a real thrill. The larger Audi A6 has most of these qualities and a little more space.
See used Audi A4 cars or read our Audi A4 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
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 has quickly become an icon in the EV world thanks to its long range and sensible price point. Despite the clean, almost entirely button-free cabin, there's a wealth of on-board functions, all accessible through the vast touchscreen infotainment system. What really leaves a lasting impression in the Model 3, however, is what happens when you put your foot down. Tesla's motors are some of the most powerful in the EV market, meaning Dual Motor and Performance Model 3 cars can legitimately out-accelerate many proper sports cars.
Browse used Tesla Model 3 cars
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
Peugeot 508
Peugeot saloons of the past struggled to stand out thanks to their 'also-ran' status. The 508 wants to break that streak with long, elegant bodywork complete with the dramatic strakes and lines that make up Peugeot's modern design language. Inside, material quality impresses as does the avant-garde cabin design. The driver is cocooned in low-slung cockpit-style seating, complete with the brand's distinctive small steering wheel and high-set gauges. It's not quite the most spacious car on this list, mainly thanks to the sleek, curved roofline, but few cut such a fine form in the company car park.
View used Peugeot 508 cars or read our Peugeot 508 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.
