What seven-passenger SUV under $60,000 should you buy?

If your family is growing, you’d be foolish not to consider a car with a third row of seats.

Thankfully, there are plenty of three-row options as long as you like SUVs. Before you comment, we are well aware of the existence of MRTs such as the Kia Carnival.

However, sales figures show that people still prefer SUVs to passenger vehicles.

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In this column, we focus exclusively on seven-seat SUVs with a price ceiling of $60,000 before on-road costs.

The reason we chose the $60,000 price cap is that the average price of a new car in 2023 will be about that amount.

under car expert The editorial team shares the seven-passenger SUVs they would buy under $60,000.

William Stopford: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

If you really want maximum space for passengers and luggage, you can’t go past the Kia Carnival…but that’s technically an eight-passenger car, and in my experience, trying to convince people to buy a minivan is like trying to convince They serve coffee.

That leaves SUVs, but not all three-row SUVs are created equal.

Take X-Trails, CR-Vs and Outlanders, for example. They nominally have a third row of seats, but only the youngest children can sit in the back. Better than nothing, but not great either.

Even some larger SUVs don’t offer a truly comfortable third row, and the lack of child-seat anchors in the back further hampers usability.

So, without reservation, my choice is the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Not only does it have anchor points for child seats in the third row, you can actually fit adults in the rearmost seats. You know, I took advantage of the Korean launch event to be ferried in the farthest row. Few SUVs can match it in terms of comfort.

It also has a smooth, responsive and efficient hybrid powertrain, as well as plenty of standard technology. Styling is polarizing, but the boxy shape translates into maximum practicality. I don’t even mind the funky cloth seats on the base model.

This is a car I could own and I don’t have kids yet.

If you need a vehicle with off-road capabilities, another suggestion is the Ssangyong Rexton. There are few cars better suited to sleeping in than the Rexton, which is absolutely well-equipped and expensive.

Interested in buying a Hyundai Santa Fe? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

More: Everything about Hyundai Santa Fe

Jack Quick: Kia Sorento

The entry-level Kia Sorento S offers quite a bit for its surprisingly affordable asking price.

It’s priced from $50,680 on-the-road with the V6 petrol engine and front-wheel drive, or $53,680 on-the-road with the turbodiesel engine and all-wheel drive. Both powertrains are great in different ways and you can’t really go wrong, although my personal favorite is the diesel.

One of my favorite things about the Sorento is how easy and effortless the driving experience is, especially with the smaller 17-inch wheels on the base model. The front seats are also armchair-like, which means you can cruise for miles on the motorway.

It’s worth noting that the Sorento offers proper ISOFIX and top tether anchor points in the third row, unlike some other seven-seater cars, which is a major issue for those wanting to fit child seats. The only problem is the lack of proper airbag coverage in the back.

If you’re keen on carrying as many people as possible, another option is the Kia Carnival, although it’s technically an eight-seater rather than a seven-seater. The entry-level S model with the V6 petrol engine also has a slightly lower asking price than the equivalent Sorento S.

Interested in buying a Kia Sorento? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

More: Everything about Kia Sorento

James Wong: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

After spending a week with the cheapest new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe (review coming soon), I’m impressed by how much the Korean brand squeezes into the entry-level segment at $55,000 plus on-road costs.

The hybrid drivetrain is very efficient compared to the old V6, especially around town, and the new boxy body means there’s more room for up to seven people than the old one.

Even better, even the base grade is packed with all the infotainment and assistive tech you need and is nearly identical to the flagship Calligraphy.

The base grade has a lot going for it and I love the plaid upholstery – like the Golf GTI which I never talk about…

Interested in buying a Hyundai Santa Fe? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

More: Everything about Hyundai Santa Fe

Max Davis: Nissan X-Trail

When it comes to SUVs, it’s always hard to top the X-Trail, and the Australians seem to agree.

It’s Nissan’s best-selling local model so far this year (by a margin) and outstrips many other seven-seat models on this list – notably the Outlander.

But in terms of value and comfort, I think the X-Trail has the edge over the Outlander. It’s cheaper across the range, with even the top model staying under $60,000, but its interior feels more modern and is put together quite convincingly.

There are seven-seat versions of the ST, ST-L and N-Trek, all of which offer all-wheel drive as standard on that trim. All models are priced under $50,000, with the exception of the N-Trek, whose on-road price is just $890 above that threshold.

The X-Trail is built with a reliable formula, making it a good choice if you’re shopping for a cheaper seven-seat car. The only way it could get better is if Nissan introduces a seven-seat e-Power option…

Interested in buying a Nissan X-Trail? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

More: All things Nissan X-Trail

Jordan Mullach: Kia Sorento

Unfortunately, I’m a nice guy, not a hustler, so I thought speccing a seven-seater Ford Everest Ambiente 4×4 was a rather cheeky idea, but ended up going way over budget. Damn it.

If you’re in the market for a seven-seater at this price point, this is an impressive contender, and although this is an all-SUV show, there are at least some differences between the unibody and ladder-frame options.

If I were the off-roading type who likes camping, it would be hard to top the MU-X as it is truly the closest competitor to the Everest, not just in terms of sales, but also capabilities.

However, I like staying in hotels without sacrificing comfort, which is why I chose the Kia Sorento. At this price point, if you want a 2.2-liter turbodiesel, you can only choose an engine no higher than the Sport, and the 2.2-liter turbodiesel is known to be the engine of choice, especially if the gasoline V6 doesn’t have it All-wheel drive capability.

It’s a beautiful thing, roomy and efficient. It’s a lot of things.

Alternatively, if there was any leftover stock of the previous generation Santa Fe, I would be interested since the new model hasn’t caught my fancy just yet. But times may change, and its impressive hybrid powertrain is unique among rivals in its price range.

Interested in buying a Kia Sorento? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

More: Everything about Kia Sorento

Josh Nevitt: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max

If you can ignore the silly name, the Tiggo 8 Pro Max offers excellent value for a seven-passenger SUV under $50,000—it’s a well-rounded product with few shortcomings.

I reviewed the flagship Ultimate Edition and was impressed by its luxurious interior and smooth, purposeful powertrain. In many ways, Chery’s largest product feels much more expensive than it actually is.

And you don’t lose important things like practicality or after-sales support. With three rows of available seats and a seven-year warranty, why not?

First, active driver assistance systems still need improvement, as is the case with many new cars. Chery is already honing its ADAS for the Australian market, so I hope improvements aren’t too far off. The gas mileage also let me down.

However, overall, Chery is the winner for me, based on value for money.

If you want more of a known quantity, the upcoming Skoda Kodiaq Sportline is available now for cheap ($51,990 drive-away) and is refreshingly flat compared to screen-heavy, button-free SUVs Learning curve Chery.

Interested in buying Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

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