Best used large car 2018

What's the best choice of used car for comfortable touring performance and cachet?

Once upon a time it was the traditional large sedan or wagon -- and in some quarters it still is. No longer the default choice for families, the large car segment nonetheless fulfils needs not addressed by other categories.

The criteria are pretty simple. To be a useful large car, it’s necessary to fulfil a few basic requirements: size, price, reliability and that sometimes hard to define sense of desirability.

For those who might feel squeezed in a small or medium car, and who have a need to transport more than a couple of passengers yet don’t want a big SUV, the large car is able to deliver generous space, comfort and luggage-carrying abilities. It’s an antidote to automotive claustrophobia.

For our inaugural running of the carsales.com.au Best Used Car Awards we've combined the collective grey matter of our expert vehicle reviewers and concrete market intelligence from RedBook to announce the winner in each of 10 categories.

Emerging as the carsales best used large car is the...

Holden Commodore VE Series II SV6

The VE Commodore got there by scoring 42.1 points out of 50 from Redbook and 36.1 aggregate points from the five judges for a total score of 78.6 points. Redbook says a 2012 Holden Commodore Series II SV6 should sell privately for between $11,600 and $13,500.

The VE Series II Commodore was described by Cliff Chambers as “Dependable, dull, still with those big nasty pillars,” although at its launch it was introduced by Ken Gratton saying: “It's hard honing a car already near the top of its form, but Holden's Commodore range just moved up another peg.”

In his summary, he said the Commodore is “a fabulous car, especially when you take into account purchase price, equipment and build quality.”

Skoda Superb 3T Ambition 118TSI Sedan 4dr DSG 7sp 1.8T 

Scored 42.6 points from RedBook and 35 points from the judges for a total of 77.6
Red Book value: $9,200 - $10,800

"The Superb is well equipped for the price and should be competitive against both upper medium and large cars" – Stephen Ottley, journalist.

Ford Falcon FG MkII XR6 Sedan 4dr Spts Auto 6sp 4.0i

Scored 43.1 points from RedBook and 29 points from the judges for a total of 72.1
Red Book value: $9,800 - $11,500

"Through faster corners, even the base model XR feels like the front tyre contact patches are Velcro. Turn-in is pretty much immediate and the steering feel is excellent" – Ken Gratton, Technical Editor

What makes a car eligible for carsales Best Used Cars Awards?
• Less than six years old,
• Standard side-curtain airbags,
• Standard Bluetooth,
• Standard reversing camera for SUVs,

How did RedBook weight the categories for scoring?
• 10 per cent for resale,
• 10 per cent for ANCAP rating,
• 20 per cent for cost of ownership,
• Five per cent for service intervals,
• Five per cent for number of days for vehicle to sell

Read all about carsales Best Used Cars for 2018 here.