Individuals with households want a automobile that may reliably and affordably transfer a number of individuals in consolation, however some aren’t eager on the development in the direction of SUVs and away from conventional passenger automobiles.
SUVs are by far the most well-liked new automobile kind in Australia proper now they usually’re dominated by midsizers just like the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson.
However what when you are a type of individuals who doesn’t need an SUV and would as an alternative choose a extra typical sedan or wagon? Fortunately, some manufacturers nonetheless have you ever coated.
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Hyundai Sonata -
Tesla Mannequin 3 -
Subaru WRX Sportswagon -
BYD Seal
As such automobiles (and households) could be costly, we’ve determined to assist information your shopping for course of by narrowing down the sedan and wagon choices nonetheless out there, with a price range of $60,000 in thoughts.
The explanation we’ve chosen the $60,000 value cap is as a result of the common new automobile value in 2023 was round this quantity.
Some automobiles have listed costs that exclude on-road prices, so a few of the dearer choices might find yourself sneaking over the restrict as soon as they’re parked in your driveway.
Listed here are the sedans and wagons the CarExpert group would purchase for lower than $60,000.
A number of the extra widespread choices are listed under:
Paul Maric: Toyota Camry
The brand new Toyota Camry is an absolute ripper. We drove the mid-spec Ascent Sport variant not too long ago and I used to be impressed with the gas financial system and the house contained in the cabin.
The tech is lastly fashionable and it feels each half the succesful household automobile. Toyota is on the peak of its hybrid sport for the time being and the most recent iteration of its 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain is sensational.
Plus, in accordance with the federal government, it’s greener than a Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary relating to lifecycle CO2 emissions – 98g/km vs 113g/km for the Mannequin 3 – so it’s greener too when you’re charging from the typical Australian grid provide.
All in favour of shopping for a Toyota Camry? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: All the pieces Toyota Camry
James Wong: Skoda Octavia RS Wagon
Wagons are not the favored household alternative they as soon as had been, however I’ll be damned if I select an SUV over an equal sporty wagon.
The Skoda Octavia RS Wagon has skilled enduring recognition due to its close to good recipe – scorching hatch energy, sensible wagon physique and European options and know-how.
In its newest iteration, the sporty Octavia is much more tech-laden and sensible than ever, evolving into one thing of a premium household GT with an enormous boot. What’s to not love?
If you happen to’re out there now I’d recommend you maintain off till the facelift lobs within the new 12 months, which whereas not as good-looking will carry a quantity of enhancements and developments to the Octavia’s characteristic and tech suite.
There’s additionally a stunning Royal Inexperienced exterior paint choice within the UK market, which I’d fortunately make a particular order for…
All in favour of shopping for a Skoda Octavia? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: All the pieces Skoda Octavia
Jack Fast: Honda Civic e:HEV
I’d like to say both a Volkswagen Golf Wagon or a Passat Alltrack, however sadly you may’t order a model new one in all these in Australia any extra. As an alternative there’s solely restricted supplier inventory remaining.
With this in thoughts I discovered it actually laborious to decide on my subsequent decide. There are fewer and fewer choices out there on this section as extra individuals gravitate in the direction of high-riding crossovers and SUVs.
If you happen to’re after a automobile that has a cushty journey, easy driving dynamics and ultra-efficient gas consumption, the apparent alternative will be the new Toyota Camry, however there’s additionally the not-so-boring-looking Honda Civic Hybrid.
This hybrid liftback is just provided in Australia in a singular range-topping e:HEV LX trim and it’s full to the brim with tech and high quality touches. My favourites embody the lounge chair-like seats and punchy Bose sound system.
One catch past the $55k drive-away price ticket is the dearth of a spare wheel. It’s value noting, nonetheless, that that is fairly widespread in hybrid autos because the house the place the spare often goes is usually impinged upon by the high-voltage battery pack.
All in favour of shopping for a Honda Civic? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: All the pieces Honda Civic
Jordan Mulach: Skoda Octavia RS Wagon
Nicely that was predictable wasn’t it?
In fact the one who owns each an Octavia RS and Very good Sportline goes to choose a Skoda.
There’s good cause for it, although not as a lot as there was. Whereas they nonetheless do in Europe, Skodas not supply a transparent benefit over equal Volkswagen fashions by way of each value and gear.
Whereas the most recent Octavia RS is sadly laden with the haptic management heavy inside from the Golf, it’s nonetheless received to be the all-rounder of alternative on this class.
There’s loads of energy and torque, an environment friendly seven-speed computerized transmission, a cushty and spacious inside, and a chassis that’s not solely good out of the field however receptive to modifications.
Like James, I believe the selection of colors here’s a contact on the boring facet, although each my automobiles are silver so what would I do know?
All in favour of shopping for a Skoda Octavia? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: All the pieces Skoda Octavia
Max Davies: Toyota Camry
This section isn’t as packed because it as soon as was, however I’m glad some mainstream producers are nonetheless promoting sedans.
