You will undoubtedly recall the minivans if you are old enough to remember the 80s and 90s car scene. Boxy but practically family vehicles were all the rage a couple of decades ago had had since been replaced mainly by SUVs. Even though the squared shapes are gone, minivan as a concept evolved into the crossover. It remained the best choice for big families due to its seven-seat capacity, loads of space and a long list of features that will make any journey comfortable and enjoyable.
The crossovers are practically a mix between station wagons (remember these?), SUVs and minivans, designed to accommodate as many people as possible and be dependable family transport. They took the form of an SUV since it helps conceal the dimensions and make it more appealing to the customers, but they are still minivans with three-row seating at their core. On the Australian market, few companies sell seven-seater crossovers, and today we decided to rank the four of the most common models and see which one is the best.
Mazda CX-9
Sharing the unique design language with the rest of the Mazda lineup, the CX-9 was introduced in 2016, which makes it the oldest model in this comparison. Even though the competitors are younger, Mazda CX-9 hides its age well with elegant overall styling and modern and sporty interior layout. The idea behind this model is not just to offer comfortable family transportation but to also provide you with a particular layer of luxury and elegance with quality materials, available wood trim and stylish details.
Under the bonnet, Mazda prepared only one engine option – the mighty 2.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit with 170 kW and 420 Nm of torque. Thanks to Mazda’s SkyActive engine technology, this motor is not just powerful but also pretty frugal, as well, with average fuel consumption of just 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres (combined). Since the family crossovers are large vehicles, manual transmission isn’t offered, and all CX-9s get 6-speed automatics. The base models send their power to front wheels, but all-wheel drive is optional.
However, the most important aspect of this model is the interior, comfort and equipment list. The CX-9 is offered in six trim levels, starting with Sport, and followed by Touring, GT, GT SP, Azami and Azami LE at the very top of the range. All trim levels are delivered with a seven-seat capacity, except the Azami LE, which is a 6-seater vehicle. This grade is designed to be luxury transport concentrating more on passenger’s comfort with middle row equipped with two seats.
The only thing where you start to notice that CX-9 is not the new model is the equipment. It isn’t that CX-9 is not well-equipped; because it is, it is for lack of modern features in base grades. For example, Halogen headlights are standard on the first four grades, and if you want LED units, you have to opt for higher trim levels. That being said, the lower trim levels get the small 7.0-inch infotainment display, and 10.25-inch is only available on more expensive models. However, despite those things, CX-9 is still amazingly practical with up to 810 litres of trunk space (when the third row is folded). For the buyers concerned about safety, it is essential to say that every CX-9 comes with Blind Spot Monitoring, Driver Attention Alert, Lane Keep Assist and satellite navigation. The 2022 Mazda CX-9 starts at $45,990 for the base model and can cost as much as $73,751 for top-spec Azami LE.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a well-known name in this segment and one of Hyundai’s best selling SUVs. Currently, in its fourth generation, introduced in 2019, Santa Fe captures the attention of the buyers with aggressive design, two engine options, loads of features and ample interior room. Hyundai’s approach is characterised by offering a comfortable vehicle that can fit into numerous roles, from being basic family transportation to being a highway cruiser.
As a significant step up from Mazda’s one engine policy, Santa Fe is offered with the choice of two motors, one petrol and one turbo diesel. The first one is a big, 3.5-litre V6 unit with 200 kW and 331 Nm of torque. The diesel has 2.2-litres of displacement and is more modest but still capable of 148 kW and 440 Nm. Both engines are modern in construction and will return decent mileage. Interestingly, if you choose the V6 model, you will get only front-wheel-drive and modern automatic transmission, but if you opt for the diesel, you will get on-demand AWD and 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is available in four distinctive grades, starting with Santa Fe (base), Active, Elite and Highlander being the top-spec model. One of Hyundai’s best tricks is to offer a high level of base equipment to attract the buyers, so Santa Fe comes pretty loaded with driving modes, Blind Spot and Collision-Avoidance Assist, parking assistance, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, but with the relatively small 8.0-inch central display. You have to move to higher trim levels to get a big and bright 12-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment screen.
The best thing about the new Hyundai Santa Fe is probably the comfort from its composed chassis and an enormous amount of room for all seven passengers. However, this is not without its consequences since the luggage space is somewhat limited compared to the competitors. With the third row folded, the 2022 Santa Fe has 571 litres of usable space, which is a lot but still less than the outgoing model. However, it still is good value for money and one of the best family SUVs you can get. The 2022 Santa Fe starts at $49,056 for base grade and can set you back $67,000 for the Highlander model.
