Not so long ago, I had lots of fun working out Aussie\u2019s most economical cars, and now I thought I\u2019d tackle the mid-sized car bracket.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Generally, if you have a small family, a medium-sized new car will fit the bill best.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want something that struggles to cope with the kids and luggage, yet you probably don\u2019t want to run to the expense of paying for the extra gas that bigger, thirstier cars always require.\u00a0 The following mid-sized motorcars are available in Australia and are the more economical vehicles in their class \u2013 sometimes by a big margin.\u00a0 Again, I have used info from the Wheels<\/span> magazine.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s kick off with an Italian model.\u00a0 Alfa Romeo do have a vehicle that fits the bill.\u00a0 The Alfa Romeo 159 JTD models not only look the business but these are a vehicle that offer a satisfying drive.\u00a0 Underway, the Alfa Romeo 159 JTD remains very refined, and the six-speed automatic gearbox is very slick.\u00a0 \u00a0Expect a fuel consumption figure of around 6.5 litres\/100 km.<\/p>\n Audi have always had an economical alternative.\u00a0 Check out the Audi A4 2.0 TDI.\u00a0 This is a superb motorcar that oozes class.\u00a0 Beautifully designed interiors offer very comfortable motoring, and the cabin space is reasonably generous.\u00a0 The blend of ride comfort and grip is one of the nicest in its class, and at around 6 litres\/100 km, the Audi A4 2.0 TDI has to be tried out and appreciated.<\/p>\n One of my favourites, and another German set of wheels, is the excellent BMW 320d.\u00a0 At the top of its game, the 320d offers a complete drive.\u00a0 If you get a chance to drive one, you\u2019ll appreciate the car\u2019s numerous talents.\u00a0 With 350 Nm of torque, an eight second dash to 100 km\/h and a fuel efficiency average of 5.5 litres\/100 km, the BMW 320d makes quite a convincing statement.<\/p>\n But I haven\u2019t finished with BMW yet.\u00a0 Arguably the best mid-sized machine you can buy (if you can run to the $76,400 price tag) is the BMW 520d.\u00a0 We all know it will go like snot, but is it efficient?\u00a0 The car does have the ability to turn it on in the fuel efficiency stakes, too.\u00a0 The 5.6 litres\/100 km average is proof of this.\u00a0 Everything else about the car is pretty hot.<\/p>\n Finishing the BMW entries finds us considering an AWD machine.\u00a0 If you like the thought of having a little adventure in your life, then you might find the BMW X3 xDrive20d is just the \u2018bee\u2019s knees\u2019!\u00a0 Returning an average of 6.7 litres\/100 km, the BMW X3 xDrive20d opens up the wide open spaces.\u00a0 Handling is right up to scratch, and I really like the elevated driving position for that added bit of safety.<\/p>\n To Citroen we go.\u00a0 The French know how to make a comfortable traveller.\u00a0 Cast your eye over a Citroen C5 and the style of the new exterior design is quite breathtaking.\u00a0 Perhaps the best design in the mid-size car bracket.\u00a0 Inside, the style continues with an array of funky gadgets.\u00a0 This is a car that will eat up the miles effortlessly while its occupants remain incredibly comfortable hours later, and \u00a0is a credit to the French engineers.\u00a0 All of the HDI versions are worth a look, with the Citroen C5 3.0 HDI being a very grunty performer, boasting a thumping 450 Nm of torque.\u00a0 It can run the 0-100 km\/h in under eight seconds, and is superbly safe and supremely comfortable.\u00a0 Fuel efficiency ranges between 6.8 and 7.4 litre\/100 km.\u00a0 The Citroen C5 could justifiably be the best mid-sized vehicle in this line-up.\u00a0 It\u2019s very roomy, too.<\/p>\n Ford offers the Mondeo TDCI motorcar into this mix.\u00a0 It\u2019s a good car that offers a lot for the money you pay.\u00a0 The 7.3 litres\/100 km isn\u2019t too bad, while the handling is superb for a front wheel drive machine.