What large car should you buy in 2024?
We’ve shared the mid-sized SUVs we’d buy, the utes we’d buy, and now it’s time for another hot segment.
Just kidding. This time we’re looking at large cars, easily the least popular passenger car segment in Australia.
In 2023, just 4820 large cars were sold in Australia, plus another 539 of what VFACTS calls ‘upper large’ cars. Gone are the days of a Falcon or Commodore in every second driveway…
With these team opinion pieces, we generally try to each offer a mass-market option and a more expensive, luxury-branded option.
But when it comes to mass-market large cars, following the death of the Kia Stinger there are just two: the Citroen C5 X and Skoda Superb.
What large car should you buy in 2024?
Mass-market ‘upper large’ cars are dead, too, with the Chrysler 300 slamming the door on its way out.
Luxury brands offer a lot more in the way of large and upper large cars, and these are the options the CarExpert team had to choose from:
The team could also choose from the Bentley and Rolls-Royce passenger car ranges, for a truly ‘relatable’ piece of car-buying advice.
Alborz Fallah: Rolls-Royce Spectre
I want to sit in a large $1 million-plus EV and listen to the depreciation of the battery cells and my money… but no, seriously, it’s such a tremendously good car in every respect.
Rolls-Royce, as a brand, makes the most sense from a super-luxury perspective to go all-electric.
No one cares what their Rolls-Royce sounds like or whether it has a V12 engine under the bonnet. They care about the opulence and super luxury it provides, in addition to a level of customisation and personalisation that is unrivalled in the industry.
Having spent a few days in the Spectre recently, it has gone to the very top of my ‘would buy’ list.
I do feel the price is relatively ambitious, though, because as good as the Rolls-Royce’s EV powertrain is – and it’s very good – it’s very much reliant on parent company BMW for the tech.
There’s nothing about it that stands out, while the traditional V12 with its 6.75L capacity was iconic and definitely added to the price factor. So, while a V12 isn’t necessary to make a good Rolls, charging V12 prices (and some) for an EV Rolls is a strategy that remains to be proven.
Paul Maric: Audi RS6
Audi RS6 for me – it’s without doubt the ultimate family wagon.
The interior is starting to feel a little dated, but it’s a compromise I’d be willing to make to have one with an aftermarket exhaust system.
It’s also becoming a rarity amongst cars in this segment with limited hybridisation or electrification. It counts on a pure turbocharged V8 engine to get about and it’s all the better for it.
MORE: Buy an Audi RS6
James Wong: BMW i5 eDrive 40
There are so many cool and niche options here, but I thoroughly loved my drive of the i5 eDrive40 in Portugal last year.
It offers the kind of effortless thrust you’d expect of a six-cylinder executive car, with the tranquility that comes with driving an electrified vehicle.
There’s more than enough punch to shame many hot hatches, and the new 5 Series has a gorgeous interior that offers plenty of material and upholstery options.
It’s also got heaps of claimed range (up to 582km WLTP), so range anxiety isn’t really an issue like some other EVs in the premium space, and there’s a five-year Chargefox subscription thrown in.
#savethesedans
MORE: Buy a BMW i5
William Stopford: Skoda Superb and Audi S8
Large cars? Sign me up!
Current Superb
Four of the six cars I’ve owned, including my current car, have been large sedans.
When it comes to large, mass-market passenger cars, I would have loved a Kia Stinger but following its recent axing I have to choose between the Skoda Superb and the Citroen C5 X.
Of those two, I’ll take the Superb. It feels a bit old inside, but I prefer the tech, I love the crisp styling (which actually looks nicer than its upcoming replacement), and I much prefer the more powerful turbocharged engine under the bonnet plus standard all-wheel drive.
There’s a lot more variety in the luxury large car market, and it’s a lot harder to make a decision.
The sexy Audi RS e-tron GT immediately comes to mind, while the upcoming BMW i5 M60 Touring offers similarly rapid performance but a much more practical body.
