30 June 2015
5 Mins read

Guide to choosing a medium-sized car

Medium-sized cars could be the ideal choice for motorists who are looking for a vehicle that will offer versatility.

There are a large number of medium-sized cars on the market, so it can be difficult to find the right one. However, our guide could help you decide what areas you need to research before purchasing a new car.

How long do you plan to keep the car?

Depreciation can be an important factor to consider. Many of the mid-priced cars may suffer from high levels of depreciation. Therefore, they may be cheaper to buy initially, but if you don’t plan on keeping the car for a long period of time, it may make more sense to purchase a car that is more expensive as it retains its value for looking. This tends to apply to many of the more luxury brands such as Audi.

If you want to ensure your new car retains its value then it may be better to opt for a hatchback rather than a saloon. Hatchbacks are much more popular with second-hand buyers and therefore they tend to keep their value.

Check out the offers

Medium cars tend to be supplied in very high volumes as they are popular fleet vehicles, so often there can be some good deals on them as dealers can be overstocked.

Remember to look at the safety ratings

The safety features fitted on medium-sized cars can vary enormously so it is worth looking at the car's ratings. Check out whether the model you are looking at has the desired airbags or additional options like electronic stability control. This may be a crucial factor if you are considering a medium-sized car as a way of ferrying the children around.

What size boot do you need?

So you don't need an estate car, but remember to still measure the boot to see whether it will fit in the golf clubs or pushchair. If you still want decent luggage space then medium cars such as the Honda Civic may be the most suitable rather than the BMW Series 1.

Do you really want a medium car?

The growth of the so-called compact SUV market means that there could be a real alternative option for you. With a raised driving position and four-wheel drive, many buyers are moving away from the medium-sized cars and opting for crossovers – so don't completely discount them until you have done your research.