Gone are the days when wagons were all the rage offering enough space to transport families and store school bags in the boot. Sure they still exist, however Australians today have instead developed a love-affair with the practicality and aesthetic of SUVs.
Seven-seat cars have the added benefit of a third row of seats, carrying extra passengers if need be without necessarily having to drive around a van or people mover. These cars generally aren’t designed to go off-road, although conditions and lifestyle desirability have resulted in the manufacture of more rugged vehicles.
By analysing recent ‘VFACTS’ data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries alongside the expertise of Brett Davis of Performance Drive, below you’ll find a list of the top 7-seat car brands in Australia.
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| Lender | Car Loan | Interest Rate | Comparison Rate* | Monthly Repayment | Interest Type | Vehicle Type | Maximum Vehicle Age | Ongoing Fee | Upfront Fee | Total Repayment | Early Repayment | Instant Approval | Online Application | Tags | Features | Link | Compare | Promoted Product | Disclosure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.24% p.a. | 7.37% p.a. | $583 | Variable | New | No Max | $8 | $400 | $35,000 |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||
6.52% p.a. | 6.95% p.a. | $587 | Fixed | New, Used | No Max | $0 | $350 | $35,236 |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||
6.57% p.a. | 7.19% p.a. | $588 | Fixed | New | No Max | $0 | $250 | $35,278 |
| Promoted | Disclosure |
1. Toyota
Australians have a long affinity with Toyota, with brand reliability passed down from generation to generation. Toyota currently holds two out of the top-three positions for the highest selling 7-seat SUV throughout Australia in 2022. The Toyota Prado sits at the top of the tree, with the Toyota Prado in third-place.
2. Mitsubishi
Holding silver thus far in 2022, Mitsubishi has embraced the desire of many Australians for more rugged vehicles that can do more than be a daily driver while still holding a large family. Enter the likes of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. At a more affordable price point than Toyota, Mitsubishi remains a popular brand across Australia given its combination of features, build, price point and 10-year warranty.
3. Isuzu
Renowned for strong and durable trucks, Isuzu first dipped its toes into the passenger vehicle market launching the D-Max in Australia in 2008. Following its success, Isuzu sought to expand its reach into the SUV market with the MU-X. Now considered as a contender for one of the best large SUVs on the market, Isuzu’s MU-X remains a top-seller in the large SUV segment.
4. Kia
Kia has gained ground in recent years in terms of popularity across all vehicle segments. Given its ability as a brand to offer a combination of features and value, it’s no wonder Australians continue to flock to the South Korean manufacturers vehicles in droves. Showing people movers are still relevant today, Kia remains a dominant force in the ‘People Mover’ VFACTS category, selling nearly 2,000 Kia Carnivals to date (at the time of writing). Alongside the Carnival, Kia offers the Sorento as a 7-seat SUV. The Sorento has gained popularity in recent times given it can come in a range of engine options including plug-in hybrid.
5. Hyundai
In similar fashion to Kia, Hyundai has risen among the ranks of brand popularity for Australian motorists over the past decade. Hyundai offers 7-seat vehicles in both ‘SUV’ and ‘People Mover’ categories with the Santa Fe, Palisade and Staria blending a combination of modern-styling with futuristic technology. Since its release in September 2021, the Staria holds second place in the VFACTS ‘People Mover’ category - second only to the Kia Carnival. All three of Hyundai’s popular 7-seater models come in both petrol and diesel varieties.
Image by Randy Fath via Unsplash
Denise Raward
Harry O'Sullivan
Harrison Astbury
