This week, our partners - and car review experts - at CompleteCar.ie have compiled a list of the best five executive saloons €50,000 can buy. Like the world of business, competition in this segment of the market is fierce, with little to separate some of the key players. Our list contains the top cars in the sector, along with a more left-field, wild card option that comes in around the same budget. 1 - BMW 5 Series - the driver’s choice Plus: Great to drive, efficient engines Minus: Lengthy options list can get expensive
- Pricing: from €45,680 to €104,760
- Popular engines: 2.0 and 3.0 petrol, 2.0 and 3.0 diesel
- Power output: 150- to 449hp
- Fuel consumption: 4.3- to 8.8 litres/100km
- Road tax: Band A3 to F (€190 to €1,200)
- Safety: five stars from Euro NCAP, including 100% for safety assist systems
BMW has had huge success over the last two decades with its various generations of 5 Series, and the current model is no different. Its styling may be a touch more conservative that its predecessor but it still has a real presence and is ageing well - a real BMW design trait. Its chassis is nothing short of sublime and even in its less powerful guises is a joy to drive thanks to its rear-wheel drive layout, though there is also the choice of all-wheel drive on certain versions for those that worry about traction in icy weather. Naturally diesel engines will be the order of the day for most buyers and there are some excellent ones to choose from, though there's even a petrol-electric hybrid version. Should you feel the need for pure petrol power, BMW's EfficientDynamics measure will deliver some surprisingly economical results. The manual transmissions are sweet but the eight-speed automatic is among the very best on the market 2 - Audi A6 - the advanced one Plus: Sharp looks, roomy interior Minus: Quattro doesn’t come as standard
- Pricing: from €44,750 to €84,675
- Popular engines: 1.8 petrol, 2.0 and 3.0 diesel
- Power output: 150- to 326hp
- Fuel consumption: 4.2- to 6.2 litres/100km
- Road tax: Band A2 to C (€190 to €570)
- Safety: five stars from Euro NCAP, including 91% adult occupant protection
When it comes to style in the executive market Audi is currently on top form. A recent mid-cycle facelift to the A6 in late 2014 saw this already sharp design honed even further. Its modern image continues inside in what is one of the best interiors on offer in this class. Audi is generous with its standard equipment too; even the entry-level model gets 17-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights, climate control and the MMI infotainment system that includes satellite navigation. Extensive use of aluminium in its construction saves weight thus helping fuel efficiency as well as helping to deliver a great driving experience. The bulk of the range consists of diesel engines, the majority of which are low in emissions -even with the optional all-wheel drive quattro system. 3 - Mercedes-Benz E-Class - the classy choice Plus: Refined on-road performance, interior finish Minus: Chassis lacks composure
- Pricing: from €47,515 to €86,985
- Popular engines: 2.0 petrol and 2.1 diesel
- Power output: 138- to 413hp
- Fuel consumption: 4.5- to 8.9 litres/100km
- Road tax: Band A3 to F (€190 to €1,200)
- Safety: five stars from Euro NCAP, including 86% adult occupant protection
Slowly but surely Mercedes-Benz is losing its ‘old man’ image, turning out increasingly attractive cars, which are now being powered by better engines and running smoother drivetrains. The E-Class remains more about comfort and refinement than the more driver-focused offerings from Audi and BMW. That said, it does comfort rather well, helped further by its well-insulated cabin. Mercedes-Benz also has a host of new safety technologies grouped under Pre-Safe Plus, which helps to further reduce the severity of injuries in the event of an unavoidable collision. 4 - Lexus GS 300h - the hybrid Plus: Build quality, refinement Minus: Not as economical as you might think
- Pricing: from €49,950 to €64,950
- Popular engines: 2.5 petrol-electric hybrid
- Power output: 223hp
- Fuel consumption: 4.8- to 4.9 litres/100km
- Road tax: Band A4 (€190)
- Safety: five stars from Euro NCAP, including 88% child occupant protection
The company once referred to as “the Japanese Mercedes-Benz” has become the default alternative choice to the big three German brands, and the current GS does pack a more impressive punch than before. One early word of warning is that the hybrid system might not quite be as economical as you'd hope, in comparison to the more popular diesel offerings. Performance-wise it lags behind in sheer acceleration and that additional battery weight results in a less dynamic drive too. What you do get is a well-finished interior; even if some of the plastics look and feel a tad cheap, it feels very well put together. Go for the higher F Sport specification and you’ll get a more aggressive-looking front end too. 5 - Jaguar XF - the posh one Plus: Stylish, excellent chassis Minus: Soon to be replaced
- Pricing: from €44,820 to €116,100
- Popular engines: 3.0 and 5.0 petrol, 2.2 and 3.0 diesel
- Power output: 163- to 510hp
- Fuel consumption: 4.9- to 11.5 litres/100km
- Road tax: Band B1 to G (€270 to €2,350)
- Safety: four stars from Euro NCAP, including 79% adult occupant protection
Jaguars were once the getaway driver’s car of choice thanks to their superior performance. Today, the British brand is back in vogue in a big way, this time with the wider, more law-abiding public. Beneath the XF’s sleek appearance is one of the best chassis on the market, which is now matched with some decent diesel engines and a slick eight-speed automatic transmission. If you’re feeling especially flush you can plumb for the petrol V6, which sounds great, but can be thirsty. One word of warning though, the current XF is soon to be replaced, though this could make it the ideal time to sniff out a bargain. Wildcard choice How about spending some of your €50,000 on something far more opulent? Once the preserve of royalty and aristocracy, you can now bag yourself a used Bentley Brooklands Turbo R for less than the starting price of some of the models we’ve listed here. Bentley Brooklands Turbo R Plus: Sheer luxury, big performance Minus: You’ll need a fuel card and deep pockets
- Engine: 6.75 petrol
- Power output: 245hp
- Fuel consumption: 18.8 litres/100km
- Road tax: €1,809
If you want to make everybody else in the staff car park feel slightly inadequate, this is the car to turn up in. It simply drips opulence and in Turbo R guise has the relative performance to match. It was pitched as a driver’s car, but you won’t want to try hustling it along mountain roads in too much of a hurry - it’s more of a cross-country brute. Even without pushing it on, that 6.75-litre turbocharged V8 engine devours petrol at a simply alarming rate, and should you decided to do some big mileage expect some potentially eye-watering service bills. If your budget doesn't quite stretch to €50,000 why not check out our top 5 family hatchbacks for under €25,000
