Mid-sized passenger automobile gross sales began dropping off a very long time in the past in Australia, with patrons more and more turning to purportedly extra sensible SUVs… or settling for so-called small vehicles that are actually something however.
In 2013, there have been 30 completely different mid-sized vehicles accessible in Australia, together with 9 premium fashions.
There are nonetheless loads of choices accessible, however inexpensive choices are far fewer. Of the 25 mid-sized passenger automobile nameplates offered in Australia in 2013, simply seven of those had a base worth underneath $60,000.
Thoughts you, of the mainstream mid-sized passenger automobile phase, the Toyota Camry had a 70 per cent share of complete gross sales final 12 months.
However if you’d like one thing bigger than a Toyota Corolla however smaller than your mother and father’ outdated Ford Falcon, you don’t essentially must get a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz. You additionally don’t must get a Camry.
Beneath, the members of the CarExpert group have shared the mid-sized fashions they’d purchase, together with each luxurious and mass-market fashions.
Scott Collie: BYD Seal or BMW M340i
BYD Seal
The Seal isn’t good, however it presents rather a lot on your cash.
It’s good to take a look at on the skin, packs an impressively luxurious inside, and drives with sufficient polish to justify its worth.
The Tesla Mannequin 3 remains to be the standard-setter on this phase, however the Seal isn’t far behind it – and nothing can match it in terms of worth.
BMW M340i
The three Sequence stays one of the best mid-sized sedan cash should purchase in Australia, and the M340i is my choose of the vary.
From the buttery easy inline-six which shot the M340i to 100km/h in simply 4.26 seconds in our testing, to the luxurious inside it simply ticks all of the bins. It’s even environment friendly on the freeway.
I simply want BMW provided the wagon in Australia…
MORE: Purchase a BYD Seal
MORE: Purchase a BMW 3 Sequence
Max Davies: Toyota Camry or Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Toyota Camry
It’s the boring alternative, however there’s a cause Toyota offered greater than 10,000 Camrys right here in 2023.
The Camry begins at a hair over $35,000 earlier than on-road prices and is among the most cost-effective vehicles within the phase, however nonetheless retains Toyota’s excessive normal for dependability.
Whereas it will get by with a merely ample infotainment system, it does have a reasonably snug trip and I like that it isn’t making an attempt to be one thing it’s not.
You may even get a hybrid possibility for underneath $40,000, which is able to imply massive financial savings in the long term.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Whereas there could also be higher and maybe wiser decisions, it’s laborious for me to look previous Mercedes-Benz for luxurious and magnificence.
The C-Class has a cultured look on the skin and its inside is gorgeous in format and design, though it’s fairly costly and lacks some tech in comparison with its rivals.
For far more cash there are additionally AMG efficiency hybrid fashions, which is able to by no means not be an thrilling prospect.
MORE: Purchase a Toyota Camry
MORE: Purchase a Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Jordan Mulach: Skoda Octavia or Hyundai Ioniq 6
Skoda Octavia
It’s predictable isn’t it? I personal a 10-year-old Octavia RS and keep it’s nonetheless the underrated efficiency automobile that gives all you could possibly ever want.
Skoda’s worth creep upwards is a little bit of a disgrace given the Octavia RS doesn’t current as a lot of a price proposition anymore, however amongst its opponents it’s the one car that gives a real efficiency platform on a relative price range.
Give me a wagon too, as a result of it could be the best automobile within the daycare carpark.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
As a lot of a tantalising proposition because the Tesla Mannequin 3 is, I simply can’t go previous the smooth design of the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
It and the Ioniq 5 (which is unfortunately categorised as an SUV) supply one of the best non-Tesla tech for the cash whereas retaining comparatively conventional options. Indicator stalk, anybody?
MORE: Purchase a Skoda Octavia
MORE: Purchase a Hyundai Ioniq 6
Josh Nevett: Skoda Octavia or Genesis G70
Skoda Octavia
The Octavia has been a cool automobile for a really very long time now, with a model accessible to go well with nearly anybody.
Of the present technology, the just lately launched Sportline variant in wagon type can be my choose. It’s priced consistent with the bottom Type mannequin however boasts extra goodies; bettering aesthetics and the driving expertise.
Even if in case you have some enjoyable with the choices record, the Sportline is available in nicely underneath $50,000 drive-away – an absolute cut price.
