Used car hunter: premium executive cars for £15,000
Our car hunter has £15,000 for a posh saloon that will be economical on long trips
Dear Auto Express, I want a large premium saloon car to cover lots of miles in. A diesel engine is preferable for economy. What do you think? - Andrew Carpenter, E-mail
Diesel fuel is sinking further out of fashion, but some executive cars are at their best with diesel power. With effortless torque and longer stints between fills, these models still make a lot of sense, and some of the best diesel execs from just a few years ago can be had for below £15,000 on the used car market.
The BMW 5 Series is the quintessential big saloon. For well honed dynamics, plenty of space and strong efficiency, it’s tough to beat, but the Audi A6 might have the tools to do so. Its neat, understated styling is arguably slicker than the BMW’s, and the interior is first rate. Plus, while it’s not so agile, it is refined and economical.
The Jaguar XF might be a left-field choice, but the Mk2’s chassis flows very well over tricky surfaces, feeling plush without sacrificing sharp handling. It looks smart, too, and the roomy cabin has a few classy design touches of its own.
Here's our expert pick of the three best premium executive cars available for a budget of £15,000, together with links to buy them through our Find a Car service…
Audi A6 - the high quality choice
- For: Smart looks, high-quality interior, frugal
- Against: Dull to drive, firm ride, not the best infotainment
The 4th generation Audi A6 is a car which is ageing like fine wine. It’s aged better than the BMW, although the A6 doesn’t quite live up to those sharp looks on the road; the chassis leans toward security rather than fun.
Despite this, the A6 still tends to thump over large imperfections – especially S line models with their sportier suspension – so it’s not as comfortable as we’d like. The S Tronic auto is smooth, however, and the 2.0 TDI diesel is very refined, with over 60mpg possible, says Audi. For around £15,000, you could get a 2017 example with just over 47,000-miles on the clock.
Without doubt, the interior is the highlight of the A6 package. This Audi is beautifully built inside, with a fine blend of leather, metal trims and high-quality plastics, and from behind the wheel it feels every inch the premium executive express you would expect. Touches such as knurled metal climate control dials and a nifty fold-away sat-nav screen really elevate the cabin’s ambience, even though Audi’s MMI infotainment set-up isn’t quite as slick as BMW’s.
There’s plenty of room in the back seats, though, even for taller adults, and the boot capacity is a shade larger than the 5 Series’ at 530 litres.
BMW 5 Series - the relaxing choice
- For: Efficient engines, fine chassis, spacious interior
- Against: Bland styling, a common sight on the road
Next to the clean-cut Audi, the BMW’s rounded edges and rippled surfacing mean it doesn’t look as modern. It’s a sharper drive than its German rival, though – the 5 Series’ rear-wheel-drive chassis is engaging and agile in bends, yet SE spec’s smaller wheels also give a supple, comfortable ride. The BMW is a refined cruiser, too, keeping wind and road noise at a minimum.
The popular 518d model is powerful enough for most, and can return over 60mpg – deeply impressive for a big saloon. A 2016 model with 47,000 miles on the clock dips within budget.
The 5 Series’ cabin has aged more gracefully than its exterior, with a rather attractive dashboard design, high-quality switchgear and a slick infotainment system. BMW’s iDrive software is among the easiest set-ups to use from this period, with Bluetooth as standard and optional tech that includes a bigger infotainment display and a surround-view parking camera. Like its rivals, the 5 Series offers plenty of scope to adjust the driving position, allowing for a sporty posture behind the wheel if you want it. The 5 Series can also easily carry four adults in comfort, while the 520-litre boot is a respectable size.
Jaguar XF - the driver’s choice
- For: Great to drive, upmarket looks, roomy cabin
- Against: Patchy interior quality, rivals more refined
The Jaguar XF Mk2 is one of the classier options in the segment. It’s not an overly adventurous design, but the Jag has a flair that its German rivals lack, and it’s equally impressive on the move. The XF is alert and expertly set up, feeling tied down over undulations and smooth over bumps.
There’s a poise here that not even the BMW 5 Series can match, although the XF’s motorway refinement isn’t the best in its class. The 2.0-litre diesel motor isn’t as punchy as its rivals in 161bhp guise, either, but it has enough poke for most situations. A 2018 Jaguar XF with 36,000 miles on the clock comes in at just under £15,000.
On the face of it, the Jaguar XF’s interior is just as sophisticated as its exterior in terms of design and build quality – there are aluminium details, plus soft leather and wood trim that swoops around the base of the windscreen, but the quality isn’t entirely up to the standards of its rivals here. Shiny, cheap-feeling piano black plastic trim is one aspect that lets things down in this company, and while the overall fit and finish are good, the German alternatives feel more tightly screwed together. The Jaguar’s infotainment system is clunkier than its rivals’, too, although the boot is the biggest of the trio at an impressive 540 litres. Rear-seat passengers will have no complaints about a lack of leg or headroom, either.
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