The Mercedes C-Class saloon is one of the most popular executive cars in Britain and the latest-generation version is certainly a fine entry in its market sector. Also available in coupe and estate body styles, the saloon version of this Merc is currently priced from about £27,000.
The C-Class has a versatile powertrain line-up, a classy design from both the outside and inside and a practical, luxurious cabin. Thanks to all of this, the C-Class saloon is a big hit with both company car drivers and family motorists looking for a premium option.
However, while the C-Class has obvious appeal it is not the only decent option around at the moment for executive saloon buyers. Some rivals offer similar qualities at a lower price and there’s also non-premium brands which are much cheaper than the C-Class and still have many strong points. In this guide we reveal our selection of five alternatives to the Mercedes C-Class saloon worthy of consideration.
BMW 3 Series
A regular contender for a top ten position in Britain’s most registered new cars annually, the BMW 3 Series saloon is a popular entry in the executive car market. While some may prefer the styling of the C-Class over the BMW’s more conservative approach, this shouldn’t distract from the fact the 3 Series has so much to offer in its range.
It offers strong performing engines, including impressive Efficient Dynamics diesels returning up to 68.9mpg combined and emitting as little as 109g/km in CO2. The 3 Series can match the C-Class for emissions and offers more fuel efficient powertrains.
The 3 Series also has a sportier setup. Its rear-wheel drive offers excellent weight distribution and there’s plenty of grip and steering feedback. Even better, it does not feel as if ride comfort has been sacrificed to achieve a better drive. With prices starting from a little over £24,000, the 3 Series has a small edge on pricing as well. Those interested in the BMW should keep in mind that a lot of the best kit is only optional and while boot space matches the C-Class, the opening is actually quite small.
Still though, if you’re looking for a C-Class saloon alternative that's good to drive and with dependable build quality, it’s hard to overlook the 3 Series.
Audi A4
An established entry in the executive car market, the Audi A4 saloon is another strong rival to the C-Class which starts at a lower price, from about £24,400.
The engine range is strong and particularly impressive is the 2.0-litre Ultra diesel which merges performance and efficiency seamlessly. Delivering 67.3mpg combined and CO2 emissions of 109g/km, the A4 Ultra really impresses.
Also impressive about this car is the lengthy standard kit, the comfortable cabin and the smooth ride. It’s not quite as engaging to drive as the C-Class or the BMW 3 Series, but drivers not prioritising driving fun will really appreciate how easy-going the A4 is at tackling lengthy journeys.
Vauxhall Insignia
Though not considered in the same ‘premium’ class as saloons like the C-Class, the Vauxhall Insignia has proven a popular choice in Britain for buyers after either a large family motor or an affordable company car. In the past few years the Insignia was even able to convincingly out-sell the highly-rated (previous-generation) Ford Mondeo.
The cheaper Insignia can’t match the Mercedes or other German models for refinement or driving dynamics, but it’s still comfortable and its styling impresses.
If you can overlook the absence of a premium badge, the Insignia actually has a really classy vibe about it. And with prices ranging between about £16,500 and £30,000, and diesel engines capable of emitting just 99g/km, the Insignia offers tremendous value.
Jaguar XE
The Jaguar XE, starting from about £27,000, is the first compact executive saloon from the British brand in over five years and there’s reason to get excited about it and even consider it ahead of the C-Class. The XE has a tall order going up against the likes of the Mercedes and the 3 Series, but its engine line-up does impress.
Included is Jaguar’s brand-new Ingenium range of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, and in their most frugal form the XE emits just 99g/km. For those that care more about pace, the range-topping supercharged V6 petrol for the XE S is bound to impress - it comes from the F-TYPE sports car.
To add further encouragement, Jaguar also has a good reputation when it comes to creating stylish cars with sharp and composed handling.
Skoda Superb
The Skoda name may lack the star power of other brands including Mercedes, but if you want to combine value and practicality then the third-generation Skoda Superb is virtually unmatched compared to other saloons or large hatchback cars.
Starting from just £18,640, the Superb is offered with four petrol engines and three diesels. All are high quality units provided by Skoda’s owners Volkswagen. The diesels are great for car buyers prioritising efficiency, while the 2.0-litre petrol can produce a surprising 217bhp or 276bhp.
Another thing really impressive about the Superb is the amount of head and legroom you get in both the front and rear. In fact, the amount of legroom can rival luxury saloons in larger categories above the likes of the Mercedes C-Class. While the Mercedes is strong for practicality and comfort, cars like the Skoda Superb show that neither have to be sacrificed but can in fact be improved upon when searching for a more affordable alternative.
