Karim Benzema is the most underrated striker in world football right now. There: I’ve said it. Forget the shining stars of Mbappe and Haaland, and bask in the glory of Karim’s red giant glow.

After PSG went 1-0 up this morning in the first half of their last-16 Champions League match against Real Madrid, putting them 2-0 up on aggregate, and then continued to dominate possession in the first half, victory looked almost inevitable for the expensive Parisian side, which had a forward line of Mbappe, Neymar and Messi.

But even when victory looks fated for another team, against Real Madrid, in the Champions League, you can never fully count them out. And at this moment, right when it was toughest for the Champions League specialists, Karim Benzema and Luca Modric really stepped up.

Benzema put away a hat-trick in the second half, including two goals in short succession, capitalising on a couple of horrific errors from PSG’s pressured defence, and some incredible distribution from Modric.

Benzema became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League (he’s 34 years and 80 days old), a record which was previously held by Olivier Giroud. One imagines Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are both looking at this record with envy (both of whom are older than Benzema, with the former being a couple of years older and the latter being a couple of months older).

Benzema has now scored 76 goals in the Champions League in his career, making him the league’s fourth all-time top scorer (behind Ronaldo, Messi and Lewandowski – all three of which typically get more recognition than the Frenchman).

This leads us to want to recognise Benzema’s incredible talent (which he also demonstrated with an outlandish flick to stop the ball going out in the first half) and scoring ability, which went under-appreciated while Ronaldo was at Real Madrid, and which has really come into focus in the last few years.

He also has a humble attitude, saying after the game, loosely translated from Spanish, “Every game from here on out is a final” and (on the goal) “it’s not an error [by the defender], it was pressure from the whole team.”

He added that Madrid can beat anyone if they play the right way, and that the fans were crucial: “Us with pressure can beat any team. Everyone in their place and with the fans like today.”

While you might argue the younger Mbappe and Harland are better, the amount of attention they get, we feel confident in saying that, at least outside of Spain, Benzema is the most underrated striker in the world game.

What a remarkable turn around – especially considering at halftime the Aussie pundits on Stan were talking about how not only PSG had more talent but they were better both at pressing and at possession than Real Madrid.

Yet another game that will go towards building the myth that you can never count out Los Blancos in Europe… And yet another game that will put Pochettinos job under pressure…

• Cristiano Ronaldo’s Insane Body Transformation Evidence Hard Work Can Bring You Success
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The post Karim Benzema Is The Most Underrated Centre Forward In World Football appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The following article was produced in partnership with Longines.

Men are spoiled for choice when it comes to luxury dive watches… But this can be a bad thing. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to figure out where to spend your hard-earned lucre.

Some luxury dive watches are exceptionally capable but are too chunky or sporty to wear for formal occasions. Some lack the capability to match their aquatic aesthetic. Some are too blingy, some are too unexceptional, and many are very derivative… Or needlessly expensive.

That’s why Longines’ latest dive watch, the HydroConquest, is so refreshing. Tough, accurate and reliable while also being refined, considered and cleverly designed, it might be a tool watch through and through, but it’s also the perfect watch for any occasion.

Firstly, let’s talk about the Longines HydroConquest’s dive watch bona fides: 300m of water resistance, a 72-hour power reserve, a unidirectional ceramic bezel, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a screw-down caseback… That’s everything you’d want out of a tough dive watch, and more.

We’re big fans of the screw-down crown in particular. Its bullet casing-like notch near the business end makes it easy for you to pull out the crown with your nails once the crown’s unscrewed – a great design feature that’s perfect if you’ve got wet hands.

The watch’s indices are also very well designed. Compared to most dive watches, the HydroConquest’s circular indices are placed quite close to the bezel, which makes it easier to tell the time in the dark. Their exceptionally bright Super-LumiNova really helps in this regard, too. Indeed, the HydroConquest is just a very legible watch all around – the handset is slim yet distinct, the Roman numerals at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock are handsome and clear…

Yet despite being such a hardy tool watch, the HydroConquest is also surprisingly demure. At only 11.9mm thick, it’s much thinner than most dive watches and will even fit comfortably under a cuff, which means you can really dress it up. Its masculine yet unobtrusive design makes it a real style chameleon.

Speaking of style, another great thing about the HydroConquest is that it’s available in an impressively wide range of dial colour combinations and textures; case finishes and sizes; bracelets and case sizes. There’s even a unique multi-coloured limited-edition variant that celebrates the XXII Commonwealth Games being held in Birmingham, England later this year.

In this sense, the Longines HydroConquest collection has a little bit of something for everyone. It’s quite simply one of the most capable and versatile dive watches on the market – perfect for men of action, well-heeled gents and desk divers alike.

Dive right in, we say.

Discover the Longines HydroConquest collection at Longines’ online boutique here.

