Which 7 Seat SUV Is Best For Your Family? 12 SUV Mega Test | Drive.com.au

We test and rank the best three-row SUVs for active Australian families.
This is a comparison of Australia’s most popular Family-sized SUVs: Honda CR-V, Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai Santa Fem, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-8, Mazda CX-9, Mitsubishi Outlander,  Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan X-Trail, Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Kluger and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

00:00 Introduction
01:48 7 Seat SUV Contenders
02:16 Ownership and Running Costs
06:41 Equipment
12:44 Please Subscribe
12:57 Infotainment
19:58 Measurements and Space
25:30 Third-row Entry
27:57 Driving
36:29 Safety
40:14 Judging Winners
42:30 Overall Winner

What does the typical 21st-century Australian family look like?
Is it two adults and two kids, or maybe two adults and more kids, including some from previous marriages? Perhaps it’s three adults and a few kids because one refused to leave home when they reached adulthood.

There’s also a fair chance it’s a three-generation household with a grandparent or two in situ – which is great for impromptu babysitting but cumbersome for family excursions.

The reality is, there is no Australian family stereotype anymore, as the National Census discovered.

While this census revealed that the average household now has just 2.6 people compared to 3.6 in 1961 and a claustrophobic 4.5 back in 1911, it also discovered that 20 per cent of Australian abodes are home to “Extended Families” – up from 16 per cent in 1991.

Extended families include: three or more generations under one roof; other relatives (such as uncles, aunts and cousins); unrelated persons (friends or partners of offspring); and even adult children aged 25 and over.

Personally, I couldn’t wait to leave home the minute I got my first regular paycheck, but not all young Australians are so eager to fly the nest.

So, when it comes to moving the “typical” Australian family – going out for dinner, to the shops, the beach, or even just handling the morning school and work run – having a car that can keep up is crucial.

That’s where we come in.

Drive has gathered 12 of the most interesting and capable Sport Utility Vehicles with at least seven seats and put them under the microscope to find the one that is the best for moving Australian families. 

#SUVcomparison #Megatest #SUV
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[therealjeffg]

Great detailed and methodical review. Thank you.

[bladezAK]

This was great appreciate the time to break it down❤ subscribed😃

[VMRDY]

Shame there’s no XUV700, Australia’s most affordable 7 seater, isn’t in the comparison.

[drsajik]

This helped so much my family needs a new car so this helped

[YasminWilson-nobh]

I live in the the US and I purchased a 3 row last year compared all these as we have nearly all them in the US only 1 missing was the Skoda but we have the Telluride unlike a Australia but the car that I purchased after all the research was the Kia Sorento didn’t look at the Santa Fe cause it’s a 2 row only

[nicklasbrundin]

The Kodiak and the allspace is the same car, how can you have them in different size classes

[alteclan]

Love our CRV VTI L7. Efficient and well equipped!

[ndragon]

Which cars here can fit a medium sized adult in between 2 car seats in 2nd row?

[custommission]

Discovered this video via your website - you should make it available on your YouTube channel!

Great video otherwise as always 👍

[KUzZ]

Nissan X trail had the best drive but the lowest spec version. Mid range version Infotainment system has bigger screen, panoramic sunroof and extras

[bthakur]

What about KIA-GTLINE 4 cylinder Diesel ?

[kentaylor]

Great review but biggest criticism is how can you review all these 7 seaters and not show 7 people actually sitting in the vehicles with over 40+ minutes of footage?

A vehicles driving dynamics might change when theres 7 people on board.

[congyu]

Just purchased palisade few weeks ago. Comfortable space for family of 6 with two child seats fitted in second and third row. On road driving experience is good but not great. Not smooth when passing the bumps. But other than that a great car to drive every day.

[nbk]

If pathfinder is "extra large" then i wonder what class Toyota Sequoia or a Nissan Armada will be

[arielfrancisleathem]

I have no clue how the kodiaq can be classed as a large suv when the tiguan allspace is a mid-size. They have almost identical dimensions, infact the tiguan is longer and taller, as well as riding on the same platform and offering the same powertrains.
Also, having trim levels from the line-up that vary from second to base all the way to top trims is ridiculous for a "comparison" especially when features are a consideration.

[siquanwu]

None of these are best for - family needs 7 seats regularly, if you need 7 seats, in Australia you can only relegate to minivan or people mover called here. Came from Canada, I can tell you none of these can fit 7 people comfortably for a decent trip, someone will have to suffer. That’s the problem I have since moving here, why don’t we have real full size SUVs? Why the parking space is designed so tight. You have such a vast country but learning the traffics and road and urban design from country 1/5 of your size, just unbelievable. Cadillac Escalate or Chevy Suburban will be perfect for family needs 7 seats regularly.

[JaseMelb]

How can the Kodiaq be 'large' when it is so close in size to the X-Trail?

[gixxr]

Kluger hybrid if you value reliability after warranty, and resale values plus low running costs

[TheBrickShitHouse]

You never mentioned that the CX9 is being discontinued feels like that should be something that is discussed to allow consumers to make the best choice. I personally wouldn't buy a discontinued car and I'm sure there are other people out there what would feel the same

[letsseeif]

Judging on the comments below, I can't see how they can make the price of this very large SUV video stack up.