Folks with households want a automobile that may reliably and affordably transfer a number of folks in consolation, however some aren’t eager on the pattern in direction of SUVs and away from conventional passenger vehicles.
SUVs are by far the preferred new automobile sort in Australia proper now and so they’re dominated by midsizers just like the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson.
However what in the event you are a type of individuals who doesn’t need an SUV and would as a substitute desire a extra typical sedan or wagon? Fortunately, some manufacturers nonetheless have you ever coated.
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As such vehicles (and households) may 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 funds 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 vehicles have listed costs that exclude on-road prices, so a number of the dearer choices could find yourself sneaking over the restrict as soon as they’re parked in your driveway.
Listed below are the sedans and wagons the CarExpert group would purchase for lower than $60,000.
A number of the extra widespread choices are listed beneath:
Paul Maric: Toyota Camry
The brand new Toyota Camry is an absolute ripper. We drove the mid-spec Ascent Sport variant just lately and I used to be impressed with the gas financial system and the area 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 recreation in the meanwhile and the newest iteration of its 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain is sensational.
Plus, based on the federal government, it’s greener than a Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary in terms of lifecycle CO2 emissions – 98g/km vs 113g/km for the Mannequin 3 – so it’s greener too in the event you’re charging from the common Australian grid provide.
All in favour of shopping for a Toyota Camry? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: Every part 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 excellent recipe – scorching hatch energy, sensible wagon physique and European options and expertise.
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?
In the event you’re available in the market 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 beautiful Royal Inexperienced exterior paint possibility within the UK market, which I might fortunately make a particular order for…
All in favour of shopping for a Skoda Octavia? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: Every part Skoda Octavia
Jack Fast: Honda Civic e:HEV
I might like to say both a Volkswagen Golf Wagon or a Passat Alltrack, however sadly you may’t order a model new certainly one of these in Australia any extra. As an alternative there’s solely restricted supplier inventory remaining.
With this in thoughts I discovered it actually onerous to decide on my subsequent choose. There are fewer and fewer choices out there on this phase as extra folks gravitate in direction of high-riding crossovers and SUVs.
In the event you’re after a automobile that has a snug journey, easy driving dynamics and ultra-efficient gas consumption, the plain alternative will be the new Toyota Camry, however there’s additionally the not-so-boring-looking Honda Civic Hybrid.
This hybrid liftback is simply 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 shortage of a spare wheel. It’s price noting, nonetheless, that that is fairly widespread in hybrid autos because the area the place the spare normally goes is commonly impinged upon by the high-voltage battery pack.
All in favour of shopping for a Honda Civic? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: Every part Honda Civic
Jordan Mulach: Skoda Octavia RS Wagon
Nicely that was predictable wasn’t it?
After all the one who owns each an Octavia RS and Very good Sportline goes to choose a Skoda.
There’s good motive for it, although not as a lot as there was. Whereas they nonetheless do in Europe, Skodas not provide a transparent benefit over equal Volkswagen fashions when it comes to each value and tools.
Whereas the newest Octavia RS is sadly laden with the haptic management heavy inside from the Golf, it’s nonetheless acquired to be the all-rounder of alternative on this class.
There’s loads of energy and torque, an environment friendly seven-speed automated transmission, a snug and spacious inside, and a chassis that’s not solely good out of the field however receptive to modifications.
Like James, I feel the selection of colors here’s a contact on the boring facet, although each my vehicles are silver so what would I do know?
All in favour of shopping for a Skoda Octavia? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: Every part Skoda Octavia
Max Davies: Toyota Camry
This phase isn’t as packed because it as soon as was, however I’m glad some mainstream producers are nonetheless promoting sedans.
I might love to have the ability to suggest one thing from {the catalogue} of my beloved Subaru, however I don’t assume anybody might be shocked to listen to the model’s sole mannequin eligible for this listing – the WRX – isn’t the one to go for.
Perhaps if the WRX STI nonetheless existed it could be a unique story – the truth is, even a handbook 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 ‘secure’ possibility and you can 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 seem to be Toyota has taken an already strong method and improved on the issues that matter.
It seems nice, it’s comfy 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 direction of non-public consumers, given it seems 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 handbook gearbox.
All in favour of shopping for a Toyota Camry? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: Every part Toyota Camry
Marton Pettendy: Mazda 6
It’s no secret that reasonably priced household vehicles are a dying breed – in the event you exclude SUVs, which have develop into 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 take a look at and, at the least in five-door kind, simply as sensible.
And whereas the newest Skoda Octavia wagon and new Toyota Camry sedan additionally nominated listed below are nice selections, my choose is the Mazda 6, which can now be getting lengthy within the tooth (the present, third technology dates again to 2012), however nonetheless affords among the best journey/dealing with packages on the highway and packs loads of superior security techniques, plus intuitive multimedia tech and top-notch construct and materials high quality.
Obtainable in each sedan and wagon kinds, the Mazda 6 line-up is priced between simply $36,290 and $56,685, affords strong retained worth, seems 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 certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: Every part Mazda 6
Josh Nevett: Skoda Octavia RS Wagon
Joyful to go along with the gang on this one.
The Octavia RS is the final word all-rounder and the fruits of a recipe honed over practically 20 years.
It’s spacious and cozy, boasts glorious tech and packs sufficient efficiency to supply thrills on a twisty again highway.
You’ll need to move on any choices to maintain the sticker value underneath $60k, however even in base kind Skoda’s fanatic hero is a shrewd purchase and much more fascinating than any equally priced SUV.
All in favour of shopping for a Skoda Octavia? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: Every part Skoda Octavia
William Stopford: Hyundai i30 Sedan
I could like bigger vehicles – I personal a Hyundai Genesis, which is frankly a bit decadent for a one-person family – however I additionally admire small vehicles.
I grew up behind a Holden Astra and a (groan) Daewoo Nubira, and our household managed simply effective in these small sedans.
Not that the Hyundai i30 Sedan is absolutely all that small.
SUVs are sometimes blamed for the close to extinction of mid-sized passenger vehicles in markets like Australia, however avoid wasting nails for small vehicles too. ‘Small’ vehicles just like the i30 and Cerato have grown ever bigger and extra comfy, making mid-sized vehicles appear virtually superfluous.
Significantly, sit in an i30 Sedan and a Sonata back-to-back and inform me the latter feels an entire phase up in dimension.
The i30 Sedan’s swoopy roofline does eat into headroom a bit, although its again seat is extra comfy 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 a superb steer for the phase.
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 best stage of specification. In the event you can forgo some goodies like a sunroof and ventilated entrance seats, although, you will get the mid-spec Elite with both the fairly first rate 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 need most metallic for minimal cash, the i30 Sedan is a totally interesting possibility.
All in favour of shopping for a Hyundai i30? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
MORE: Every part Hyundai i30
