Sub-140g/km: Audi A7 3.0 TDI

* Power: 201bhp

* CO2: 135g/km

* Price: £43,760

* 20% BIK: £145 pcm

* 40% BIK: £291 pcm

Prestige brand Audi has one of the most attractive options for executive car buyers, in the shape of the sleek A7 Sportback. 

The firm is famed for its quattro drivetrain, but if you want a fast and efficient A7, you’ll need to opt for a front-wheel-drive model. It won’t leave you feeling short-changed, and you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank with its 135g/km CO2 output. Amazingly, that’s 4g/km less than the smaller and less powerful VW Polo GTI emits. These strong green credentials are surprising when you consider the car’s size, as well as the punch of its 3.0-litre TDI diesel. 

The unit is mated to an eight-speed Multitronic automatic transmission, and delivers 201bhp and 400Nm of torque. That’s enough for 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds. Standard stop-start and regenerative braking can take a lot of the credit for the low emissions, plus the claimed 55mpg-plus economy. 

[Our video review of the A7 on its European launch]

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Even more impressive than the A7 Sportback’s pace and refinement, though, is the quality of its cabin. In typical Audi fashion, everything is screwed together with impeccable precision, resulting in unrivalled fit and finish. There’s plenty of neat detailing and hi-tech kit, including the £2,050 optional sat-nav package, which has a clever finger-operated touchpad. It lets you input commands for the MMI cabin control system and even spell out the individual letters of your destination. 

As it’s a hatchback, practicality is another strong point. There’s up to 535 litres of luggage space with the rear seats in place, and a massive 1,390 litres when they’re folded flat. However, the Sportback is available only as a four-seater, so if you need to carry five people, it’s not for you. 

But if you’re in the market for a large, stylish and comfortable executive hatchback with plenty of performance, that’s also kind to your wallet and the environment, then it pays to take a closer look at the A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI.

Other choices:

Volvo C30 SE D4

If you want style, speed and low emissions, Volvo has just the thing. The sleek C30 is now available with the punchy 175bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which propels the three-door coupé from 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds, and yet emits a mere 134g/km of CO2. 

Go for the well equipped and sporty-looking R-Design, and the monthly tax bill for higher-rate earners will be £140. The car is a bit cramped in the back, but the head-turning looks and tuneful five-cylinder oil-burner more than compensate.

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Go-faster VW Polo is the first petrol model to make it on to our list. The smallest car to wear the evocative GTI badge is powered by a cutting-edge 177bhp 1.4-litre engine. This employs a supercharger and a turbocharger to enhance performance, and is hooked up to a slick-shifting seven-speed twin-clutch DSG transmission. 

Strong pace ensures the Polo is worthy of the GTI logo on its bootlid and lattice grille, yet low 139g/km emissions mean it makes sense as a company car.