The 5 best family SUVs in Australia
Five family SUVs, five very different kinds of good, from a sub-$40k plug-in hybrid to a 6 seat Tesla. We've driven the lot and ranked the best you can buy in Australia in 2026, weighing space, value and running costs to land on the one we'd buy.
Rob Leigh
Australia has never had more family SUV choice, and never more genuinely good ones.
The medium and large SUV segments are now a mix of sharp-value plug-in hybrids, proper electric options and the returning benchmark, so the hard part is no longer finding a decent one, it's picking between five very different kinds of good.
We've ranked the five best family SUVs on sale right now on what actually matters with the whole crew on board: space, value, running costs, quality and how they drive.
One of them is a bargain plug-in, one is the cheapest six-seat EV in the country by a wide margin, and the car at number one has quietly reclaimed a title it lost years ago.
Here's how they compare, then the full countdown.
At a glance
| Model | Powertrain | Drivetrain | Price excluding on-roads | |
| 1. Toyota RAV4 PHEV | PHEV, up to 227kW | 2WD or AWD | from $59,515 | |
| 2. Tesla Model Y L | Electric, 378kW, 681km | AWD | from $74,900 | |
| 3. Hyundai Santa Fe | Hybrid, 172kW | FWD or AWD | from $57,650 | |
| 4. Mazda CX-5 | 2.5L petrol, 132kW | AWD | from $39,990 | |
| 5. Geely Starray EM-i | PHEV, 83km EV range | FWD | from $37,490 |
Prices are starting list prices excluding on-road costs. Driveaway pricing varies by state, so check the current driveaway figure for your state on each model page below.
5. Geely Starray EM-i
Geely Starray EM-i
The Starray EM-i is here to make a point: you no longer need $50,000 to get into a plug-in hybrid family SUV. From $37,490, it's one of the cheapest PHEVs on sale in Australia and it undercuts a base RAV4 Hybrid by thousands while giving you real electric-only driving for the daily run.
It's a five-seater and a touch smaller than the big-hitters higher up this list, so very large families will want to keep scrolling. But for a young family or anyone doing mostly urban kilometres, the value on offer here is outstanding. Around 83km of EV range means most weekday driving happens on cheap electrons, with the engine there for the long weekend away.
See Starray EM-i driveaway pricing and specifications →
Read our full Geely Starray EM-i review →
4. Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-5
The all-new, third-generation CX-5 arrived in 2026 bigger, roomier and more polished than ever, and it remains one of the most genuinely functional family SUVs you can buy. More rear legroom, a bigger boot and wider door openings make everyday family life easier, and the cabin has taken a clear step up in quality.
The disappointment is the powertrain. There's no hybrid yet, just a 2.5-litre petrol four with all-wheel drive across the range, and a hybrid isn't due until around 2027. Mazda have answered that by pricing the CX-5 sharply, from $39,990, so you're getting a lot of new-generation SUV for the money even without electrification. We drove it and came away impressed enough to score it 8/10.
See CX-5 driveaway pricing and specifications →
Read our full 2026 Mazda CX-5 review →
3. Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe
If you actually need seven seats, the Santa Fe is brilliant. It's the biggest car here and it uses that size properly: a genuinely usable third row, a huge boot and one of the most flexible, well-finished family cabins in the class. The bold, boxy design won't be for everyone, but it has helped the Santa Fe stand out in a sea of samey SUVs.
The pick of the range is the 172kW hybrid, which pairs that space with sensible running costs, though the entry seven-seat petrol is where the range starts from $54,000. It has been showered with awards for good reason. This is the one to buy when the family, and the gear that comes with it, has outgrown a medium SUV.
See Santa Fe driveaway pricing and specifications →
2. Tesla Model Y L
Tesla Model Y L
For families ready to go fully electric, the Model Y L is outstanding. Tesla stretched the Model Y by 177mm and added a third row to create a six-seat, 2+2+2 family EV, and Australia is one of the first markets in the world to get it. At $74,900 it's the cheapest six-seat electric SUV in the country by a wide margin, undercutting rivals like the Kia EV9 by more than $20,000.
It's also seriously quick and a brilliant thing to drive. The single Premium AWD spec produces 378kW, runs 0-100km/h in around five seconds, and claims 681km of range on the WLTP cycle, so the extra body length hasn't cost it much on the road. The middle-row captain's chairs are heated, ventilated and power-adjustable, which makes the second row a lovely place for kids or adults to travel.
See Model Y L driveaway pricing and specifications →
Read our full 2026 Tesla Model Y L review →
1. Toyota RAV4 PHEV
Toyota RAV4 PHEV
The benchmark is back. Australia's favourite SUV has always been the safe, sensible family choice, but the sixth-generation RAV4 in plug-in hybrid form is the one that fixes the lot. Yes, at $59,515 it's expensive for a RAV4, and yes, that will make some buyers hesitate. Spend a week with it and the price makes sense.
The PHEV addresses every old criticism. There's strong electric-only range for the daily grind, so many owners will barely visit a petrol station, backed by the rock-solid Toyota quality and resale that no rival on this list can match yet. The AWD versions make up to 227kW, making this the most powerful RAV4 ever, and it wraps all of that in a package families already trust. It's expensive, it's brilliant, and it's back on top.
See RAV4 driveaway pricing and specifications →
Read our full Toyota RAV4 PHEV review →
The Beep verdict
The best family SUV in Australia right now depends on what your family needs.
Buy the Geely Starray EM-i if you want a plug-in on a budget, the Mazda CX-5 if function and value matter more than electrification, the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, and the Tesla Model Y L if you're going fully electric with room for six.
But if you can stretch to it, the Toyota RAV4 PHEV is the one that does everything, and it's why the benchmark is back.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best family SUV in Australia right now?
We rank the Toyota RAV4 PHEV number one for its blend of electric range, quality and all-round ability, ahead of the Tesla Model Y L, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-5 and Geely Starray EM-i. The right pick depends on your budget and whether you need a plug-in, a full EV or seven seats.
What is the cheapest plug-in hybrid family SUV in Australia?
The Geely Starray EM-i is one of the most affordable PHEV SUVs on sale, starting from $37,490 before on-road costs, with around 83km of electric-only range.
What is the cheapest six-seat electric SUV in Australia?
The Tesla Model Y L, from $74,900 before on-road costs, is the cheapest six-seat electric SUV on sale in Australia, undercutting rivals like the Kia EV9 by more than $20,000.
Which family SUV has seven seats?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the seven-seat pick of this group, with a usable third row, a large boot and a choice of petrol or hybrid power.
Related guides
Rob Leigh
Co-founder & Director
Rob Leigh is Co-founder and Director of The Beep based in Melbourne, Australia. He has 15+ years inside a major automotive OEM, specialising in product planning, pricing and vehicle strategy.
About Author
