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Premium Medium cars $45K to $60K: Australia’s Best Value Cars

Depreciation takes its toll on otherwise excellent cars. Introducing the Volkswagen Passat, Audi A4 and Volvo S60

2016 Volkswagen Passat
Gallery1

Depreciation takes its toll on otherwise excellent cars.

Volkswagen Passat 140 TDI Highline

It’s interesting to observe how a high-end Volkswagen sedan and an entry-level Audi compare in the moderately expensive mid-size realm. The VW costs $8K less than the Audi, despite them being the most highly equipped Passat and the least kitted-out A4.

Meanwhile, the Passat offers 150Nm and 30kW more than the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol A4, courtesy of a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that uses less juice to contribute to a 26 percent (or $260) annual fuel saving.

The Passat, however, doesn’t hold its value as well as the A4, according to Glass’s forecasts. You’ll see $23,745 go down the drain in the VW compared with $22,755 in the Audi, thanks to respective 50 and 59 percent three-year resale figures, which narrows the ownership cost difference between these German sedans.

Audi A4 1.4 TFSI Sport

Audi -A4-rear -sideThe A4 might have less herbs and use a bit more fuel than the Passat, but the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine is a sweet, light unit that makes the Audi more fun to drive.

Volvo S60 D4 Kinetic

Volvo -S60-front -sideIn a solid Gold Star campaign, the Swedish sedan splits the Germans on price and resale, uses less fuel than either of them, and is the least costly to insure.

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James Whitbourn

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