In theory, there’s nothing like an executive car for offering the best blend of space, comfort and driving ability. After all, their remit is to provide the fast-moving executive with a dependable car that must keep them comfortable on a long motorway journey and entertained when they turn onto a back road.

It’s also got to be classy enough to make the right impression when they arrive at their destination. And when you get that car home, it has to fit the role of a family car, transporting people and luggage as well as handling the weekly shop, and quite possibly coping with the annual holiday too.

Finding such a combination of talents in a car costing less than £5000 might seem an impossible task, but there are plenty of excellent choices on the used market. Take a look at our top 10 and see for yourself: