Discover the best small cars on the market for 2016 as reviewed by RACV's News and Lifestyle experts. Affordable, practical, with great value on offer.
Motoring
Australia’s Best Medium Car in 2016
Australia’s best cars 2016: Best Medium Car under $50,000
Winner: Mazda6 Touring
There is something special about Mazda6, which gives you the right sort of connected feeling with the car and the road. When you combine Mazda’s build quality, reliability and drivability, you start to get the makings of a true winner.
It now has features normally reserved for premium makes or higher levels of specification. The Touring model has Mazda’s autonomous braking system, called Smart City Brake Support, which can activate up to 80km/h (previously 30km/h). It also has blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and front parking sensors.
As far as convenience and comfort features, the list goes on. Valued items such as satellite navigation, digital radio operated from within Mazda’s MZD Connect system, auto-dimming internal rear-view mirror, dual-zone climate control with rear vents and electric handbrake are standard across the range.
But it’s on the road that Mazda6 shines. Mazda has upped the handling ante with its G-Vectoring Control system (GVC), which improves tyre grip and performance.
The cabin is well thought out, with a high level of build and finish, plus great attention to detail and function.
| Best Medium Car Under $50,000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VALUE FOR MONEY |
||||
|
Pricing |
High |
6 |
6 |
4 |
|
Cost of depreciation ($) |
Medium |
7 |
7 |
3 |
|
Running and repair costs |
Medium |
6 |
4 |
5 |
|
Fuel consumption |
High |
7 |
6 |
3 |
|
Warranty and dealer access |
Medium |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Insurance |
Low |
6 |
7 |
4 |
|
Standard features |
High |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
DESIGN AND FUNCTION |
||||
|
Safety |
Critical |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
Environment |
Critical |
7 |
6 |
6 |
|
Seating comfort |
Medium |
7 |
6 |
8 |
|
Space |
Medium |
7 |
8 |
7 |
|
Practicality |
Medium |
5 |
7 |
7 |
|
Ergonomics |
High |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
Build and finish quality |
High |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
ON THE ROAD |
||||
|
Performance |
Medium |
7 |
6 |
9 |
|
Ride |
Medium |
7 |
8 |
7 |
|
Handling |
High |
9 |
7 |
8 |
|
Braking |
Medium |
7 |
6 |
7 |
|
Smoothness and quietness |
Medium |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
OVERALL AVERAGE |
772 |
724 |
722 |
Australia’s best cars 2016: Best Medium Car over $50,000
Winner: BMW 330i
Mercedes-Benz C 200 was up for a third win in a row but it’s starting to show its age against the BMW 330i and the new Jaguar XE, with the BMW getting its nose in front.
BMWs are famous for their dynamics so it’s not surprising that the 330i topped the class for performance and handling. The 185kW/350Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine is fantastic and works seamlessly with the intuitive eight-speed auto. Yet it’s an extremely frugal powerplant, using just 5.8L/100km.
The judges were particularly impressed with how BMW had created a good balance between ride and handling. While not as ‘comfortable’ as the comfort-focused XE and C 200, the BMW was better damped so the car settled more quickly than the other two after hitting larger irregularities.
The 330i outshone its rivals in design and function – with class-leading space, practicality and ergonomics. The iDrive system is easy, logical and intuitive, with useful functions such as a head-up display and surround-view cameras. Its driving assistance features include lane departure warning, lane change alert, a pedestrian warning system and an autonomous emergency braking function.
| Best Medium Car Over $50,000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VALUE FOR MONEY |
||||
|
Pricing |
High |
3 |
6 |
6 |
|
Cost of depreciation ($) |
Medium |
6 |
7 |
7 |
|
Running and repair costs |
Low |
5 |
4 |
5 |
|
Fuel consumption |
High |
7 |
7 |
4 |
|
Warranty and dealer access |
Medium |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Insurance |
Low |
4 |
7 |
3 |
|
Standard features |
High |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
DESIGN AND FUNCTION |
||||
|
Safety |
Critical |
10 |
10 |
9 |
|
Environment |
Critical |
7 |
7 |
6 |
|
Seating comfort |
High |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
Space |
Medium |
7 |
6 |
5 |
|
Practicality |
Medium |
8 |
7 |
5 |
|
Ergonomics |
High |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
Build and finish quality |
Critical |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
ON THE ROAD |
||||
|
Performance |
High |
9 |
7 |
7 |
|
Ride |
High |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
Handling |
High |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
Braking |
Medium |
7 |
7 |
9 |
|
Smoothness and quietness |
High |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
OVERALL AVERAGE |
876 |
868 |
822 |
