We’re solely two months into 2023 up to now, however because it stands in the mean time the Ford Ranger has supplanted the Toyota HiLux atop the gross sales charts.
It was the outright best-seller in Australia for each January and February, and there’s no indication it’ll decelerate any time quickly.
However what should you don’t desire a Ranger? Properly, that’s what we requested the CarExpert staff.
The principles for this problem are easy. We’ve chosen the Ranger XLT Bi-Turbo dual-cab four-wheel drive as our cutoff, with a sticker worth of $61,990 earlier than on-roads.
Sure, you’ll be able to spend way more on a Ranger – and we would play that sport sooner or later – however for now, we wished to maintain issues comparatively attainable.
Take a look at what the staff would spend their very own hard-earned on under, and tell us what you’d purchase as a substitute within the feedback.
Alborz Fallah: Tank 300 ($55,990 drive-away) – and a few modifications
It’s not even a query for me.
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Alborz’s dream Tank 300?
I’d purchase a GWM Tank 300, and put 24-inch wheels on it, and wrap it in matte black, and name it G TANK and dwell fortunately ever after.
I like that Tank so very a lot, I’m hoping to do exactly that when the automobile goes on sale correctly.
Scott Collie: Subaru WRX RS handbook ($50,490 earlier than on-roads)
This isn’t the automobile I actually need, however guidelines are guidelines and the Honda Civic Sort R is simply too rattling costly to qualify. Boo.
I do know the WRX isn’t excellent, however it does lots of what I need in a every day. It’s all-wheel drive for journeys to the snow, handbook, and has sufficient area for golf golf equipment within the boot. It’s additionally fairly rattling fast.
I do know it’s not fairly the wild little one it as soon as was, however there’s lots of potential within the newest mannequin that may very well be freed up with a couple of selection modifications. The additional $10,000 left under funds is sufficient to get me an exhaust, together with some racier wheels and sticky tyres (possibly) that will launch the beast mendacity inside.
As for a way I’d specify it? Crimson, handbook (like god meant), in RS type to get a pleasant inside.
I’d additionally put money into a roll of duct tape to cowl up the infuriating driver monitoring sensor completely, relatively than having to dive via the menu system each time you press the beginning button.
Jade Credentino: Skoda Octavia RS wagon ($57,490 earlier than on-roads)
I’d go for a Skoda Octavia RS Wagon in gray – much like Daytona Gray from Audi. I’d additionally go for the sunroof and Premium Pack if I used to be capable of push the funds by $1000 or so (You may’t – Ed.).
The wagon matches all the things I want for my week and even into the weekend. I can match a surfboard within the automobile or empty the again and head to the drive-in cinemas on a Saturday evening.
The usual options tick all my packing containers however I’d splash the money for the extra options within the Premium Pack for heads up show, adaptive chassis management, and entrance and rear heated seats.
Now I’m down in Melbourne I’ve little question they are going to come in useful!
William Stopford: Kia Stinger 330S ($56,530 earlier than on-roads)
I’ve pushed loads of genuinely fulfilling crossovers recently, together with the Cupra Formentor and turbocharged Mazda CX-5. The upcoming Mazda CX-60 additionally seems to be like a compelling package deal, and slides in below $60,000 earlier than on-roads.
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200S pictured
However no, sorry, I don’t want an SUV. I neither have youngsters nor a walker, so the additional area and better hip level aren’t essential.
A Cupra Leon VZ or Skoda Octavia RS is tempting, however I’m going to go along with the primary automobile I considered when this query was posed to me: a Kia Stinger.
The $60,000 cut-off doesn’t get me right into a GT, sadly, however I can get right into a 330S with the identical twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V6 engine pumping out 274kW of energy and 510Nm of torque, in addition to a limited-slip differential and bi-modal exhaust.
I do miss out on some key security gear, to not point out some niceties like ventilated entrance seats, however I nonetheless get a sensible hatchback physique and a seven-year guarantee.
I additionally get the final reasonably priced, mass-market rear-wheel drive sports activities sedan (okay, technically hatchback), simply earlier than Kia pulls the plug on it.
Anthony Crawford: Hyundai i30 Drive-N ($56,200 earlier than on-roads)
For me, it’s the Hyundai i30 N Drive-N Restricted Version sizzling hatch in Phantom Black Pearl with Hyundai’s in-house eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for $56,200 earlier than on-road prices.
It’s based mostly on the i30 Hatch N Premium with sunroof however it additionally will get improbable Alcantara seats and steering wheel, together with a set go very cool 19-inch cast alloy wheels in darkish Bronze Matte.
I’ve pushed this automobile on observe at The Bend racetrack and it appeared faster than another i30 N – regardless of the actual fact its mechanical specs are the identical as the usual i30 Ns.
And to suppose that is nonetheless a sensible hatch besides however extra observe succesful that another rival (besides the costlier Honda Civic Sort R) is a hands-down winner. it simply goes so effectively out of the field.
James Wong: Cupra Leon VZ ($57,990 drive-away)
For me, it’s fairly arduous to go previous the Cupra Leon VZ, which at $56,490 drive-away is available in effectively below funds for some selection choices and/or equipment.
In a world the place costs proceed to extend, having the ability to get a enjoyable, quick and well-equipped compact efficiency automobile below $60,000 is proving tougher – however Cupra has you coated.
The Leon VZ is mainly a Volkswagen Golf GTI by one other title and face, with a extra centered chassis and angrier look in and out. It’s additionally less expensive than its German sibling, which may solely be a plus.
I’d add the $2490 Leather-based and Sound Bundle primarily for the upgraded nine-speaker Beats audio system, whereas having a full leather-based inside with energy seat adjustment provides a contact of sophistication. I’d additionally shell out for a set of copper VZx alloys which can be accessible as a $1260 accent.
Shut second place goes to a fully-optioned Audi A3 35 TFSI Sportback, which with its mild-hybrid 1.5 TSI petrol engine and raft of obtainable options is sort of the environment friendly little luxurious automobile at below $60,000 RRP.
Paul Maric: Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT ($55,990 earlier than on-roads)
I believe I’d be shopping for a Subaru Outback XT. I like the idea of the Outback – it has the room you want, is lifted off the bottom, however isn’t simply one other SUV.
It was initially let down considerably by the engine however it now has a turbocharger, which bridges the hole. It’s an incredible package deal.
Jack Fast: Subaru Outback AWD Sport XT ($52,190 earlier than on-roads)
If I had $60,000 to spend on a brand new automobile in the mean time I’d most certainly go for the Subaru Outback XT Sport. I’d save the remaining for gas!
Different automobiles on my listing of choices embody the Skoda Octavia RS wagon, Cupra Formentor VZ, and even the Mazda CX-60 G40e Evolve. The Outback XT wins out although.
The recently-introduced Outback XT is powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine producing 183kW of energy and 350Nm of torque.
This further energy and torque over the common mannequin’s 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine makes greater velocity manoeuvres reminiscent of overtaking much more easy. The automobile is somewhat thirsty although and requires a minimal of 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.
A few of my favorite components in regards to the Outback are the extraordinarily compliant trip in each city and rural environments, in addition to the spacious inside and couch-like seats.
For the kind of driving I sometimes do when not driving a press automobile, which is predominantly freeway and rural freeway driving, the Outback XT is the perfect choose for below $60,000.