Whether work is a necessary chore or a fulfilling career for you, most of us spend an astonishing amount of time and money getting there. To avoid unnecessary stress and fatigue, it’s consequently worth picking up one of the best used commuter cars – and these top used car choices are perfect for the slog…
The TUC’s – Trades Union Congress – latest figures indicate we spend an average of 27 working days a year commuting to and from work, with more than three million people spending at least two hours a day in the car or on public transport. Drivers are by far the most committed commuters, facing the longest journeys in both distance and time.
If you’re going to spend a decent proportion of your daily life inside a metal box, it might as well be a comfortable one. Below, we’ve put together a list of sensible and stress-free cars ideal for the daily commute. All have spacious, comfortable interiors, good seating and can average 50mpg or more on the combined fuel economy cycle.
Long-distance commuter cars
For those of you who live on the road, here are our high-mileage heroes; chosen to minimise costs and maximise comfort, they’re as much a place of work as a means of getting there.
A comfortable and upmarket luxury saloon
We’d pick the C220 d diesel – it’s not the most powerful option, but still feels plenty quick enough on the road – with the nine-speed automatic gearbox. The manual’s a bit vague and the auto ’box suits the car better.
Used price: £5972 – £54,540
Our pick for engine and trim: C220 d auto SE
Average fuel consumption: 65mpg
Power output: 170hp
To find out more, read our full 2014-2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
Pros
- Good array of economical engines
- Refined cabin
- Comfortable over long distances
Cons
- Not the most compelling car to drive
- More expensive to run than some rivals
Stylish hatch offers stacks of room and premium appeal
We’ve chosen the 2.0-litre TDI S Line version, which is a rational choice for most needs; Quattro all-wheel drive is available, but we’d look at adding features like Traffic Jam Assist and LED or matrix headlights first. Massaging seats are an option well worth specifying for longer commutes, too.
Used price: £10,330 – £61,290
Our pick for engine and trim: 2.0 TDI 190, S Line
Average fuel consumption: 68mpg
Power output: 190hp
To find out more, read our full Audi A5 Sportback review
Pros
- Lots of interior and boot space
- Upmarket and comfortable cabin
- Option of all-wheel drive
Cons
- Entry-level equipment levels aren't great
- More expensive than a regular saloon
Oft-overlooked Vauxhall has a lot to offer
One of the newest models in this roundup, the Insignia Grand Sport is available with active-matrix LED headlights and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. Vauxhall also include OnStar, a connected concierge service that incorporates an on board 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. This intuitive system makes it possible to request assistance from a human operator with a simple press of a button – it is considerably better than other manufacturer or smartphone artificial assistants
Used price: £5179 – £30,644
Our pick for engine and trim: 1.6 SRi VX-Line Nav
Average fuel consumption: 65mpg
Power output: 136hp
To find out more, read our full 2017-2022 Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport review
Pros
- Great for long-distance drives
- Refined cabin and comfortable ride
- Affordable to buy and run
Cons
- Not that interesting to drive
- Dull interior
Town and country commuting
Comfort, reliability and entertaining handling can make living in the country and working in town a breeze, and give the flexibility to enjoy the open road when traffic allows. These are our top choices for mixed conditions and minimal stress when your commute offers the chance to reach the national speed limit.
Tenth-generation Civic is practical and good to drive
Switch into sport mode and explore the well-balanced chassis, and bends become something to look forward to – though the CVT and relatively small engine do place the focus on cornering ability rather than power.
Used price: £6086 – £21,504
Our pick for engine and trim: 1.0-litre Turbo EX
Average fuel consumption: 57mpg
Power output: 129hp
To find out more, read our full 2017-2022 Honda Civic review
Pros
- Smart styling
- Gratifying to drive
- Lots of space
Cons
- Could be more refined
- Some reliability issues
Ever-popular Focus is a safe bet
Outside styling of the Focus might have been diluted in this most recent iteration, but underneath the hood and inside the cabin is a car that will keep you safe and entertained on your drive to and from work.
