If you’ve got a growing family, you’d be silly to not consider a car that offers a third row of seating.
Thankfully there are plenty of three-row options out there as long as you like SUVs. Before you type in the comments, we’re well aware people movers like the Kia Carnival, among others exist.
Sales data however shows people are still gravitating toward SUVs over people movers.
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SsangYong Rexton 
Isuzu MU-X 
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 
Mahindra XUV700
In this op-ed we’re focusing exclusively on seven-seat SUVs under the price cap of $60,000 before on-road costs.
The reason we’ve selected the $60k price cap is because the average new car price in 2023 was around this amount.
Below the CarExpert editorial team have shared the seven-seat SUV under $60,000 they would buy.
William Stopford: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
If you really want maximum space for both passengers and luggage, you can’t go past a Kia Carnival… but that’s technically an eight-seater, and in my experience trying to convince people to buy a minivan is like trying to convince them to give up coffee.
That leaves us with SUVs, and not all three-row SUVs are created equal.
Take your X-Trails, CR-Vs and Outlanders, for example. They nominally have a third row of seating, but only the smallest of children will fit back there. Better than nothing, but not great.
Even some larger SUVs don’t offer a third row that’s truly hospitable, while usability is further impacted by the lack of child-seat anchor points back there.
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 grown adults in the rearmost seats. I should know, I took the opportunity to be ferried around in the farthest row at the launch of the car in South Korea, and 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. The styling is polarising, but that boxy shape translates to maximum practicality. I don’t even mind the funky cloth seats of the base model.
This is a car I could see myself owning, and I don’t even have kids yet.
Another recommendation is the SsangYong Rexton, if you need something with off-road ability. There are few cars more slept on than the Rexton, which is absolutely loaded with kit and sharply priced.
Interested in buying a Hyundai Santa Fe? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Hyundai Santa Fe
Jack Quick: Kia Sorento
The entry-level Kia Sorento S offers a considerable amount for a surprisingly affordable asking price.
This variant is priced from $50,680 before on-roads with the petrol V6 and front-wheel drive, or $53,680 before on-roads with the turbo-diesel and all-wheel drive. Both powertrains are great in different ways and you can’t really go wrong, though my personal favourite is the diesel.
One of my favourite things about the Sorento is how relaxing and easy the driver experience is, especially with the smaller 17-inch wheels fitted to the base model. The front seats are also like armchairs, meaning you can eat up the kilometres on the highway.
Something to note is the Sorento offers proper ISOFIX and top-tether anchor points in the third row, unlike some other seven-seaters, which is a major tick for those wanting to fit child seats. Only thing is there’s not proper airbag coverage back there.
Another option if you’re keen on carrying as many people as possible is the Kia Carnival, though it’s technically an eight-seater rather than a seven-seater. The entry-level S variant with the petrol V6 also just undercuts the equivalent Sorento S in terms of asking price.
Interested in buying a Kia Sorento? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Kia Sorento
James Wong: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
After spending a week in the cheapest new-gen Hyundai Santa Fe (review coming soon), I was genuinely impressed with how much the Korean brand has managed to squeeze into an entry-level variant for $55,000 plus on-road costs.
The hybrid drivetrain is pretty efficient relative to the old V6, particularly in town, and the new boxy body means there’s a heap more space for up to seven people compared to the old one.
Even better, even the base grade is filled with all of the infotainment and assistance tech you’d ever need, and is almost aligned with even the flagship Calligraphy.
There’s a lot of goodness from the base grade, and I love the tartan cloth trim – just like my Golf GTI that I never talk about…
Interested in buying a Hyundai Santa Fe? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Hyundai Santa Fe
Max Davies: Nissan X-Trail
It’s always been hard to look past the X-Trail in the SUV equation, and it seems Australians would agree.
It’s Nissan’s best-selling local model so far this year (by some margin), and it out-does many of the other seven-seaters on this list – except the Outlander in particular.
But in the context of value and comfort, I’d say the X-Trail has the Outlander beat. It’s cheaper across the range and stays below $60,000 even at the top, but its interior feels more up-to-date and is put together in quite a convincing package.
There are seven-seat versions of the ST, ST-L, and N-Trek, which all offer all-wheel drive as standard in that configuration. All are available for less than $50,000 too, except the N-Trek, which is just $890 over that threshold before on-roads.
The X-Trail is built from a solid formula, and you’d be making a good choice if you bought one as a cheaper seven-seater. The only way it could get any better is if Nissan brings out seven-seat e-Power options…
Interested in buying a Nissan X-Trail? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Nissan X-Trail
Jordan Mulach: Kia Sorento
Unfortunately, I am a better man than a cheat, so what I thought was going to be quite a cheeky idea of speccing a Ford Everest Ambiente 4×4 with seven seats comes in just over budget. Darn.
It’s an impressive field of contenders if you’re in the market for a seven-seater at this price point, and though it’s an all-SUV show at least there’s some variance between unibody and ladder-frame options.
If I was the off-roading type who enjoyed camping, it’s very hard to go past an MU-X, as it’s really the closest competitor to the Everest, not only in sales but also ability.
However, I like staying in hotels and not sacrificing comfort, which is why the Kia Sorento is my pick. At this price point you’re restricted to no higher than the Sport if you want the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel, which is by all accounts the engine of choice – especially as the petrol V6 doesn’t get all-wheel drive.
It’s a handsome thing, spacious and efficient. That’s a lot of box ticking.
Alternatively, if there was any leftover stock of the last-gen Santa Fe I’d be interested, as the new model hasn’t yet grown on me. Time could change though, and its impressive hybrid system is a unique feather in its cap among rivals at this price.
Interested in buying a Kia Sorento? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Kia Sorento
Josh Nevett: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max
If you can look past the silly name, the Tiggo 8 Pro Max offers excellent value for a sub-$50k seven-seat SUV – it’s a well-rounded package with few weaknesses.
I reviewed the flagship Ultimate and was thoroughly impressed by the luxurious interior and smooth, purposeful powertrain. In many ways Chery’s biggest offering feels far more expensive than it is.
And it’s not like you lose out on important things like practicality or aftersales support, either. The Tiggo 8 has three usable rows of seating and a seven-year warranty, what’s not to love?
For one, the active driver assists still need work, as is the case with many new cars. Chery is already honing its ADAS for the Australian market, so I’m hopeful that improvements aren’t far away. The fuel consumption also left me disappointed.
However, on balance, the Chery is my winner based on bang-for-buck.
If you’re after more of a known quantity, the outgoing Skoda Kodiaq Sportline can be had for a bargain right now ($51,990 drive-away), and it has a refreshingly flat learning curve compared to screen-heavy, button-free SUVs like the Chery.
Interested in buying a Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