\u00a0 The Ford Mondeo TDCI\u2019s safety credentials are excellent. \u00a0You should enjoy this one.<\/p>\n If you are a sensible person with your head screwed on, then you will probably go for the Honda Civic Hybrid sedan which is sharp looking, tasteful on the inside and incredibly thrifty.\u00a0 The 4.6 litres\/100 km is superior for the mid-sized class.\u00a0 If you want a peppier drive, then the Honda Civic VTi sedan is a top-notch buy and very competitively priced.\u00a0 I include the Civic as a mid-sizer because the interior room and boot space is so good.\u00a0 Sadly, like Holden, Honda don\u2019t really have their proper mid-sized vehicles quite zeroing in on fuel efficiency.<\/p>\n Hyundai have a very decent package in their Hyundai Sonata SLX CRDi.\u00a0 Need plenty of room and lots of gadgets?\u00a0 Then the Hyundai Sonata is the car for you.\u00a0 Running with a 2.0 turbo-diesel, the smart Sonata SLX CRDi offers plenty of power and excellent fuel economy.\u00a0 With 6.0 litres\/100 km for the five-speed manual or 7 litres\/100 km for the four-speed automatic, the Hyundai Sonata SLX CRDi has what it takes, and definitely provides plenty of \u2018bang for your buck\u2019 satisfaction.<\/p>\n Isn\u2019t it great to consider a Jaguar as being efficient? \u00a0Jaguar offers a vehicle that boasts impeccable road manners and distinctive styling. \u00a0The Jaguar 2.2D LE is enjoyable to live with, has a comfortable interior and handy space, and is very well equipped \u2013 as you would expect.\u00a0 With 6.9 litres \/100 km as an average fuel consumption figure, the Jaguar X-Type 2.2D LE is a highly recommended.\u00a0 The car costs about the same as the Audi A4 2.0TDI and Alfa 159 JTD, and a whole lot less than a BMW 520d.\u00a0<\/p>\n Again, arguably the best in this economy bunch is the Jaguar XF 3.0D.\u00a0 Its 6.8 litres\/100 km average is awesome for such a performance car.\u00a0 The V6 turbo diesel can turn on some heart-stopping performance.\u00a0 The quickest of the thrifty bunch \u2013 by a long chalk!\u00a0 Sexy, quick, roomy and extremely modern, the Jaguar XF 3.0D is a driving enthusiast\u2019s car.\u00a0 What you save at the pump might be gathered back with the $112,990 price tag, but if you can afford it, you won\u2019t be disappointed.<\/p>\n Kia offers the diesel-fed Sportage with a decent level of room.\u00a0 The six-speed manual is brilliant.\u00a0 And with a fuel efficiency figure of 7.1 litres\/100 km from a 2700cc unit, you are most definitely onto a winner.\u00a0 Being part time AWD, this sort of technology aids the big vehicle\u2019s efficiency.<\/p>\n Also from Kia, the Sorento Si and SLi boast a superb 2.2 diesel engine that is capable of turning 422 Nm of torque.\u00a0 This is the vehicle you need if you require a vehicle that ticks the towing box.\u00a0 Big on torque and small on fuel usage, the 6.7 \u2013 7.4 litres\/100 km is outstanding.\u00a0 Just think of the adventure you can enjoy with the family in the Sorento.\u00a0 Room is great in the SUV, so too are the equipment and comfort levels.<\/p>\n Lexus is another premium brand which offers an interesting and economical model.\u00a0 Buckets of interior room, plenty of luxury and extremely reliable, the Lexus GS 450h is incredibly efficient for such a big vehicle.\u00a0 Not as big as an LS sedan, the GS sedan still is exquisitely comfortable to tour in.\u00a0 I decided to add this big one into the mix because of the hybrid technology that Lexus has used.\u00a0 Probably the roomiest and largest sedan in this line-up (though the Jaguar XF wouldn\u2019t be far off it), the Lexus GS is a large car with the petrol\/hybrid technology that can reign in fuel usage to an average of 7.9 litres\/100 km.\u00a0 Big price tag, but very nice.<\/p>\n The Mazda 6 Diesel wagon and hatch is impressive.\u00a0 I hope you\u2019ve read all my rambling thus far because the Mazda 6 Diesel, in my book, is the best car in this line-up for the small family.