When the boss of arguably Australia’s most successful and profitable car brand says conventional sedans have lost relevance with car buyers, you take notice.

That’s the viewpoint of Mazda Australia boss, Martin Benders, but it’s an opinion that I’d suggest is not unique.

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Every brand is looking hard at the changing habits of Australia new car buyers – indeed, the habits of new car buyers across the globe. Sit through any dissertation of car brands’ plans for 2016 and beyond and you’re left with two take-outs. They’re all going to sell more cars and the growth is largely sheeted home to a wider choice of crossover models.

What’s this say for the most elegant and refined of car types – the four-door sedan? Nothing good, I’d wager.

Mazda says it will seek to engage more ‘corporate’ buyers with its 6 sedan (arguably the most ‘conventional’ car in its line-up) in the next couple of years, but in the same breath admits that medium cars and especially four-doors are a segment from which private and user-chooser buyers (i.e. novated lease customers) are running away.

We’re flocking like sheep to crossovers. Already, in a year that will result in new records for the Australian new car market as a whole and brands like Mazda, Volkswagen and less mainstream Euros like Renault, less than half the new vehicles sold are ‘conventional’ passenger cars. And it’s a trend that can’t help but accelerate.

SUVs now account for more than one third of new vehicles in terms of total new registrations Down Under. Add in Light Commercials (utes and dual-cabs mainly; many defacto SUVs by dint of their family friendly equipment and targeting) and the high-riding set could nudge 60 per cent of the Aussie market by year end.

Buyers are running to pick up SUVs. Photo: Getty

Nissan has all but exited passenger cars. Mitsubishi’s entry into the most populous passenger car segment (Lancer) won’t be replaced for another two years – if ever.

Even Aussie stalwart brand Holden is eyeing off the crossover segment with barely controlled lust. As it seeks to recover sales and market share and plans an orderly exit from local manufacturing, GM’s local arm is talking of a step change in the number of SUVs it offers to local buyers.

I get the impression that if new CEO and MD, Mark Bernhard, could magic wand the change from Commodore Car Company to Captiva Crossover Corporation overnight he’d be donning a cloak and changing his name to Harry quick smart.

The message that the benefits of SUVs are more perceived than actual is lost on Aussies.

That high-riding driving position occasions bigger compromises between comfort and dynamics than in an equivalently proportion sedan. The ‘flexibility’ of an SUV’s cabin design is in actuality rarely ‘smarter’ than the best hatches and wagons. There are also inherent security issues with all ‘two-box’ designs. And it’s no accident the most awarded and safest cars in the world are typically sedans.

That SUVs are in vogue suits car companies. For a given size, SUVs are typically built on the next size down ‘platform’ (the automotive term for the building blocks of a particular car family) but attract prices one segment higher. Or better still, they’re based on much cheaper commercial vehicles.

Take Ford’s new incendiary Everest for example. Underneath the admittedly handsome exterior is the Ranger truck – yet Everest is thousands of dollars more expensive than any Falcon.

Mazda’s stellar seller the new CX-3 is essentially a Mazda 2 on longer springs – with an average transaction price that’s in the region of 25 per cent higher than the hatch.

But the flight of Aussies to what used to be called Toorak Tractors has reached breakneck speed – compound acceleration that has surprised even yours truly.

So at the risk of repeating myself, new car buyers please give thought to how you and/or your family’s automotive needs are best served. And instead of joining the Light Truck lemmings, take a deep breath and consider the sedan and wagon alternatives.

Our favourite sedans (and wagons)

Volkswagen Passat: from $38,990

The archetypal German marque might have its compliance woes at the moment but in that there’s scope to do some extra hard bargaining. The latest Passat is a very polished vehicle that delivers a dose of luxury at mainstream prices. Diesels are unaffected by the emission scandal.

Photo: Getty

Holden Commodore SS V Redline: from $53,990

One of the world’s most surprisingly polished sedans and a performance bargain. Doesn’t quite have the cabin polish of the Europeans but connectivity is good and there’s space to burn. The Sportwagon version is especially attractive and 300kW plus V8 is a petrol head’s dream.

Photo: Motoring.com.au

Mazda 6: from $32,540

The most refined Mazda sedan (and wagon) ever. Design flair outside is unmistakably Japanese but far from apologist. Excellent interior complete with Benz-aping single point infotainment control. Diesel powertrain is impressive but so too is 2.5-litre petrol from entry level.

Photo: Getty

Jaguar XE and XF: from $60,400

This storied UK brand is in the midst of a wholesale re-invention of its products (it’s even got a bloody SUV on the way!) and the 3 and 5 Series-sized XE and XF are proof that it’s heading in the right direction. Turbo-diesel drivetrains are the newest in their respective segments and offer a wonderful blend of performance, economy and realistic purchase price. Reliability woes are a thing of the past – and Jaguar Australia is about to institute a guaranteed future value program that should take care of the fiscal concerns of buyers.

Photo: Getty

Mercedes-Benz S-Class: from $216,700

Grand, gargantuan and great – in every way. S-Class defines the word limousine for many with some justification. In its latest versions it offers unrivalled comfort, sky-high equipment levels and a choice of personalisation options that will keep even the most assiduous atelier happy. Try the Maybach version for extra impact: nine out of 10 plutocrats cant be wrong.

Photo: Getty