The post The Longines HydroConquest Is The Ultimate Do-Everything Watch appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Travel blogger Hayley Andersen has taken to social media to share three places she can’t believe exist in Australia. The three places are Gibson Steps (Victoria), Wilsons’s Prom (Victoria) and Jervis Bay (NSW).

This comes off the back of a series of videos in which the TikTok creator, who has 227.4 thousand followers, shares other places she was surprised to find down under (including such picks as Hutt Lagoon and The Whitsundays).

In the video, Andersen gives viewers a glimpse at what makes each destination special. In the case of Gibson Steps it’s the epic cliff caves. In the case of Wilson’s Prom, it’s the insane ‘am I in Greece?’ type waters. In the case of Jervis Bay it’s the stunning white sand (and the blue-green water).

Andersen isn’t the only one pleasantly surprised by these locales. Flight Centre’s TikTok avatar wrote in the comments: “.”

Many other followers chimed in, too, expressing their amazement.

This isn’t the first time people have been blown away by the range of landscapes Australia, a country whose landmass is about 50 per cent greater than Europe (and 32 times greater than the United Kingdom), has.

DMARGE spoke to traveller Alana McDonald, who is one half of travel duo @laplivin, last year, who shared some of her favourite Australian Maldives alternatives. Wilsons’s Prom made this list, as did a number of others not mentioned by Andersen.

“Wilson’s Prom, Rapid Bay, Flaherty’s Beach, Daly Head,” McDonald told DMARGE, when asked what her favourite ‘Maldives esque’ destinations were.

DMARGE also spoke to Maddison Papantoniou, who is currently travelling Australia in a Land Cruiser with her partner Jake Rusanoff.

“We’ve experienced hot outback and vast desert, lush tropics, gnarly surf beaches and bustling cities – all without even jumping on a plane.”

Read Next

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The post 3 Stunning Places You Won’t Believe Exist In Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

As anyone who’s been in New South Wales, Australia could tell you, there’s been a LOT of rain over the last few weeks. So much so, that many areas of New South Wales have been severely flooded and thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate.

Some residents were even left without a way to contact loved ones or help, as phone and internet lines were impacted by severe flooding that occurred in Northern Rivers. Australian surfing legend and three-time world champion Mick Fanning – who also selflessly got out on his jet ski to help people travel from their flooded houses to safety – asked Elon Musk to help out on this front via Twitter.

Musk recently helped Ukrainians by supplying the war-stricken country with Starlink (a satellite internet service by his company SpaceX) and it looks like the billionaire has come through once again…. Sort of.

While Musk is yet to personally respond to Fanning’s plea, NetVault – a telecommunications provider that partnered with Starlink just last year – has donated 10 Starlink kits, that arrived in Byron Bay this morning, to assist with flood recovery. The kits have the latest ‘roaming tech’ enabled, so they are portable and will be able to be easily moved to other flood-damaged areas.

NetVault also confirmed on Twitter that they are currently in talks with Musk’s company, SpaceX, and are trying to get more Starlink kits to people currently affected by the floods in New South Wales.

Hopefully, SpaceX come through, as so far seven people have sadly lost their lives due to the NSW flooding and locals in the flooded areas believe that the ‘assistance’ from the Australian government has been limited and slow.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is flying to devastated areas in the Northern Rivers region today and is expected to declare the floods a ‘national emergency’ and detail extra funding for those impacted by all the flood damage.

But as The Guardian has reported, many are wondering why it’s taken so long for the PM to act… Even Musk, whose plate is full with renewable energy projects and getting humans to Mars, appears likely to beat Morrison to helping flood victims.

• The Incredible Moment Venice’s Floodgates Worked For The First Time
• Elon Musk’s Dogecoin Obsession Explained

The post Mick Fanning Enlists Elon Musk To Help With NSW Flooding appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Trying to figure out just where to begin when it comes to crypto investing can be pretty daunting. New investors can easily become overwhelmed by the sea of new and over-complicated information that often leaves them feeling more confused than before they started out.

That’s why we’re going to start at the very beginning: choosing a trustworthy exchange to buy, sell and hold your crypto assets. Today, we’re going to take an unbiased look at everything that you need to know about the Australian-owned and operated crypto exchange: Digital Surge. 

Check out our full round-up of the best crypto wallets here

What is Digital Surge?

Since its launch in 2017, Digital Surge has rapidly grown to become one of Australia’s most popular exchanges, offering its users the opportunity to buy and sell more than 300+ cryptocurrencies. This means that investors can purchase everything from Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) all the way down to the random memecoin a friend of yours told you to check out over drinks last week. 

Digital Surge provides users with an intuitive, beginner-friendly platform and mobile app as well conducting all transactions exclusively in AUD, making it a stand out choice for Australian investors.

To get a better understanding of Digital Surge, let’s use a classic Pros & Cons list to weigh up the verdict.

