Sales of mid-sized passenger cars have long since begun to decline in Australia, with buyers increasingly turning to supposedly more practical SUVs… or settling for so-called small cars that are really nothing chief.
In 2013, there were 30 different mid-sized car models available in Australia, including 9 premium models.
There are still plenty of options available, but the affordable ones are much fewer. Of the 25 mid-sized passenger car nameplates sold in Australia in 2013, only seven of these had a base price of less than $60,000.
Mind you, in the popular mid-size passenger car segment, the Toyota Camry accounted for 70% of total sales last year.
But if you want something bigger than a Toyota Corolla but smaller than your parents’ old Ford Falcon, you don’t have to get a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz. You don’t have to have a Camry either.
Below, members of the Car expert The group shared the mid-size car models they would buy, including both luxury and economy models.
Scott Collie: BYD Seal or BMW M340i
BYD seal
The Seal isn’t perfect, but it offers a lot of bang for your buck.
It’s great to look at from the outside, has an impressively luxurious interior and drives with enough polish to justify its price.
The Tesla Model 3 remains the standard-setter in this segment, but the Seal isn’t far behind it – and is unmatched when it comes to value.
BMW M340i
The 3 Series remains the best mid-size sedan money can buy in Australia and the M340i is my pick in this segment.
From the smooth inline-six engine that rocketed the M340i to 60 mph in just 4.26 seconds in our testing, to the luxurious interior, it ticks all the boxes. It’s even effective on the highway.
I just wish BMW offered the wagon in Australia…
THAN: Buy the BYD seal
THAN: Buy a BMW 3 Series
Max Davies: Toyota Camry or Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Toyota Camry
It’s a boring choice, but there’s a reason Toyota will sell more than 10,000 Camrys here by 2023.
The Camry starts at more than $35,000 before running costs and is one of the cheapest cars in the segment, but still maintains Toyota’s high standards of reliability.
Even though it gets by with just an adequate infotainment system, it has a pretty comfortable ride, and I like that it doesn’t try to be something it’s not.
You can even get the hybrid option for under $40,000, which means you’ll save big in the long run.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
While there may be better and perhaps wiser options, it’s hard for me to look past Mercedes-Benz for luxury and style.
The C-Class has a luxurious exterior and its interior is impressive in terms of layout and design, although it is quite expensive and lacks some technology compared to its rivals.
For more money, there are also AMG performance hybrid models, which is never going to be an exciting prospect.
THAN: Buy a Toyota Camry
THAN: Buy a Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Jordan Mulach: Skoda Octavia or Hyundai Ioniq 6
Skoda Octavia
Predictable, right? I own a 10 year old Octavia RS and think it’s still an underrated performance car that offers all you need.
The Skoda’s price increase is a bit of a shame as the Octavia RS doesn’t have much value anymore, but among its competitors it’s the only car that offers a real performance platform on a relative budget. .
Give me another car because it will be the coolest car in the daycare parking lot.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
As attractive a proposition as the Tesla Model 3 is, I can’t ignore the sleek design of the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
It and the Ioniq 5 (which is sadly classified as an SUV) offer the best non-Tesla technology for the money while retaining relatively traditional features. Stalk index, anyone?
THAN: Buy a Skoda Octavia
THAN: Buy a Hyundai Ioniq 6
Josh Nevett: Skoda Octavia or Genesis G70
Skoda Octavia
The Octavia has been a great car for a very long time, with a version available to suit anyone.
In the current generation, the recently introduced Sportline variant in wagon form would be my choice. It costs the same as the base Style model but has more features; Enhance aesthetics and driving feel.
Even if you’re cool with the options list, the Sportline still costs under $50,000 drive away – an absolute bargain.
Genesis G70
You don’t spot many of these on the road and by objective measures that might make sense. After all, the G70 is a luxury sedan with a small trunk and no room for rear passengers.
But my God, it’s so beautiful, and it stinks. The interior is also very stylish.
I do have a soft spot for manufacturers that persist with low-volume sellers like the G70, because such cars would bring much-needed flavor to the industry in an era dominated by SUVs. treat.
THAN: Buy a Skoda Octavia
THAN: Buy Genesis G70
Jack Quick: Skoda Octavia or BMW i4
Skoda Octavia
If you’re one of the few people still considering a mid-size sedan/wagon in 2024, I’d recommend taking a look at the Skoda Octavia.
The Czech company recently introduced a new mid-range Sportline variant which would be my choice. Personally, I would choose a wagon, but a lift truck is also a great choice.
One thing that still surprises me about the Octavia is its storage capacity for a relatively small car. It is also based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf.
After a sportier option? Skoda also offers the Octavia RS with the same powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged engine as the Golf GTI and is a practical corner carver.
BMW i4
This electric lift truck has been a favorite of mine for years, although the faux front grille looks a little too beaver-like for my taste.
However, the introduction of the new entry-level eDrive35 variant has me stumped.
The BMW i4 eDrive35 slips below the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold, which means it’s also exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on fleet leasing.
Sure, the i4 isn’t as efficient and doesn’t offer as much range as the class-leading Model 3, but it’s a great luxury alternative for those who don’t want a Tesla.
THAN: Buy a Skoda Octavia
THAN: Buy a BMW i4
William Stopford: Skoda Octavia or Genesis G70
Skoda Octavia
Now we talk. Well, here I am excited about the humble mid-range, which used to be the most boring segment.
The SUVification trend in Australia has reached a point where even the Camry is an interesting choice, and other mass-market mid-size cars are practically outliers.
The mass market segment has been left vacant but there are still some desirable options. I could see myself in a Camry Hybrid, but the wait is so long that Toyota has to pause new orders. The new one isn’t as nice but it has better infotainment, although it remains to be seen how much it will cost.
We know how much the Honda Accord rival will cost, and while it’s certainly a pretty strong Camry competitor, there’s still a significant price premium for it.
That leaves me torn between two more interesting options: the Hyundai Sonata N Line and the Skoda Octavia RS. I’ll give the edge to the Czech rival here as it can be had as a practical hatchback or a more spacious wagon.
Genesis G70
For more premium offerings, I would choose the Korean option.
The Genesis G70 3.3TThe back seat and trunk are cramped even by rival 3 Series standards.
But the combination of a great chassis, powerful twin-turbo V6 and long equipment list, as well as a price thousands of dollars less than a comparable German sedan, makes it impossible to ignore.
It’s a pity that the more practical Shooting Brake version is not equipped with this engine.
THAN: Buy a Skoda Octavia
THAN: Buy Genesis G70
James Wong: Audi A4 all the way
The mid-size segment used to have a lot of wagon options, but they have dwindled significantly over the years…
In the absence of VW’s Alltrack range and Skoda’s Scout wagon crossovers, my choice is the car that has aged beautifully. Audi A4 allroad 40 TDI quattro.
Who needs an SUV when you can get something like this? It drives better than the Q5, but there’s also the nice element of exclusivity that comes with buying a more niche product.
It’s also incredibly efficient – the 2.0 TDI engine with 12V mild-hybrid assist and dual-metering AdBlue technology shows hybrid-like fuel consumption of just 4.9L/100km, with NOx emissions reduced by “more than 90%. %” compared to its predecessor.
My perfect family car.
THAN: Buy Audi A4 car
