Top 10 best compact saloons 2020
Each of our top ten compact saloons mixes strong practicality, refinement, performance and desirability with engaging dynamics, but which takes top spot?
As SUV scales continue to reach ever greater heights, the compact saloon has become a slightly less common sight on our roads. That’s a bit of a pity really, because for the keener driver they’re arguably the best type of car to live with on a daily basis - provided you choose the right one.
The best cars in this class don’t just offer that classic three-box shape and a desirable badge on their noses: athletic, engaging handling; a smooth, comfortable ride; a plush, well-built interior; strong performance and decent fuel economy are all just as important. And with ever-tightening emissions regulations to contend with, the availability of a tax-friendly plug-in hybrid option doesn’t hurt either.
Regardless, it’s certainly a delicate balancing act - one that can be tricky to successfully pull off. Here, we list the cars that we think offer the most convincing mix of those aforementioned attributes.
-1. BMW 3 Series-
In seventh-generation ‘G20’ guise, the BMW 3-Series returned to the top of our compact saloon rankings in 2019, and it looks set to hold on to that crown for some time yet.
Over the past 40 years or so, the 3-Series has established itself as the go-to compact saloon for those buyers who truly value exquisite handling dynamism and genuine driver appeal. In more recent years, only the likes of the Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo Giulia have managed to come close to the Munich powerhouse on these grounds.
But what really elevates this latest 3-Series above the rest of the pack is what it offers in addition to its obvious athletic streak. The engines it is available with generally offer a superior blend of performance and efficiency compared with what’s available in the wider class. The cabin, meanwhile, is not only practical and well-built, but materially desirable and technologically sophisticated too.
Of course, with its keener focus on handling appeal, the 3-Series’ firmer, more insistent ride might erode its everyman appeal slightly. A Mercedes-Benz C-Class, for instance, is the comfier of the two over distance. But for us, it remains the standout choice - particularly in six-cylinder 330d or four-cylinder 320d guise. In fact, the latter was awarded a full five-star rating when we road tested it back in 2019 for the superb manner in which it blends pace, drivability, efficiency, refinement and handling poise.
The plug-in hybrid 330e will be of even greater interest to many modern fleet drivers, of course, which has greater real-world electric-only range than its predecessor as well as improved performance and interior packaging. It remains our favourite hybrid executive saloon of its size.
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-2. Jaguar XE-
The XE might not have been the runaway sales success that Jaguar hoped it might be, but that hasn’t stopped it from leaving its mark on the compact saloon class. This is a car that puts its driver first, and in certain ways feels more well-matched to British roads than any of its rival contenders.
Its ride is supple and composed enough to comfortably deal with the at times challenging surfaces we’re faced with here in the UK, but even more impressive is that this rolling refinement is backed up by excellent steering precision and a keen handling balance when hustled along swiftly. Compact proportions make it easier to place in its lane too. For driver engagement, it’s up there with the 3-Series for sure.
However, the performance offered by its Ingenium petrol and diesel engines isn’t quite as impressive as its ride and handling balance. The higher-end petrols, combined as they are with four-wheel-drive, are particularly thirsty and not exactly smooth if you really ring them out; while the automatic gearbox they’re paired with aren’t the slickest operators either.
Somewhat limited space in the rear and a slightly smaller boot than those in rivals such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a bit of a let down too. That said, a facelift in 2019 improved perceived quality significantly, while a second update in 2020 introduced a new infotainment system, mild-hybrid powertrains and saw prices cut significantly across the range.
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-3. Alfa Romeo Giulia-
The Giulia marks a rather dramatic and significant return to form for Alfa Romeo. Built on a new rear-driven model platform and well able to mix it with the best cars in this class for handling poise and driver appeal, it’s also as fine-looking a saloon car as the class has seen in recent years and, with strong engines in its armoury, has all of the qualities that Alfa brand devotees would be likely to want from it.
In the way it goes about dealing with a challenging road, the car has a rare blend of light-rimmed handling agility, handling balance and compact on-road feel that give even diesel-engined versions a surfeit of sporting appeal. Its interior was updated in 2020 in a bid to better take the fight to the likes of the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series, but it still lags behind those two on the grounds of material appeal. Still, its infotainment system now responds to touch, and is far easier to use as a result - even if it's still graphically rather basic.
The car certainly looks the part, though, especially in barnstorming Quadrifoglio guise, which adds in a Ferrari-derived 503bhp twin-turbocharged V6 and huge driver appeal. More economy-minded buyers will find the diesel engines also offer strong performance and fuel economy.
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-4. Mercedes C-Class-
Where the 3-Series, Giulia and XE place more focus on driver engagement, Mercedes has taken a more luxurious and refined approach to what a compact saloon can be with the C-Class. Think of the ‘W205’-generation ‘C’ as a miniaturised S-Class and you won’t go far wrong in your expectation of the kind of dynamic compromise it offers.
Material quality inside is among the best in this class, and overall the interior is only let down by the fact that some taller passengers will find space in the back a bit tight. Standard equipment is generous across the range, too – with the technological and material highlights of top-of-the-range versions being particularly ritzy and impressive, and the car’s driver assist systems being very strong.
That the C-Class’ handling isn’t quite as poised or inviting as some is unmissably true, but it’s unlikely to discourage Mercedes owners who will value this car’s more laid-back ride and more opulent character. Meanwhile, when Mercedes banished its old 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine from this car midway through its life and replaced it with a much quieter, more efficient and more willing new 2.0-litre unit, it addressed what was arguably the car’s biggest weakness.