Pros & Cons of Digital Surge

Pros

• The Lowest Fees: Digital Surge offers the lowest fees of any Australian crypto exchange, charging a blanket fee of 0.5% per trade. This fee is lowered for high trade volumes. Technically, fellow Australian exchange, CoinSpot does offer low fees for trading (0.1% for market trades), however their “instant purchase” option incurs a 1% fee. 
  
• Pay Bills In Bitcoin: Digital Surge offers a unique service, where users can actually pay their bills in Bitcoin. As long as the bill is from an Australian vendor and comes with a BPAY code, users can pay any bill in Bitcoin.
  
• Beginner Friendly: If you’re new to cryptocurrency, then Digital Surge is the exchange for you. The Digital Surge app is one of the most beginner-friendly and simple to use crypto apps available anywhere. If you just want to buy and hold crypto assets, Digital Surge takes out all the complicated and unnecessary “trading” jargon, charts and info so that users can focus on the simple stuff.   
  
• One of the Best Platforms for Australian Users: One of the biggest setbacks for Australian users when navigating other exchanges like Binance or Crypto.com is that prices are natively denominated in US Dollars. While this might be fine for more advanced users, most everyday Aussie crypto investors just want to be able to transact easily in AUD. Digital Surge makes this possible with AUD only transactions and viewing. 
  
• Massive Selection of Tokens & Altcoins: Perhaps one of the most frustrating experiences is getting completely set up on a new app or platform and then realising that the random, super niche altcoin your mate mentioned to you isn’t actually available on this random app you’ve just installed. With a selection of over 300+ digital assets, Digital Surge has one of Australia’s most comprehensive coverages of all the altcoins you could ask for, second only to CoinSpot which offers over 350 cryptocurrencies on its exchange. 
  
• 24/7 Customer Support via Live Chat: Great customer support may not be the first thing investors jump to when it comes to buying cryptocurrency, but it can be a deal breaker when digital assets get transferred to the wrong place and you get stuck with a “help-bot” that is anything but helpful. That’s why Digital Surge now offers a Live Chat support feature where users can interact with a real human person, which if you find yourself needing assistance with monetary issues can be a life-saver.

Cons 

• AUD Only Transactions: While pure Australian Dollar deposits and transactions may be great for the fresh new Aussie investor, this feature can end up becoming a little limiting once investors develop more proficiency and become interested in trading. If you’re just looking to buy and sell crypto quickly and easily without any super fancy bells and whistles then this won’t be a problem for you.

Digital Surge Fees Explained

Fees are ultimately how crypto exchanges and platforms make their money, so it’s really important for investors to understand how much they’re paying every time they make a trade. Fee structuring can be pretty tricky, as platforms often like to disguise hidden costs in the form of strange fees.

Here are the main types of fees that users of Digital Surge will come across.

Digital Surge Deposit & Withdrawal Fees

The first fees that crypto investors will encounter is the deposit fee. This is because investors need to deposit funds before they can start trading. 

• Digital Surge offers PayID, POLi and OSKO as methods of deposit, which is a slightly smaller range of deposit options than is standard in the crypto industry. 
  
• Instant deposits using PayID, or Direct Deposit (via OSKO) are all free on Digital Surge. However, if users deposit using POLi, they will be charged between $2 – $3.30 per transaction.
  
• Digital Surge does not charge AUD withdrawal fees. 

Digital Surge Transaction Fees

The great news with Digital Surge is that they have an extremely simple and transparent fee structure, charging a blanket 0.5% on all purchases. There are no hidden fees or complex technicalities that could surprise investors, making it a great option for buying and selling cryptocurrency regularly. 

Is Digital Surge Safe to Use?

No matter your experience level, the security and safety of the platform used to buy and sell digital assets is usually a top concern for crypto investors. This is where Digital Surge ticks all the boxes by maintaining a series of multi-layered security protocols. 

Digital Surge is registered with ASIC & AUSTRAC, meaning that it complies with all of the necessary Australian financial laws. It also stores clients’ digital assets in an “unhackable” offline cold storage, meaning that even if Digital Surge were to be hacked, investors’ funds would remain safe. 

Furthermore, all Digital Surge login and transaction activity is further protected by 2FA (two-factor authentication) that requires investors to enter a code generated on their registered mobile device to sign in to the Digital Surge platform.

Digital Surge Alternatives

If Digital Surge isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, there are plenty of alternatives. The alternatives listed here are ranked in order of similarity and preference for using AUD.

