Top 10 company cars for 2015

9.) Volkswagen Passat

Another popular business buy, particularly in estate form thanks to its huge load area. Saloon or wagon, all models also boast plenty of cabin space, a comfy ride and impressive refinement. We love the 2.0 TDI 150, thanks to its CO2 output of just 107g/km.

8.) Ford Mondeo

Go for the 113bhp 1.6-litre or 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel Mondeo in Zetec trim, and you’ll not regret your choice. The Mondeo drives well, with refined manners, and the comfortable cabin offers plenty of room. Decent fuel consumption contributes to low company car tax rates.

7.) Ford Focus

The top-rated Ford on the list, the Focus drives well and is impressively specced, but it lacks the badge cachet of some German competitors. The 1.6 TDCi 115 Zetec emits 109g/km of CO2 and features DAB, Bluetooth, a heated windscreen and alloys.

6.) BMW 5 Series

The 5 Series is a class leader for handling – particularly when specced with optional adaptive suspension – and the pick is the 520d SE auto, which won WhatCar?’s 2015 Executive Car of the Year award. It’s preferable to the notchy shift and inferior efficiency of the manual. Impressively for such a large car, it emits just 109g/km of CO2.

5.) Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Business drivers won’t be able to resist the low emissions and classiest cabin in the compact exec class, and there’s plenty more to like about the C-Class, too. Sport trim and Airmatic suspension will enhance whatever model you choose, but – although the C200 Bluetec returns the cheapest tax bills – you might prefer the C220 Bluetec, because it’s available with an optional auto box.

4.) Audi A4

The diesel models are highly popular A4s, and with the current car on the verge of replacement, you should be able to secure a generous discount. The 2.0 TDI 163 Ultra SE emits 109g/km of CO2 – which makes it the whatcar.com’s users’ pick.

3.) Volkswagen Golf

A great combination of practicality, performance, economy and 112g/km/ CO2 efficiency makes the 2.0 TDI 184 GTD the most searched-for Golf model on the company car tax calculator. The more sensible 1.6 TDI 110 Bluemotion can’t match the GTD’s 7.5-second 0-60mph time, but its CO2 rating of 89g/km blasts it out of the water. Something for everyone…

2.) Audi A3

A3 is hugely appealing to both company and private car buyers. With engine capacities ranging from 1.6 to 2.0 litres, diesels are best for the business buyer; pick of the bunch is the 1.6 TDI 110 Ultra SE. It’s extremely well specced, has the best suspension setting and emits a mere 89g/km of CO2.

1.) BMW 3 Series

It comes as no surprise that the winner of this top 10 is the most searched-for company car by a long way. BMW’s evergreen compact exec is refined and comfortable – and cheap to run, too, thanks to hugely efficient engines. The 320d variants prove most popular, and with 68.9mpg and 109g/km of CO2 emissions, the 320d Efficient Dynamics is the star.