Used price: £6726 – £23,3128
Our pick for engine and trim: 1.5 EcoBlue Diesel
Average fuel consumption: 67mpg
Power output: 118hp
To find out more, read our full Ford Focus review
Pros
- Good passengers space
- Engaging handling
- Modern tech in latest versions
Cons
- Boot space isn't great
- Ride can be a bit harsh
Distinctive Toyota is a breeze to live with
Exterior design is only part of the appeal. Toyota has taken that complex design language and translated it to an interior which appeals both visually and as a tactile environment. Practically, it is a little smaller in the boot, and a little claustrophobic compared to mainstream SUVs, but considerably more useful than a traditional coupe.
Used price: £7790 – £36,499
Our pick for engine and trim: C-HR Hybrid Dynamic
Average fuel consumption: 74mpg
Power output: 120hp
To find out more, read our full 2017-2023 Toyota C-HR review
Pros
- Efficient hybrid powertrains
- Reliable and inexpensive to run
- Satisfying to drive
Cons
- Not as practical as other SUVs
- Dated infotainment system
City commuters
If your commute is spent envying the cyclists whizzing by, electric power may be an ideal solution for you. Until full autonomy is possible, these are the nearest you’ll get to letting the car take the strain. For mixed commutes using rail and car, eco-friendly cars often qualify for discounted or free station parking, such as schemes run by London Midland.
An appealing alternative to the common choices
However, the stand-out feature for the cut and thrust of congested urban dual carriageways and roundabouts is the built-in dash-cam. Unobtrusive and linked to your smartphone, the ConnectedCam will record beautiful scenic drives on your behalf. It will also record any incidents you may encounter on the road when the contact does more than bounce off your Airbumps, which could save your no-claims bonus.
Used price: £3757 – £16,878
Our pick for engine and trim: BlueHDi 100, Flair trim
Average fuel consumption: 76mpg
Power output: 100hp
To find out more, read our full Citroen C3 review
Pros
- Stands out from the crowd
- Rides well
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Automatic version isn't great
- Annoying climate and infotainment system
Relaxing EV is ideal for city driving
Release the throttle, and the car brakes itself using regenerative braking as much as possible, meaning you often don’t need to press the pedal yourself. Because the Leaf is a zero-emission electric car, it is also likely to benefit from free parking at railway stations and subsidies in some working environments. It also has one of the highest real-world ranges for affordable electric vehicles at around 200 miles, which could mean several days of commuting between charges.
Used price: £6690 – £27,235
Our pick for engine and trim: 2.Zero 40kWh
To find out more, read our full Nissan Leaf review
Pros
- Easy to drive
- Quiet and comfortable
- Good interior space
Cons
- Getting a bit long in the tooth
- Range can be restrictive
A capable and complete small hatchback
Like most Ford models, there’s a wide range of trim and engine options to match most budgets; all are competitively priced and up to date. We’d go for the B&O Play Zetec if you appreciate music for your commute, as it has uprated speakers, or a regular Zetec with added driver assist pack. The 125hp 1.0-litre turbo Ecoboost engine with automatic transmission is perfect for relaxed cruising and painless city driving. If you’ve more A-road than roundabouts on your roundabout, the six speed manual makes for an entertaining combination though.
Used price: £4361 – £21,632
Our pick for engine and trim: Titanium 1.0 Ecoboost 125
Average fuel consumption: 65mpg
Power output: 125hp
To find out more, read our full Ford Fiesta review
Pros
- Good equipment levels
- Nicely built
- Great fun to drive
Cons
- Expensive compared to some alternatives
- Interior isn't as polished as rival offerings
*Prices based on examples found on Parkers Cars for Sale and limited to availability. Similar examples may be on offer. Prices correct at time of publication. Pictures not representative of specific examples.
