Compact Executive Cars
FIRST
Mercedes C Class
42 variants
from £27,490 to £37,840
The latest C Class has knocked the BMW 3 Series off its perch for the first time ever. We're used to the C Class being roomy, safe and comfortable but this latest model is also fantastic to drive, fast and frugal with it. It looks stunning, too.
There seems to be an engine to suit every need. Petrol models range from a supercharged 1.8-litre right through to a 3.5-litre V6. But most buyers will choose the diesel alternatives; here two derivatives of a 2.1-litre (badged C200 and C220) or a 221bhp 3.0-litre (the C320) are on offer. The 3.0-litre is one of finest diesel engines you'll find anywhere, returning in excess of 40mpg and offering cracking performance. The diesel automatic models are to be recommended - they're super smooth and Merc's manual gearbox is a little unwieldy to use.
With the engine sorted, you'll still have to decide which version of the C Class you want - Comfort or Sport. Both have adaptive suspension and cope with road undulations well. The Sport model is slightly stiffer and lower, offering greater body control through corners. As the ride is far from harsh this is one we'd recommended. Sport models also get a more attractive front grille.
Of course, the C Class isn't cheap, but it's priced competitively with BMW's 3 Series and is likely to hold its value well over time. Mercedes build quality - which took a dive in the late nineties - is back to its best.
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SECOND
BMW 3 Series
208 variants
from £22,695 to £61,430
The 3 Series is still the biggest selling car in this class, and that's not surprising. This mid-sized BMW offers an enviable package of talents and first class road manners.
Even though Mercedes has made the latest C Class very good to drive, dynamically the 3 Series still beats it. The BMW has a fantastic chassis, great balance through corners and very precise steering. The range of engines on offer are also first rate. In fact, the high-end 155mph 335i petrol and 335d diesel versions could be all you'll ever need from a car. Lower down the order the 320d with its 174bhp, 2.0-litre oil-burner is a fine choice and still boasts a 143mph top speed with 58mpg economy.
The 3 Series isn't as quiet or as spacious as the C Class - the rear headroom's tight - but it's far from being uncomfortable. Meanwhile, its high-performance edition - the M3 - is one of the finest sports saloons on the market, reinforcing just how good the basic 3 Series chassis is. But the suspension on lower-end M Sport models, which trade on the M badge image, could be too firm for some tastes.
BMW has a reputation for being stingy with equipment lists and adding options like sat-nav will bump up the already high price in a hurry. But it's necessary to specify these extras to help the car hold its value when you come to sell it on. After all, a 3 Series will maintain its worth better than many rivals and you're unlikely to have reliability or quality issue either. It remains an excellent, if expensive, choice.
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THIRD
Lexus IS
14 variants
from £25,370 to £58,350
This Japanese alternative offers some of the finest build quality you'll find anywhere in class. And in this company, that's a big compliment. It's very unlikely that you'll ever have a problem with the super-reliable Lexus, and if you do the dealer support is reported to be first rate. The Lexus IS isn't as dynamically decent to drive as either of the Germans, but it does offer a selection of punchy engines and comes jam-packed with generous levels of equipment.
The 2.0 litre turbo diesel is to be recommended, although the long gearing on all except the Sport model doesn't suit UK roads. The IS's ride also leaves something to be desired - it's not as supple on bumpy British motorways as its rivals. But its stiff springs allow offer plenty of grip and control when it's needed. And if you're looking for performance, then the V8 in the range-crowning IS-F is marvelous - this is a car to take on the likes of BMW's M3.
As you'd expect from a Lexus, the IS is also impressively refined and hushed in the cabin. However, the materials used inside aren't as luxurious as a BMW and it's not as spacious in the rear as a C Class. Still, if you want something different from the usual German suspects, you can't go far wrong with the Lexus. It's also very competitively priced, although less likely to hold its value as well.
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