Expert Ratings

Best large cars

The definitive ranking of the best and worst large cars on sale in the UK

This is the definitive ranking of the best and worst large cars on sale in the UK.

How can we make such a bold claim? Because this list isn’t just based on our opinion. We’ve pulled together tens of millions of key data points on every new car (as well as a growing number of near-new used cars), including more than 15,000 new car reviews from 35 of the UK’s top motoring websites. We also factor in complete safety data from Euro NCAP, reliability data and five-year running cost information.

All this adds up to the most comprehensive analysis of expert opinion and real-world data found anywhere in the motoring world.

How our Expert Rating scores are calculated

How Expert Ratings can help your car buying decisions

The large car sector covers an enormous range of price tags – as you’ll see below, a £30K Skoda Superb sits alongside a £300K Rolls-Royce Phantom. Alongside traditional saloons and estates, there are also sleeker liftbacks and ‘four-door coupé’ models trying to grab buyers’ interests as well.

Current models

Volkswagen ID.7

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The Volkswagen ID.7 is a comfortable and tech-laden electric saloon with a great battery range, but some reviewers have found it dull to drive.

Skoda Superb

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UK reviewers find the fourth-generation Skoda Superb easy to recommend, due to its spacious and practical interior with intuitive on-board tech.

BMW i5

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Reviewers agree that the talented BMW i5 is one of the most well-rounded electric saloons on the market, but rivals offer more battery range.

Tesla Model S

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The Tesla Model S has been a pioneer for electric cars, single-handedly changing the perception of EVs having poor performance and range.

Mercedes-Benz EQS

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A sophisticated tech-laden EV, the Mercedes-Benz EQS is a high-end saloon highlighted for its futuristic interior and class-leading battery range.

BMW 5 Series

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The eight-generation BMW 5 Series has been praised for its intuitive on-board tech, but high pricing remains and issue for reviewers.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

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The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is perhaps the most hotly anticipated people carrier ever, and early review scores suggest it's worth the hype.

Volkswagen Passat

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Now in its ninth generation, the estate-only Volkswagen Passat is very practical and spacious, but reviewers criticise its fiddly infotainment.

Mercedes-Benz EQE

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The Mercedes-Benz EQE is a comfortable executive saloon with a very refined and tech-laden interior, but rivals are more entertaining on the road.

Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 saloon

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Very fast and comfortable - the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 is an impressive all-round performance package, but its interior has faced criticism.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

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The sixth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class improves on its predecessor in many areas, but rivals are more engaging to drive.

Porsche Taycan

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The Porsche Taycan has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with plenty of praise for its driving dynamics and overall performance.

Genesis Electrified G80

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The Genesis Electrified G80 is an electric executive saloon with class-leading interior quality, but less interior space than the standard G80.

Ford Tourneo Connect

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The Ford Tourneo Connect is a safe, roomy, versatile and comfortable people carrier, but its interior leaves room for improvement.

Vauxhall Combo Life Electric

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The Vauxhall Combo Life Electric is a spacious and versatile compact people carrier, but it is pricier than its Stellantis stablemates.

Citroën C5 X

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The Citroën C5 X is a liftback blending the practicality of an estate with the comfort of an SUV, but alternatives are better to drive.

Audi e-tron GT

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Both a relative and a rival of the Porsche Taycan, the Audi e-tron GT is an electric sports saloon that combines performance and luxury.

BMW i7

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The electric BMW i7 saloon has the interior opulence and impressive on-board tech to justify its steep price tag, despite its polarising looks.

Volkswagen Multivan

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The Volkswagen Multivan is regarded as one of the best people carriers on the market, but it is hindered by the brand's problematic infotainment.

Citroën ë-Berlingo

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The Citroën ë-Berlingo is a practical electric people carrier that is peaceful to drive, but its battery range is shorter than its rivals.

Rolls-Royce Spectre

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The Rolls-Royce Spectre is one of the most luxurious electric cars money can buy, but its ride quality is hindered by its heavy weight.

