Best used medium car for 2020

Buyers of medium-sized passenger cars are getting plenty of sheet-metal for their money, with most popular models in the market segment bordering on the size of traditional large cars.

What fundamentally distinguishes medium passenger cars from their larger rivals is that the mid-sizers are front-wheel drives, almost without exception, whereas large sedans and wagons have typically been rear-wheel drives.

That’s often left the medium passenger cars with similar spaciousness in the cabin and a larger boot, all wrapped up in a package that’s slightly smaller overall.

For the task of transporting a family of older teenagers to school, sports, dance classes, visits to grandparents, etc, few cars of any kind can match the medium-sized passenger car.

For the 2020 carsales Best Used Car Awards, proudly presented by Bingle, the year in review is 2014.

In a market that shrank by 23,000 sales that year, medium passenger car sales accounted for 6767 of those – a variance of around 8.7 per cent fewer cars, compared to 2013.

Only cars that were introduced during the course of 2013 or cars from challenger brands sold in higher numbers for 2014. Even the market-leading Toyota Camry lost ground that year.

In keeping with other categories of carsales Best Used Cars for 2020, the winner and two honourable mentions in the medium car category were the three vehicles with the best aggregate score, based on points out of 50 from RedBook and individual scores out of 10 from each of the five judges.

And in 2020, the carsales best used medium car is the 2014...

The redoubtable and desirable Mazda6 has taken a third consecutive win in carsales Best Used Cars.

This year the variant chosen was the Mazda6 Touring, which sits in the model range upmarket from the Mazda6 Sport that won in previous years, but this year’s winner is still one of the more affordable offerings in the range.

Although the wagon version of the Mazda6 is more in tune with active families, the sedan offers more legroom in the rear, so it was the sedan that has been given the nod, complete with the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

That variant scored 37.8 points from RedBook and 38 more from the judges for a total score of 75.8 points.

Priced at $37,500 plus on-road costs when new, RedBook data shows that the Mazda6 Touring sedan is now worth $15,550 as a used-car purchase.

“Mazda’s mid-size sedan just will not yield to younger and more trendy contenders for its crown,” says Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert.

“Sophisticated Japanese winner keeps delivering. Even better if you can find one with an optional safety pack, including AEB,” says Ross Booth, RedBook data services director.

“The medium passenger car benchmark in 2014 is elegant, refined and fun to drive,” says Ken Gratton, carsales technical editor.

You can read more about the Mazda6 Touring sedan in our launch review.

Driving the Mazda6 for the local launch, reviewer Ken Gratton observed: “It’s a car that is so far ahead of the previous generation 6 – still a decent car in its own right – that you will be amazed, as the reviewer was.”

Find a used Mazda6 Touring on carsales

Scored 35.4 from RedBook and 36 from the judges for a total of 71.4 points
RedBook value: $16,350

“Versatile, interesting alternative to the Japanese offerings and a little cheaper” – Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert

“Often overlooked, practical but powerful alternative costing little to own. A late-2014 picks up a rear-view camera as standard” – Ross Booth, RedBook data services director

Scored 39.2 from RedBook and 31 from the judges for a total of 70.2 points
RedBook value: $25,200

“Affordable Luxury motoring with lower cost to run from hybrid technology” – Ross Booth, RedBook data services director

“More class than a Hybrid Camry, more eco-friendly than the Benz C-Class” – Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert

What makes a car eligible for carsales Best Used Car Awards?
• Less than six years old
• Standard side-curtain airbags
• Standard Bluetooth
• Standard electronic stability control (mandated for 2014)
• 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 2020 here.