Carsales' Best Used Cars announced for 2019

The carsales.com.au Best Used Car Awards for 2019 have highlighted once again the safety and value of used cars up to six years old.

All vehicles sold new in Australia during 2013 were eligible for consideration in this year's judging, provided they were fitted with electronic stability control in the case of passenger cars. Stability control is considered a vital element in reducing the road toll and is a must-have item in any car for inexperienced drivers. It should be considered a necessity by all road users, in fact.

Mazda was the brand to beat in 2019, winning four of the 10 categories outright and achieving an honourable mention with the BT-50 in the dual-cab ute category. The Japanese brand was unassailable in small cars, medium cars, sports cars and medium SUVs.

In each category, the cumulative scores were toted up to find a winner and two 'honourable mentions'.

All the protagonists were subject to the same judging criteria, starting with a score out of 50 from RedBook, based on cost of ownership, safety, retained value and market appeal. To arrive at the cost of ownership, the RedBook boffins based their calculations on an average of 15,000km travelled each year, working out annual fuel costs from that constant and each car's official combined-cycle fuel consumption figure.

Safety body ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) provided a safety rating, and a 'demand and supply' metric – the average number of days for a vehicle to sell – established each model's market appeal. RedBook's own research provided the 'retained value' information that fed into each car's cost of ownership and the final score out of 50.

The RedBook score was then combined with a rating out of 10 from each of five judges for a total score out of 100 possible points to decide the winners and honourable mentions across the 10 categories. The five judges were carsales.com.au Road Test Editor Matt Brogan, Data Services Director at RedBook Ross Booth, Technical Editor Ken Gratton, used-car buying expert Cliff Chambers and RedBook Inspect principal, Theo Cosmetatos.

Carsales Best Used Cars of 2019 are:

Winner: 2013 Mazda3 Maxx Hatchback
"If you can find one with an optional safety pack, unprecedented safety for the segment and age" – Ross Booth

Find a used Mazda3 now on carsales

Winner: 2013 Mazda6 Sport Sedan
"Elegant styling and an accommodating interior, the Mazda6 also boasts agile mid-size car dynamics" – Matt Brogan

Find a used Mazda6 now on carsales

Winner: 2013 Holden VF Commodore SV6 Sedan
"Homegrown hero delivers great value in a comfortable, sporty package" – Ken Gratton

Find a used Holden VF Commodore now on carsales

Winner: 2013 Hyundai ix35 Elite wagon
"Functional all rounder with lots of specifications for the price, great value for money" – Ross Booth

Find a used Hyundai ix35 now on carsales

Winner: 2013 Mazda CX-5 Maxx wagon
"The CX-5 set the standard by which a generation of medium SUVs were measured – a fantastic used buy" – Matt Brogan

Find a used Mazda CX-5 now on carsales

Winner: 2013 Land Rover Discovery 4 TDV6 wagon
"With its advanced twin-turbo V6 diesel, the Discovery 4 remains the segment benchmark among used off-roaders" – Ken Gratton

Find a used Land Rover Discovery 4 now on carsales

Winner: 2013 Mazda MX-5 Sports Roadster Coupe
"The best, most affordable roadster on the planet, but one that's equally easy to live with every day" – Matt Brogan

Find a used Mazda MX-5 now on carsales

Winner: 2013 Mercedes-Benz S500 Sedan
"Well-deserved win for the renowned champion of luxury limousines" – Ross Booth

Find a used Mercedes-Benz S500 now on carsales

Winner: 2013 Ford Ranger PX XLT Double Cab Utility
"Trade tough and with off-road ability few in its class can match" – Matt Brogan

Find a used Ford Ranger now on carsales

Winner: 2013 Toyota Landcruiser Prado Kakadu Wagon
"Solid, comfortable off-road workhorse, for when the budget won't stretch to a 200 Series" – Ken Gratton

Find a used Toyota Landcruiser Prado now on carsales