Genesis G70
You don’t spot many of those on the highway, and by account of goal measures that in all probability is sensible. In spite of everything, the G70 is a thirsty luxurious sedan with a small boot and no room for rear passengers.
However my goodness it’s good-looking, and it goes like stink. The inside is fashionable, too.
I’ve an actual comfortable spot for producers that stick with low-volume sellers just like the G70, as a result of such vehicles add a lot wanted flavour to the trade in an age dominated by SUVs.
MORE: Purchase a Skoda Octavia
MORE: Purchase a Genesis G70
Jack Fast: Skoda Octavia or BMW i4
Skoda Octavia
Should you’re one of many few individuals nonetheless taking a look at a mid-sized sedan/wagon in 2024 I’d advocate having a look on the Skoda Octavia.
The Czech firm just lately launched a brand new mid-spec Sportline variant that may be my choose. I’d personally go for the wagon, however the liftback is a superb possibility too.
One thing that also surprises me in regards to the Octavia is how a lot space for storing it packs for a car that’s comparatively small. It’s additionally based mostly on the identical platform because the Volkswagen Golf.
After a sportier possibility? Skoda additionally presents the Octavia RS which packs the identical peppy 2.0-litre turbo because the Golf GTI and is a sensible nook carver.
BMW i4
This electrical liftback has grown on me over time, although the fake entrance grille is a tad too beaver-like for my liking.
The introduction of the brand new entry-level eDrive35 variant nonetheless, bought it over the road for me.
The BMW i4 eDrive35 slides underneath the Luxurious Automotive Tax (LCT) threshold which implies it’s additionally exempt from Fringe Profit Tax (FBT) for fleet leasing.
Certain the i4 isn’t as environment friendly and doesn’t supply as a lot vary because the segment-leading Mannequin 3, however it kinds as a unbelievable luxurious various for somebody who doesn’t need a Tesla.
MORE: Purchase a Skoda Octavia
MORE: Purchase a BMW i4
William Stopford: Skoda Octavia or Genesis G70
Skoda Octavia
Now we’re speaking. Sure, right here I’m enthusiastic about humble mid-sizers, as soon as that almost all boring of segments.
The SUV-ification of Australia has reached some extent the place even a Camry is an fascinating alternative, and different mass-market mid-sizers are virtually unique.
The mass-market phase has been hollowed out, however there are nonetheless some fascinating choices. I might see myself in a Camry Hybrid, however wait instances blew out thus far that Toyota paused new orders. The brand new one isn’t as handsome however it has higher infotainment, although it stays to be seen how a lot it’ll value.
We all know how a lot the rival Honda Accord will value and, whereas it’s little question fairly a succesful Camry competitor, there’s a major premium for it.
That leaves me torn between two extra thrilling choices: the Hyundai Sonata N Line and the Skoda Octavia RS. I’ll narrowly give the sting to the Czech contender right here as a result of it may be had as both a sensible hatchback or a extra roomy wagon.
Genesis G70
As for extra premium choices, I’ll go together with a Korean possibility.
The Genesis G70 3.3T‘s again seat and boot are cramped even by 3 Sequence rival requirements.
However its mixture of a terrific chassis, a strong twin-turbo V6, and an extended tools record, in addition to a price ticket over hundreds of {dollars} lower than a comparable German sedan make it unattainable to disregard.
It’s a pity the extra sensible Taking pictures Brake model isn’t provided with this engine.
MORE: Purchase a Skoda Octavia
MORE: Purchase a Genesis G70
James Wong: Audi A4 allroad
The mid-sized phase was as soon as suffering from wagon choices, however they’ve dwindled considerably over time…
Within the absence of VW’s Alltrack vary in addition to Skoda’s Scout crossover wagons, my choose is the fantastically aged Audi A4 allroad 40 TDI quattro.
Who wants an SUV when you may get one thing like this? It drives higher than a Q5, plus there’s a cool issue within the exclusivity of shopping for a extra area of interest product.
It’s additionally ridiculously environment friendly – the two.0 TDI with 12V mild-hybrid help and twin-dosing AdBlue know-how quotes hybrid-like gasoline consumption of simply 4.9L per 100km, with NOx emissions decreased by “greater than 90 per cent” in comparison with its predecessor.
My good household automobile.
MORE: Purchase an Audi A4
