Sedans under $50k
It’s a category that used to be one of Australia’s most popular, but the mid-budget sedan is definitely on the wane. That says more about the public’s increasing preference for SUVs, if anything, because the sedan segment is still inhabited by plenty of high-quality product with a great blend of performance, space and practicality. The $30-50K bracket is also where we start to see luxury badges appear, albeit at a size class smaller than what you’ll find from mainstream marques at the same price.

Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a top-seller, and for good reason. It’s a sharp value buy from a metal-for-your-money point of view, but it’s also a fine-handling car with solid mechanicals. A grunty V6 option is priced below the $40K mark, but it’s the range-topping SL Hybrid that’s our pick of the range for its superb efficiency and refinement.

Mazda 6
It’s getting on in age, but the Mazda 6 is still one of the classiest cars in the medium sedan segment from a design standpoint. Best enjoyed in GT grade, which sits a few thousand dollars below the Atenza flagship but boasts most of the same standard equipment, the Mazda 6 puts you in a high-end interior for much less money than a luxury-badged equivalent.

Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia wraps a fairly sedate sedan body around a mechanical package with potent performance. Stellar dynamics combined with a well-built interior and fat standard equipment list make the RS245 not just a good hot hatch alternative, but a great choice full stop.
Reviews
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Reviews
Hyundai i30 Sedan: What you need to know about the full range
One of the few remaining small sedans on the new car market, the Hyundai i30 Sedan offers a wide range of powerplants, strong value for money and lots of standard technology. Here’s the WhichCar guide to the i30 Sedan range.
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Reviews
2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review: First Australian drive
Toyota's new hybrid Camry finds itself no longer a fixture at the festival of the unexceptional.
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Reviews
2024 Kia Cerato review: Full range detailed
All you need to know about the fourth-generation Cerato hatchback and sedan range, including price, interior, boot space, safety assists and performance
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Reviews
2024 Hyundai i30 sedan hybrid review
The facelifted i30 sedan range covers just about every base when it comes to looks and driving flavour. But for most people, it’ll be this newly introduced, hyper-efficient hybrid model that stands out
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2024 Toyota Corolla review: Full range detailed
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2024 Mazda 3 Touring: Quick review
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2024 Mazda 3 Pure: Quick review
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2023 Mazda 2 review: Full range detailed
News
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News
New Subaru models coming: Forester, new Strong Hybrid system, and more
Here’s what coming next from a company that’s been putting Aussies behind the wheel for 50 years
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News
New Hyundai Models Coming: Ioniq 9, EV ute, Vision 74, Inster & more!
Your quick guide to all the future models coming from Korean brand Hyundai – including its first ever ute – from 2025 and beyond
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News
Could this be Toyota's next Corolla and GR hot hatch?
The 12th-gen Corolla debuted in 2018, which means Corolla the 13th won't be far away. What can we expect?
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News
New Sports Cars coming to Australia in 2025
Craving some excitement in your life? Let Wheels tell you about 13 of the hottest sports cars and performance cars that are heading to Australia in 2025, from head-kicking hypercars to humble hot hatches.
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2025 Toyota Camry - pricing announced for new hybrid-only range
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New Mazda models coming: CX-5, CX-70, CX-80, EZ-6, RX-7 & more
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Australia's most fuel-efficient cars in 2024: Petrol, diesel and hybrid
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Toyota cars and car-based SUVs go hybrid-only in Australia