Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » Which comfortable, economical company car should I buy?
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Which comfortable, economical company car should I buy?

I drive around 20,000 miles per year on business. I currently have a leased Mercedes-Benz SLK (a bad move for long distances) that goes back in March. I want to buy something reliable, stylish, maybe an estate and have a budget of up to £11,000, but would rather be around the £8000 mark. I have looked at C5s, CLSs, Jaguar XFs, 3-Series Tourings, 5-Series Tourings, A6 Avants, Jeeps etc. Whatever I buy has to be reliable, diesel, good on mpg and comfortable. I want something with a bit of presence as I am a big bloke. So far I have settled on a Mercedes CLS 320CDI or a Jaguar XF2.7TDVI. What would you go for?

Asked on 28 December 2013 by AS, via email

Answered by Honest John
I think a CLS 320CDI will be more reliable than an XF 2.7TDVI. A couple of oddball alternatives are a Renault Laguna Coupe and Peugeot 407 Coupe. The 407 Coupe is one of the quietest cars I have ever driven. Check out anything you are thinking of buying at honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar

Real MPG enables you to register the fuel economy you are actually getting against your make and model of car, its engine and type of transmission.

Every time you enter an average consumption figure against your car, the overall average automatically adjusts to reflect it.

Real MPG

Everything you need to know about choosing and running your company car, from how much tax you'll pay to your rights.

Company Car Guide
Similar questions
I need your advice to find my new car because I don't know the UK market very well, and I am getting mixed messages from everyone. In the next 12-16 months I'll be covering 1000 motorway miles on a weekly...
I retire at the end of November and will be handing back my company car – a 2008 Audi A3 Sportback 2.0TDi Automatic. This is my third A3; the previous was a 2.0FSi Auto. I estimate I will do about 10,000...
There are some 2-year-old, low mileage, Lexus GS 450h 3.5 SE Saloons available within my max price of £22,500. I don't do big mileage (7,500 miles pa) but I do like a bit of stylish metal around me, and...
Related models
Unique interior. Amazingly quiet and refined. Economy of 2.2 diesel from 2011.
Good range of engines, 4Control four-wheel steer works well.
Big CO2 reductions. Four-cylinder CLS 250 CDI available at last. Precisely-built interior. Retains unique style of original CLS. Comes with full LED headlights.