We have shared mid-size SUVs we would buythe we will buyand now it’s time for another hot segment.
Just kidding. This time we’re looking at large cars, the least popular passenger car segment in Australia.
In 2023, there will be just 4820 large cars sold in Australia, plus another 539 of what VFACTS calls ‘large’ cars. Gone are the days of a Falcon or Commodore in every second driveway…
With the opinions of this group in mind, we typically try to give each a mass-market option and a more expensive, luxury-branded option.
But when it comes to large mass-market cars, after the death of Kia Stinger there are only two: the Citroen C5 X And Great Skoda.
Mass-market ‘full-sized’ cars are also dead, with Chrysler 300 slam the door to go out.
Luxury brands offer a variety of full-size and larger-sized vehicles, and these are the options Car expert The group must choose:
Groups can also choose from Bentley and Rolls-Royce touring cars to get truly ‘relevant’ advice when buying a car.
Alborz Fallah: Rolls-Royce Spectre
I want to sit in a big $1 million electric car and listen to the battery depreciate and my money…but no, seriously, it’s a damn good car in every way face.
Rolls-Royce, as a brand, makes the most sense from an ultra-luxury perspective to be all-electric.
No one cares how their Rolls-Royce sounds or whether it has a V12 engine under the bonnet. They care about the luxury and ultra-luxury it offers, in addition to a level of customization and personalization that is unrivaled in the industry.
Having recently spent a few days in the Spectre, it has topped my ‘to buy’ list.
However, I feel this price is relatively ambitious because as good as Rolls-Royce’s EV powertrain is – and it is very good – it relies heavily on parent company BMW for the technology.
There’s nothing outstanding about it, while the traditional 6.75L V12 engine is already iconic and certainly adds to the price factor. So while a V12 isn’t necessary to make a good Rolls, charging a V12 (and some) for a Rolls EV is an as-yet unproven strategy.
Paul Maric: Audi RS6
For me, the Audi RS6 – definitely the ultimate family car.
The interior is starting to feel a bit dated, but that’s a compromise I’m willing to make to get one with an aftermarket exhaust system.
It’s also becoming rare among cars in this segment with limited hybrid or electrification capabilities. It relies on a pure turbocharged V8 to get going, and it’s all the better for it.
THAN: Buy an Audi RS6
James Wong: BMW i5 eDrive 40
There are a lot of interesting and suitable options here, but I really loved my drive of the i5 eDrive40 in Portugal last year.
It delivers the kind of effortless thrust you’d expect in a six-cylinder car, with the quietness that comes with driving an electric vehicle.
There’s more than enough power to put many hot hatchbacks to shame, and the new 5 Series has a stunning interior that offers plenty of material and upholstery options.
It also has plenty of claimed range (up to 582km WLTP), so range anxiety isn’t really an issue like with some other EVs in the premium and subscription segments. Sign up for Chargefox for 5 years.
#savethesedans
THAN: Buy a BMW i5
William Stopford: Great Skoda and Audi S8
Big car? Sign me up!
Four of the six cars I own, including my current one, are full-size sedans.
When it comes to large mass-market passenger cars, I would have preferred the Kia Stinger but after its recent facelift, I have to choose between the Skoda Superb and the Citroen C5 X.
Of those two, I would choose Superb. It feels a bit dated inside, but I like the tech, I like the sharp styling (which actually looks better than the upcoming replacement) and I like the more powerful turbocharged engine under the hood along with standard all-wheel drive.
There is a lot of variety in the large luxury car market, and making a decision is much more difficult.
The seductive Audi RS e-tron GT immediately comes to mind, while the upcoming BMW i5 M60 Touring offers similarly quick performance but with a much more practical body.
But isn’t the i5 a little – dare I say it – reasonable if you’re spending over $200,000? Why not buy something with a big V8 while you still can?
I’m going to go a little left here and choose the Audi S8. Okay, it’s pretty boring to look at, but it’s not as big as a BMW 7 Series, not more conservative than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and feels a bit more modern than the nicer Lexus LS.
There’s a twin-turbo V8 under the hood, uses air suspension and comes with all-wheel steering. However, it’s a shame that only a black interior is offered. I’d buy the car in a bright Ultra Blue or District Green and install some real wood trim inside to add some warmth.
What I would really love is a Genesis G90, much more stylish than the A8/S8, 7 Series and S-Class, but alas, it can’t be had here.
THAN: Buy a great Skoda
THAN: Buy an Audi S8
Max Davies: Audi e-tron GT
I love sedans and the idea of a luxury sedan is especially hard to pass up. For me, it’s the electric Audi e-tron GT.
It’s lightning fast without compromising on comfort, and the low-slung design looks stunning – especially at the front. The interior isn’t as flashy as the others, but that’s typical of Audi’s practical approach.
Sure, it’ll set you back more than $180,000 for the entry-level e-tron GT, but the RS is still attractively priced compared to its equivalent Porsche Taycan.
THAN: Buy Audi e-tron GT
Tyra Lawler-Cass: Porsche Taycan
If I had all the money in the world and wanted a big car, I’d buy a Porsche Taycan.
Maybe it’s just my love of Porsches, but it’s the perfect blend of practicality and luxury, offering 450L of boot space, four seats and 0-100km/h acceleration. h in 2.2 seconds.
While it may be a unique ‘family car’ option, I would consider it if I valued luxury above all else. The only catch is that it comes with a hefty price tag, both before and after on-road costs.
However, I will never have to buy gas again. And I’ll have a Porsche – win, win.
THAN: Buy a Porsche Taycan
Jordan Mulach: Great Skoda and Porsche Taycan
Yes, this is predictable since I already own one, but let’s move on because I’m taking a two-pronged approach.
The third generation Skoda Superb is a great car. Now that I’ve been with you for six months, I regret not taking action sooner. It only gets better with age and Skoda wisely decided to pare down the Australian range to the range-topping 206TSI Sportline because it’s all you could want.
Still, the $70,000 price tag for the forklift made me wince when I first saw it, because that’s a huge amount of money for what was once a “budget” premium proposition and has can be difficult to accept for those who cannot. consider it more than a Czech Volkswagen.
But there are plenty of redeeming qualities, like a roomy interior, a more powerful powertrain (what can’t the EA888 do, besides leak a water pump?) and pleasing styling.
I don’t think anyone can regret buying one, although it remains to be seen whether the new generation model (due in 2025) will be a significant improvement.
And at the other end of the spectrum, I’d quite like a Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach package.
Two years ago I had the opportunity to drive the Turbo S and even at low speeds it felt special. Now with the reduced power, track-focused suspension and all the other goodies, you can hit up your local race and beat everything in the 911 GT3.
Plus, the Purple Sky Metallic colorway is nothing short of one of the best colors on sale and well worth the purchase.
THAN: Buy a great Skoda
THAN: Buy a Porsche Taycan
Josh Nevett: Audi RS6
Since its inception, the Audi RS6 has never stopped being cool.
There’s something about Audi’s design language combined with its wagon shape and performance that has never been an issue for the RS-badged versions.
The current RS6 sticks to the formula with muscular looks and a 463kW twin-turbo V8 to match it, while offering practicality and luxury inside.
It’s an increasingly rare but irresistible formula, but you’ll need up to $250,000 to put one in your driveway.
THAN: Buy an Audi RS6
