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Best medium cars

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

This is the definitive ranking of the best and worst medium 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 compiled and analysed more than 15,000 new car reviews from 35 of the UK’s top motoring titles to produce our Expert Rating Index.

Why rely on one person’s opinion when you can have all of the top reviews gathered together in one place?

How our Expert Rating scores are calculated
How Expert Ratings can help your car buying decisions

Despite the growing move towards SUVs, the variety of medium-sized cars remains huge and is more complex than ever. Several brands have more than one vehicle in this segment, with a variety of body styles like saloons, hatchbacks, estates and liftbacks. There is also plenty of choice when it comes to power, with petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles all available.

Current models

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Expert Rating 88%
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is making waves with its striking design, spacious interior and impressive performance, but its poor ride comfort leaves room for improvement.

Kia EV6

Expert Rating 88%
The Kia EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated electric car and a very good one – but it is more expensive than the closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Tesla Model 3

Expert Rating 86%
The Tesla Model 3 has been highly praised by the UK media for its performance, driving dynamics and minimalist style, with criticism for some ergonomic issues.

BMW 3 Series

Expert Rating 85%
The BMW 3 Series has received very high scores from the UK media, with particular praise for the way it drives compared to its rivals.

BMW i4

Expert Rating 82%
A convincing alternative to the Tesla Model 3, the all-electric BMW i4 is highly-regarded thanks to its impressive battery range and performance.

MG 4

Expert Rating 81%
Other electric cars are more polished, but reviewers believe the MG 4 is one of the best in its class - its unbeatable pricing is a bonus.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Expert Rating 77%
Now in its fifth generation, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive saloon praised for its comfortable and tech-laden interior.

Cupra Born

Expert Rating 77%
The Cupra Born is an all-electric hatchback commended for its practical interior and battery range, though reviewers find its performance underwhelming.

Honda Civic

Expert Rating 76%
Engine efficiency and agile handling make the 11th-generation Honda Civic a capable family car choice, but it's rivals are more affordable.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Expert Rating 76%
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a quiet and refined electric saloon with an impressive battery range, but its unique styling might deter some buyers.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé

Expert Rating 76%
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé blends the style of the 4 Series Coupé with the practicality of the 3 Series saloon, mostly to good effect.

Ford Focus

Expert Rating 75%
The Ford Focus has received many good reviews and awards from the UK media, and has been widely praised for its driving dynamics and safety.

Volkswagen Golf

Expert Rating 75%
Media reviews of the new Volkswagen Golf have been positive, although its Expert Rating is currently lower than the previous model.

BMW 1 Series

Expert Rating 75%
The BMW 1 Series has received positive media reviews, although there has been much discussion about the switch away from rear-wheel drive.

Polestar 2

Expert Rating 75%
The Polestar 2 has received many positive reviews from the UK motoring media, as well as from lifestyle and technology titles.

Skoda Octavia

Expert Rating 75%
The Skoda Octavia has received praise from reviewers for its spacious cabin, practicality and value for money.

Volkswagen ID.3

Expert Rating 75%
The Volkswagen ID.3 has been praised for its battery range, comfort and ease of use. However, it's expensive compared to a Golf.

Renault Mégane E-Tech

Expert Rating 74%
The Renault Megane E-Tech is an all-electric hatchback commended for its battery range and stylish looks, though rivals are more practical.

Volkswagen Touran

Expert Rating 74%
The Volkswagen Touran is one of the most practical and functional cars on the market, but it's a dull and bland experience.

Jaguar XE

Expert Rating 73%
The updated Jaguar XE has received positive reviews from the UK motoring media, with an overall Expert Rating that is competitive with its main rivals.

Mazda 3

Expert Rating 73%
The Mazda 3 has received generally good to very good UK media reviews, with particular praise for its styling and value for money.

Audi A4

Expert Rating 72%
Based on more than 60 reviews, the Audi A4 has an Expert Rating that falls some way behind the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Expert Rating 71%
The Alfa Romeo Giulia has received many positive reviews from the motoring media, and is a genuine contender for its German rivals.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

Expert Rating 71%
A spacious car with a quality interior, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is an interesting SUV alternative, though top-spec models are pricey.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé

Expert Rating 70%
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé is comfortable, refined and attractively styled, but it is not as fun to drive as its rivals.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Expert Rating 70%
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has received good reviews and awards from the UK media, with praise for its comfort, refinement and safety kit.