\u00a0 Talented in all areas, whether it be performance, efficiency, comfort or safety, the Mazda 6 Diesel is superior.\u00a0 It is also fun to drive.\u00a0 With an average fuel consumption of just 6.0 litres\/100 km for the wagon and 5.9 litres\/100 km for the hatch, you need to check this one out!<\/p>\n Mercs are too expensive, right?\u00a0 Actually, they are pricey, but if you look to buy into the C-Class, the C200 CGI is a whole lot cheaper than a BMW 520d.\u00a0 Look to buy an E-Class Merc, and the E220 CDI is quite a lot dearer.\u00a0 Are these mid-sized Mercs fuel efficient?\u00a0 Surprisingly, yes they are.\u00a0 Just how good?\u00a0 Well, when I found that the 1.8 litre, petrol-fed C200 CGI sips, on average, 7.3 litres\/100 km, I was pleasantly astounded.\u00a0 If you can handle $58,000, you\u2019ll be very happy with the nicely designed, well balanced C200 CGI.\u00a0 This is one of the very few petrol cars in this list of economic mid-sized vehicles.\u00a0 But there is another.\u00a0 If you like the 1.8 litre engine, you can find it in the slightly larger E-Class line-up as well.\u00a0 Fuel consumption is pretty much identical. \u00a0The C220 CDI does better with diesel, and manages 6.7 litres\/100 km.\u00a0 Now, take note of what the 500 Nm E250 CDI manages.\u00a0 The 5.3 litres\/100 km fuel consumption is quite sensational.\u00a0 And the car is very quick, too \u2013 a 0-100 km\/h sprint time of only 7.7 seconds means that you have yourself a true driver\u2019s car. \u00a0You may like to consider the elegant E220 CDI which manages 6.1 litres\/100 km, is not a whole lot slower and has all the class that only a Merc could have.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s time to go back to Japan to see what they can do. \u00a0For starters, you are only going to need to fork out a fraction of the cost you would pay for buying a new Merc!\u00a0 That\u2019s good, and you\u2019ll also be pleased to know that the Mitsubishi Lancer ES and VR provide very decent transport.\u00a0 Hot styling, a nimble chassis and a comfortable interior make for good vibes.\u00a0 Under the Lancer bonnet is a very efficient petrol-fed 2.0-litre motor that pumps out 113 kW and 198 Nm of torque.\u00a0 With the five-speed gearbox, the Lancer ES and VR boast a fuel efficiency figure of around 7.6 litres\/100 km.\u00a0<\/p>\n You have to go to the X-Trail corner of the Nissan show room before you can find a vehicle that can manage a fuel consumption figure of below 8 litres\/100 km.\u00a0 The Nissan X-Trail TS and TL both have a high-tech 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine under the hood.\u00a0 Quite apart from the fact that they can push 360 Nm to the driving wheels and peak their power out at 127 kW, the diesel donks can provide an average economy figure of 7.4 litres\/100 km.\u00a0 These are nice vehicles which provide loads of practical room, nice seats and SUV safety.\u00a0 You can also tackle off-roading duties along the way.<\/p>\n Now, back to the land of red wine, lingerie and long-haired rugby players.\u00a0 You know when you purchase a Peugeot, the drive is going to be good.\u00a0 They are very safe, economical cars.\u00a0 The most economic mid-sized Pug is the wonderfully roomy and comfortable Peugeot 407 2.0-litre HDI models.\u00a0 These diesels are awesome.\u00a0 You can be stuck in traffic and they will happily sip the fuel.\u00a0 They are equally good at providing swift and economical transport on the open road.\u00a0 The manual versions provide a fuel consumption figure of 5.9 litres\/100 km, while the automatic versions offer a figure of around 6.7 litres\/100 km.\u00a0 Definitely worth a look, and these cars are competitively priced and sit at the top of the tree.<\/p>\n Another thing that frequently passes competitors in the Tour de France is the Renault Laguna.\u00a0 With a 110 kW, 2.0-litre engine, the Laguna makes the best use of its diesel in the tank.