With many buyers flocking to SUVs, prices for saloon cars on the used market can be surprisingly affordable.
Saloons make great family cars, too. They have bags of space inside for passengers and cargo and, thanks to being lower and lighter than an equivalent SUV, saloons often handle better while using less fuel.
We've chosen 10 of the very best saloon and saloon-like cars you can buy on the used market – saving you a bundle on the brand-new price – and listed them alphabetically.
1. 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 feeling far more keen to turn into corners than older versions. The ride quality is also excellently judged with the cabin isolated from big bumps without feeling floaty over rippled road surfaces. All engine options are great to use, but performance fans should check out the fire-breathing S4 and RS4 for a real thrill.
See used Audi A4 cars or read our Audi A4 review
2. Audi A6
Take all the benefits of the A4 and scale them up slightly and you get the Audi A6. As the higher number on the badge suggests, it's a little bigger in all dimensions so rear passengers can lounge out even further, while the boot also grows a few litres. The A6 isn't quite as fleet-footed as the lighter A4, but makes up for it with an even more cosseted, refined driving experience and supreme stability at fast motorway speeds. You could quite happily rack up hundreds of miles in the A6 without so much as a stiff neck.
Check out used Audi A6 cars or read our Audi A6 review
3. BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series more or less founded the sports saloon segment and, for years, most of its rivals have been trying in vain to best this Bavarian champion. For the latest 3 Series, quality, luxury and on-board technology have all taken an evolutionary step forwards, without sacrificing the 3 Series' ace card – its sensational driving experience. On the road, the controls are accurate and the handling is rock solid, giving you the confidence to enjoy the 3 Series regardless of the conditions.
Take a look at used BMW 3 Series cars or read our BMW 3 Series review
5. 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. BMW's diesel engines can be a little grumbly when you floor it, but return excellent long-range economy – or check out the 530e plug-in hybrid if you do more urban driving.
Shop used BMW 5 Series cars for sale
5. 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, wood and metal trim covering 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
6. Mercedes E-Class
If you're noticing a German theme on this list, that's because the country's premium brands built their reputations on four-door models like these, with demand remaining strong as other brands moved away from saloon cars. Even among close rivals from Audi and BMW, however, the Mercedes E-Class stands out as the smoothest-riding, most luxurious option. You'll pay a little more for the three-pointed star, but the sumptuous leather and extensive wood and metal cabin detailing makes it easy to feel like a celebrity if you're riding in the back.
See used Mercedes E-Class cars for sale
7. 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
8. Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 has quickly become an icon in the EV world thanks to offering one of the longest ranges at this 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 supercars.
Browse used Tesla Model 3 cars
9. 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
10. Volkswagen Passat
The Arteon above is a show stopper but plenty of buyers like Volkswagens because they can fly under the radar. That's where the Passat shines. Not only is this handsome, unassuming four-door pretty much as practical as its Arteon cousin – its substantially more affordable, especially as a used car. It also avoids the kind of markup that often makes used SUVs more expensive. Plus, you still get a vast back seat that's large enough for six footers to stretch out, and a boot that's large enough to carry your holiday luggage.
View used Volkswagen Passat cars or read our Volkswagen Passat 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.