• CoinSpot: Australia’s largest cryptocurrency platform with more than 350 digital assets available.
• Swyftx: Also an Australian platform with more than 260 digital assets available. Swyftx offers slightly lower trading fees and also allows users to ‘stake’ their crypto assets to generate passive income.
• Cointree: An Australian operated exchange and fully AUSTRAC-regulated. Offers similar features to Digital Surge but with a smaller selection of tokens and slightly higher fees.
• Binance: The largest crypto exchange in the world based on daily trading volume. Binance is oriented more strongly towards non-Australian users and is more suitable for advanced traders looking for niche pairs.
• Coinbase: Possibly the most well-known exchange in the world. Investors can trade a variety of different cryptocurrencies but fees are high and all values are denominated in USD.
• eToro: Offers commission-free crypto trades with the added bonus of social and copy trading.

Overall Digital Surge Conclusion

Digital Surge is a stand out choice for Australians crypto investors who are looking for an intuitive and easy to use platform. Digital Surge has one of the most simple and transparent fee structures on the market, charging a blanket 0.5% fee on each trade. Furthermore, it allows users to pay their bills in Bitcoin and offers premium personalised support. 

When it comes to security Digital Surge stores customer funds in an offline cold storage and is registered with ASIC & AUSTRAC, which actively prevents financial crimes and any other unsavoury business from occurring on the platform. 

Read Next

• Bitcoin Price Prediction AUD: Where BTC Can End Up In 2022
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The post Digital Surge Review 2022: Everything Australian Cryptocurrency Investors Need to Know appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A woman has got herself stuck in one of the worst – or, at least, most visible – places you can possibly get stuck, on a cruise ship. The incident occurred on Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Ocean Loops slide. The woman got trapped on the ship’s huge enclosed waterslide, which overlooks the ocean (and is in full view of much of the deck).

A video of her stranding was posted to TikTok by user @ymg_travels, and has been viewed 15.5 million times at the time of writing. 

“WHEN THE LOOPING SLIDE FAILS!!” @ymg_travels captioned the video. The problem appears to have been the slide’s double-loop feature.

The woman rider gets down the first two bits of the ride without issue. On the last turn, however, she doesn’t have enough speed to go through the corkscrew. She then gets trapped (or, as The New York Post put it: “Her ship ’n‘ slide experience went straight to hell”).

The video finishes with the woman trying to scoot herself back to the starting point. The poster of the video, YMG Travels, told Fox News it was all ok in the end.

“The lady was not stuck in the waterslide for long,” YMG Travels’ TikTok account told Fox News. “There is a side door for the slide and she was out of it immediately.”

YMG Travels’ also said that “by the time I walked that way, she was out and ready to do the slide again.”

That didn’t stop TikTok users having their fears of heights and claustrophobia being severely unlocked.

“I can’t keep watching, I feel like im suffocating,” one wrote. “I would have a panic attack,” claimed another.

Another went even further, writing: “Im having an anxiety attack just watching.”

“Omg my biggest fears unlocked.”

YMG Travels then posted a follow up video showing what happens when the slide functions correctly. All’s well that ends well, I guess.

• The Ugly Truth About Virgin Voyages’ Adults-Only Cruise
• Cruise Ship Staff Reveal The Wildest Things They’ve Seen Onboard

The post Cruise Ship Waterslide Sends Woman ‘Straight To Hell’ appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Unless you’re the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, your shaving experience should involve minimal bloodshed. Or hell, spring for no bloodshed at all if you’re the overachieving type. Everyone loves a man who aims high.Though your sights are set on a haemoglobin-free shave, there are bound to be times when too many hits of the snooze button result in a rushed morning and the inevitable razor nicks. Daddy dearest taught you that the go-to remedy is to apply small pieces of toilet paper to your wounds and wait for them to clot, but grow up. A blood-soaked square of 3-ply isn’t going to match your suit.Luckily a plethora of alternative options are available, from speciality products designed just for facial pruning incidents to hippie-dippy home remedies.

Products Specifically Made For Shaving Cuts

There is a variety of products on the market designed to treat shaving cuts, but all have one thing in common: an astringent. The astringent constricts the tissues in your skin, helping to stop the flow of blood from the wound.AftershavesThe easiest option may be one you already have in your medicine cabinet. The alcohol in many aftershaves has astringent properties, plus it acts as an antiseptic to prevent infections. Not to mention the classically manly scent you’ll be rocking after using one. Yes, it’ll come with a sting, but think of it as the wake-up call your alarm clock wasn’t.A Styptic PencilA styptic pencil is an old-school fix made from mineral astringents like titanium dioxide or anhydrous aluminium sulfate. It comes in the form of a small stick that, after the tip has been moistened a bit with water, is simply pressed against the nick for a few seconds. Be sure to check the mirror before you leave, as styptic pencils can leave a white, powdery residue when applied.An Alum BlockWhile a styptic pencil is ideal for spot treatments, an alum block is a full-face solution. The block looks much like a bar of soap, but it’s made from potassium alum that can be wet and rubbed on the face after shaving. Besides their primary role as astringents, the minerals in an alum block also have antiseptic qualities that can help prevent razor burn.Rollers & GelsRollers and gels are essentially Styptic Pencils 2.0. The blood-stopping strategy is the same, but roller and gel products tend to sting less and don’t leave behind that suspicious residue. Many also come with ingredients like aloe and vitamin E to soothe the skin after shaving trauma.

