We’re solely two months into 2023 to this point, however because it stands in the meanwhile 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 can decelerate any time quickly.
However what should you don’t desire a Ranger? Nicely, that’s what we requested the CarExpert workforce.
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 at some point – however for now, we wished to maintain issues comparatively attainable.
Take a look at what the workforce 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 might 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 hope to just do that when the automotive goes on sale correctly.
Scott Collie: Subaru WRX RS handbook ($50,490 earlier than on-roads)
This isn’t the automotive I really 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 good, but it surely does loads of what I would like 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 baby it as soon as was, however there’s loads of potential within the newest mannequin that might be freed up with just a few selection modifications. The additional $10,000 left under finances is sufficient to get me an exhaust, together with some racier wheels and sticky tyres (perhaps) that will launch the beast mendacity inside.
As for the way I’d specify it? Purple, handbook (like god meant), in RS type to get a pleasant inside.
I’d additionally spend money on a roll of duct tape to cowl up the infuriating driver monitoring sensor completely, quite 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 – just like Daytona Gray from Audi. I might additionally go for the sunroof and Premium Pack if I used to be in a position to push the finances by $1000 or so (You possibly can’t – Ed.).
The wagon suits every part I would like for my week and even into the weekend. I can match a surfboard within the automotive or empty the again and head to the drive-in cinemas on a Saturday night time.
The usual options tick all my packing containers however I might 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 doubt they’ll come in useful!
William Stopford: Kia Stinger 330S ($56,530 earlier than on-roads)
I’ve pushed loads of genuinely fulfilling crossovers currently, together with the Cupra Formentor and turbocharged Mazda CX-5. The upcoming Mazda CX-60 additionally appears like a compelling bundle, and slides in underneath $60,000 earlier than on-roads.
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200S pictured
However no, sorry, I don’t want an SUV. I neither have children nor a walker, so the additional area and better hip level aren’t mandatory.
A Cupra Leon VZ or Skoda Octavia RS is tempting, however I’m going to go together with the primary automotive 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 tools, 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 inexpensive, 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 primarily based on the i30 Hatch N Premium with sunroof but it surely additionally will get unbelievable 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 automotive on monitor at The Bend racetrack and it appeared faster than another i30 N – regardless of the very fact its mechanical specs are the identical as the usual i30 Ns.
And to assume that is nonetheless a sensible hatch as well however extra monitor succesful that another rival (besides the dearer Honda Civic Sort R) is a hands-down winner. it simply goes so nicely 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 nicely underneath finances for some selection choices and/or equipment.
In a world the place costs proceed to extend, with the ability to get a enjoyable, quick and well-equipped compact efficiency automotive underneath $60,000 is proving harder – however Cupra has you lined.
The Leon VZ is principally a Volkswagen Golf GTI by one other title and face, with a extra targeted chassis and angrier look in and out. It’s additionally less expensive than its German sibling, which might solely be a plus.
I’d add the $2490 Leather-based and Sound Package deal 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 are obtainable 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 accessible options is sort of the environment friendly little luxurious automotive at underneath $60,000 RRP.
Paul Maric: Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT ($55,990 earlier than on-roads)
I feel 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 but it surely now has a turbocharger, which bridges the hole. It’s an amazing bundle.
Jack Fast: Subaru Outback AWD Sport XT ($52,190 earlier than on-roads)
If I had $60,000 to spend on a brand new automotive in the meanwhile I might almost definitely go for the Subaru Outback XT Sport. I’d save the remainder for gas!
Different autos on my checklist of choices embrace 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 increased velocity manoeuvres resembling overtaking much more easy. The automotive is slightly thirsty although and requires a minimal of 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.
A few of my favorite elements 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 usually do when not driving a press automotive, which is predominantly freeway and rural freeway driving, the Outback XT is the perfect choose for underneath $60,000.