Top 10 best company cars

Open gallery Close News 1 min read 28 May 2024 Follow @@JamesDisdale One of the most exciting tasks when starting a new job is making sure you tick the box for the best company car. Increased taxation means that not as many employees are clamouring for a set of work wheels, but choose wisely and it still remains an excellent perk that can also save you cash. Of course, the best way to reduce Benefit-in-Kind (BIK - the tax applied to company cars) is to pick an electric vehicle (EV), with business users being liable for a charge based on just 2% of the car’s value. As a result, battery-powered models can save user-choosers thousands of pounds a year in tax, and for out top picks in this category you can gp here. However, while EVs (and the charging infrastructure they rely on) have come on leaps and bounds, these types of machines still don’t make sense for many drivers, who rack up big distances on a tight schedule.  As a result, traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid models still make more sense for many employees. Of course, many of them will result in a much larger salary sacrifice than zero emissions vehicles, but choose carefully and you can still minimize your monthly outlay. Autocar Company Cars So which ones are best? Well, here’s our top 10 choices across a number of categories. From small cars to SUVs there should be something for everyone, with each combining low BIK bills with enough driver appeal to keep things interesting. Top 10 Best Company Cars 1. Mid-sized Executive - BMW 530e M Sport8Pros Smooth and efficient PHEV powertrainBalanced handling and cushioned rideImpressive EV range Cons Feels big and locks dynamic poise of predecessorTouchscreen infotainment needlessly overcomplicated BiK rate: 8%Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £79Monthly BiK at 40%: £158Now in its eighth generation, the 5 Series continues to lead the executive saloon pack - although its margin of superiority is smaller than it's ever been. Bigger and heavier than before, the three-box BMW has lost some of its predecessor’s traditional dynamic sparkle, but the trade-off is almost 7 Series levels of comfort and refinement. The vast, beautifully finished interior will keep clients happy, although the infuriating overwrought infotainment will test the patience of many drivers. There are plenty of powertrains to choose from, yet the plug-in hybrid’s blend of decent urge, 8% BiK and over 60 miles of EV running covers all the company car bases.Read our Mid-sized Executive - BMW 530e M Sport review Latest Reviews BMW i5 7 BMW i5 View all car reviews Back to top 2. Luxury car - Mercedes S580e Long 4MATIC AMG Line Premium Plus9Pros Dynamic drive despite size and weightFirst class luxury and technology onboardHybrid powertrain melds effortless urge and efficient electrification Cons Some of the electronic driver aids can be frustratingly intrusiveLacks ultimate versatility of a Range Rover BiK rate: 8%Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £158Monthly BiK at 40%: £316For the CEO seeking the finest things in life there's still little that can touch the S-Class. Imperious in its looks and demeanor, the plutocratic German machine remains the luxury car all others are judged by. Library-like silence on the move and a pillowy soft ride are present and correct, as are the exquisite finish and cutting edge tech. It steers pretty deftly for such a big old bus, and for those that rather be chauffeured there’s acres of space in the lavishly appointed rear. Of course, no self-respecting company chairman would take the plunge before carefully interrogating the bottom line, which is where the S580e plug-in hybrid comes in. Thanks to its 68 miles of EV running, the Merc attracts a BiK rating of 8%, meaning a higher rate earner will pay only around £1500 more a year tax than they would for the Renault Clio that appears elsewhere in this list.Read our Luxury car - Mercedes S580e Long 4MATIC AMG Line Premium Plus review3. Compact crossover - Cupra Formentor 1.4 e-Hybrid VZ1 2459Pros Distinctive styling and upmarket interiorGenuine driver appeal with engaging handling Cons Hybrid drivetrain lacks EV range of some rivalsFrustrating VW Group termperature slider controls with no back-lighting BiK rate: 12%Monthly BiK tax at 20%: £86Monthly BiK at 40%: £167The first bespoke model to be launched under SEAT’s sporty Cupra brand, the Formentor is eye-catchingly styled, spacious and, in PHEV guise, cost-effective to run for user-choosers. Crucially, it’s also good to drive, with assured and agile handling that’s at odds with its raised ride height SUV stance. Under the skin it features VW Group’s familiar MQB architecture and a turbocharged 1.4-litre mated to an electric motor for a combined output of 241bhp and an all-electric range of 38 miles. Its BiK rating of 12%