Other Products That Will Do In A Pinch

If you’re not into the idea of purchasing specialty products to deal with your shaving accidents, or you unexpectedly find yourself without your chosen remedy on hand, other products can be used in a pinch.DeodorantDab a bit of antiperspirant on your wound. The aluminium chloride in its ingredients list acts as an astringent in addition to preventing sweat stains on your favourite t-shirts.ListerineYou may put the stuff in your mouth now, but it started out as a surgical antiseptic that was used to clean wounds on the battlefields of WWI. Ew. It’ll sting like hell, but it’s an effective aftershave and your face will be oh so minty fresh.Lip BalmSmear on a little lip balm to seal the wound and keep larger cuts from forming unsightly scabs. The waxy texture helps close up the cut and allows a clot to form.Petroleum JellyVaseline or another petroleum jelly works just like lip balm. Just be sure to clean the smear off your face before walking out the door.Eye DropsEye drops work on cuts the same way they work to relieve red eyes. They slow down bleeding by constricting blood vessels.

Home Remedies For Your DIY Fix

And finally, if you’re the guy who lives in a log cabin he built himself and only eats meat he’s killed with his bare hands, you need something a little more DIY. No store bought nonsense will do when you can craft a solution yourself. Try these natural antidotes:Witch HazelWitch Hazel is a natural astringent.Vitamin EApply vitamin E to reduce the appearance of scars. Repeat several times per day for best results.Aloe VeraAloe vera is a wonder substance that will simultaneously soothe pain, moisturise, and encourage healing at the site of the injury.Cold WaterThis is as simple as it gets. Splash cold water on your face to – you guessed it – constrict your blood vessels and stymie the flow of blood. For faster and more effective results, try rubbing an ice cube on the cut.RELATED: Tips To Tackle Those Embarassing Grooming Issues

The post How To Fix A Shaving Cut appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Nutrition author and social media nutrition coach Max Lugavere has taken to Instagram to share with his followers what he eats in a day. Lugavere is a 39 year old New York Times science writer, and a best selling author of books like Genius Foods, Genius Life and Genius Kitchen.

Lugavere consistently takes to Instagram with nutrition advice like how to (really) detox (hint: it has nothing to do with detox tea) and how to stop feeling shitty all the time.

On Saturday Lugavere posted a video which showed what he eats in a day. He captioned the video: “What I eat in a day! Does anything surprise you? Any questions? Now venture off and eat like MEEE! (Just kidding, there is no one-size-fits-all diet.)⁣⁣⁣”

In the video, Lugavere says he drinks black, half strength coffee, with heavy cream. Then he has some salmon with red cabbage slaw and brussel sprouts. Next up it’s two brazil nuts which he says “support hormone production.”

After that, he shows off a protein shake for some post work out leucine (an essential amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins).

At the end of the video he shows off a delicious honey crisp apple and some greek yogurt with bee pollen on top. Oh and to cap it all off he says “last night my brother made an overcooked rib eye with white sweet potatoes, cauliflower and a navy bean gumbo dish.”

Not bad indeed.

Lugavere was asked by a follower how many calories he eats a day. He answered: “I have no idea,” hinting at his whole food (as opposed to calorie counting) philosophy.

Lugavere has previously busted the butter myth you probably still believe and sparking ethical debates America isn’t ready for.

Read Next

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The post Revealed: Everything A Top Nutrition Coach Eats In A Day appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Despite the surge in popularity of SUVs, sedans remain one of the most common body styles seen on Australian roads. Offering ample room for a family, with enough luggage space for a proper holiday and some decent performance to boot, there is much to love about the humble sedan.

They can be great for fuel economy too (especially electric car models), thanks to their low, aerodynamic body shapes when compared to SUVs, and you’re more likely to find a sedan with incredible power as opposed to an SUV – although some car companies are now making ‘hot’ versions of their larger people movers too.

But with such intense competition between manufacturers, all aiming to produce the best sedan on the market for the most affordable prices, which ones should you be spending your money on and which should be best avoided?

We’ve compiled this list of the best sedans to buy right now in Australia, giving you ten incredibly popular choices. Ranging from simple A to B people carriers, to those that offer a little more luxury for more comfortable drives and even including some hot and fiery options for those who like to get places fast, there is something for everybody and every budget.

Kia Stinger

Fuel Economy: 8.8L/100km
Price: From $54,290 Drive Away

When the Kia Stinger was first released, many struggled to comprehend how such a performance-focused car – and a great one at that – could have a Kia badge stuck to the front. But a Kia badge it most certainly has, and the Stinger represents a testament to how far the South Korean car company has come since its days of more basic cars. There are four variants of Stinger to choose from, and while all benefit from decent power, it’s the 330S and GT that will have most tongues wagging, with their 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 units under the bonnet. The other two models in the range get a 2.0-litre 4 cylinder producing 182kW.