Audi RS e-tron GT

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The Audi RS e-tron GT offers even more power and pace than the fast e-tron GT, but is this performance boost worth the higher price tag?

Volvo V90

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The Volvo V90 has received consistently good media reviews, with high praise for its comfortable and stylish interior.

Volkswagen Arteon

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The Volkswagen Arteon has an Expert Rating that's pretty reasonable overall but falls well short of many of its similarly-priced rivals.

Lexus ES

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The Lexus ES has received generally good to very good reviews from UK media sources. Consumer titles have rated it highly for its build quality, comfort and refinement, while performance-oriented titles have criticised its driving dynamics.

Audi A6

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The Audi A6 is an extremely capable large executive saloon and estate, with particular praise for its interior space, comfort and refinement.

Genesis G80

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The Genesis G80 is the latest challenger to the BMW 5 Series, with a luxurious cabin and plenty of technology but a lack of engine refinement.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

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Just when rivals thought they had caught up to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, an all-new model arrives to raise the bar once again.

DS 9

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The DS 9 is a highly distinctive French-themed alternative to big-hitting German executive saloons, but is it just too exclusive?

Bentley Flying Spur

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The Bentley Flying Spur is very large, very luxurious and very powerful – although key safety kit costs extra, which is very poor form.

Audi A7

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The Audi A7 Sportback is surprisingly practical despite sleek looks. It bristles with technology but can’t match rivals in ride and handling.

Rolls-Royce Phantom

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The Rolls-Royce Phantom has received universal praise and is currently the highest-rated car we've analysed at The Car Expert.

Mercedes-Benz EQV

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The Mercedes-Benz EQV is a luxurious people carrier praised for its battery range, but its steep pricing will alienate most private buyers.

Audi A8

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The Audi A8 saloon has received many positive media reviews, but its overall rating is dragged down by high running costs and questionable reliability.

Lexus LM

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The Lexus LM offers top-class luxury for its rear occupants, but reviewers argue that its rather noisy gearbox puts a dent in the overall driving experience.

Audi RS 6

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A fast five-door estate that is both comfortable and quiet, the Audi RS 6 has received very favourable reviews, but it doesn't come cheap.

Rolls-Royce Ghost

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The Rolls-Royce Ghost has received plenty of positive reviews for its luxury and engineering excellence. Not cheap to run, though...

BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé

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The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé offers a sleeker take on BMW's usual saloon styling at the expensive of ultimate practicality.

Bentley Continental GT

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The Bentley Continental GT has received unanimously positive reviews from the UK motoring media, ranging from good to outstanding, with particular praise for its improved driving dynamics and luxurious cabin.

Porsche Panamera

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The Porsche Panamera is a highly potent yet practical four-door super saloon, but with styling that still divides opinions.

Mercedes-AMG GT 4 Door

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Mercedes-AMG GT 4 Door is an extravagant luxury liftback with sports car pace and a lavish interior, but quality like this comes at a big cost.

Audi RS 7

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The Audi RS 7 is a lavish sports saloon that offers supercar pace, but it's overshadowed by its more practical RS 6 estate sibling.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

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The Mercedes-Benz V-Class is one of the most luxurious and spacious people carriers on sale, but these class-leading qualities come at a hefty price.

Lexus LS

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The Lexus LS is a luxurious large saloon with some stunning interior touches, but it falls short of Mercedes S-Class standards overall.

Previous models

Volkswagen Sharan (2010 to 2021)

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The Volkswagen Sharan was among the last of a dying MPV breed but remains a refined and spacious way to transport seven adults in comfort.

Skoda Superb (2015 to 2023)

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The Skoda Superb has received many outstanding media reviews and awards for its practicality, design and value for money.

Volkswagen Passat (2015 to 2023)

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The Volkswagen Passat range has received generally positive media reviews, with particular praise for its refinement, comfort and space.

Vauxhall Insignia (2017 to 2022)

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The Vauxhall Insignia received broadly positive media reviews in the UK, but lagged well behind the best in its class.

