The reasonably priced seven-seat SUVs the CarExpert group would purchase

Selecting a seven-seat household SUV is critically powerful.

There are mid-sized choices just like the Honda CR-V with small seats within the boot for part-time use, bigger choices such because the Hyundai Santa Fe with more room within the third row, and extra-large household haulers with American inspiration such because the Hyundai Palisade competing on your consideration – they usually all have one thing to supply.

Luxurious manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover have smaller choices within the GLB and Discovery Sport respectively, whereas the Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and Isuzu MU-X are fashionable amongst adventurous homeowners who need to head off-road.

Is your head spinning but?

For the needs of this text, we’ve set a finances cap of $90,000 earlier than on-road prices. We’ll wade by greater automobiles such because the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser at a later date.

A couple of automobiles from the perimeter of that $90,000 marker – suppose Jeep Grand Cherokee L – have additionally been excluded, as they’re extra aligned with the autos within the phase above.

The choices obtainable to our group are beneath:

Scott Collie: Kia Sorento

Kia has advanced the Sorento from a utilitarian household hauler into an opulent flagship, but it surely hasn’t forgotten about its sensible roots.

The GT-Line options quilted Nappa leather-based seat trim, flashy massive screens, and a thumping stereo – but it surely additionally has acres of house for passengers in each the second and third rows, and packs a boot sufficiently big to comfortably deal with all of the package that comes with a household weekend away.

Though it’s costlier than the petrol, the diesel brings two key enhancements. The primary is all-wheel drive, which is a should in any household SUV of mine as a result of I like heading to the snow. in Australia, the V6 petrol is front-wheel drive solely.

The second is the effectivity. The diesel is frightening environment friendly on the open street, sipping like a a lot smaller automobile.

Sure, there’s a PHEV however no, I don’t need one. There’s no level lugging round an enormous battery and electrical motor in a automobile that’s going to do lengthy stints on the open street – and paying street tax in Victoria for the privilege.

James Wong: Hyundai Palisade

Quite a lot of seven-seat or eight-seat SUVs aren’t significantly good seven seaters. That’s, till the Hyundai Palisade got here alongside.

The Korean SUV cousin to the Kia Carnival, which appears to be like one thing of a mini Cadillac Escalade, is a correct three-row crossover with house for as much as eight – although an eighth individual within the third row can be a bit squished.

Hyundai’s product planners have additionally allowed me to specify the quintessential JWo mixture too – Strong Inexperienced metallic paint over Black/Darkish Khaki Nappa leather-based. Sure, you possibly can really do this.

Meaning I’m restricted to the top-spec Highlander trim, although. I might go for the two.2-litre diesel with AWD (from $78,370) and select the seven-seat inside with second-row captain’s chairs for max baller vibes. Who wants a premium badge with that form of selection?

Tied for second place if I’ve to choose goes to the Kia Sorento GT-Line HEV (restricted color/trim choices – you Kia) and the fully-optioned Skoda Kodiaq Model, each providing premium presentation, options and refinement for attainable cash.

Jack Fast: Skoda Kodiaq RS

If I used to be out there for a seven-seat household SUV I believe I’d have to choose one thing that oozes just a bit little bit of enjoyable, which brings me to the Skoda Kodiaq RS.

I’m an enormous fan of its 2.0-litre ‘EA888’ four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that options within the likes of the VW Golf GTI, amongst others, and produces 180kW and 370Nm.

Out of the listing supplied the Kodiaq RS appears to be like, feels and drives just like the sportiest seven-seat SUV providing. Certain the third row is a bit of compromised however you’ll get to your vacation spot in report time.

One other factor to contemplate is the current-generation Kodiaq is nearing the tip of its life as a brand new mannequin is about to be revealed quickly. At this stage it’s unclear if there can be an RS model of the brand new mannequin.

I’ll add that past the Kodiaq RS I’m very a lot wanting ahead to the new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, which I perceive will most definitely be by no means sporty, however appears to be like completely bananas in one of the best ways attainable.

Jade Credentino: Hyundai Palisade… or SsangYong Rexton

That is such a tricky one as a result of there are such a lot of components when buying a seven-seat household SUV that consumers want to contemplate…

The highest 5 issues I at all times contemplate for individuals who ask me what my high seven-seat SUVs is, are:

• Top from the bottom: can the children get simply out and in of the automobile?
• Remaining boot house when the third row is in use: can I match my day-to-day cargo?
• Expertise together with security and infotainment
• Gas effectivity: price to run week-to-week?
• Price range together with resale worth, buy worth, servicing prices

If I had all day I may speak about all of the issues a purchaser ought to contemplate earlier than dropping between $60,000 and $90,000 on a automobile which they might greater than doubtless personal for as much as eight years.

Based mostly on the 5 parameters above the Hyundai Palisade Highlander scored the best. If I needed to choose a extra reasonably priced possibility I might say consumers can’t go previous the Ssangyong Rexton.

Tony Crawford: Mercedes-Benz GLB

If we have been speaking in regards to the way more good-looking 2024 Honda CR-V, I’d be shopping for that fingers down and placing the develop into my account, however I’m not a fan of the present styling so I’m going with the Mercedes-Benz GLB as a substitute.

It’s nearer to the GLC in measurement than the GLA and though I’m just about obsessive about the GLB 35 AMG because of its additional all-round efficiency, I’d be fairly pleased with a GLB 250 4Matic.

It’s that extra rugged, boxy, utilitarian design that I like – however the tech and bling additionally resonate with me.

William Stopford: Hyundai Santa Fe or Palisade

I’m torn between two Hyundais.

The Santa Fe is on the verge of being changed, however the just lately launched (to Australia) hybrid powertrain affords a mix of refinement, efficiency and gas effectivity I discover pleasing.

It’s not precisely a looker, however the availability right here of non-black interiors is a reduction. The subsequent-gen Santa Fe appears to be like promising and may very well be well worth the wait, however that exterior styling goes to take me some time to get used to.

The boxy Palisade is well one of many best-packaged autos in its phase, with a 3rd row that may match adults and an attractively introduced cabin. It’s a pity, although, you need to get the diesel to get all-wheel drive, whereas the petrol engine is a thirsty V6. Now, if the Palisade may very well be had with a hybrid…