What you do get across the board, however, is a premium, well laid out interior. The cockpit is an absolute dream to sit in, and while particularly tall passengers may jostle for headroom in the back, on the whole it’s a comfortable experience. Naturally, the more money you spend on variants through the range, the more goodies you receive in return, such as flat-bottomed steering wheels and suede headliners – the GT Line model, still with 2.0-litre engine, shares much of the same interior stylings as its V6-laden GT brother.

Performance, no matter which model you opt for, is exemplary. Quick to pull away, comfortable to cruise in and not super thirsty on fuel (the V6 understandably drinks a little more, sitting at a claimed 10.2L/100km on a combined cycle). Ultimately, there is much to about Kia’s performance saloon, and it makes for a genuinely worthwhile alternative to something European.

Pros:

• Classic muscle car/performance sedan feel at a competitive price
• Comfortable, reliable and very good looking

Cons:

• Lack of V8 means it’s not a true Holden Commodore / Ford Falcon successor
• Kia nameplate might scare some off

BMW M3 (G80)

Fuel Economy: 10.1L/100km
Price: From $156,604 Drive Away

When you think of performance saloons, the BMW M3 will likely feature in your top 3, if not at number one. The crazy, fire-breathing version of the German marque’s popular 3-series, the M3 consistently rewrites what can be possible when you take a regular car, give it a bodykit, lower it a bit and make some tweaks to the engine. The latest version of the M3 is the most powerful one yet, and while it may feature that new front grille, there is more to love than ever.

With 375kW of power under your right foot, enough to fling you to 100km/h in 4.2-seconds, you’ll be able to whisk the kids away on a weekend trip quicker than ever, and in great comfort too. BMW has always been at the top of its game when it comes to interior finishes and comfort, and so the M3 doesn’t receive too many changes, save from some sports seats to hold you in place and some fancy (as well as extravagant) colour combinations.

You’ll want to drive the M3 solo much of the time, however, as it will give you the time to really find out what it’s truly capable of. Perhaps even take it to a track to let you inner Schumacher out. It might be an expensive option in the sedan sector, but it makes for serious driving fun.

Pros:

• Truly the purest version of ‘the ultimate driving machine’
• Impressive feature list

Cons:

• The nostrils!
• Exceptional price premium over a standard 3 Series

Volkswagen Passat (B8)

Fuel Economy: 6.4L/100km
Price: From $51,668 Drive Away

It’s fair to say that sedans have segued slightly from bring a family hauler and into more of an necessity for business people travelling up and down the country. The Volkswagen Passat is a prime example of this transition, with the only available trim level literally being called ‘Business’. A mid-size sedan, the Passat could be seen as a bit pricey compared to some rivals, but when you factor in the amount of equipment that comes as standard, the price tag is justified.

You get heaps of technology inside and out, including Apple CarPlay, tri-zone climate control and LED lighting. Volkswagen has also fitted its IQ.Drive driver assistance system, which include semi-autonomous functions such as lane-keeping assistant and constantly monitoring for potential collisions. Power comes from either a 2.0-litre, 140kW petrol-powered engine, mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. You’ll need to be happy with the standard configuration Volkswagen provides, as the only change you can make is for the exterior colour.

It’s smooth and precise to drive, and, like its Business moniker might suggest, you’re going to experience leisurely comfort as opposed to track-focused sportiness. But then, if you’re buying a Passat, then you’re likely buying it for work purposes and not something to throw around corners on a weekend drive.

Pros:

• Lots of standard kit
• Surprisingly engaging driving dynamics

Cons:

• Conservative styling
• Dual-clutch transmission still has a question mark hanging over it

Tesla Model S

Range: 652km
Price: Plaid – From $186,990 Drive Away

When the Tesla first burst onto the Australian scene in 2014, everybody suddenly took notice of electrification in vehicles. Since then, Tesla has continued to dominate the EV market, launching the Model 3 and Model X in the process, and announcing other forthcoming vehicles to join the group. Today, the Model S has undergone a few changes since its early days, which includes an upgrade in power, now sitting at over 1,000hp.

That gives it a 0-100km/h time of 2.1-seconds and a top speed of 322km/h (for the Plaid edition, anyway), which is quite frankly, ludicrous. Inside the interior has changed too, with the huge central tablet screen being made landscape instead of portrait, and the steering wheel being replaced with something that wouldn’t look too out of place in a Formula One car. It’s quite simply the epitome of what can be achieved when a car company wants to throw as much modern technology at a vehicle as possible.

