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SUVs have become the undeniable kings of the Australian road. Their versatility, spaciousness and rugged capabilities cater to our diverse lifestyles, from weekend adventures to family commutes. Indeed, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ VFACTS data from December 2023, 55.8% of all cars sold in Australia across 2023 were SUVs.
However, with a plethora of options flooding the market, choosing the right SUV isn’t always easy. Whether you're seeking a luxurious family hauler or a fuel-efficient city commuter, you can learn about five of the best SUVs on the market right now in Australia with Savvy today!
All information is correct for the 2024 model year of each car
Best small/compact SUV: Hyundai Kona
The Kona from Korean manufacturer Hyundai has carved out a niche in Australia's bustling SUV market as one of the best compact SUVs, offering a compelling blend of style, practicality and punch for city travel and weekend escapes alike. As a small SUV, it sits between smaller Venue and the mid-sized Tucson in Hyundai's lineup of models.
Price:
The Kona is the cheapest SUV in Australia featured on this list, with a starting price of just $32,000 for the base model. However, the maximum cost reaches $68,000, which is charged for the Electric Premium variant.
ANCAP safety rating:
Key features:
- Wide range of available engine types: while not all engine options are available in every region, Hyundai offers a diverse selection for the Kona, catering to a variety of driving needs and preferences in Australia. You can choose from the 2.0L petrol, 1.6L turbo petrol, 1.6L hybrid and electric powertrain options.
- Hyundai SmartSense: the Kona comes equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, offering peace of mind and enhanced safety on the road. These features include Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist (BCA). However, the Kona is one of relatively few on the market to not have a five-star ANCAP rating, falling one star short of that mark.
- Five-year unlimited kilometre warranty: Hyundai offers a comprehensive five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on the Kona, providing reassurance to you as an owner.
- Attractive tech features: the Kona boasts a range of impressive technology features. These include Smart Power Tailgate, a wireless charging pad, 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose premium sound system (on Premium variants) and more.
- Fuel efficient: it delivers impressive fuel efficiency, making it an economical choice for Australian drivers. The 2.0L MPi petrol engine achieves a combined fuel consumption rating of 6.6L/100km, perfect for navigating city commutes and highway stretches, while the 1.6L GDi hybrid engine trims this to 3.9L/100km.
Best medium SUV: Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 needs no introduction when it comes to the Australian car market. Toyota’s uber-popular model was the best-selling SUV in the country in 2023 (the fourth consecutive year it’s held that mantle) and the fourth best-selling vehicle overall, according to VFACTS. It sits between the Corolla Cross and Kluger in terms of its size.
Price:
The base GX 2WD variant begins at a competitive price of $39,760, while its most expensive model comes at a lower price ceiling than the Kona, with the Edge Hybrid AWD setting you back $58,360.
ANCAP safety rating:
Key features:
- Wide range of available engine types: like the Kona, you can choose between several different powertrains. Its petrol engine is available in both 2.0L and 2.5L, while you can also select a 2.5L hybrid engine and an electrified set of variants.
- Toyota Safety Sense: the RAV4 comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. These features include a Pre-Collision Safety system (PCS) with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Lane Trace Assist (LTA), Active Cruise Control (ACC), Road Sign Assist (RSA) and Automatic High Beam (AHB).
- Five-star ANCAP safety rating: the model has achieved a coveted five-star safety rating from ANCAP, the independent authority that assesses vehicle safety in Australia.
- Attractive tech features: the RAV4 boasts a range of user-friendly technology features to keep you connected, informed and entertained on the road. These include an 8-inch to 10.5-inch colour touchscreen display (depending on the variant), JBL premium nine-speaker sound system (Cruiser and Edge variants only), Android Auto and Wireless Apple CarPlay, smart entry and start system (unavailable on GX variants) and more.
- Fuel efficient: the RAV4 offers a good balance between performance and fuel efficiency, making it an economical choice for Australian drivers. The 2.0L petrol engine runs at an economy of 6.0L/100km, with the 2.5L petrol and hybrid engines boasting minimum combined economies of 7.0L/100km and 4.7L/100km, respectively.
Best large/family SUV: Ford Everest
The Ford Everest is a versatile large SUV used for a wide range of purposes by drivers across the country. Whether you’re looking at its seven-seat capacity to ferry the family around or its capabilities as a solid off-road choice for weekend getaways off the beaten track, the Everest is capable of fulfilling a variety of roles, which is why it's considered among the best SUVs of its type in Australia.
Price:
The cheapest Everest SUV variant available is the Ambiente RWD, which starts at a cost of $53,990. In contrast, the top-line model of the range, the Platinum 4WD, is set at a starting price of $79,490.
