The car for the job you do
You drive a lot for work. Maybe you’re a vet or a builder or even a beautician. Whatever your profession, you need a motor to get around with all your gear intact. Perhaps you need to fit a wedding cake on the back seat in a last-minute emergency? Or stow that portable massage couch for a full day of appointments.
Maybe you’re an international rap star and you need to make the right entrance at that Central London seven-star hotel.
Whatever job you do, you are going to need a car to do it in.
So if you’re thinking to yourself, ‘what car should I buy?’, we’re here to help you find it.
Profession
Farmers, groundskeepers
Requirements
Few owners expect as much from their vehicles as farmers and outdoor professions working the land. From towing to carrying heavy loads and livestock, to operating on tarmac and open fields, they are expected to do it all.
Recommended vehicles
All-wheel drive SUVs and pick-up trucks are big favourites, so the Land Rover Discovery Sport is a favourite, along with the plusher Discovery and Range Rover Evoque. At the budget end of the market, the SsangYong Rexton and Dacia Duster offer great value.
A durable Subaru is surprisingly capable off-road and represents a good SUV/car compromise, while the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok and top pick-up choices.
Profession
Tradespeople, including builders, electricians, plumbers and carpenters
Requirements
Vans are the number one choice for tradespeople, but an increasing number are opting for double-cab pick-up trucks too, which can also be used privately. There’s a huge choice of vans and they come in all shapes and sizes. Pick-ups are now available from a growing number of big-name manufacturers, including Ford, Volkswagen and Toyota
Recommended vehicles
Vans range from small car-based runabouts such as the Ford Fiesta Van, up to larger vehicles like the Fiat Doblo and Volkswagen Caddy, followed by one-tonners including the Ford Transit Custom, Volkswagen Transporter and Vauxhall Vivaro. Finally, it’s the big load carriers such as the Citroen Relay, Ford Transit and Peugeot Boxer.
The Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi L200 are popular 4x4 pick-up options, with budget alternatives like the SsangYong Musso catching up fast.
Profession
Veterinarians
Requirements
Vets based in the country often need to reach animals in areas where a 4x4 is a necessity – especially during extreme weather. SUVs are a favourite, though many all-wheel drive estates can carry all the kit too and are just as capable.
Recommended vehicles
The Discovery Sport and bigger Discovery both feature Land Rover’s legendary off-road ability, along with the Range Rover Evoque. However, other 4x4s such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V (both available as hybrids), are good options too. The XV, Outback and Forester from Subaru are more car-like alternatives, while all-wheel drive estates including the Skoda Octavia Scout are worth considering.
Profession
Home care providers
Requirements
District nurses and care assistants making home visits often opt for smaller cars which are reliable, economical to run and easy to park. Some homecare providers were early adopters of electric vehicles where the pool cars can be charged back at base, but this may not be such a good option in more rural areas. Finally, it’s worth finding out whether your NHS Trust runs a car leasing service.
Recommended vehicles
City cars such as the Skoda Citigo, Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto are a good option for urban areas, but if longer journeys between patients are involved, a petrol hybrid like a Toyota Hybrid or a small diesel might make more sense. Electric cars could also be worth considering, especially in towns and cities – the Renault Zoe and Hyundai Ioniq, are good value while the Nissan is a solid choice.
Profession
Property services – window cleaner, handyperson, gardener, etc
Requirements
Vehicles that can carry tools and ladders are popular options here, so estate cars, saloons and vans are the order of the day. Naturally, many gardeners opt for 4x4s and pick-up trucks which are a good halfway house between a van and an SUV. Unless long distances are covered, petrol and hybrids might make sense.
Recommended vehicles
Small vans such as the Ford Transit Connect, Vauxhall Combo and Volkswagen Caddy are great workhorses, yet easy to drive, economical and offer plenty of loadspace.
If you need extra space, then move up to a Ford Transit Custom or Volkswagen Transporter.
Pick-ups such as the Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi L200 are worth considering, while spacious estate cars include the Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia and Vauxhall Insignia often fit the bill just as well.
Profession
Minicab and/or Uber driver
Requirements
The golden rule here is to choose a practical car and not necessarily one that just looks good. Ideally you want to carry at least four people in comfort (the more the merrier), have plenty of space for luggage. Low insurance and good fuel economy help too. Frugal diesels and hybrids make sense. Favourite body styles include big saloons, estates and people carriers. Hybrids and electrics are now a popular choice in the London Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).
Recommended vehicles
The spacious Skoda Octavia and Skoda Superb, frugal Toyota Prius and the seven-seater Ford Galaxy MPV are favourites in the private hire world.
Also worth considering are the big new Toyota Camry Hybrid, Dacia MCV budget estate, Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia and plush Audi A6, along with the Peugeot Rifter, Citroen Berlingo and Mercedes-Benz V-Class people carriers.
Profession
Personal services – masseuse, aromatherapist, sports massage, beautician
Requirements
For many people in personal services, it’s vital to be able to carry a portable massage couch and/or massage chair. Drop the back seats on most SUVs, estate cars and people carriers and there’s a huge amount of space which is why these vehicles are a solid choice. Alternatively, if you want signage to advertise your business, choose a van which will be a great canvas for your brand.
Recommended vehicles
Reasonably priced estate cars are top choices here with the Skoda Octavia and Skoda Superb leading the pack. Load-lugging versions of the Vauxhall Insignia, Ford Mondeo and Peugeot 508 are worth considering too.
