Best medium-sized cars for 2025 – which.co.uk
By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
With a masters degree in automotive journalism, Dino has a forensic knowledge of the car industry and works closely with our lab to find the best (and worst) models.
In this article
Looking for the best medium-sized car? This car class is dominated by popular hatchbacks, including the MG4 and Volkswagen Golf, along with more premium models, such as the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.
But while they may all be around the same size, our lab tests reveal that not all medium-sized cars are worth your money. The best are reliable, practical, safe and reasonably cheap to run. The worst are much more likely to break down, or be uncomfortable or impractical.
Only cars that score highly in our tough lab and road tests are Which? Best Buys. You'll find our top recommendations for the best new and used medium-sized cars in the tables below. Plus, we reveal the models that aren't worth your money.
How our tests reveal the best medium cars
Boot space
We load the boot of each car with foam blocks to figure out the usable amount of space, ignoring useless nooks and crannies.
Braking
We conduct repeated emergency stop tests from 62mph (100kmph) and record the average distance covered over 10 attempts.
Fuel economy
Many cars struggle to meet their official fuel economy (mpg). We run our own, independent fuel consumption tests under controlled lab conditions.
We also look at
Reliability based on our annual survey (unreliable cars can’t be Best Buys), acceleration, safety and more.
The best medium-sized cars are easy to drive, spacious and safe. They are also efficient. Find out which models came out on top in our rigorous lab tests.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations below. If you’re not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access to our tables and all of our online reviews.
Digital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
Buying used is a great way to get an exceptional car for a lower cost. Just make sure you select a highly rated model to avoid making a costly mistake. Our experts select the very best models.
Digital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
Not found the car for you? Go straight to all our medium car reviews
Medium-sized cars need to be jacks of all trades: great family cars, with space for a pushchair and a fortnight’s luggage, but compact enough to park easily in town. They should be easy to drive, comfortable and smooth – all while being cheap to run. Our testing has found a number of models that can’t quite hit all the high notes and come up short in a number of key areas. Here are some you should avoid.
Digital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
Digital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
Want to find out how the newest medium-sized cars have fared in our tests? Read our latest and most-recently updated medium-sized car reviews.
3 (2019-)
Digital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
i30 (2017-)
Digital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
1 Series (2024-)
Digital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
We look at passenger comfort, safety and practicality as well as driving pleasure to help you choose the best medium car for you. Here are our top buying tips and things to look out for.
By their very nature, medium cars should be more spacious than small ones. While most models have plenty of room in the front, some are cramped in the rear, while headroom and legroom can leave a lot to be desired. We use human-sized dummies to measure exactly how much room there is in every seat in a car.
People's high expectations of medium cars extend to how cheap they are to run. A manufacturer's claimed mpg is usually high, and often too good to be true. We conduct our own fuel-economy tests, so you get an accurate figure and will know exactly how much the cars on your shortlist will cost you to run.
We don't only provide you with an overall mpg figure. We also tell you the car's mpg for city, out of town and motorway driving, so you will know you're buying the right car for where you drive the most. To top it all off, we also tell you the cost of filling the tank each month and over the course of a year.
From dealerships to classifieds, we show the best places to buy a car
In terms of medium cars, the UK is a nation of hatchback buyers: we simply don't go in for saloon versions of medium cars in great numbers, and most mainstream models are now only offered as hatchbacks or estates. However, a number of upmarket medium models, including the Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class, continue to be offered as a saloon for buyers who prefer a more executive aesthetic.
free newsletter
Get under the hood with our Cars newsletter, it's free.
Our Cars newsletter delivers cars-related content, along with other information about Which? Group products and services. We won't keep sending you the newsletter if you don't want it – unsubscribe whenever you want. Your data will be processed in accordance with our privacy notice.
If you're considering a medium model as a family car, check that the boot will be large enough for your requirements.
Despite most medium cars taking up a similar amount of space on the road, there are often huge differences in terms of luggage space. The 2011-2019 BMW 1 Series for instance, has a relatively small boot. Its rear-wheel-drive setup robs space in the name of a better driving experience.
However, other models are designed specifically with practicality and ease of use in mind. The Citroen e-C4 X, for example, has an exceptionally large boot (although it's a saloon that's hard to load). Many hatchback models are also available as estates, which vastly improve available boot space, without significantly increasing the car's exterior dimensions.
You can use our car reviews to check how much boot space is in a car and to compare between different models. We don’t rely on a manufacturer's claims: our independent tests assess just how much usable boot and passenger space there is in each model, so you can make an informed choice.
Given their increased appeal, newer iterations of family favourites such as the BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Golf are now only available with five doors.
