What are the best cars for commuters in the UK?

The best commuter cars in the UK are comfortable, affordable to run, and built to be dependable. If you're doing the daily grind, whether that’s a 10-minute hop or a 60-minute journey, your car should feel like a trusty sidekick.

So, what matters most? A smooth ride makes every journey less of a chore (your spine will thank you). Low running costs mean more money stays in your pocket, not your petrol tank. And let’s not forget reliability, because nothing derails your day faster than a car that won’t start.

Of course, no two commutes are the same. That’s why we’ve handpicked the best commuter cars across three distinct categories: long-distance legends, affordable heroes, and short-distance champs. There are options to suit a variety of tastes and budgets, and whether you’re buying outright or on finance (e.g.PCP or HP car finance), there should be something here that’s perfect for your commute.

The cars featured in this guide:

• BMW 3 Series
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class
• Skoda Superb
• Tesla Model 3
• Audi A4
• MG 5
• Toyota Corolla
• Kia Picanto
• Toyota Yaris
• Renault 5

Love it or loathe it, many of us have to commute to work and, according to a 2023 Department for Transport report, nearly 70% of people do so by car. So you might as well do it in something that makes every mile a bit more manageable.

The best long-distance commuter cars

The best long-distance commuter cars are built for comfort, refinement, and stress-free driving. If your daily route takes more than 30 minutes, you’ll want a car that soothes rather than strains, and that’s exactly what these three do best.

The BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Skoda Superb are three of the best long-distance commuter cars. They shine when it comes to motorway cruising, cabin comfort, and efficient performance. Each one offers a smooth, quiet ride that makes long journeys feel far less like hard work.

BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series has been one of the most popular company cars for decades, so it’s no surprise that it makes a great long-distance commuter car. Central to that is the fact that it’s just so good to drive. Smooth and quiet, yet enjoyably sporty, it’s always a pleasure to drive a 3 Series. Whether it’s a trip to the local shops, a countryside jaunt or a mammoth motorway slog, this car has you covered. It also has a brilliant driving position, supportive seats and a user-friendly dashboard – all things that make a lengthy commute easier to bear. 

Go for the latest 3 Series (introduced in 2019) and all manner of advanced safety and tech features come as standard. There are saloon or estate versions (called 3 Series Touring) and you get the choice of powerful petrol or diesel engines, or a plug-in hybrid model that can cover short distances on electric power alone.

Skoda Superb

The Skoda Superb has a smooth ride, quiet engines and supportive seats that allow you to put in the miles before you get to work, yet still feel fresh and ready for the day. Skoda’s no-nonsense approach to interior design means a calm, faff-free experience at the wheel, too. 

While it might be just you on board for the commute, the Superb’s huge interior comes into its own when you’re carrying passengers or luggage. In fact, the estate version gives you more load space than any other new estate car on sale. As well as being excellent value, the Superb offers low running costs thanks to its fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines and the option of a plug-in hybrid model. 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

If you want a car that makes a long commute seem to simply melt away, few do the job as well as a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. There’s no getting away from the fact that it’s expensive, but the E-Class feels like it’s worth paying a bit more for and it provides the kind of space, luxury and high-tech features that you expect of a big executive car. The latest version is also one of the safest cars you can buy, according to independent safety organisation Euro NCAP.

The E-Class is available with some futuristic – yet useful – features, too, including a sat-nav system with an augmented-reality display that shows a live camera feed of what’s ahead, overlaid with useful info such as street names and house numbers. 

Tesla Model 3 

The Tesla Model 3 proves beyond doubt that an electric car can be a great long-distance commuter car. Let’s get the obvious out of the way first – battery range. With a maximum of 436 miles on a full charge (according to official figures), the latest, long-range version of the Model 3 has one of the longest ranges of any new EV on sale. Even the earliest, cheapest versions (the Model 3 was introduced in 2019) should give you at least 200 miles in real-world conditions. And when you do need to top up the battery, you get the option of using Tesla’s network of high-speed, reliable superchargers.

Fast and quiet, the miles blur by easily in the Model 3. And whether or not you’re a fan of its minimalist dashboard design, it does create a zen-like interior ambience on a long drive.

Running costs could be low if you have a home charger, while prices for the Model 3 – new or used – are lower than you might think.

The most affordable commuter cars

The best affordable commuter cars keep costs low without cutting corners on comfort, tech or reliability. Our top picks? The Audi A4, MG 5, and Toyota Corolla.

