Also known as the Camry segment due to the dominance of Toyota’s mid-sized sedan, medium cars are fast becoming the new large car globally. It was once a category associated with dull and unexciting options, but since the early noughties the class hasn’t looked back with buyers now spoilt for choice. Here are CarAdvice’s top five picks for the segment:
Spacious and well presented inside; Creamy-smooth V6 engine; Loaded with safety tech; Manageable capped-price servicing
Behind the times on infotainment tech; Dash intrudes on passenger knee room; Dithering eight-speed auto spoils refinement; Could be more frugal by modern standards
Wolfsburg brings a big extras list for a small premium; Strong and efficient engine; Excellent road manners; Capable AWD system; Good towing capacity; Classy, practical interior
Ground clearance could be higher for an all-roader wagon; Comfort mode’s floaty ride and slow engine response; DSG still not the perfect automatic gearbox; Some interior-quality inconsistencies
Turbocharged engine; Smooth ride; Rear heated seats; Nice cabin touchpoints
Needs an infotainment update; Thirsty around town; Sport mode is less than inspiring
Excellent road manners; Better cabin design and layout; Metal-for-money equation; Hyundai ownership experience
Missing active safety tech; Price gap between Active and Premium; Lack of hybrid
Torque delivery is quick and plentiful; Loaded with safety features, technology and space; Still rides nicely with new larger 19-inch alloy wheels
Misses out on advanced matrix LED headlight function; Powershift gearbox can be fussy at low speeds; Titanium wagon only available with diesel engine
Quiet cabin at highway speeds; Mild hybrid technology offers a new tech dimension for the C-Class; Infotainment upgrade overdue and welcome; Economical in and around the city
Over 10 per cent weight increase due to 48V mild hybrid components; Three-year warranty only; COMAND infotainment system not as good as its competitors
Lots of sheetmetal change to enhance appearance; Techy new infotainment format; Adaptive Comfort suspension improves ride-handling balance
MMI Touch more distracting to use; Surprise-free on-road experience; Stop-start coasting feature of little real-world benefit
Eye-catching exterior design; Cavernous rear seat; Liftback practicality; Strong engine and great traction; Keen turn-in; Loaded with technology and features
Conventional auto would be a better fit; Throttle response can be found wanting; Solid rather than sparkling dynamics; Interior design needs more flair; HUD execution
Sharp looks; Luxurious cabin; Swathes of tech; Punchy and characterful 2.0-litre turbo; Sharp dynamics
Firm ride never really settles; Fuel claim hard to match; Steering could offer more feedback; Infotainment bugs
Ferrari-like dynamics; Superb V6 engine with endless torque, excellent dynamics; Amazing ride quality on all surfaces; Engine note; Excellent package when going flat-out; Unique; Not German
Transmission can be better; Interior fit and finish not up to German standards; Infotainment a generation behind rivals; Not German
