Best Used Medium Car for 2022

The 2015 Skoda Octavia Ambition 110TSI has done the unthinkable, usurping the Mazda6 in the category of Australia’s best mid-size passenger car in carsales Best Used Cars for 2022, proudly presented by Bingle.

Tipping out the three-times-winning Mazda clearly points to the Skoda’s exceptional value, build quality, comfort, safety and design.

While the Octavia has always occupied a footprint closer in size to small cars, based on its wheelbase, the Skoda has the luggage space and the touring ability for which medium passenger cars are renowned.

There was a time when mid-size passenger cars were very popular in this country. Over time, with the rise of SUVs and the changing complexion of family structure, sales of the traditional passenger car have dwindled.

But the Skoda’s generous boot space – 568 litres – allows buyers the choice of a passenger car with the luggage-carrying capacity of an SUV, and with just one child (or two) to transport to soccer training or ballet, a mid-size passenger sedan or wagon like the Octavia is all a lot of families really need.

The model that has won in 2022 is the Skoda Octavia Ambition 110TSI liftback sedan. Halfway through 2015, Skoda introduced this entry-level variant with a 110kW version of the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine to the range.

This uprated engine produced the same torque, but 7kW more power than the previous model.

The RedBook data for the Octavia totalled 35.8 points, with the judges’ score of 41 taking the Octavia’s tally to 76.8 out of 100 points.

In 2015, the Octavia Ambition 110TSI sedan was priced new at $24,790 plus on-road costs. As a used car in 2022, this variant of the Octavia is still worth $14,381.

Volkswagen Australia didn’t hold a separate launch for the updated Octavia range in 2015, but reviewer Adam Davis tested the pre-update range a year earlier, and praised the Octavia Ambition model: “It’s often said that the entry-level driveline is the sweetest, and so it proved in the Octavia’s case.

“The 103TSI unit was torquey, responsive and efficient, though revealed a lack of top-end power during overtaking manoeuvres. That gripe aside, it was a well-matched companion for everyday driving; if only the dual-clutch transmission, which displayed noticeable drive take-up lag, was so capable,” he said.

You can read more about the Octavia in that launch review here.

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

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

In 2015, the Octavia was far and away Skoda’s best-selling model, accounting for nearly half of the brand’s vehicle sales that year. Its sales result of 2128 units was over 300 more than the previous year and the only Skoda model to sell in a four-digit number.

Buyers were no doubt attracted by the rational packaging, the European dynamics and the efficient Volkswagen-based powertrains, making the Skoda Octavia Ambition 110TSI liftback sedan a deserving winner in the medium passenger car category of carsales Best Used Cars for 2022, proudly presented by Bingle.

Find a Skoda Octavia Ambition 110TSI on carsales

Honourable mentions:

The entry-level Mazda6 sedan scored 30.2 points from RedBook and 44 points from the judges for a total of 74.2
RedBook value: $16,526

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

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

The Mercedes-Benz C 200 sedan scored 26.6 points from RedBook and 39 points from the judges for a total of 65.6
RedBook value: $34,020

“Owning a Mercedes-Benz might seem an indulgence, however for the cost of a new medium-sized SUV, a used-market Mercedes-Benz C-Class delivers immense benefits in primary and secondary safety” – Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert

“When retained value, safety and servicing costs all favour the C 200, why not allow yourself a little used-car prestige?” – Ken Gratton, technical editor

What makes a car eligible for carsales Best Used Cars?
• 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 2022 here