\u00a0 Their six-speed manual and six-speed automatic gearboxes are very good at keeping the engine in the right zone for efficient power, so with the Laguna, you can expect a fuel consumption figure of between 6.0 and 7.0 litres\/100 km.\u00a0 Well built, very safe and exceedingly comfortable, the roomy Laguna should prove to be nice, stylish transport.<\/p>\n The land that brought us smorgasbords, saunas and ABBA provides exquisitely comfortable interiors for the Saab 1.9 TiD models.\u00a0 These are very good engines which are placed in both the Saab 9-3 and Saab 9-5 models.\u00a0 Very roomy, the 9-5 1.9 TiD has an excellent interior that is spacious.\u00a0 Safety-wise, the 9-5 is as good as it gets in the mid-sized bracket, and is up there with the Laguna and the 407 models for five-star safety.\u00a0 The 9-5 is bigger than the 9-3, and with the extra weight comes a slight increase in fuel consumption.\u00a0 Fuel usage for the 9-5 1.9 TiD is around 7.5 litres \u2013 pretty good for a smooth five-speed auto and 1.6 tonnes.\u00a0 Expect around 6.5 litres\/100km for the 9-3 1.9 TiD models \u2013 the six-speed manual versions being more slightly more frugal than the six-speed automatics.<\/p>\n To be honest, Skoda surprised me.\u00a0 The Skoda Octavia is a very well built, very well designed, underrated mid-sized automobile with good roadholding, accurate steering, and nicely laid out interiors that are comfortable.\u00a0 Take your pick, really.\u00a0 All models provide efficient transport and excellent value – except, maybe, the 1.6-litre, petrol versions with automatic gearboxes.\u00a0 These can be a little thirsty.\u00a0 All other versions will go under 8 litres\/100 km for fuel efficiency \u2013 including the very quick RS models.\u00a0 Some of the TDI versions will go under 6 litres\/100 km.\u00a0 A Skoda Octavia offers great value, and comes highly recommended.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you still require more room, then the Skoda Scout is a very capable, roomy alternative.\u00a0 It is a beefed up diesel estate version of the Octavia, and has higher ground clearance and AWD.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be surprised just how far you can go off-road in one of these.\u00a0 Fuel consumption for the Scout is a very commendable 6.6 litres\/100 km.\u00a0<\/p>\n There is also the Skoda Superb.\u00a0 If you want leg room, then the Skoda Superb has it.\u00a0 It should be classed as a large car, but I\u2019ll throw it in to the mix because I was so impressed with the 6.9 litres\/100 km promised from the 2.0-litre TDI version.<\/p>\n SsangYong creates unique SUV designs, and the SsangYong Actyon 2.0 Xdi, and the Kyron 2.0 Xdi are both fitted out with a 2.0-litre diesel engine that impresses.\u00a0 It has refined efficiency, and remains very smooth and quiet in its action.\u00a0 Expect around 7.5 litres\/100 km for the five-speed manual versions – not bad when you consider the weight the engine is pulling.\u00a0 Comfortable, roomy cabins make for pleasant touring.\u00a0<\/p>\n Suzuki offer the Grand Vitara DDiS with a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine.\u00a0 With a manual five-speed gearbox, you can whisk along the open road and around town knowing that the average fuel consumption figure is only going to be 7.6 litres\/100 km.\u00a0 With ample off-road ability, and with five doors and a lengthy wheelbase, the big Vitara is very easy to live with.\u00a0 Inexpensive off-roading adventure is on the cards, too.<\/p>\n The world would not be the same without Toyota.\u00a0 With legendary reliability, and build quality, the Corolla is a relatively roomy sedan or hatch that can master around 7.5 litres\/100 km, on average, from out of the sparkling 1.8-litre, 100 kW, petrol-fed engine.\u00a0 New Toyota Corollas are swift and well balanced machines on the road.\u00a0 Camrys offer more room and more power for not much more.