With comfortable seating for four adults and pretty much every conceivable amenity you can think of, the Tesla Model S could well the perfect, future-proof family sedan. Just make sure you’ve got the money to part with first.

Pros:

• The ultimate combination of luxury, performance and technology
• You’re saving the planet

Cons:

• Having everything on the touchscreen might not be to your tastes
• Tesla fit and finish can be very inconsistent

Alfa Romeo Giulia (952)

Fuel Economy: 6L/100km
Price: From $69,426 Drive Away

The Alfa Romeo Giulia makes for a very exciting proposition. Finally, the Italian marque has released a worthy contender to the big German manufacturers of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. With three versions to choose from: Sport, Veloce or the M3-rivalling Giulia Quadrifoglio, there is plenty to persuade those who have a pre-conceived opinion about the Italian brand. Yes, Alfa has never been known as the king of reliability, but many ‘Alfisti’ will tell you that is part of their charm, and then of course there’s the long-held belief that you can’t truly call yourself a petrolhead until you’ve owned an Alfa.

For us, the Giulia is the first genuine contender to persuade buyers to think twice about their next sedan purchase. If looks alone could make you part with some cash, the Giulia should be far more common on Australian roads: it looks sublime from every angle. Then there’s the choice of engines across the three models. The base Sport model gets a rather excellent 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit producing 147kW, the Veloce sees that power increase to 206kW, while the range-topping Quadrifoglio gets a 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo with 375kW under your right foot.

You get plenty of standard equipment and rather excellent, subtle design touches across the board, with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and ultimately, it’s just a nice place to find yourself sitting behind the wheel. And behind the wheel is where you’re going to want to find yourself on a regular occurrence, because the Giulia, no matter which version you have, is an absolute joy to drive. It’s a true driver’s car, and will respond to wherever you want to place it. Want to go fast? It will happily oblige. Prefer a more leisurely drive? You’ll be kept feeling comfortable throughout.

Pros:

• Italian flair without having to spend Ferrari money
• Alfa have finally ditched their reliance on the Fiat/Chrysler parts bin

Cons:

• In true Alfa fashion, don’t expect it to be the most reliable car ever, although things have certainly improved
• Hard to justify against the Germans

Lexus IS (XE30)

Fuel Economy: 9.5L/100km (IS350)
Price: From $61,500 Drive Away

Similar to Alfa Romeo, Lexus is another brand that can often go under the radar when it comes to thinking about buying a new sedan. The Germans really do have the market cornered, but the Japanese brand is one that should definitely be considered. For starters, Lexus often exhibit incredible reliability, and even scores highly with regard to customer service. And now, Lexus has given the IS a complete overhaul both in terms of styling and what goes on underneath the rather good-looking body.

There are five models to choose from: two trim levels for the petrol-powered IS300; two for the hybrid-powered IS300h and the range-topping IS350, which gets a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 with 232kW of power. Something for everyone, then. Luckily, the driving experience has much-improved over preceding models too, with various changes made to the chassis and suspension that have resulted in a more planted ride that gives you a bit of confidence going into corners.

Inside, across the range, things are a standard Lexus affair. Luxurious and premium, without being so fancy that the price need not skyrocket. And, thankfully, for the incoming 2021 models, standard equipment has improved dramatically. Despite their solid reliability encouraging buyers to spend, they were then asked to part with a lot more cash for certain features we should come to expect from cars at this price. You now get some driver assistance packages, much-improved infotainment in the way of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto – although Lexus has remained a little stubborn and kept its somewhat dated UI. Of course, there are options you can choose from, which do ask for quite a bit extra, but on the whole, buyers will find much to like about the new range.

Pros:

• Reliability and build quality are second to none
• Aggressive styling does much to shake the ‘boring’ reputation

Cons

• Still not as many standard options compared to rivals
• Infotainment system remains a weak point

Subaru WRX

Fuel Economy: 9.2L/100km
Price: From $45,562 Drive Away

Subaru has had a bit of a play around with its model range of late. The Liberty is completely gone from the lineup, both the sedan and the wagon, replaced by just the Impreza as the only truly family-friendly sedan and hatchback in the range. But for those who love Subaru for its performance connotations – who can forget the bonkers Imprezas of old, not to mention the brand’s rally credentials – you’re served by the WRX. A more compact sedan offering compared to both the Impreza and some other cars on this list, the WRX – standing for “World Rally eXperimental” – is the distant cousin of the Subaru Impreza developed for the 1992 World Rally Championship.

That makes for incredibly exciting reading, for starters. And when you take a look at what you get as standard, even with the base model, that excitement only increases. 18-inch alloy wheels, Subaru’s EyeSight driver aid technology and a full suite of infotainment connectivity options are included as standard, with extra goodies being thrown in with both the WRX Premium and WRX STI models. The WRX and WRX Premium get 2.0-lite turbocharged boxer engines producing 197kW, while the STI, upholding its sporting reputation, gets a 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer delivering 227kW. The STI also comes with the iconic spoiler that made Imprezas so popular in the early ’90s.

