Best executive car

Winner: BMW 3 Series (new model)

Head and shoulders above the rest of its executive rivals, BMW’s latest 3 Series is the best executive in the class. It’s fun to drive, more comfortable than before while there’s also more space too. You can choose from a range of economical diesels and, thanks to a new 2.0-litre turbo, frugal and fast petrols too. Factor in new safety technology, the excellent Drive Performance Control system (which tweaks throttle, steering and suspension and includes the super frugal ECO PRO mode as well as Sport mode) and you’ve got a perfect business car.

New BMW 3 Series, winner Best Executive Car — BMW's new 3 Series: astonishingly accomplished, combining pleasing driving dynamics with tax-cheating CO2 emissions

Commended: Audi A4 TDIe

Losing out to the 3 Series will be tough on Audi – but the A4 is still a fine choice, and in 2.0TDe form an economical one.

Commended: VW Passat Bluemotion

Classy, beautifully made and so relaxing, the Passat Bluemotion just works – and you can’t argue with 114g/km and over 60mpg for company car tax.

Commended: Merc C-Class

Every inch the baby S-Class, Mercedes’ baby Benz is a properly upmarket machine – and in C200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY trim, a very economical one too.

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Click here: Best business cars 2012

Best Business Cars 2012, BMW 3 Series, executive car

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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