ANCAP safety rating:
Key features:
- Seven seats: the Everest is a genuine seven-seater SUV, offering ample space and flexibility for families or those who regularly transport passengers. The second and third-row seats can be folded down to create a generous cargo area when you need to prioritise space for luggage or gear. However, if you have a smaller family, there are five-seater options available.
- Safety: the Everest prioritises safety with a suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies and robust construction. Some of the key safety features include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and more.
- Five-star ANCAP safety rating: the current Ford Everest has achieved a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, demonstrating its excellent performance in crashworthiness tests.
- Attractive tech features: it boasts a range of user-friendly technology features to enhance your driving experience. These include a 10.1-inch to 12-inch LED portrait screen with SYNC 4A, wireless charging, 8-inch digital instrument cluster display, premium 12-speaker sound system (depending on the variant) and more.
- Off-road capabilities: the Everest isn't just a comfortable SUV for city driving; it's also built to handle adventures off-road. Some features that help it tackle tough terrain include its Terrain Management System, maximum unladen ground clearance of 230mm, 3,500kg braked towing capacity, power of up to 157kW and torque of up to 500Nm.
Best hybrid SUV: Mitsubishi Outlander
While the Kona and RAV4 are both also available in hybrid powertrains, the Outlander from Mitsubishi is another mid-sized SUV which has grown in popularity in Australia. Among all SUVs in Australia in 2023, the Outlander was only outsold by the RAV4, the MG ZS and the Tesla Model Y. It sits between the compact Eclipse Cross and the large Pajero Sport among the Japanese manufacturer’s line of SUVs.
Price:
The Outlander starts from an affordable $37,740 for the five-seat ES 2WD variant, while the cheapest hybrid model is the PHEV ES AWD at $57,290. The most expensive Outlander variant is the PHEV GSR, which is set at $73,790.
ANCAP safety rating:
★★★★★ (all ZM variants)
Key features:
- Hybrid powertrain available: a key feature of the Outlander is the availability of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) option, which comes with a 2.4L 4-cylinder MPi VVT engine, alongside the more traditional 2.5L 4-cylinder Direct-Injection petrol engine.
- Fuel efficiency: it offers impressive fuel efficiency in its hybrid powertrain option, with an average consumption of just 1.5L/100km. The Outlander’s petrol variants come with an economy ranging from 7.5L/100km for the ES 2WD to 8.1L/100km for the LS, Aspire, Exceed and Exceed Tourer AWD variants.
- Safety features: safety is a priority with the Outlander, featuring a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. Some of the standard features included across all variants include Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Forward Collision Mitigation system (FCM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and more.
- Attractive tech features: the Outlander boasts a range of user-friendly technology features that make it an attractive option among car buyers. These include Smartphone link Display Audio (SDA) with an 8-inch to 9-inch touchscreen (depending on the variant), Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, one-touch keyless entry (unavailable on ES variants) and start, two USB inputs and more.
- Flexible seating: it also offers a comfortable and versatile cabin with either five or seven seats depending on the chosen variant. The second and third-row seats (if equipped) can be folded down to create generous cargo space.
Best luxury SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLC
The name Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with class and luxury, so it’s no surprise that the GLC is considered one of the top premium SUVs in the segment in Australia. The model is the company’s best-seller in Australia, so it’s clear that the prestige associated with the brand and the quality of the vehicle have helped cultivate a clear market in this country.
Price:
The GLC is a step up in terms of price, with its cheapest variant, the GLC 300 4Matic, setting you back a cool $103,370. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S 4 Matic, on the other end of the scale, retails for $191,800.
ANCAP safety rating:
Key features:
- Safety features: the GLC prioritises safety with a comprehensive suite of technologies designed to protect you and others on the road. These include Attention Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Change and Lane Keeping Assist, Parking Package with 360° Camera and more.
- Five-star ANCAP safety rating: it, like most others on this list, has been awarded a five-star safety rating by ANCAP, bringing drivers greater peace of mind when it comes to ensuring their safety on the road.
- Attractive tech features: the GLC boasts a high-tech interior brimming with innovative features. Some of the highlights include the MBUX multimedia system with 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, 12.3-inch instrument cluster display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Head-Up Display (HUD) with virtual image protection, Burmester sound system and more.
- Stylish interior and exterior: the luxury SUV combines elegance with functionality. High-quality materials, such as leather upholstery, meticulous craftsmanship and comfortable seating create a luxurious and inviting cabin, while the GLC's sculpted design and signature Mercedes-Benz grille exude sophistication and command attention on the road.
- Powerful engine: the GLC boasts a powerful 2.0L, turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine, which is capable of an output of up to 190kW and 400Nm of torque.
If you’re looking to purchase any of the above vehicles, you can compare a range of car loan offers through Savvy.
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