In recent years, the traditional boxy hatchback silhouette has given way to more stylish coupé-esque designs. While these often look more appealing, sloping roofs can compromise interior headroom, as well as cause problems for taller passengers getting in and out.
Consider legroom for both children and adult rear-seat passengers. We measure the space inside each car we test, so in our car reviews we can tell you what height of person will fit in the front and back. This means you will know you're buying a car that's suitable for your passengers, without having to take them with you on every test drive.
If you need a child car seat, check whether there are Isofix mounting points and make sure that the rear doors open wide enough for easy access.
You don’t have to sacrifice driving pleasure just because you need a practical medium car. A 'hot hatch' such as the Cupra Leon can be a great compromise between performance and versatility.
Typically, high-performance hot hatchbacks have more powerful engines, along with different suspension, brakes and tyres, to improve performance and handling. Otherwise, they don't differ much from the regular models on which they are based.
There may be some increased running costs to consider, including higher insurance and fuel costs, as well as higher bills for consumables such as tyres and brakes. However, manufacturers are increasingly turning to plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, which not only boosts performance but can also improve fuel economy through the ability to run on electricity alone – provided you can regularly charge it up. The latest Volkswagen Golf GTE is a great example of a PHEV hot hatch.
You'll need to make sure that all your family can cope with a firmer ride. Large wheels and low-profile tyres, not to mention sports-tuned suspension, may not give an experience your passengers would call comfortable.
And before you get too carried away, make sure that if you need to use child seats or baby carriers that these will be compatible with the heavily sculpted sports seats that are often fitted to performance models.
Our tests go further than those carried out by other outlets. And because Which? is independent, you can trust our reviews to give you the full, honest and impartial truth about every car we test.
To find out more, head to our how we test cars guide.
Find the right policy for your vehicle using the service provided by Confused.com
Find the right policy for your vehicle using the service provided by Confused.com
About Us
Which? Limited is registered in England and Wales to 2 Marylebone Road, London NW1 4DF, company number 00677665 and is an Introducer Appointed Representative (FRN 610689) of the following:
1. Inspop.com Ltd for the introduction of non-investment motor, home and travel insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide advice and arrange non-investment motor, home, and travel insurance products (FRN310635). Inspop.com Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide advice and arrange non-investment motor, home, travel insurance products (FRN310635) and is registered in England and Wales to Greyfriars House, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, South Wales, CF10 3AL, company number 03857130. Confused.com is a trading name of Inspop.com Ltd.
2. LifeSearch Partners Limited (FRN656479), for the introduction of Pure Protection Contracts and Private Health Insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the FCA to provide advice and arrange Pure Protection Contracts and Private Health Insurance Contracts. LifeSearch Partners Ltd is registered in England and Wales to 3000a Parkway, Whiteley, Hampshire, PO15 7FX, company number 03412386.
3. HUB Financial Solutions, for the introduction of equity release advice and an annuity comparison service, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) to provide advice and guidance on financial products for those who have retired or are approaching retirement (FCA Firm Reference Number: 455713). HUB Financial Solutions is registered in England and Wales to Enterprise House, Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey RH12 7RP, company number 05125701.
4. Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers Ltd (FRN 301), for the introduction of non-investment landlord insurances, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide advice and arrange insurance contracts. Alan Boswell insurance brokers Ltd is registered in England at Prospect House, Rouen Rd, Norwich NR1 1RE, company number 02591252.
5.Stickee Technology Limited for the introduction of non-investment pet insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to arrange non-investment pet insurance products (FRN916665). Stickee Technology Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in England and Wales; 3rd floor, 1 Ashley Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, UK WA14 2DT Registered company number 06711740
6. Travel Insurance Facilities Plc (FRN306537), for the introduction of travel insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to arrange non-investment insurance contracts. Registered in England under company number 3220410 at Suite 12, 20 Churchill Square, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4YU.
Other financial services:
Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), Unit 26 (2.06), Newark Works, 2 Foundry Lane, Bath BA2 3GZ. London & Country are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
We do not make, nor do we seek to make, any recommendations or personalised advice on financial products or services that are regulated by the FCA, as we’re not regulated or authorised by the FCA to advise you in this way. In some cases, however, we have included links to regulated brands or providers with whom we have a commercial relationship and, if you choose to, you can buy a product from our commercial partners.
If you go ahead and buy a product using our link, we will receive a commission to help fund our not-for-profit mission and our campaigns work as a champion for the UK consumer. Please note that a link alone does not constitute an endorsement by Which?.
Get the Which? app
Get the power of Which? in your pocket by downloading our app, giving you on-the-go access to our reviews
Got a problem?
Chat to a live agent or send us a message
More from Which?
My account
For experts
For businesses
Our legal policies
Help
© Which? 2025
