New Car Buyer's Guide: Five Best Family SUVs

The Korean brand is making a habit of creating eye-catching designs, and the exterior aesthetic of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is certainly one of them. It’s almost like an exploratory vehicle to ferry families across the moon – something that will surely excite the kids.

And there’s loads of space for them, too. The bold fifth-generation Santa Fe doesn’t compromise on practicality, which means there’s space for seven occupants as well as a big 628-litre boot. The driving dynamics are sound and it’s safe, too.

The range is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating and includes 10 airbags, a host of active systems and a 360-degree camera, which is invaluable when reversing around active children.

Tech is covered off by the dual 12.3-inch screens, but top-spec variants have a sanitising compartment that uses ultraviolet light to burn away viruses and germs.

The range is powered by either a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine (206kW/422Nm) or a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid. The latter, with a combined output of 172kW/367Nm and an average fuel consumption of 5.6L/100km, is the pick for urban buyers. It’s transition from EV to petrol power is seamless and the hybrid system is more advanced than Toyota’s, not just because it’s capable of much higher EV-only speeds.

Hyundai offers a pair of jacked-up XRT option packs for those punters who want to go off-road – but they add between $6990 and $10,990 to the asking price. Speaking of which, the range opens from $54,400 (plus ORCs) for the entry-level front-drive turbo-petrol.

Hyundai recently upped its warranty to seven years/unlimited kilometres to put it on par with the likes of Kia and Skoda, while a pre-paid service plan locks in the first five years (or 50,000km) of servicing at $2469, or around $500 per annum – competitive in this segment, even if the 10,000km/12-month intervals aren’t cutting edge.

2026 Santa Fe at a glance:
Price: $54,400 to $77,150 (plus ORCs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol hybrid (172kW/367Nm combined); 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol (206kW/422Nm)
Fuel: 5.6 to 9.1L/100km
Warranty: Seven years/unlimited kilometres
Servicing: Five years of pre-paid servicing ($2469)
Safety: Five-star (ANCAP 2024)

From its origins as a budget-focused family hauler, the fourth-generation 2026 Kia Sorento’s metamorphosis is stark. The Korean seven-seat SUV is now an upmarket player and priced accordingly, yet it doesn’t completely turn its back on value.

With the inefficient but affordable V6 petrol engine being phased out, the lineup now comprises both plug-less (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains as well as an all-paw turbo-diesel, which is increasingly rare these days.

The turbo-diesel still makes a lot of sense considering it's $5000 cheaper than the equivalent all-wheel drive HEV and $16,500 less than the PHEV upfront. Although a case could be made for the HEV given the PHEV commands an $11,500 premium.

The Sorento is now predominately all-wheel drive, with the diesel offering a theoretical 1200km-plus range and like Santa Fe (with which is shares its underpinnings), it’s a highly versatile large family SUV.

Proof that Kia’s progression up the monetary food chain is working is the number of buyers purchasing the top-spec GT-Line variants. It isn’t short on tech, family-friendly features and pragmatic luxe appeal.

In seven-seat mode the boot is a compromised 179 litres, but that expands to 608L with the third row stowed.

It’s safe too, with the Sorento covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Lane Follow Assist 2 has been added for 2026 models, while it also accepts over-the-air (OTA) updates and can be monitored remotely via an app.

2026 Kia Sorento at a glance:
Price: $51,630 to $86,040 (plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (148kW/440Nm); 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol hybrid (169kW/350Nm); 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol electric (195kW/350Nm)
Fuel: 1.6 to 6.0L/100km
Warranty: Seven years/unlimited kilometres
Servicing: Seven years of capped-price servicing (Diesel: $3831)
Safety: Five-star (ANCAP 2024)

The Aussie market can be reluctant to accept change. For car companies, being a fence sitter isn’t always a bad thing. This is why Kia continues to offer petrol, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines alongside its newfangled hybrid (HEV) systems in the 2026 Sportage.

In fact, the turbo-diesel unit is the last one offered in the medium SUV ranks – even the Hyundai Tucson doesn’t offer one, despite having the same bones.

And while the virtues of diesel should still be championed for its mile-crushing frugality, the addition of all-wheel drive (AWD) to the HEV lineup makes it a winner. Front-drive versions start just under $45,000 plus on-roads. If you live in the city, it’s certainly the pick owing to its very impressive fuel economy (4.9L/100km).

However, given the flagship GT-Line HEV AWD is getting expensive at $60,370, it’s also worth mentioning the Hyundai Tucson presents as an appealing buy with similar features and dimensions.

But the Kia gets Aussie-tuned suspension and its on-road competence is matched with an appealing, tech-filled cabin. The entry-level variants miss out on some features, but the Sportage is spacious front and back; the boot offers 586 litres of cargo capacity – capacious for a medium SUV.

It comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating (and a mute button for speed zone warning), while the warranty is seven years/unlimited kilometres. The HEV costs $4032 to service over seven years.

2026 Kia Sportage at a glance:
Price: $44,450 to $60,370 (plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol (115kW/192Nm), 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol (132kW/265Nm), 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (137kW/416Nm); 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol hybrid (169kW/350Nm)
Fuel: 4.6L/100km (HEV)
Warranty: Seven years/unlimited kilometres
Servicing: Seven years of capped-price servicing (HEV: $4032)
Safety: Five-star (ANCAP 2024) 

Few carmakers bother to Australianise a specific model’s dynamic package – Kia is one, and now Mitsubishi is another. The Japanese brand tweaked the suspension and steering of the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander just for us.

Admittedly, it needed to happen. But the results speak for themselves, with the seven-seat Outlander dealing with patchy roads far better than before. Overall, it drives very nicely for a medium SUV.

Inside, the cabin is a big step forward for the brand. Quality materials abound and the overhauled tech is easy to use and nice to look at. Yet, in the pursuit of a five-star ANCAP safety rating (2025), the Outlander has become annoying with overzealous driver monitoring and speed sign recognition.

Being a medium SUV with three rows, seven-seat cargo capacity is limited to 163 litres with the third row in play, but that expands to 478L when they’re stowed into the floor.

The 2.5-litre petrol engine (135kW/244Nm) is undoubtedly the weak link, especially in terms of efficiency given we recorded 9.2L/100km over a week. A few saving graces are that it accepts cheaper 91 RON unleaded and the purchase price starts at an amenable $39,990 (plus ORCs).

Provided you’ve got the budget, the Outlander to buy is the plug-in hybrid version which starts from $58,990 and tops out at $74,490, however its 221kW peak power output and 105km electric cruising range are welcome upgrades over the base petrol.

Meet the annual dealership servicing requirements and Mitsubishi’s 10-year/200,000km warranty is almost class-leading, while servicing comes to $1825 for five years (or $4571 for 10 years) for the petrol – also very sharp.

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander at a glance:
Price: $39,990 to $74,490 (plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol (135kW/244Nm), 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric (221kW combined)
Fuel: 1.2 to 8.1L/100km
Warranty: 10 years/200,000 kilometres (conditional)
Servicing: Five years of capped-price servicing ($1825)
Safety: Five-star (ANCAP 2025)

The Subaru Outback has always gone about its business in its own unique way; not quite an SUV, but not your standard wagon either. Indeed, the Japanese brand carved a new niche the market didn’t know it needed.

However, that’s changed with the box-fresh seventh-generation Outback. Opinions on styling are subjective, but the 2026 Subaru Outback now has a distinct SUV flavour.

We now also get the Wilderness variants for those who want more ruggedness, but it does come at quite a cost, starting from $59,690 before on-roads.

The spend is largely justified by the turbocharged 2.4-litre boxer engine (194kW/382Nm) and electronic suspension, both of which are exclusive to the two Wilderness grades.

The combination significantly boosts performance over the lacklustre naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine in the standard grades, which start from just under $50,000, while the flash suspension adds an extra layer of refinement.

Fuel use increases in the more powerful engine, but many will find it an agreeable trade off.

A lifted ride height of 20mm, two off-road modes, revised gearing and bumpers add credence to the Wilderness nameplate.

All variants come with the brand’s venerable symmetrical all-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Still, it’s safe to say the Outback retains its ‘do-everything’ mentality. There’s water-repellent upholstery inside, matched with large digital screens and all the tech (smartphone mirroring) and comfort (powered/heated/cooled seats) depending on the variant you choose.

Space is also plentiful in terms of rear-seat legroom and cargo capacity, at 580 litres.

Subaru’s Eyesight safety suite is generally impressive (with some annoyances), while ANCAP safety testing is incoming.

The Outback is covered by the brand’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of capped-price servicing totals $2347 for the Wilderness.

2026 Subaru Outback at a glance:
Price: $48,990 to $62,690 (plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol (137kW/254Nm); 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol (194kW/382Nm)
Fuel: 8.1 to 9.7L/100km
Warranty: Five years/unlimited kilometres
Servicing: Five years of capped-price servicing (2.5: $2351, 2.4T: $2347)
Safety: Not tested

Need new car buying advice? You're in the right place. Start here

Related: New Car Buyer's Guide: Five Best City Cars
Related: New Car Buyer's Guide: Five Best Tradie Vehicles
Related: New Car Buyer's Guide: Five Best EVs