I’d love to have the ability to suggest one thing from {the catalogue} of my beloved Subaru, however I don’t suppose anybody shall be shocked to listen to the model’s sole mannequin eligible for this checklist – the WRX – isn’t the one to go for.
Perhaps if the WRX STI nonetheless existed it could be a special story – the truth is, even a guide model of the WRX Sportswagon would do. One can dream.
Alas, rationality prevails, so I’m going to have to remain in Japan however slide throughout to Toyota and the brand new Camry. It’s the ‘protected’ choice and you may argue it’s a bit boring, however this newest technology actually is an incredible automobile.
Now that we’ve had time to take it in, it actually does appear to be Toyota has taken an already stable method and improved on the issues that matter.
It appears to be like nice, it’s snug on the highway, it’s full of fashionable tech and it’s extremely environment friendly due to that up to date hybrid powertrain.
The highest-spec SL is little doubt the Camry variant best-geared in the direction of personal patrons, given it appears to be like classier and has a extra premium aura than the opposite two variants.
At just below $54,000 earlier than on-roads it’s definitely not low-cost, however at that time it’s in higher-spec WRX territory anyway – even when it lacks the facility and a guide gearbox.
All in favour of shopping for a Toyota Camry? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: All the pieces Toyota Camry
Marton Pettendy: Mazda 6
It’s no secret that inexpensive household automobiles are a dying breed – when you exclude SUVs, which have turn out to be the de facto replacements for once-popular mainstream fashions just like the long-lamented Camry wagon that’s now successfully morphed into the RAV4 and Kluger.
That’s a disgrace since passenger sedans and wagon are typically cheaper to purchase and run than their SUV equivalents, in addition to extra enjoyable to drive, higher to have a look at and, at the least in five-door kind, simply as sensible.
And whereas the most recent Skoda Octavia wagon and new Toyota Camry sedan additionally nominated listed here are nice selections, my decide is the Mazda 6, which can now be getting lengthy within the tooth (the present, third technology dates again to 2012), however nonetheless presents among the best journey/dealing with packages on the highway and packs loads of superior security programs, plus intuitive multimedia tech and top-notch construct and materials high quality.
Accessible in each sedan and wagon types, the Mazda 6 line-up is priced between simply $36,290 and $56,685, presents stable retained worth, appears to be like nice and – now that plans for a rear/all-wheel-drive straight-six powered successor have been shelved – would be the final purely petrol-powered mid-sized Mazda passenger automobile earlier than it’s ultimately changed by the battery-electric and plug-in hybrid EZ-6.
All in favour of shopping for a Mazda 6? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: All the pieces Mazda 6
Josh Nevett: Skoda Octavia RS Wagon
Completely satisfied to go together with the gang on this one.
The Octavia RS is the final word all-rounder and the end result of a recipe honed over practically twenty years.
It’s spacious and cozy, boasts wonderful tech and packs sufficient efficiency to supply thrills on a twisty again highway.
You’ll must go on any choices to maintain the sticker value below $60k, however even in base kind Skoda’s fanatic hero is a shrewd purchase and way more attention-grabbing than any equally priced SUV.
All in favour of shopping for a Skoda Octavia? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: All the pieces Skoda Octavia
William Stopford: Hyundai i30 Sedan
I could like bigger automobiles – I personal a Hyundai Genesis, which is frankly a bit decadent for a one-person family – however I additionally admire small automobiles.
I grew up at the back of a Holden Astra and a (groan) Daewoo Nubira, and our household managed simply tremendous in these small sedans.
Not that the Hyundai i30 Sedan is de facto all that small.
SUVs are sometimes blamed for the close to extinction of mid-sized passenger automobiles in markets like Australia, however avoid wasting nails for small automobiles too. ‘Small’ automobiles just like the i30 and Cerato have grown ever bigger and extra snug, making mid-sized automobiles appear virtually superfluous.
Critically, sit in an i30 Sedan and a Sonata back-to-back and inform me the latter feels an entire section up in measurement.
The i30 Sedan’s swoopy roofline does eat into headroom a bit, although its again seat is extra snug than that of a Toyota Corolla.
Hyundai’s moaning 2.0-litre is now a lot, far more palatable due to a repeatedly variable transmission and, total, the i30 Sedan is sort of steer for the section.
It’s irksome that – at the least for now – you need to go for the so-so 1.6T/seven-speed dual-clutch combo to get the very best stage of specification. If you happen to can forgo some goodies like a sunroof and ventilated entrance seats, although, you may get the mid-spec Elite with both the fairly respectable 2.0-litre or the even higher and impressively thrifty 1.6-litre hybrid.
Stepping as much as a Toyota Camry Hybrid, Skoda Octavia or Hyundai’s personal Sonata is tempting, however if you would like most steel for minimal cash, the i30 Sedan is a completely interesting choice.
All in favour of shopping for a Hyundai i30? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.