What seven-seat SUV underneath $60k must you purchase?

If you’ve bought a rising household, you’d be foolish to not take into account a automobile that provides a 3rd row of seating.

Thankfully there are many three-row choices on the market so long as you want SUVs. Before you sort within the feedback, we’re properly conscious individuals movers just like the Kia Carnival, amongst others exist.

Sales knowledge nonetheless exhibits individuals are nonetheless gravitating towards SUVs over individuals movers.

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In this op-ed we’re focusing solely on seven-seat SUVs underneath the worth cap of $60,000 earlier than on-road prices.

The cause we’ve chosen the $60k value cap is as a result of the typical new automobile value in 2023 was round this quantity.

Below the CarExpert editorial staff have shared the seven-seat SUV underneath $60,000 they might purchase.

William Stopford: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

If you actually need most area for each passengers and baggage, you possibly can’t go previous a Kia Carnival… however that’s technically an eight-seater, and in my expertise making an attempt to persuade individuals to purchase a minivan is like making an attempt to persuade them to surrender espresso.

That leaves us with SUVs, and never all three-row SUVs are created equal. 

Take your X-Trails, CR-Vs and Outlanders, for instance. They nominally have a 3rd row of seating, however solely the smallest of kids will match again there. Better than nothing, however not nice.

Even some bigger SUVs don’t provide a 3rd row that’s actually hospitable, whereas usability is additional impacted by the shortage of child-seat anchor factors again there.

So, with out reservation, my alternative is the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Not solely does it have anchor factors for youngster seats within the third row, you possibly can truly match grown adults within the rearmost seats. I ought to know, I took the chance to be ferried round within the farthest row on the launch of the automobile in South Korea, and few SUVs can match it when it comes to consolation.

It additionally has a easy, responsive and environment friendly hybrid powertrain, in addition to loads of customary know-how. The styling is polarising, however that boxy form interprets to most practicality. I don’t even thoughts the funky material seats of the bottom mannequin.

This is a automobile I may see myself proudly owning, and I don’t even have youngsters but.

Another advice is the SsangYong Rexton, if you happen to want one thing with off-road capability. There are few automobiles extra slept on than the Rexton, which is completely loaded with package and sharply priced.

Interested in shopping for a Hyundai Santa Fe? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

MORE: Everything Hyundai Santa Fe

Jack Quick: Kia Sorento

The entry-level Kia Sorento S affords a substantial quantity for a surprisingly reasonably priced asking value.

This variant is priced from $50,680 earlier than on-roads with the petrol V6 and front-wheel drive, or $53,680 earlier than on-roads with the turbo-diesel and all-wheel drive. Both powertrains are nice in several methods and you’ll’t actually go unsuitable, although my private favorite is the diesel.

One of my favorite issues concerning the Sorento is how enjoyable and simple the motive force expertise is, particularly with the smaller 17-inch wheels fitted to the bottom mannequin. The entrance seats are additionally like armchairs, which means you possibly can eat up the kilometres on the freeway.

Something to notice is the Sorento affords correct ISOFIX and top-tether anchor factors within the third row, in contrast to another seven-seaters, which is a serious tick for these wanting to suit youngster seats. Only factor is there’s not correct airbag protection again there.

Another possibility if you happen to’re eager on carrying as many individuals as potential is the Kia Carnival, although it’s technically an eight-seater quite than a seven-seater. The entry-level S variant with the petrol V6 additionally simply undercuts the equal Sorento S when it comes to asking value.

Interested in shopping for a Kia Sorento? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

MORE: Everything Kia Sorento

James Wong: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

After spending every week within the least expensive new-gen Hyundai Santa Fe (assessment coming quickly), I used to be genuinely impressed with how a lot the Korean model has managed to squeeze into an entry-level variant for $55,000 plus on-road prices.

The hybrid drivetrain is fairly environment friendly relative to the previous V6, notably on the town, and the brand new boxy physique means there’s a heap more room for as much as seven individuals in comparison with the previous one.