\u00a0 You can buy a talented new Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan that boasts an average fuel consumption of just 6.0 litres\/100 km.\u00a0 There is another extremely frugal machine that sits on Toyota\u2019s showroom floors.\u00a0 Possibly the most economic mid-sizer here: the hybrid Toyota Prius III provides a sensationally low average fuel consumption figure of 3.9 litres\/100 km \u2013 better than a number of motorbikes!<\/p>\n The Volkswagen Golf and Jetta (Golf hatch with a backside attached) are little beauties.\u00a0 Timeless class, build quality and refinement make owning the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta a pleasure.\u00a0 When the 77TDI versions provide a little under, or a little over, 5 litres\/100 km efficiency, you know you are on to something very good.\u00a0 Larger 2.0-litre diesel power plants are very torquey and refined, and still offer matchless efficiency.\u00a0 If you prefer petrol power, then there is a gem on offer.\u00a0 The 1.4-litre engine is superb.\u00a0 With fuel efficiency of around 6.5 litres\/100 km, an 8.5 second 0-100 km\/h sprint time and great on-road dynamism, you\u2019ll have plenty of smiles for your dial.\u00a0<\/p>\n How about a Volkswagen Passat?\u00a0 Here you will have more interior room and more power.\u00a0 The interior room is good and, as always, the trip is classy and effortless.\u00a0 A 2.0 TDI engine provides 6.8 litres\/100 km, and is linked to a sequential gearbox.\u00a0 Superbly stylish, the Passat CC has the same engine.\u00a0 One other engine worth mentioning in the very good Volkswagen Passat line-up is the cracking new 1.8 turbo.\u00a0 With 118 kW of power, 250 Nm of torque and a seven-speed sequential gearbox, you can really cover the ground with great rapidity – while holding your average fuel consumption to well under 8 litres\/100 km.\u00a0<\/p>\n Volkswagen provide an SUV alternative, as well.\u00a0 The Tiguan, in 2.0 TDI form, provides very classy transport that remains efficiently, on average, under 8 litres\/100 km.<\/p>\n Flicking over to the Volvo marque, and I find an engine that features in the S40, V50, S80, XC60, XC70 and XC90 versions.\u00a0 I would class the S40 as a roomy small car.\u00a0 So, with that in mind, the very economical Volvo S40 D5 is a rewarding drive that you may like to consider.\u00a0 Fast, superbly surefooted, safe and luxurious, the S40 D5 returns a fuel consumption of 6.4 litres\/100 km for the manual and 7.0 litres\/100 km for the auto.\u00a0 The V50 is the one for you if you require more room.\u00a0 Essentially it is the estate version of the S40 sedan.\u00a0 It\u2019s just as good \u2013 if not better with the extra luggage space.\u00a0 In no uncertain terms, the Volvo S80 is a big car.\u00a0 But to give you an idea of how good the D5 2.4 litre engine actually is, you can still expect a fuel consumption figure of 7.3 litres\/100 km with the weight and larger dimensions of the S80 design.\u00a0 The Volvo S80 is extremely spacious and comfortable.<\/p>\n Although the purchase price of a new diesel car tends to be higher than that of its petrol counterpart, the extra initial value is justified. \u00a0Diesel-fed vehicles have been shown to be far more economical – sometimes twice as much than the petrol equivalent model.\u00a0 Modern diesels also have superior performance capabilities.\u00a0 When the car is fully laden with luggage and passengers, the torque of a diesel leaves the petrol counterpart wanting. http:\/\/credit-n.ru\/zaymi-online-blog-single.html<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Not so long ago, I had lots of fun working out Aussie\u2019s most economical cars, and now I thought I\u2019d tackle the mid-sized car bracket.\u00a0 Generally, if you have a small family, a medium-sized new car will fit the bill best.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want something that struggles to cope with the kids and luggage, yet 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