Each of these brings something smart to the table. The Audi A4 is a refined motorway cruiser with premium polish. The MG 5 is a great-value electric estate that’s cheap to run and big on space. And the Toyota Corolla is famous for low running costs and dependability, ideal for no-fuss daily drives.

Audi A4

The Audi A4 makes a great affordable commuter car because it offers a premium-car experience for a non-premium price. Earlier versions of the model sold new between 2015 and 2024 are remarkably cheap yet they look the business and have a real feeling of quality throughout. 

A wide range of engines and trims are available and if you stick with one of the lower-powered petrol or diesel versions you’ll get decent performance and good mpg. Every A4 feels reassuringly solid on the road and you have the option of four-wheel drive versions and the practical A4 Avant estate. Inside, the A4 feels a cut above most cars at this price thanks to its sleek design, luxe materials and high-tech features. 

MG 5 

If you’re looking for a low-cost electric commuter car with good battery range and lots of space, the MG 5 may be the car for you. It’s a real standout among used electric cars – not just because it’s one of only a few estate models, but also because nothing else at this price can match its combination of practicality, range, equipment and warranty cover.

Despite being smaller than many estate cars, the MG 5 has loads of space for passengers and boot capacity is 464 litres – almost 100 litres more than you get in a Ford Focus hatchback. All versions have an official maximum range of more than 200 miles, and the MG 5 is nippy and easy to drive. Peace of mind comes courtesy of a longer-than-average seven-year/80,000-mile warranty.

Toyota Auris

The Toyota Auris might not be the most glamorous car on this list but if you’re looking for a cheap, modern car that will get you to work day after day without fuss it has plenty of appeal. Sold new between 2012 and 2019, the Auris is built to last and that explains why it’s a favourite with Uber and taxi drivers that cover crazy mileages. They also appreciate just how fuel-efficient Auris hybrid models are, although petrol and diesel versions are also available.

While the Auris is unremarkable to drive, and look at, it's very easy to live with and many versions have useful features such as a reversing camera and heated door mirrors. Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability means that an Auris ought to be a dependable commuting companion and, depending on your budget, you might even be able to find one that’s covered by Toyota’s remarkable 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

The best commuter cars for short commutes

If you’re fortunate enough to have a short commute your best option is likely to be a small, cost-effective car that gets the job done but can still put a smile on your face. There are lots of cars that fit the bill but we’ve chosen the Kia Picanto, Renault 5 E-Tech and Toyota Yaris. The Kia gives you big-car features for small-car cost, while the Renault is the best compact electric car around and the Toyota is a super-efficient hybrid. 

Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is a great choice for short commutes because it combines the low ownership costs of a city car with the tech and driving experience of something larger. It’s one of the cheapest new cars you can buy but the Picanto feels solid and modern inside and it’s available with features you expect of cars from the class above. Every new Picanto has both rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, for example, as well as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, cruise control and sat nav. Higher trim levels have heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. 

At the same time as giving you the nimbleness and easy-to-park nature of a compact car, the Picanto feels perfectly happy at higher speeds and it offers a choice of fuel-efficient petrol engines and a manual or automatic gearbox. Low insurance group ratings help to keep costs down and, as with every Kia, there’s a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty from new. 

Renault 5 E-Tech

The Renault 5 E-Tech is an electric car that can brighten up even the shortest commutes, thanks to its gorgeous design and endearing character. It could also make a lot of financial sense for those with a short drive to work, provided you have a home charger and the right energy tariff. And with a maximum battery range of 192 miles for standard models and 252 miles for long-range models, you might be able to go for weeks without topping up.

Inside and out, the 5 E-Tech’s ‘modern retro’ styling looks fantastic. The interior is comfy and surprisingly roomy, while prices are very competitive and every version is well equipped. 

Toyota Yaris

If you don’t fancy an electric car, a hybrid is a great option for a short commute and small hybrid cars don’t get much better than the Toyota Yaris. Every version of the latest Yaris is a hybrid that comes with an automatic gearbox as standard and can travel short distances using electric power alone. There’s no need (and no way) to charge it, with all of its electric power generated by the car itself when braking. And when the petrol engine and electric motor work together, the Yaris gives exceptional real-world fuel economy of 60mpg or more. 

Although it’s a bit pricier than some small cars, the Yaris comes with lots of kit and it’s likely to be very reliable. It also has a warranty that makes most others look stingy – as long as the car is serviced each year by Toyota you get cover for ten years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes soonest.