Ford Mondeo (2015 to 2022)

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The Ford Mondeo has received praise for its comfort and refinement, but criticism for its interior quality and infotainment systems.

Volvo S90 (2016 to 2023)

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The Volvo S90 has a sleek design and a sumptuous cabin. However it's not as nice to drive as a BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF.

Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer (2013 to 2022)

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The Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer is a seven-seat MPV survivor, but a stylish, versatile one with lots of equipment – it’s worth checking out.

Toyota Camry (2019 to 2021)

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The Toyota Camry has received generally good media reviews, with praise for being a comfortable, quiet, efficient and practical large saloon.

Jaguar XF

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The Jaguar XF received mostly positive media reviews throughout its production life, with praise for its driving dynamics and generous standard equipment levels.

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2011 to 2018)

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No longer on sale, the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer is one of the best all-rounders in the people carrier class, though its now showing its age.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2016 to 2023)

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The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has received consistently positive media reviews, with high praise for its comfort, refinement and spaciousness.

BMW 5 Series (2017 to 2023)

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The BMW 5 Series received glowing media reviews and won many awards. Its Expert Rating, based on 56 reviews, was easily the best in its class.

Subaru Outback (2015 to 2021)

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The Subaru Outback has received average to good reviews from the UK motoring media. It occupies a narrow niche and is genuinely capable in all conditions.

Ford S-Max (2015 to 2024)

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The second-generation Ford S-Max was solid to drive, but ownership costs were high and it struggled to match the practicality of newer van-based MPVs.

Nissan e-NV200 Combi (2014 to 2022)

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The Nissan e-NV200 Combi was a small van-based people carrier powered by last-generation electric motor and battery technology.

Audi A7 (2011 to 2018)

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The original Audi A7 was well-built and refined premium liftback with attractive styling, but rear visibility was rather poor.

Peugeot 508 (2011 to 2018)

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The original Peugeot 508 was a stylish alternative to the Vauxhall Insignia and Ford Mondeo, but it couldn't match premium-brand rivals.

Mercedes-Benz CLS (2018 to 2023)

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Now in its third generation, the latest Mercedes-Benz CLS hasn't captured buyer attention or media acclaim like the original did years ago.

Rolls-Royce Dawn (2016 to 2023)

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The Rolls-Royce Dawn was the most luxurious four-seater soft-top money could buy, though some details didn’t match the price tag.

BMW 7 Series (2015 to 2022)

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The BMW 7 Series was a highly luxurious but also expensive and before spending you needed to accept the Marmite styling with its huge grille.

Rolls-Royce Wraith (2014 to 2023)

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The Rolls-Royce Wraith was one of the most luxurious coupes you can buy, but even during its long lifespan, its age was starting to show.

Audi A6 (2011 to 2018)

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The fourth-generation Audi A6 was a refined saloon and estate with a upmarket interior, but its rivals were more fun on the road.

Maserati Quattroporte (2013 to 2023)

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The Maserati Quattroporte is an elegant and in some models highly potent luxury four-door saloon – but some cheap cabin fittings let it down.

BMW M5

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Supercar performance with a saloon silhouette, the BMW M5 is a supremely fast performance car that is both practical and comfortable.

Maserati Ghibli (2013 to 2023)

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The Maserati has received mostly average media reviews, with it's biggest problem being that it has to compete against some great rivals.

Once upon a time, driving a large saloon car was something many aspired to – ‘Mondeo Man’ even became a phrase typifying the 1990s – while large estates were venerable family workhorses. But the demand for SUVs has put the large car sector into a steep slide, with even Ford announcing that the current Mondeo is the last.

Today if you want a large car you will find much more choice at the upper end of the market. The Audi A6 and A8, BMW 5 Series and 7 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class still underpin the market but in turn face competition from strong newcomers such as the Volvo V90 and for great luxury, the Bentley Flying Spur or Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Electricity is flowing slowly into this sector – while several large cars now offer plug-in hybrid options, those looking for a full battery-electric car settle mainly on the Tesla Model S.