Unlike Jaguar and Alfa Romeo, Mercedes does offer a couple of tax-saving plug-in hybrid versions of the C-Class. There’s the diesel-electric C300de, which would be a wise choice for company car drivers regularly faced with long-distance journeys; and the more traditional C300e, which combines petrol and electric power sources. Both cars fall into the 10% BiK tax bracket.
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-5. Tesla Model 3-
Hitting the top half of this super-competitive top ten with its first small saloon is a major achievement for electric car trailblazer Tesla.
We road tested the car in rear-wheel drive ‘standard range plus’ form in 2019; and even with a couple of more powerful options available above it in Tesla’s model range, it was hard not to be struck by super-responsive and pacey outright performance of the car, as well as its agile handling, its athletic and compelling overall driving experience, and its creditable 200-mile real-world range.
The car doesn’t have same impressive outright cabin or boot space as its bigger sibling the Model S, comparing less favourably with the best cars in the class on outright practicality; and, while its clean-looking, reductionist interior has plenty of appeal, it doesn’t quite have the ride comfort or rolling refinement you might hope for of the first fully electric saloon of its kind either. Nevertheless, it should give people much greater cause to celebrate taking the plunge on an electric car than cause to regret – which is exactly what you’d hope for of Tesla’s bottom-rung option.
A number of updates were introduced in late 2020, too. While these primarily design based (there’s a selection of new alloys and interior trim treatments to choose from) the biggest change comes in the form of an updated HVAC pump. Sounds insignificant, but combined with a handful of powertrain tweaks it lends the Model 3 even greater range. Tesla now claims 267 miles for the Standard Range Plus, and 360 miles for both the Long Range and Performance models.
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-6. Volvo S60-
Volvo is thrusting itself right back towards the sharp end of the compact saloon argument with this, its third-generation S60 saloon – and the first to be built outside of Europe, in Ridgeville, South Carolina.
Great-looking, great to travel in, relaxing to drive and quite practical with it, the S60 will appeal to people who aren’t catered to by the more sporting mission statements of other cars in this class – but should enjoy plenty of success in doing so. It has good powertrain refinement, decent front-driven handling and a well-rounded, comfortable ride – although latterly, avoiding Volvo’s bigger optional alloy wheel sizes is advisable if you want the last word in ride refinement.
There are now just two powertrains to choose from, and as is the case with the wider Volvo range, both feature some form of electrification. The mild-hybrid, 247bhp ‘B5’ petrol represents the entry level, but those wanting a bit more grunt can look to the four-wheel-drive, plug-in hybrid ‘T8’ models. The standard Recharge model packs a hefty 385bhp, while the flagship Polestar Engineered model ups this to 400bhp.
The range-topper has impressive body control and plenty of sporting pace, but doesn’t quite have enough all-round performance credibility or driver appeal to rank as a bonafide super saloon.
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-7. Audi A4-
The Audi A4 makes a strong case for itself based on its excellent perceived cabin quality; the smart material richness of its interior; its smart exterior design; its refined, economical engines; and its brilliant infotainment systems.
The A4 is let down a little by an isolated but uninvolving driving experience that favours high-speed stability over driver engagement. However, it excels as a long-distance motorway tourer as a result - a trait that is further backed up by a range of refined and smooth petrol and diesel engines. Plenty of onboard passenger space is on offer, too, while Audi’s finance deals make for strong value for money also. Once a firm favourite with company car drivers, this status has been eroded recently by the lack of a plug-in hybrid model.
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-8. Volkswagen Passat-
The Volkswagen Passat has plenty going for it. It has a tidy, well-made interior, a refined and widely accomplished driving experience, strong standard kit and handsome – if a little subdued – exterior styling.
A range of economical Euro 6-standard four-cylinder diesel engines offers commendable refinement, performance and economy, while the plug-in hybrid Passat GTE gives buyers the option of lower CO2 emissions and electric motoring over a limited range. VW's 2019 facelift for the car added a bigger drive battery for the GTE, boosting zero-emissions range by about 40 per cent, to a claimed 43 miles.
While the Passat makes for a comfortable and relaxed motorway cruiser, it can’t compete with the likes of the Giulia or XE in terms of its dynamism, instead taking a more laid-back, functional approach to its driving experience. If you’re looking for a car to soothe away the rigours of daily motoring with the minimum of intrusion and fuss, look no further.
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-9. Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport-
The second-generation Vauxhall Insignia has never really stood out on the grounds of driver engagement or performance car pedigree, but it nonetheless remains an appealing choice for its value-oriented pricing, big-car practicality and smooth, comfortable ride.
It was updated for 2020, with subtle changes made to its exterior design and a sharper infotainment system introduced. The engine line-up remains pretty standard fare, built around a choice of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, and a smaller 1.5-litre diesel.
Family buyers will find that the Insignia’s interior is far roomier than plenty of cars in this class. Cabin ambience and perceived quality aren’t quite at premium-brand level, but both are good enough to engage with every day without grating or disappointing.
The Insignia may not be as vivacious as some of its more sporting rivals on a challenging road but it's well suited to long-distance touring, while Vauxhall’s GSI-badged warm performance derivatives do at least offer a modicum of driver appeal at an affordable price.
-10. Kia Stinger-
Kia’s flagship model has made a good start at redefining just what people should expect from the South Korean manufacturer.
The Stinger flaunts handsome styling, excellent handling and, in full-fat GT-S guise, a properly potent 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 for a price that will only buy you four cylinders elsewhere. Previously available with a range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, a model refresh at the beginning of 2021 saw those smaller power plants dropped from UK sales lists. A few visual tweaks were also introduced, as well as an updated infotainment system and a new range of colours.
The Stinger isn’t without fault, though. Interior quality is good, but not quite on the same level as truly premium rival cars', and the infotainment system - although working well in isolation - also trails behind premium brands'. Practicality is excellent, however.
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