By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
What is a business class chauffeur car?
Business class is the mid-size executive sedan. It carries 3 passengers in the rear and about 2 large suitcases. It sits a class below the first class pair, the S-Class and 7 Series, which we compare in S-Class vs 7 Series.
Our business sedans page lists the class with seats and bags.
| Lexus ES 300h | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | BMW 5 Series | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source of car | Assure’s own fleet | Partner network, subject to availability | Partner network, subject to availability |
| Rear passengers | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Bags with 3 aboard | 2 large, 1 cabin | 2 large, 2 cabin | 2 large, 2 cabin |
| Boot, maker figure | 454 L | 540 L (370 L plug-in hybrid) | 520 L (490 L electric i5) |
| Drive | 2.5 L petrol-electric hybrid | Mild-hybrid E 200 and others | Petrol, plug-in hybrid, electric i5 |
| Notable option | Rear window sunshade | AIRMATIC air suspension, Burmester sound | Harman Kardon audio |
The bag counts are Assure planning figures, not maker claims.
Rear legroom and comfort
None of the three makers publishes rear legroom on its UAE or regional page in a form we can compare. So we do not quote a number. What we can say is that all three seat 3 in the rear, and a tall passenger in the middle seat will feel the narrow centre of any mid-size sedan. For two people and a laptop bag, all three are comfortable.
Why the Lexus ES 300h is common in Dubai fleets
The ES 300h uses a 2.5 L petrol-electric hybrid. In stop-start traffic on Al Khail Road or in the DIFC grid, the car runs quietly on electric power for short stretches. Lexus also lists a rear window sunshade, a tilt-and-slide sunroof and 10 airbags. It is the class car in Assure’s own fleet, so it is the one we can usually confirm quickly.
Boot space for airport luggage
A 454 L boot takes 2 large suitcases and a cabin bag. That fits one business traveller or two sharing a trip, arriving at Terminal 3 from a short-haul flight. For three people on a long-haul arrival, each with a large case, move up to a luxury SUV or a V-Class. See our airport transfers for how the pickup works.
Business class or first class: when is the upgrade worth it?
Stay with business class for:
- a solo traveller or two colleagues on a day of meetings
- a short airport run, such as DXB to Business Bay
- a company account where the policy sets the car class
Move to first class when the guest is a director, when the trip is over an hour, or when you want options such as folding tables. Our first class sedans are the next step up.
Which one for transfers, meetings and city hours?
- Airport transfers: The Lexus for a quick confirmation, the E-Class if you want the larger boot.
- Meetings: Any of the three. Ask the chauffeur to wait outside the venue if parking is tight.
- City hours: The hybrid ES 300h, because the car spends much of the day idling and crawling.
For company bookings across many trips, see corporate chauffeur service and the chauffeur service page. Cost depends on route and hours, so our chauffeur cost guide explains what sets the price. If you care about fuel type, read electric and hybrid chauffeur cars. For what each car carries inside, see chauffeur car amenities. Back to the chauffeur car guide or the full fleet.
Photos in this guide
A grey Lexus ES 300h hybrid sedan parked at the kerb, seen from the frontDinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A Lexus ES 300h hybrid sedan shown on a plain white backgroundLexus, Manufacturer press image, editorial use
A white Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon parked on a street, seen from the front leftAlexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A white BMW 5 Series sedan parked in a car park, seen from the front leftAlexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
