The most fuel-efficient mid-sized cars in Australia

Mid-size cars offer a compromise between size, drivability and practicality, bridging the gap between Small cars And Larger SUVs.

Naturally, you’d expect them to be somewhere in the middle of the two in terms of fuel economy, but how exactly do they rank in terms of being frugal and making you spend less time at the pump?

To find out, we ran our picks for midsize cars under $60,000 on the VFACTS sales rankings to see what’s currently the most fuel-efficient midsize car available in Australia.

We’ve only listed the most efficient variant of each model, as different powertrains, drivetrains and body styles can cause some variation in fuel efficiency figures.

There is also only one type of electric vehicle in this category, viz BYD seal. It’s omitted from this comparison, but we’ll compare it to other midsize electric cars in a future story.

It’s worth noting that the Honda Accord is all-new for 2024, which means it’s been pushed out of the $60,000 price bracket. We still included it on this list because VFACTS uses last year’s model, which is cheaper.

Click on a car name above to go directly to that car’s information on the page, or keep scrolling to see the full list.

Toyota Camry

It’s the tried and tested Toyota Camry at the top of the list, and its most expensive SL Hybrid variant is the most efficient with a claimed fuel consumption of 4.2L/100km.

Four of the five Camrys on sale today offer a hybrid powertrain and have a claimed fuel economy of less than 5.0L/100km with a 50L fuel tank, with prices ranging from $37,919 to $51,417 ago. on-road operating costs.

For $35,051 before on-roads, you can buy the base Ascent, which only has a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine and returns 6.8L/100km.

The cheapest option has a 60L fuel tank and the entire Camry range requires RON 95 fuel.

BUY: Contact Toyota Camry dealer
THAN: Everything Toyota Camry

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Honda is suitable

The e:HEV RS is the only Accord on sale in 2024 and its hybrid powertrain consumes 4.3L/100km on the combined cycle.

At $64,900, this is the most expensive car on this list, but it only requires RON 91 gasoline and has a smaller 48L fuel tank.

The e:HEV RS has a 2.0-litre petrol engine combined with an electric motor and has a combined output of 152kW. By comparison, the most expensive (and most fuel-efficient) Camry produces 160kW.

BUY: Contact a dealer about Honda Accord cars
THAN: Everything Honda Accord

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Skoda Octavia

The Octavia is the only European car on this list and consumes 5.7 liters/100km on the combined cycle.

The cheapest variant is the upgraded 110TSI Style. It has the lowest fuel economy rating of the bunch and costs $42,490 drive away. If you want the wagon, it’s $1500 more expensive and Skoda claims it will return 5.8L/100km on the combined cycle.

There are no hybrid options here. Going with the RS facelift and top-spec wagon will set you back $56,990 or $58,490 drive-away respectively. They also consume 6.8L/100km and have a larger 50L fuel tank.

BUY: Contact your dealer about the Skoda Octavia
THAN: Everything Skoda Octavia

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Mazda 6

There are countless Mazda 6 variants available, but the most effective are the four variants with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine. They consume 7.0L/100km on the combined cycle.

Those variants are the G25 Sport and Touring sedan and wagon, which range in price from $36,140 to $42,110 before on-roads and produce 140kW.

For more power (33kW to be exact), you can opt for turbocharged 2.5-litre models priced from $49,040 to $55,535 before on-roads. That range includes the G35 GT SP, Atenza and 20th Anniversary sedan and wagon models.

Models using forced induction will consume 7.6L/100km more, while the entire range has a 62L fuel tank and drinks 91 RON fuel.

BUY: Contact a dealer about Mazda 6 cars
THAN: Everything Mazda 6

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Hyundai Sonata

Sonata is only available in the N-Line version and is relatively fuel efficient with a published fuel consumption of 8.1 liters/100km on mixed roads.

It costs $55,500 before on-roads and comes with a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 213kW of power and 422Nm of torque. That makes it the most powerful car on this list.

Sonata only needs RON 91 gasoline and has a 60L fuel tank. Unlike other Hyundai models, the Sonata does not have a hybrid powertrain.

BUY: Contact a dealer about Hyundai Sonata cars
THAN: Everything Hyundai Sonata

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