In Australia, sales of medium-sized cars have long been declining, with buyers increasingly turning to supposedly more practical SUVs… or settling for so-called small cars that are actually anything but.
In 2013, there were 30 different midsize cars in Australia, including 9 premium models.
There are still plenty of options, but affordable options are far fewer. Of the 25 midsize passenger car nameplates sold in Australia in 2013, only seven had a base price under $60,000.
However, the Toyota Camry accounted for 70 percent of total sales in the mainstream mid-size car segment last year.
But if you want something bigger than a Toyota Corolla but smaller than your parents’ old Ford Falcon, you don’t necessarily have to buy a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz. You don’t have to get a Camry either.
Below are the members of the CarExpert The team shared the mid-size models they would be purchasing, including both luxury and mass-market models.
Scott Collie: BYD Seal or BMW M340i
Seal WORLD
The Seal isn’t perfect, but it offers a lot for your money.
It looks good on the outside, the interior is impressively luxurious and it drives with enough polish to justify its price.
The Tesla Model 3 is still the benchmark in this segment, but the Seal isn’t far behind – and when it comes to value for money, nothing can match it.
BMW M340i
The 3 Series remains the best midsize sedan money can buy in Australia and the M340i is my pick from the range.
From the buttery-smooth inline six-cylinder, which accelerated the M340i to 100 km/h in just 4.26 seconds in our test, to the luxurious interior, it simply meets all expectations. It’s efficient even on the highway.
I just wish BMW would offer the wagon in Australia…
MORE: Buy a BYD seal
MORE: 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.
Starting at just over $35,000 before on-road costs, the Camry is one of the cheapest cars in the segment, while still maintaining Toyota’s high standards of reliability.
Although it only has an adequate infotainment system, it still offers a fairly comfortable ride and I like that it doesn’t try to be something it isn’t.
You can even get a hybrid option for less than $40,000, which means big savings in the long run.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
While there may be better and perhaps wiser choices, I find it hard to look past Mercedes-Benz when it comes to luxury and style.
The C-Class looks classy from the outside and its interior is stunning in layout and design, although it is quite expensive compared to its rivals and lacks technology.
There are also AMG performance hybrid models for a lot more money, which will always be an exciting prospect.
MORE: Buy a Toyota Camry
MORE: Buy a Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Jordan Mulach: Skoda Octavia or Hyundai Ioniq 6
Skoda Octavia
It’s predictable, isn’t it? I own a 10 year old Octavia RS and I still think it’s the underrated performance car that offers everything you could ever need.
Skoda’s price increase is a bit of a shame as the Octavia RS no longer offers as great value for money, but among its rivals it is the only vehicle that offers a real performance platform at a relatively affordable price.
Give me a station wagon too, because that would be the coolest car in the daycare parking lot.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
As tempting as the Tesla Model 3 is, I just can’t get past the sleek design of the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
It and the Ioniq 5 (which, unfortunately, is classified as an SUV) offer the best non-Tesla technology for the money while retaining relatively traditional features. Turn signal stalk, anyone?
MORE: Buy a Skoda Octavia
MORE: Buy a Hyundai Ioniq 6
Josh Nevett: Skoda Octavia or Genesis G70
Skoda Octavia
The Octavia has long been a cool car, and there’s a version to suit almost everyone.
Of the current generation, the recently introduced Sportline variant in station wagon form would be my choice. The price is the same as the base Style model, but offers more extras. Improving aesthetics and driving experience.
Even if you have a little fun with the options list, the price of the Sportline is well under $50,000 in the car – an absolute bargain.
Genesis G70
You don’t see many of these on the street, and based on objective measures that probably makes sense. After all, the G70 is a thirsty luxury sedan with a small trunk and no room for rear passengers.
But my goodness, it’s pretty and it stinks. The interior is also stylish.
I have a real soft spot for manufacturers who insist on low-volume production like the G70 because such cars add much-needed flavor to the industry in an SUV-dominated era.
MORE: Buy a Skoda Octavia
MORE: Buy a Genesis G70
Jack Quick: Skoda Octavia or BMW i4
Skoda Octavia
If you’re one of the few still looking for a mid-size sedan/estate in 2024, I’d recommend taking a look at the Skoda Octavia.
The Czech company recently introduced a new mid-range Sportline variant that would be my choice. Personally, I would go for the station wagon, but the liftback is also a great option.
What still surprises me about the Octavia is how much storage space it offers for a relatively small vehicle. It is also based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf.
Looking for a sportier option? Skoda also offers the Octavia RS, which has the same peppy 2.0-litre turbo as the Golf GTI and is a practical corner taker.
BMW i4
This electric liftback has grown on me over the years, although the faux front grille is a little too beaver-like for my taste.
However, the introduction of the new entry-level variant eDrive35 was the deciding factor for me.
The BMW i4 eDrive35 falls below the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold, meaning it is also exempt from the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) for fleet leasing.
Sure, the i4 isn’t as efficient or offers as much range as the segment-leading Model 3, but it represents a fantastic luxury alternative for someone who doesn’t want a Tesla.
MORE: Buy a Skoda Octavia
MORE: Buy a BMW i4
William Stopford: Skoda Octavia or Genesis G70
Skoda Octavia
Now let’s talk. Yes, I’m excited about the humble mid-size cars, once the most boring of all segments.
Australia’s SUV development has reached the point where even a Camry is an interesting choice and other mass-market midsize cars are practically exotic.
The mass market segment has been hollowed out, but there are still some desirable options. I could see myself driving a Camry Hybrid, but wait times were so fast that Toyota paused new orders. The new model doesn’t look quite as good, but it has better infotainment. However, it remains to be seen how much it will cost.
We know how much the rival Honda Accord will cost, and while it’s undoubtedly a perfectly capable Camry competitor, it comes at a significant premium.
This leaves me torn between two more exciting options: the Hyundai Sonata N Line and the Skoda Octavia RS. I’ll narrowly give the Czech competitor the edge here because it’s available as either a practical hatchback or a more spacious station wagon.
Genesis G70
As for other premium offerings, I’ll go with a Korean option.
The Genesis G70 3.3TThe back seat and trunk are cramped even by the 3 Series’ standards.
But its combination of a great chassis, a powerful twin-turbo V6 and a long features list, as well as a price that’s over 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 for this engine.
MORE: Buy a Skoda Octavia
MORE: Buy a Genesis G70
James Wong: Audi A4 allroad
The mid-size segment was once littered with station wagon options, but over the years these have declined significantly…
In the absence of VW’s Alltrack range and Skoda’s Scout crossover wagons, I choose the beautifully aged wagon Audi A4 allroad 40 TDI quattro.
Who needs an SUV when you can get something like this? It drives better than a Q5, and the exclusivity of buying a more niche product is a cool factor.
It’s also incredibly efficient – the 2.0 TDI with 12V mild hybrid support and twin-dosing AdBlue technology claims hybrid-like fuel consumption of just 4.9L per 100km, with NOx emissions in the Compared to its predecessor, it was reduced by “more than 90 percent”.
My perfect family car.
MORE: Buy an Audi A4