Audi RS 4

Expert Rating 70%
An estate car that is fearssomely quick and highly practical, reviewers agree the Audi RS 4 is a superb package, despite high running costs.

Peugeot 308

Expert Rating 70%
Efficient engines and a comfortable interior make the latest Peugeot 308 a sensible choice – but other family hatchbacks are more spacious.

Audi A3

Expert Rating 70%
The Audi A3 range has been praised for its refinement and improved driving dynamics, but criticised for a clunky touchscreen interior.

SEAT Leon

Expert Rating 69%
The new SEAT Leon is considered more refined although less sporty than the old model. The plug-in hybrid has received particular praise.

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Expert Rating 69%
The Mercedes-Benz CLA has received mixed reviews, with praise for its styling and technology but criticism for a lack of practicality.

Peugeot 508

Expert Rating 69%
The Peugeot 508 liftback and estate have received a wider range of scores than usual from the UK media, ranging from average to outstanding.

Audi A5 Sportback

Expert Rating 68%
The Audi A5 Sportback offers sharp coupé visuals with liftback practicality, yet while competent on the road, it doesn't excite.

Nissan Leaf

Expert Rating 68%
The latest Nissan Leaf has received consistently good scores from the UK motoring media, although it has few electric family car rivals to measure against.

Smart #1

Expert Rating 68%
Reviewers agree that the Smart #1 is a practical and refined compact family car, but its infotainment could deter some buyers.

Kia Ceed

Expert Rating 68%
The Kia Ceed has received positive scores from the UK media, with the top-spec GT model generally scoring better than the rest of the range.

Toyota Corolla

Expert Rating 68%
The Toyota Corolla has received positive reviews from the UK media, with praise for its practicality, build quality and low running costs.

Citroën ë-C4

Expert Rating 67%
The electric Citroën ë-C4 has a higher Expert Rating than its petrol/diesel C4 sibling, and has been praised for its styling and comfort.

Peugeot 408

Expert Rating 67%
The Peugeot 408 is both stylish and well-equipped, but reviewers argue that the similar Citroën C5 X is more comfortable and cheaper to buy.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Expert Rating 66%
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is just about the most stylish people-carrier out there and with lots of tech, but this is reflected in its price.

Citroën C4

Expert Rating 65%
Initial reviews for the new Citroën C4 have been generally positive, although not quite as strong as for leading rivals in its class.

Vauxhall Astra

Expert Rating 65%
Attractive, capable and affordable - reviewers agree that the Vauxhall Astra is an interesting proposition, but rivals are more entertaining on the road.

Kia ProCeed

Expert Rating 64%
The Kia ProCeed offers more practicality than its stylish looks and sloping roof might suggest, though rivals are more fun to drive.

MG 5

Expert Rating 64%
Its not very exciting, but it's not trying to be. The MG 5 is a budget EV family car whose one job is to undercut everything else on price.

Suzuki Swace

Expert Rating 63%
The Suzuki Swace is a rebadged Toyota Corolla estate and worth considering, not necessarily on price but certainly on equipment levels.

Skoda Scala

Expert Rating 62%
The Skoda Scala has received positive media reviews, but the level of enthusiasm has varied from mild disinterest to lashings of praise.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé

Expert Rating 61%
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé has received mixed reviews, being great to drive but not as practical as either the 1 Series or 3 Series.

DS 4

Expert Rating 58%
The DS 4 is a stylish mid-sized hatchback, but the driving substance lets it down and its Expert Rating is well off the pace of its rivals.

Vauxhall Astra Electric

Expert Rating 55%
The Vauxhall Astra Electric is not a bad vehicle at all, but the strength and pricing of other family EVs makes it hard to recommend.

Hyundai i30

Expert Rating 54%
The Hyundai i30 has received average to good reviews from the UK motoring media, and ranks right in the middle of the midfield for this sector.

Genesis G70

Expert Rating 53%
The Genesis G70 is a compact executive saloon praised for its comfort, but established rival brands offer more practicality and economy.

Fiat Tipo

Expert Rating 42%
The Fiat Tipo has received generally poor media reviews, which has resulted in an Expert Rating that is currently the lowest in its class.