Mid-sized SUVs such as the Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Qashqai can also do the job, along with people carriers like the Citroen C4 SpaceTourer, Renault Grand Scenic, Ford S-Max and the van-like Peugeot Traveller and Vauxhall Vivaro Life.
Profession
Entertainers – musicians, kids entertainers
Requirements
Space for props, costumes and instruments are the name of the game here, so estate cars, people carriers, vans and SUVs top the list.
Hard not to recommend Skoda’s spacious estate duo again (Octavia and Superb) again, but it may well be that a van is the best option because there’s a big, accessible load space, room for signage outside and everything is hidden from prying eyes.
Recommended vehicles
A small or mid-size van like a Volkswagen Caddy or Ford Transit Custom should do the trick and if you’re doing a lot of miles, then frugal diesels still make sense.
Profession
Photographers/camera person – wedding/portrait/commercial etc
Requirements
Photographers need a car that looks stylish and professional, yet is practical, reliable, and capable of reaching often challenging locations in all weathers. SUVs and estate cars will work well, and if they are all-wheel-drive, even better. Long distances are often involved so diesels and hybrids should help lower costs.
Recommended vehicles
We’d recommend hybrid SUVs such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, though plug-in hybrids offering around 30 miles of pure electric motoring also make sense. Think Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. There’s a huge choice of frugal, roomy estates and SUVs, but something like the 4x4 Skoda Octavia Scout, Volvo V60 Cross Country or Subaru Outback might offer the best of both worlds.
Profession
Caterers
Requirements
Transporting food is similar to most other commodities in that space and ease of loading are necessities. Additional, a facility to chill or freeze food may be needed if cool boxes aren’t enough. If big distances are involved, then diesels and hybrids make sense.
Recommended vehicles
Caterers are likely to go for vans and big estates, though some may simply hitch up a trailer in which case a good towcar such as an SUV, pick-up, large saloon or estate will do the trick.
Popular SUV choices includes the Land Rover Discovery and Discovery Sport, Kia Sorento, Volvo XC60, Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Touareg, while the big SsangYong Rexton is a great budget option.
Regular cars that make great towcars include the Volkswagen Passat, Audi A6, Ford Mondeo, Skoda Superb, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series.
Profession
Surveyors
Requirements
Surveyors want to look professional, yet may occasionally have to reach muddy sites in the middle of nowhere.
Recommended vehicles
An SUV would make sense, so maybe a Land Rover Discovery Sport, Volvo XC60, Nissan X-Trail or Subaru Forester? However, a 4x4 estate would also do the job and classy choices include the Audi A4 Allroad Quattro and Volvo V60 Cross Country.
Profession
Estate agents
Requirements
Estate agents want to look smart and professional, but not too flash. After all, you don’t want to make your clients think you’re rolling in it. Space for passengers in case you need to transport clients to viewings would be useful.
Recommended vehicles
A mid-sized SUV like a Mazda CX-5, Peugeot 3008 or Volvo XC60 would tick all the right boxes and give the right impression, as would saloons such as a Jaguar XF, Volvo S60 or Peugeot 508.
Profession
Reality TV stars
Requirements
If you want to make an impression and you have a bit of cash to splash on a suitable car, then there’s a huge choice of prestige open-top sports cars and classy SUVs out there.
Recommended vehicles
If you want to be seen, then go for topless versions of the new Porsche 911 or an Aston Martin DB11 or Jaguar F-type. SUVs don’t get much cooler than a Range Rover Velar, Audi Q8 or Maserati Levante, while a Porsche Panamera Sport Tursimo is one the slickest estate cars on the market if you need space for passengers and luggage, but don’t want an SUV.
Profession
High rollers/International playboys
Requirements
Life is sweet. You’re at the top of your game. And your game is international rap star, oil magnate, Silicon Valley tech guru or daughter of an oligarch. When you arrive at a luxury marina with your very own super yacht, you want to arrive in style.
Recommended vehicles
Money is no object so steer clear of traditional high-end luxury cars and go for exotic, out-of-reach coupes, convertibles, grand tourers or SUVs.
Two-seaters don’t come much sexier than the new Bentley Continental, an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, Audi R8, Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster or McLaren 570GT.
Stand out from the crowd with the Pagani Huayra Roadster, Lamborghini Aventador SVJ or a Bugatti Chiron.
If high performance SUVs float your boat, then look no further than the epic Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus or Range Rover Sport SVR.
And if course, you want it all customised to your very own high-end spec.
Profession
CEO/company presidents
Requirements
CEOs and other senior executives have busy lives at work and at home.
For work, your car may also double as your office, so it’s got to be luxurious, spacious, supremely refined and fitted with state-of-the art connectivity, a chiller for ‘essential refreshments’ and reclining seats with built-in massage functions.
At home, you want a car which will let everyone at the golf course know who’s boss. Roll up in something that is going to be commensurate with your status and ambition.
Recommended vehicles
For leisure, consider everything from a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Bentley Mulsanne or Aston Martin Rapide at the luxury end of the market, to a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ and Audi A8.
If you want to step into your executive express and your need a vehicle that can cope when the going gets tough, then opt for a big SUV such as the Range Rover SVAutobiography, Bentley Bentayga or Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
CEOs wanting to show off their green credentials could go all-electric with a long-range Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model X or Audi E-tron.
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