If you have a large family and are looking at 7-seater cars, luck is on your side. There are lots of great alternatives on the market for growing families, avid car campers, road-trippers and anybody who loves the freedom that extra space provides. Today's seven-seaters are jam-packed with innovative safety measures to give your family total confidence when travelling on or off the road. Here are our Top 10 seven-seat family vehicles (in no particular order).
Toyota Kluger
With all-independent suspension and a powerful engine, this large, robust high-rider takes its off-road capabilities seriously.
The Toyota Kluger's spacious interior and emphasis on safety and comfort have made it a popular option among Australian families who appreciate how well it handles difficult roads.
You have the option of front-wheel or four-wheel drive and, despite its capacity, it is a remarkably quiet vehicle that can be used as a people mover or an off-road explorer.
From the entry-level GX to the top-of-the-line AWD Grande, there's a Kluger for any budget.
You'll receive a pleasant ride, plenty of safety features, and plenty of useable room regardless of the version you select. Prices for the Kluger range from $44,850 for the Kluger GX (4X2) to $77,575 for the Kluger Grande AWD.
Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade, which will be released in 2021, is the Korean automaker's largest and most costly SUV vehicle to date.
The vehicle is aimed at families that want a large SUV but do not require a heavy-duty off-roader or the ability to pull heavy cargo. The Hyundai Palisade comes in two levels of luxury, both of which have leather seats. As a standard feature, the flagship Highlander provides a choice of seven or eight seats.
The front-wheel-drive petrol V6 models start at $60,000 and $71,000, respectively, including on-road charges. The diesel all-wheel-drive models start at $64,000 and $75,000, respectively, plus on-road costs.
Kia Sorento
Kia's biggest SUV (and only seven-seater) is available with AWD or front-wheel drive, as well as petrol or diesel engines.
It's a popular family vehicle and capable off-roader with lots of technology to keep the driver in control. It feels spacious inside and ranks highly for safety, with a high-quality braking system.
The Kia Sorento is one of the most affordable SUVs in its class, and it doesn't consume a lot of fuel.
With an outstanding infotainment system and reversing camera, even the basic model is good value.
The cabin is quiet and tasteful, the ride is comfortable, and a seven-year warranty is included.
The Kia Sorento starts at $46,850 for the Sorento S 7 Seat up to $79,330 for the top-spec Sorento GT-Line 7 Seat Phev AWD.
Mazda CX-9
This is the petrol variant of Mazda's CX-8 diesel, which was selected at Car of the Year by Wheels magazine in 2017.
It's a well-built, sharp-looking SUV that comes equipped with automatic emergency braking.
All-wheel drive is available on demand, and the third row seats can accommodate two average-sized people.
Even on extended road journeys, the Mazda CX-9 is substantially quieter than previous models, and its large, inviting interior and seats pass the comfort test with flying colours.
There's a lot of storage space, and the knobs and instruments are all in the right places.
The CX-9 has the best handling of any big SUV for its price, with precise steering and super-responsive brakes.
There are nine variants on offer and prices range from $45,920 for the CX-9 Sport (FWD) to $73,875 for the CX-9 Azami (awd) LE.
Toyota LandCruiser Prado
The Toyota LandCruiser Prado, which was based on the HiLux ute's design, made its debut in Australia in 1996. Since then, the Toyota LandCruiser Prado has become the best-selling vehicle in the big SUV sector. The upgraded 2.8 litre turbo-diesel engine delivers 150kW and 500Nm of torque. A third row of seats, standard on GXL models and above means you’ve got space for seven. A 3,000kg braked towing capacity means you don’t have to leave anything behind.
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado ranges from $59,840 to $87,807 for the 2021 SUV across a range of models.
Isuzu MU-X
The tough Isuzu MU-X is a 4x4 wagon based on the company's only other passenger vehicle, the D-Max ute. The new MU-X has gone upscale in terms of features, elegance, and price, and has long been favoured by active families and people who tow for its robust capabilities and value. It's also more powerful, safer, smarter, more versatile, with a class-leading 3.5-tonne towing capacity to capitalise on the growing popularity of domestic tourism and the great Australian road trip.
The all-new Isuzu MU-X for 2021 has a lot to live up to.
The Isuzu MU-X is priced from $43,900 to $65,900 for the 2021 SUV across a range of models.
Nissan Pathfinder
Today's Nissan Pathfinder has kept the same exterior appearance it had in 2013 - which isn't a bad thing at all. It's soundproofed, packed with safety equipment, and large enough to keep even the most active family satisfied.
It received a significant safety overhaul in 2019 and is available in both petrol and hybrid versions.
Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and airbags that expand to cover the third row of seats are included in the popular ST+ variant.
The Pathfinder is designed with children in mind, with lots of tether points for kids car seats.
The Pathfinder ST (2WD) starts at $44,240, with the price increasing to $70,140 for the range-topping, Pathfinder TI Hybrid (4WD).
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The all-new seven-seat WL Jeep Grand Cherokee L has made its North American debut ahead of its arrival in Australia in late 2021. The new Grand Cherokee is the first new Grand Cherokee since the fourth-generation model was introduced in 2011, and it is also the first to be offered with seven seats. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L comes with a slew of safety features, including standard airbags as well as active safety features like frontal collision warning, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping, and adaptive cruise control. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L's stock engine is the brand's classic 3.6-liter petrol V6. It's a reliable engine that's been around for a long time and has been recently updated.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is available from $59,950 to $140,450 for the 2021 SUV across a range of models.
Prices for the Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021 vary from $59,950 for the base SUV Grand Cherokee Night Eagle (4X4) to $140,450 for the top-of-the-line SUV Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (4X4).
Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a popular SUV among Australian families, and the new-generation model is now available. The Mitsubishi Outlander is a big but still mid-sized SUV that competes with the Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester, and Kia Sportage. Outlander will be available as a plug-in hybrid variant in the near future. The Outlander has a distinct advantage over other mid-size SUVs in that it can accommodate seven passengers. This new-generation SUV appears to be well-built, solid, and stylish.
The entry-level Outlander ES 5 Seat (2WD) costs $29,990, while the top-of-the-line Outlander Phev Exceed 5 Seat (awd) costs $56,490.
Volvo XC-90
The Volvo XC90, the Swedish manufacturer's biggest SUV, was initially introduced in 2002. The XC90 is available with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, as well as five or seven seats and front- or all-wheel drive. It's also the first model produced in China since Geely acquired the firm in 2010. The Volvo XC90 is now available in three model levels, each with a four-cylinder engine that may be turbocharged or supercharged. The XC90 T8 R-Design is now the top-of-the-line model, with a hybrid powertrain producing 235kW and 400Nm.
Prices for the Volvo XC90 2021 vary from $86,990 for the base SUV XC90 B5 Momentum Mhev to $116,990 for the top-of-the-line SUV XC90 Recharge Phev.