Best Sedans under $60k
1.Hyundai i30
8.2
6 badges available
$24,000 - $56,200*MRLP
What we love
- -Ten-tenths DCT upshift sensation
- -Remarkable grip levels
- -Beautifully weighted steering
What we don't
- -N exhaust modes make a racket
- -Taller drivers will feel cramped, especially with a helmet
- -Seats lack side support
2.SKODA Octavia
7.8
2 badges available
$40,590 - $53,890*MRLP
What we love
- -Spacious interior with handy touches, large boot
- -Good value for money in the purchase price
- -Comfortable and smooth on the road
What we don't
- -Too many vehicle controls in the touchscreen
- -Expensive to service, needs premium unleaded
- -Some safety features limited to more expensive models
3.Audi A3
7.7
2 badges available
$50,600 - $60,200*MRLP
What we love
- -Affordable entry point into a prestige brand
- -Fuel-efficient compared to competitors
- -Surprising amount of power for a small engine
What we don't
- -Overuse of plastics in interiors felt unrefined
- -Some expected features only available as costly extras
- -Back seat accommodation comes with compromises
4.Tesla Model 3
7.7
2 badges available
$58,900 - $67,900*MRLP
What we love
- -Suspension is better over bumps without sacrificing handling, performance
- -Upgraded interior is plusher and more comfortable
- -Excellent real-world energy efficiency
What we don't
- -Indicators on the steering wheel, gear selector on the touchscreen are clunky
- -Camera-based parking sensors are unreliable
- -Still no Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, instrument display, tyre repair kit or spare wheel
5.Honda Accord
7.6
1 badge available
$57,900 - $61,900*MRLP
What we love
- -Huge boot to lose lots of stuff in
- -The amount of back seat room is just silly
- -Crisp 360-degree camera is a welcome addition when parking
What we don't
- -It’s a rough ride
- -Expensive without much X-factor
- -Road noise can be noticeable at freeway speeds
6.BYD Seal
7.5
3 badges available
$49,888 - $68,748*MRLP
What we love
- -Styling impresses in-person
- -Sharply priced for the segment
- -Impressive comfort and refinement
What we don't
- -Inconsistent driveline calibration
- -Real-world range is not quite there
- -Warranty exclusions
8.Subaru WRX
7.5
4 badges available
$47,490 - $59,790*MRLP
What we love
- -Fast when given space to run
- -Rides well in town and out
- -Great on gravel, just like a WRX should be
What we don't
- -No emotional WRX connection, just like the Levorg
- -Infotainment fiddly and low-res
- -CVT and regular drive modes are a bit dull
9.Toyota Corolla
7.5
4 badges available
$32,110 - $64,190*MRLP
What we love
- -Frugal fuel consumption in prime conditions
- -Comfortable over bumps, easy to drive
- -Much larger boot than the Corolla hatch
What we don't
- -Sunroof cuts into front and rear passenger head room
- -No parking sensors or folding mirrors despite $40,000 price
- -Lacks power on the open road; significant tyre roar
10.Mazda 3
7.3
2 badges available
$30,470 - $42,470*MRLP
What we love
- -Looks and feels more premium than a base model
- -Handles with a satisfying sportiness
- -Ownership costs are quite reasonable
What we don't
- -Vibey and unpleasant cylinder deactivation system
- -Back seat feels a touch undersized and underequipped
- -Infotainment interface needs an overhaul
Drive's Best Cars
Drive's team of experts reviews and rates hundreds of the latest models each year to help you find your next new car. Browse our Best Car lists to discover how different models rank against each other and what our team loves and doesn't love about these top-rating vehicles.
* ‘MRLP’ is the manufacturer’s recommended list price as provided by our data provider and is subject to change, so is provided to you for indicative purposes only. Please note that MRLP is inclusive of GST, but is exclusive of any options and does not include on-road costs such as registration, CTP, stamp duty and dealer delivery. Where an MRLP is stated as a price range, this reflects the lowest to highest MRLP provided for that model range across the available variants.
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