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento was one of the models that helped this brand become a household name in the early 2000s. It was a well-designed and well-engineered SUV that is now in its fourth generation. Over time it grew in dimensions and features and became seven-seater. The current model has been introduced in 2020, and it is amongst the best looking models in the segment, not just exterior but the interior, as well.
Since the Kia and Hyundai are basically the same company, Sorento is mechanically a twin brother to Santa Fe. Both models feature the same platform, suspension, and engine options, including a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and a 2.2-litre diesel four-cylinder model. By the standards of the segment, Kia (and Hyundai) have covered all needs of the buyers. If you are looking for a powerful petrol engine, there is a V6, but if you prefer small fuel bills, the 2.2-litre diesel with 440 Nm will have just enough power but tiny consumption. Compared to some competitors, Kia (and Hyundai) scores big by offering a modern 8-speed automatic for the petrol engine and a quick, 8-speed dual-clutch transmission for the diesel-powered model.
The trim levels for 2022 Sorento starts with S grade, followed by Sport, Sport Plus and ends with GT-Line models. As expected, Sorento is well-equipped from the start, although the S grade can feel a little cheap due to the fact it lacks a big 12.3-inch central display as standard. However, regardless of the trim level you are getting, you can be sure that Sorento will have a comprehensive safety package that will include Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance system and much more.
However, the 2022 Sorento beats the competitors with its impressive interior design, futuristic dashboard layout, and quality materials, showing that Kia invested heavily in creating a fantastic driving environment. But, that is not all; even though the Santa Fe and Sorento are on the exact same platform, Kia managed to squeeze more boot space and have 615 litres of usable space when the third row is folded. The base price for the 2022 Sorento is $46,850, and the top GT-Line model costs $79,330.
Toyota Kluger
As a very strong player in the SUV game, Toyota is paying much attention to the 7-seater market with the new Kluger, introduced in 2019. The combination of the spacious interior, attractive mechanical options and Toyota’s reputation for quality and dependability make this model one of the top choices in the segment.
Let’s start with mechanics, and 2022 Kluger offers two engines. One is a standard 3.5-litre petrol V6 with 218 kW and 350 Nm of torque. It is the most powerful engine in our comparison, and it could give Kluger some points; however, 7-seater SUV is not a segment in which performance plays a significant role. The second engine option is even more interesting, and it is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder paired with an electric motor forming a hybrid powertrain Toyota is known for. This unit has an overall power rating of 142 kW and 242 Nm of torque which is more than enough for everyday duties. The V6 is delivered with a modern 8-speed automatic, but Hybrid only comes with the CVT gearbox. As expected, customers can choose between front-wheel-drive (standard on base grade model) and AWD, which is the only option for Hybrid versions.
On the contrary to some other models in this segment, Toyota offers Kluger in just three trim levels – GX, GXL and Grande. The base model gets a smaller 4.2-inch display (7.0-inch is reserved for higher models) and cloth seats. However, regardless of the model, every Kluger will come with a comprehensive safety package that includes famous Toyota Safety Sense, Blind Spot Monitor, rear parking sensors and an 8-inch infotainment display on the centre console.
Despite being spacious and upholstered with quality materials, the interior is not so visually pleasing like, for example, Kia’s. Toyota decided to play safe and offer an ergonomically sound driver’s environment without unnecessary gimmicks. There is a generous offering of passenger space, although the luggage compartment should be bigger since it only has 552 litres capacity when the third row is folded. The 2022 Toyota Kluger starts at $47,600 and goes up to $75,400 for the Grande model.
The Verdict
To be perfectly honest, whichever 7-seater SUV you choose, you will get a pretty competent vehicle with loads of space, a high level of safety equipment and decent performance. The base models are affordable, but if you want to go all out, those cars can be pretty expensive, and all of them have $70k plus prices in the highest trim levels. But, as in any comparison, there can be only one winner, and it is Kia Sorento. Even though all models are close, we feel that Sorento has a slight advantage over competitors primarily for its design, superb interior layout, high level of equipment and availability of diesel engines. With slightly more space than its twin brother, Santa Fe, Sorento delivers the best value for the money, has decent resale value, most considerable luggage capacity with the third row folded, and is known for its dependability, which are all qualities you want out of your family SUV.