If you’re in the market for a new company car, there is a huge range of choice available.
Whether it is an affordable city car or a large SUV, most manufacturers offer attractive incentives to get business users into their vehicles.
Here are our favourite models in 2019, from across the range of sector.
Executive Car – BMW 5 Series
We love the 5 Series’ high-quality interior and broad choice it offers buyers, and that’s clearly pleasing business users – given the popularity of this executive model with company car drivers.
The 530e plug-in hybrid is particularly popular with these buyers, and is the best option thanks to its low Benefit-in-Kind rates (16 per cent) and low CO2 emissions.
Supermini – Mini
Mini’s best-selling hatchback is a great company car – sitting in brackets as low as 24 per cent with the standard three-door hatch. It’s also great fun to drive, has a luxurious cabin and has been a popular marketing tool for business for many years.
From March 2020, it will also even get even more appealing as an all-electric model is joining the line-up as the brand’s first mainstream EV.
Family Hatchback – Volkswagen Golf
The Golf has been a popular fleet favourite for many years and that is unlikely to change.
The Golf is offered with a comprehensive number of options for company car drivers – from fleet-friendly Match versions through to the GTI and R hot hatch versions. What’s more the all-electric e-Golf is also offered, to make running a company car even more appealing – particularly from 2020 when the Benefit-in-Kind rates are slashed for all-electric models.
City Car – Fiat 500/Abarth 595
The Fiat 500 and Abarth 595 might not be an obvious company car, but as an inner-city runabout, it’s a great choice.
Thanks to low CO2 emissions and attractive company car tax, it also sits in a low Benefit-in-Kind bracket – just 20 per cent on the most inexpensive and fuel-efficient models. The distinctive looks could also make it a great advertising tool for a business, too.
Estate car – BMW 3 Series Touring
If you’re looking for something a bit more practical than a regular saloon and hatchback as your next company car, the BMW 3 Series Touring makes an excellent choice.
It’s enjoyable to drive and can also double-up as an ideal family car, while a new plug-in hybrid is likely to open this sporty estate model up to more fleet buyers
Electric car – Nissan Leaf
While electric cars are already rising noticeably in popularity, they’re set to get a huge boost next year when the Benefit-in-Kind rating for electric car drops to just two per cent – meaning company car tax could be as little as £10 per month for a business user.
With the Nissan Leaf being one of the most affordable and practical electric cars on sale today, that makes it our choice for company car drivers.
Compact Crossover – Jeep Renegade
When it comes to compact crossovers, there is a huge number of choices available.
But one of our favourites in this congested sector is the Jeep Renegade, with this distinctive crossover representing great value for money, and also being one of the boldest models in its class. A new plug-in hybrid version is set to only bolster the Renegade further for business users.
SUV – Alfa Romeo Stelvio
It might be the German manufacturers that are the obvious choice when it comes to producing SUVs, but the stunning Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a model that should be considered.
With a Benefit-in-Kind rating starting from just 25 per cent, the Stelvio is a company car that should definitely be on your SUV shortlist.
Best coupe – Mercedes C-Class Sports Coupe
While sporting coupes are increasingly becoming less popular, more premium versions are continually proving to be a hit with buyers wanting something more stylish than a saloon.
With fuel-efficient diesel engines – including the C 220d – offering comparatively low Benefit-in-Kind rates, that’s what makes the C-Class Coupe our model of choice in this category.
Best pick-up – Ford Ranger
Pick-ups have become increasingly popular with companies, with these types of light commercial vehicle attracting a flat Benefit-in-Kind rating, rather than one based on emissions (like cars).
It therefore makes them surprisingly cheap to run for businesses, and the updated Ford Ranger is our favourite pick-up today, thanks to its enhanced safety, improved connectivity and more efficient engines.
