Premium Medium Cars $45K-$60K: Gold Star Value Awards 2015

Volkswagen leads diverse field.

VW Passat 118TSI

WHERE once base-model money bought you a badge and not much else, the Volkswagen Passat proves you can get a cracking little donk and decent equipment for the money.

The 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder is responsive, smooth and characterful, and uses only 7.2L/100km, which is brilliant for a brisk 1500kg sedan (or wagon). Yet it’s the Passat’s reasonable purchase price combined with a decent 59 percent three-year resale figure that does the bulk of the money-saving.

Citroen DS5 DSport HDi

THE DS5 stands up to Gold Star scrutiny with its efficient turbo-diesel engine, stout resale, conveniently long service interval and generous six-year warranty.

Infiniti Q50 GT 2.2d

THIS rear-wheel-drive Japanese sedan is not as polished as the Passat, but its 2.2-litre turbo-diesel is miserly (5.2L/100km) and Infiniti’s four-year warranty is better than most.