January 11, 2023
Abby Nuttall
Top Picks
As we head into the new year you might be thinking about your company car and what your best options will be for the coming year. To help you decide we’ve taken a look at what’s currently available and what you’ll be able to get in the new year and picked out what we think are the best cars.
Electric Company Cars
As part of the Government’s strategy to encourage more drivers to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) they have given EV’s very low BIK rates compared with traditional petrol and diesel vehicles and hybrids. This means that if you’re looking to get a great deal on your company car and pay little in company car tax then an EV is going to be the best choice. This is why the majority of the cars that have made it into our top five pick are fully electric or hybrids.
If you want to learn more about EVs then we’ve got plenty of helpful articles and guides on the topic for you to browse. For drivers who don’t want an EV then we will be publishing articles in the coming weeks on our best picks for petrol, diesel and hybrid models across all body shapes and driver needs.
Top Five Company Cars for 2023
We’ve selected five of the best company cars for the new year which are:
1. BMW 3 Series
1. BMW 3 Series
Our first pick is the BMW 3 Series. It’s been a popular choice for company drivers as it’s a great executive saloon, with the prestige of the German brand. BMW is known for their premium quality vehicles that have plenty of finishing touches for your comfort and convenience.
If you’re looking for a car that has lower BIK but aren’t ready to go fully electric yet, then the plug-in hybrid 330e version is a perfect choice. It’s still fun to drive, has the same level of comfort as a standard 3 Series but with the hybrid engine you’ll get better fuel economy and reduced emissions as well as lower company car tax.
As it’s a plug-in hybrid the BIK for this car is higher than a fully electric model but it will save you money as it can travel up to 37 miles on pure electric power. If you compare it to a petrol or diesel 3 Series the 330e version currently has a BIK rate of 12% which is much lower than the 26 to 37% of its counterparts.
One thing to be aware of is that because of the electric battery the boot space will be smaller than in a standard 3 Series as it is stored beneath the boot floor. This means you might not have the same storage space as you’re used to if you’re upgrading your current 3 Series.
2. Skoda Superb iV
Our second pick is the Skoda Superb iV, which is also a plug-in hybrid model. As a hybrid model you’ll benefit from some of the environmental and financial savings of driving an EV but without the range anxiety as it will switch over to the internal combustion engine (ICE) once the electric battery is depleted. This car is a plug-in hybrid which does mean you will need to charge it regularly to use the electric system.
The Superb has been a favourite of company car drivers for many years with its spacious boot, roomy cabin and comfortable ride. All of which the latest models have as well as several comfort and convenience like stop / start technology, their Smartlink+ system for seamless phone connectivity, smart storage spaces and hands-free boot opening options.
The Superb iV models are plug-in hybrid models with a mileage range of up to 35 miles on pure electric power, which puts it at the same BIK rate as the BMW 330e at just 12% for the 2022/23 tax year. When you compare this with the next cheapest Superb model which is 28% this is a significant saving.
3. Tesla Model 3
Ever since they entered the market Tesla has been at the forefront of EV technology so we couldn’t do a list of the best company cars without a Tesla making the cut. We’ve chosen the Model 3 as it’s a stylish and capable saloon that comes with all of the modern features Tesla is known for.
As a fully electric vehicle you’ll have a BIK rate of just 2% if you opt for the Model 3 as your new company car, which is the lowest rate available. The Model 3 is also Tesla’s most affordable model, which means the company car tax you’ll pay on this is lower than their other cars.
With a clear dash and all of the vehicle controls managed through the touchscreen infotainment centre the Model 3 is just as streamline and stylish on the interior as the exterior.
One of the benefits of driving a Tesla is that you’ll have access to their Supercharger networks, which will lower charging costs, get you back on the road quicker and there are chargers around the UK for more convenient charges. Additionally, it comes with a CCS charging cable to make it compatible with other chargers so you aren’t limited by only using Tesla chargers.
4. Volkswagen ID.3
Our second EV pick is the VW ID.3. It’s a fully electric hatchback that offers you an electric range of up to 265 miles on a single charge. Volkswagen have also made the ID.3 capable of super-fast charging and can go from 20 to 780% in just 30 minutes.
Just like the Tesla as the ID.3 is an EV it will have a BIK rate of 2% for the current tax year. This means you’ll be paying much lower company car tax, compared with similar petrol or diesel hatchbacks.
If you’re looking for a roomy and comfortable hatchback that has all the latest mod-cons then the ID.3 is an ideal choice.
5. Vauxhall Corsa-e
The Vauxhall Corsa has been a best-seller hatchback for the British brand ever since it was introduced in 1993 so we had to include the latest version as our final pick for the best company cars in 2023. It’s a hatchback that’s been through several iterations over the years and the modern car really showcases the company’s knowledge and understanding of what drivers want.
The Corsa-e is fully electric so is another option that has a BIK rate of just 2%, and just like it’s ICE counterpart the Corsa-e is cheap to run with low charging and maintenance costs. Being cheap doesn’t mean that the car is lacking though as even entry level models will get digital instrument clusters, cruise control, speed sign recognition and a touchscreen infotainment centre with built in sat-nav.
Wessex Fleet Company Car Scheme
Here at Wessex Fleet, we are proud to offer company car scheme guidance and support as part of our fleet management offering. So if your company is looking for assistance with sourcing, managing or maintaining company vehicles then get in touch with us on 01722 322 888 and one of the team will be happy to help.
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