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:
Real-world fuel economy; Newfound exterior and interior design nous; Much improved ride and handling; Affordable servicing costs, longer intervals
No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto; Gloss-black cabin plastics age poorly; Toyota Australia's short warranty
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
Smooth, powerful new diesel; Well specified with safety and tech features; Still has a nice dose of style; Mazda's improved warranty enhances appeal
Hard to ignore the (pricier) GT version with snappier new 2.5 turbo-petrol engine; Infotainment system needs an update; Back-seat space isn't a match for a few rivals
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
New 1.5/48V engine may look modest on paper, but it's smooth and punchy; those steering wheel 'touchpads' are a great idea; revised cabin displays and interfaces look the goods
Starting pricing has climbed; Some active safety features only on C300 and above; new infotainment is good, but A-Class' MBUX is better...
Looks aggressive thanks to lowered stance; Plenty of added value for not much more cash; Excellent ride and handling
Fuel consumption a tad high; Below-par warranty; Looks not matched by performance
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
More space inside; Improved interior quality; Engaging handling; Super-frugal engine
Poor value next to the 330i; Patchy infotainment connectivity; Tepid engine performance
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