Where some may feel the WRX is let down, however, is with the CVT automatic transmission. Fortunately, a 6-speed manual is offered across the range, but if you’re not attuned to driving a stick, you’ll either want to look elsewhere or make do with a box that doesn’t quite cut it for a performance vehicle.

Regardless, the WRX grips well when throwing it into corners (an experience amplified with the manual) coupled with a satisfying grunt from the engine. While perhaps not the most capable car for hauling a family (although it will fit four adults plus luggage), the WRX is an incredible car for those looking for a fast, well-handling car, with iconic history.

Pros:

• Rally car performance in a practical daily driver
• Impressive suite of driver aids

Cons:

• Somewhat underwhelming power increases over the outgoing model
• Bit of a bogan reputation

Genesis G70

Fuel Economy: 9L/100km
Price: From $63,000 Drive Away

Genesis, the luxury arm of South Korean brand Hyundai, could comfortably be called a dark horse. As with Hyundai, which has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, Genesis too offers some incredibly desirable cars, especially for the price tags, making genuinely worthwhile alternatives to cars from Europe. The G70 is a testament to that, and the latest 2021 model now comes in just two variants, down from the previous six. The base price has increased a few thousand, but Genesis has thrown in a lot of extra equipment as standard to justify it.

Engine choices are either a 2.0-litre four-cylinder offering 179kW and a 3.3-litre V6 delivering 274kW, giving you the simple choice of deciding if you want a comfortable cruiser, or something a little more exciting. Standard equipment includes a large 10.25-inch multimedia display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 19-inch alloys and leather seats, which are also powered. You also get a complete suite of driver aids, many of which you would expect to pay extra for with some other brands.

The drive from either G70 is exceptionally good, being comfortable at cruising speeds, and more than happy to oblige with great handling and grip when you decide to put your right foot down. The V6 would naturally be our pick for the pleasant grunt you get from the engine alone.

Pros:

• Unbelievable luxury for a highly competitive price
• Handsome

Cons:

• Brand recognition isn’t there yet
• Needs bigger engine options

Toyota Camry (XV70)

Fuel Economy: 4.6L/100km
Price: From $34, 734 Drive Away

The Toyota Camry has always been a solid choice for those looking for a mid-size sedan, not least because of the Japanese brand’s remarkable reliability. The latest range is no different, although there have been some changes, primarily in the form of power: every Camry (there are four trim levels) now comes with the brand’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid (the base Ascent can also be specced with a 2.0-litre petrol unit). That means no more 3.5-litre V6, unfortunately.

Standard equipment, even for the base model, is generous, and you can of course expect the list of features to increase and improve the further up the range you go. Practicality-wise, Toyota almost rules the roost, as the Camry offers plenty of space for a family inside, along with a plethora of intuitive storage options. And, while some may think a hybrid powertrain will mean the Camry will be a bit of a slouch, it’s anything but. Sure, it’s not going to be as performance-focused as some other cars on this list, but for an everyday driver, it’s at the top of its class.

Pros:

• Reliable and cheap. There’s a reason these sell well
• Completely effortless driving experience

Cons:

• Incredibly sterile and boring
• You’ll look like an Uber driver

Porsche Taycan

Range: Up to 420km
Price: From $174,693 Drive Away

Yep, believe it or not, the Porsche Taycan can be classified as a sedan, thanks to its four-door configuration and ample space inside for four adults. But, make no mistake, this is still a Porsche, and that means it’s incredibly quick and incredibly luxurious. It’s also the German marque’s first fully electrified vehicle, in response to forthcoming ban on combustion engines.

A leisurely family cruiser this is not. While it will settle and be comfortable at low speeds, you’re buying a Taycan for its performance, and boy does it perform. Being Porsche, and being electric, the Taycan is stupidly quick, with the ‘slowest’ 0-100km/h sprint time being 4-seconds. The range-topping Turbo S (which isn’t actually turbocharged) brings that time down to 2.8-seconds.

Inside its luxury and technology all the way, with barely a button in sight; touchscreens galore take their place. What most electric car buyers will want to know, however, is the range they can expect to get from their battery. The Taycan doesn’t lead the class here (that belongs to Tesla), and the most you can get from the Porsche is around 420km, thanks the the Performance Battery Plus add-on. But, as Porsche says, buyers won’t get a Taycan for the range, they’ll get one for the pure driving thrill and the speed it delivers, and for this, it’s exceptional.

• Looks like a spaceship and goes like one too. It’s a real Porsche
• Typically impeccable Porsche attention to detail

Cons:

• One of the least efficient EVs on the market, if you care about that sort of thing
• Second row seating not as good as a Panamera or Model S

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