But isn’t the i5 a little – dare I say it – sensible if you’re spending over $200,000? Why not get something with a big honkin’ V8 while you still can?
I’m going to go a little left of field here and go for the Audi S8. Ok, so it’s pretty boring to look at, but it’s less gargantuan than a BMW 7 Series, no more conservative than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and feels a bit more modern than the prettier Lexus LS.
There’s a twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet, and it rides on air suspension and comes with all-wheel steering. What a pity, though, that there’s only a black interior on offer. I’ll get the car in bright Ultra Blue or District Green and get some real wood inlays inside to give it some warmth.
What I’d really love is a Genesis G90, which is much more stylish than the likes of the A8/S8, 7 Series and S-Class, but alas it can’t be had here.
MORE: Buy a Skoda Superb
MORE: Buy an Audi S8
Max Davies: Audi e-tron GT
I’m partial to a sedan, and the idea of a luxury sedan is especially hard to look past. For me, it’s the electric Audi e-tron GT.
It’s blisteringly quick but doesn’t compromise on comfort, and its low-slung design just looks incredible – especially at the front. The interior isn’t as flashy as others, but that’s typical of Audi’s practical approach.
Sure, it’ll set you back more than $180,000 for the entry-level e-tron GT, but the RS is still nicely priced against its equivalent Porsche Taycan.
MORE: Buy an Audi e-tron GT
Tyra Lawler-Cass: Porsche Taycan
If I had all the money in the world and wanted a large car, I would buy a Porsche Taycan.
Taycan
It could be because of my affinity for Porsche vehicles, but it’s the perfect blend of practicality and luxury, offering 450L of boot space, four seats and the ability to go from 0-100km/h in 2.2 seconds.
While it might be an unconventional ‘family car’ option, I would consider it if I valued luxury above all. The only catch is that it comes with a hefty price tag, both before and after on-road costs.
However, I’d never have to buy petrol again. And, I would have a Porsche – win, win.
MORE: Buy a Porsche Taycan
Jordan Mulach: Skoda Superb and Porsche Taycan
Yes, this is predictable given I own one, but stick around because I’m going with a two-pronged approach.
The third-generation Skoda Superb is a great car. Having now lived with mine for six months, I regret not biting the bullet sooner. It’s only become better with age and Skoda wisely decided to slim down the Australian range to the flagship 206TSI Sportline because it’s all you could ever want.
However, the $70,000 drive-away price for the liftback made me wince when I first saw it, because that’s a lot of money for what used to be the “budget” premium proposition, and can be hard to stomach for those who can’t see it as much more than a Czech Volkswagen.
But there are numerous redeeming qualities, like its spacious interior, more than capable drivetrain (is there anything the EA888 can’t do, apart from have water pump leaks?) and pleasant styling.
I don’t think anyone could regret buying one, though it remains to be seen whether the new-gen model (due here in 2025) is a significant improvement.
And at the other end of the spectrum, I’d quite like a Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach pack, please.
Two years ago I had the opportunity to drive a Turbo S and even at low speeds, it felt special. Now with a shedload more power, track-focused suspension and all the other goodies, you can rock up to your local circuit and beat everything this side of a 911 GT3.
Plus, Purple Sky metallic is nothing short of one of the best colours on sale, and worth the price of admission.
MORE: Buy a Skoda Superb
MORE: Buy a Porsche Taycan
Josh Nevett: Audi RS6
Since its inception, the Audi RS6 has never not been cool.
There’s just something about the Audi design language paired with a wagon shape, and performance has never been a problem for the RS-branded versions.
The current RS6 sticks to the formula with a muscular stance and 463kW twin-turbo V8 to match it, all while offering practicality and luxury inside.
It’s an increasingly rare yet irresistible recipe, but you’ll need upwards of $250,000 to put one in your driveway.
MORE: Buy an Audi RS6