Even higher, even the bottom grade is crammed with all the infotainment and help tech you’d ever want, and is sort of aligned with even the flagship Calligraphy.

There’s a number of goodness from the bottom grade, and I like the tartan material trim – identical to my Golf GTI that I by no means speak about…

Interested in shopping for a Hyundai Santa Fe? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

MORE: Everything Hyundai Santa Fe

Max Davies: Nissan X-Trail

It’s all the time been laborious to look previous the X-Trail within the SUV equation, and it appears Australians would agree.

It’s Nissan’s best-selling native mannequin up to now this 12 months (by some margin), and it out-does most of the different seven-seaters on this listing – besides the Outlander particularly.

But within the context of worth and luxury, I’d say the X-Trail has the Outlander beat. It’s cheaper throughout the vary and stays under $60,000 even on the high, however its inside feels extra up-to-date and is put collectively in fairly a convincing bundle.

There are seven-seat variations of the ST, ST-L, and N-Trek, which all provide all-wheel drive as customary in that configuration. All can be found for lower than $50,000 too, besides the N-Trek, which is simply $890 over that threshold earlier than on-roads.

The X-Trail is constructed from a stable method, and also you’d be making a sensible choice if you happen to purchased one as a less expensive seven-seater. The solely means it may get any higher is that if Nissan brings out seven-seat e-Power choices…

Interested in shopping for a Nissan X-Trail? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

MORE: Everything Nissan X-Trail

Jordan Mulach: Kia Sorento

Unfortunately, I’m a greater man than a cheat, so what I believed was going to be fairly a cheeky concept of speccing a Ford Everest Ambiente 4×4 with seven seats is available in simply over price range. Darn.

It’s a powerful discipline of contenders if you happen to’re available in the market for a seven-seater at this value level, and although it’s an all-SUV present not less than there’s some variance between unibody and ladder-frame choices.

If I used to be the off-roading sort who loved tenting, it’s very laborious to go previous an MU-X, because it’s actually the closest competitor to the Everest, not solely in gross sales but in addition capability.

However, I like staying in inns and never sacrificing consolation, which is why the Kia Sorento is my choose. At this value level you’re restricted to no larger than the Sport in order for you the two.2-litre turbo-diesel, which is by all accounts the engine of alternative – particularly because the petrol V6 doesn’t get all-wheel drive.

It’s a good-looking factor, spacious and environment friendly. That’s a number of field ticking.

Alternatively, if there was any leftover inventory of the last-gen Santa Fe I’d have an interest, as the brand new mannequin hasn’t but grown on me. Time may change although, and its spectacular hybrid system is a novel feather in its cap amongst rivals at this value.

Interested in shopping for a Kia Sorento? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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Josh Nevett: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max

If you possibly can look previous the foolish identify, the Tiggo 8 Pro Max affords glorious worth for a sub-$50k seven-seat SUV – it’s a well-rounded bundle with few weaknesses.

I reviewed the flagship Ultimate and was totally impressed by the luxurious inside and easy, purposeful powertrain. In some ways Chery’s largest providing feels far dearer than it’s.

And it’s not such as you lose out on essential issues like practicality or aftersales help, both. The Tiggo 8 has three usable rows of seating and a seven-year guarantee, what’s to not love?

For one, the lively driver assists nonetheless want work, as is the case with many new automobiles. Chery is already honing its ADAS for the Australian market, so I’m hopeful that enhancements aren’t far-off. The gas consumption additionally left me dissatisfied.

However, on stability, the Chery is my winner primarily based on bang-for-buck.

If you’re after extra of a identified amount, the outgoing Skoda Kodiaq Sportline will be had for a cut price proper now ($51,990 drive-away), and it has a refreshingly flat studying curve in comparison with screen-heavy, button-free SUVs just like the Chery.

Interested in shopping for a Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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