The dilemma

Brendan's 2002 Toyota Camry wagon has been a great first car for him. Now, though, he's ready for something that has a bit of high-performance appeal while retaining practicality he depends on (he's a keen cyclist and regularly transports his bikes). He's been looking at used Volkswagen Passat R36 wagons but wants to know what else might be worth looking at.

The budget

About $20,000

The shortlist

The list of performance wagons, even on an unlimited budget, isn't a big one. In this realm it's even smaller, especially when some possibilities are either likely to be too small for this scenario (Mini Cooper S Clubman) or too big, burly and out of character for someone with an R36 as their yardstick (Holden Commodore SS-V Sportwagon).

There are, though, a couple that stand out. Skoda offers some in-house competition with a pepped-up version of its Octavia. Subaru, too, has a sporty version of its Liberty that also aligns nicely with Brendan's criteria and budget.

2010-14 Skoda Octavia RS147 wagon, from $10,800*

This Skoda wagon has similar-sized boot to the Passat (580/1620 litres), a similarly assured handle of the performance fundamentals and its VW Group origins endow it with a vaguely similar feel.

But it uses less fuel (7.7L/100km) and you can target a later-year example for this money, something that flows through to how much of their respective six-year/90,000km fixed-price servicing deals you can tap into (i.e. some with the Skoda, likely none with the VW).

The RS's 147kW 2.0-litre turbo four, however, serves up less go and aural drama than the Passat's burly V6. It has less back-seat space, inferior traction (it's front-drive rather than all-wheel-drive) and its steering could be sharper.

Just like its cousin, it has the odd reliability question mark, its ride is occasionally too firm and you'll need a suitably optioned car to gain certain features that are desirable in 2017 (sat-nav, reversing camera).

Read Drive's Skoda Octavia reviews:

Used review: Skoda Octavia RS

2009-14 Subaru Liberty GT wagon, from $13,500*

This Subaru wagon is a blockier looking thing than its VW Group rivals and its cabin – while obviously well put-together – feels cheaper, chintzier.

It's this group's wooden spooner for five-up boot capacity (490 litres), asks for the most frequent servicing (six-monthly/12,500km versus yearly/15,000km) and doesn't fall under the umbrella of Subaru's fixed-price servicing scheme.

But the GT's 195kW 2.5-litre turbo engine – which is more powerful, more sprightly than the Skoda's but less thirsty than the VW's (9.7L/100km) – might just land on this group's best real-world balance.

Its AWD chassis, while softer and fractionally less precise as a cornering tool than a truly mind-altering driver's car, delivers big fun without big ride-comfort niggles.

It has this group's biggest two-up boot capacity (1690 litres), loads of space, solid reliability prospects (assuming it's serviced correctly) and a full-fat specification that includes sat-nav and reversing camera.

Read Drive's Subaru Liberty reviews:

Used review: Subaru Liberty GT

2008-11 Volkswagen Passat R36 wagon, from $12,100*

This VW's 220kW 3.6-litre V6 is this group's most powerful and sonically appealing (where its turbo rivals whoosh, it warbles and screams).

That, and an AWD chassis that delivers impressively foolproof, hunkered-down handling, make for an intoxicating experience.

The Passat's cabin, with its upmarket ambience, thoughtful detailing and good occupant space, is another big tempter. As its boot (588/1641 litres).

But it's also this group's drinker (10.7L/100km), its firm ride can be testing on poor roads and – unlike its rivals – there's no manual option.

Brendan will have to settle for an older build date than a similarly priced Skoda but – short of finding a suitably optioned example – might not get sat-nav and reversing camera like he would with the Subaru. Reliability niggles aren't unheard of.

Read Drive's Volkswagen Passat reviews:

Used review: Volkswagen Passat R36

Drive recommends

If this whole exercise for Brendan is all about maximising the emotional reward and he's happy to pay a little more to get it, he should stick with his current yardstick. If he wants a bit of fun but doesn't want to sacrifice on equipment or the dependability he's grown used to with his Camry, the Subaru might be the smarter choice.

And the Skoda? It's not without the odd question mark but it's also closer to his desired 'vibe' than the GT, easier to own than the R36 and a better buy than both. That might just make it the best of both worlds.

* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.