Former Top Gear and Grand Tour presenter Jeremy Clarkson has named the one saloon car he’d choose right now over the Audi RS5
Jeremy Clarkson has named his favourite saloon car
Veteran motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson, former presenter of Top Gear and Grand Tour, has spent more than four decades putting cars through their paces, reviewing hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles throughout his distinguished career. Over that time, he has witnessed the automotive industry transform, expand and evolve, cementing his status as one of the most respected voices in the world of cars.
In his latest column, Jeremy, 66, has turned his attention to one of the most iconic vehicle categories — the saloon car. Prior to the meteoric rise of the SUV, the saloon was among the most prevalent body shapes on British roads, with manufacturers ranging from Ford to Lamborghini and Audi to Aston Martin all producing or experimenting with the format at various points.
This week, Jeremy has delivered his verdict on which current model he would choose to drive home. Clarkson reached his conclusion while putting the latest Audi RS5 Avant quattro triptronic through its paces — a hatchback saloon from the Ingolstadt manufacturer.
Jeremy Clarkson is an authority in cars(Image: Getty)
Using the car as a springboard to argue that petrol vehicles are far from fading into obscurity, he wrote in the Sunday Times: “But if I were in the market for a fast saloon right now, I’d get an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. They were going to stop making it this year because it doesn’t even pretend to be in tune with the times.
“But they’ve just announced a stay of execution. Probably because they’ve just seen the sales figures for the new Fiat Panda. Want to guess, what percentage of those sold in Italy are electric? Nope. You’re wrong, I’m afraid. It’s 5 percent.”
Yet Jeremy isn’t alone in his continued admiration for the Giulia Quadrifoglio, a vehicle that has cultivated an increasingly passionate following since its debut in 2015.
I’ve been behind the wheel of this car on three separate occasions over recent years, and whenever I’m fortunate enough to attend SMMT Test Days where one is available, it’s invariably the vehicle that captures my attention.
Jeremy named the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio as his favourite saloon(Image: Christopher Sharp)
In September 2024, I took it on a journey to Edinburgh and back along Britain’s longest road, before experiencing it again in 2025 and 2026.
It isn’t the most practical four-door on the market, nor is it the quickest saloon available, yet it remains one of the rare petrol-powered vehicles I’ve encountered that delivers electric car-like acceleration without the associated weight penalty through bends; it pivots beautifully.
The example I tested featured an Akrapovic exhaust system that allowed the V6 engine to express itself more freely, though this never detracted from the graceful, almost balletic driving experience felt through your hands, feet, shoulders, knees and toes.
