Sales of mid-size passenger cars began falling long ago in Australia, with buyers increasingly turning to supposedly more practical SUVs… or settling for so-called small cars, which are actually anything but.
In 2013, there were 30 different midsize cars available in Australia, including 9 premium models.
There are still many options available, but affordable options are far fewer. Of the 25 mid-size passenger vehicles sold in Australia in 2013, only seven of them had a base price of less than $60,000.
Of course, of the core mid-size passenger car segment, the Toyota Camry had a 70 percent share 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 necessarily need a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz. It is not necessary to buy a Camry either.
Next, the members of the car expert The team has shared the mid-size models they would buy, including luxury and mass-market models.
Scott Collie: BYD or BMW M340i seal
BYD stamp
The Seal isn't perfect, but it offers a lot for your money.
It's good to look at on the outside, has an impressively luxurious interior and drives with enough brilliance to justify its price.
The Tesla Model 3 remains the benchmark in this segment, but the Seal is no slouch, and nothing can match it in terms of value.
BMW M340i
The 3 Series remains the best mid-size sedan money can buy in Australia, and the M340i is my pick of the range.
From the smooth inline-six that took the M340i to 100 km/h in just 4.26 seconds in our tests, to the luxurious interior, it ticks all the boxes. It is even efficient on the road.
I just wish BMW would offer the truck in Australia…
FURTHER: Buy a BYD stamp
FURTHER: 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 sold more than 10,000 Camrys here in 2023.
The Camry starts at just over $35,000 before on-road costs and is one of the cheapest cars in the segment, but still retains Toyota's high standard of reliability.
While it makes do with a merely adequate infotainment system, it has a fairly comfortable ride and I like that it doesn't try to be something it's not.
You can even get a hybrid option for under $40,000, which will mean big savings in the long run.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
While there may be better and perhaps wiser options, it's hard for me to overlook the luxury and style of Mercedes-Benz.
The C-Class looks stylish on the outside 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 much more money there are also AMG high-performance hybrid models, which will never cease to be an exciting prospect.
FURTHER: buy a toyota camry
FURTHER: Buy a Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Jordan Mulach: Skoda Octavia or Hyundai Ioniq 6
Skoda Octavia
It's predictable, right? I own a 10-year-old Octavia RS and maintain that it is still the underrated performance car that provides everything you could ever need.
Skoda's gradual price increase is a bit of a shame given that the Octavia RS no longer presents such a great value proposition, but among its competitors it is the only vehicle that offers a genuine performance platform on a relative budget.
Give me a wagon too, because it would be the coolest car in the daycare parking lot.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
As tempting as the proposal of the Tesla Model 3 is, I cannot ignore the elegant design of the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
It and the Ioniq 5 (which is unfortunately classified as an SUV) offer the best non-Tesla technology for your money, while retaining relatively traditional features. Indicator stem, anyone?
FURTHER: Buy a Škoda Octavia
FURTHER: Buy a Hyundai Ioniq 6
Josh Nevett: Skoda Octavia or Genesis G70
Skoda Octavia
The Octavia has been a great car for a long time, with a version available to suit almost everyone.
Of the current generation, my pick would be the recently introduced Sportline variant in station wagon form. It is priced in line with the basic Style model, but has more advantages; improving aesthetics and driving experience.
Even if you have a little fun with the options list, the Sportline costs well under $50,000 to drive away, an absolute bargain.
Genesis G70
You don't see many of these on the road, and if you take objective measurements, it probably makes sense. After all, the G70 is a thirsty luxury sedan with a small trunk and no room for rear passengers.
But my God, it's pretty and it stinks. The interior is also elegant.
I have a real soft spot for manufacturers that persist with low-volume sellers like the G70, because those cars add much-needed flavor to the industry in an era dominated by SUVs.
FURTHER: Buy a Škoda Octavia
FURTHER: Buy a Genesis G70
Jack Quick: Skoda Octavia or BMW i4
Skoda Octavia
If you're one of the few people still looking at a mid-size sedan/van in 2024, I'd recommend taking a look at the Skoda Octavia.
The Czech company recently introduced a new mid-spec Sportline variant that would be my pick. I would personally choose the station wagon, but the liftback is also a great option.
Something that still surprises me about the Octavia is the amount of storage space it has for a relatively small vehicle. It is also based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf.
Are you looking for a more sporty option? Skoda also offers the Octavia RS, which features the same 2.0-litre turbo as the Golf GTI and is a practical corner carver.
bmw i4
I've liked this electric liftback over the years, although the faux front grille looks a little too beaver-like for my taste.
However, the introduction of the new eDrive35 base variant surpassed it.
The BMW i4 eDrive35 falls below the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold, meaning it is also exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) for fleet leasing.
Sure, the i4 isn't as efficient and doesn't offer as much range as the segment-leading Model 3, but it makes a fantastic luxury alternative for someone who doesn't want a Tesla.
FURTHER: Buy a Škoda Octavia
FURTHER: Buy a BMW i4
William Stopford: Skoda Octavia or Genesis G70
Skoda Octavia
Now we are talking. Yes, I'm excited about the lowly middleweights here, which were once the most boring segments.
Australia's SUVization has reached a point where even a Camry is an interesting option, and other mass-market midsize vehicles are practically exotic.
The mass-market segment has emptied out, but there are still some desirable options. I could see myself in a Camry Hybrid, but the wait times got so long that Toyota suspended new orders. The new one isn't as attractive but has better infotainment, although it remains to be seen how much it will cost.
We know how much the rival Honda Accord will cost, and while it's certainly a fairly capable Camry competitor, it commands a significant premium.
That leaves me torn between two more interesting options: the Hyundai Sonata N Line and the Skoda Octavia RS. Here I will narrowly give the advantage to the Czech rival, because he can be purchased as a practical hatchback or as a more spacious estate car.
Genesis G70
As for more premium offerings, I'll go with a Korean option.
He Genesis G70 3.3TThe rear seat and trunk are tight even by rival 3 Series standards.
But its combination of a fantastic chassis, a powerful twin-turbo V6 and a long equipment list, as well as a price thousands of dollars less than a comparable German sedan, make it impossible to ignore.
It's a shame that the more practical Shooting Brake version is not offered with this engine.
FURTHER: Buy a Škoda Octavia
FURTHER: Buy a Genesis G70
James Wong: Audi A4 allroad
The mid-size segment was once rife with truck options, but they have declined significantly over the years…
In the absence of VW's Alltrack range and Skoda's Scout crossover vans, my pick is the beautifully aged one. Audi A4 allroad 40 TDI quattro.
Who needs an SUV when you can get something like this? It drives better than a Q5, plus there is an interesting factor in the exclusivity of buying a more specialized product.
It's also ridiculously efficient: the 2.0 TDI with 12V mild hybrid assistance and dual-dose AdBlue technology boasts hybrid-like fuel consumption of just 4.9 liters per 100 km, with NOx emissions reduced by “more than 90 percent.” percent” compared to its predecessor.
My perfect family car.
FURTHER: Buy an Audi A4