10 Most Spacious & Practical Family-Friendly SUVs 2024

Over time, space and practicality are arguably more important than the sticker price, with some large SUVs proving significantly better when tasked with the challenge of lugging around a family and their belongings.

Clever, practical interior designs make a world of difference when it comes to moving your family in comfort and safety, so let’s take a look at ten of our favourite spacious and practical family-friendly SUVs on sale in 2024.

Ford Everest

Starting from $53,290*

The Ford Everest is an almighty large SUV package that offers a smooth, family-friendly nature around town with an extremely adventurous spirit backed by capable off-road abilities.

The Everest’s cabin is large, modern and filled with clever storage options that swallow up loose items, with more than enough headroom for even the tallest of drivers and rear passengers to get comfortable.

With both five- and seven-seat layouts on offer, the Everest is one of the most practical and capable SUVs on the market that blends family-friendly designs with a go-anywhere 4x4 hardware that has resonated well with Aussie families. 

• Engine: 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel, 3.0-litre V6 diesel

• Transmission: 10-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 7.1 - 8.5L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Seats: 5 - 7

• Boot Space: 259 - 898 - 1,823L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda CX-90

Starting from $74,400*

The CX-90 is the largest of Mazda’s latest-generation SUV lineup, offering a larger platform than the outgoing CX-9 family spaceship that has been quick to prove itself as the company’s most premium and spacious family package to date.

Mazda’s CX-90 is offered in both six- and seven-seat layouts which add some versatility to the mix, with the super-premium cabin proving an absolutely lovely place to sit back on a long holiday road trip.

The quality interior layout is complimented by acres of interior space, which means there’s no shortage of head or headroom, even in the third row of the cabin.

• Engine: 3.3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol & diesel with mild hybrid tech

• Transmission: Eight-sped automatic

• Fuel Economy: 5.4 - 8.2L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2,500kg

• Seats: 6 - 7

• Boot Space: 257 - 608 - 2,025L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Palisade

Starting from $65,900*

With its American-inspired design, the Hyundai Palisade does not disappoint when it comes to sheer acreage inside the cabin thanks to its massive platform.

Sitting as the largest SUV in the Hyundai range, the Palisade is unphased by a family of eight and has more than enough power at its disposal to get you up and moving.

Inside, the Palisade’s interior is massive, with eight seats and lashings of premium touches that make it feel like a true flagship SUV for everyone inside the cabin thanks to Hyundai’s clever, practical touches.

• Engine: 2.2-litre turbo-diesel, 3.8-litre V6 petrol

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 7.3 - 10.7L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2,200kg

• Seats: 7 - 8

• Boot Space: 311 - 704 - 1,297L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Nissan Pathfinder

Starting from $71,490*

Nissan gave the Pathfinder a major overhaul last year, with the end result making for one of the best family-friendly SUVs we’ve seen from the company yet.

With its large footprint, the Pathfinder does not shy away from the task of lugging around up to eight people and their cargo, with its spacious and practical cabin proving itself confident and capable of meeting a large family’s needs.

There have also been some key entertainment and safety technology upgrades for the Pathfinder that make it far better than its replacement, while V6 power, a slick nine-speed automatic and the option of an AWD variant add confidence on the road.

• Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol

• Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 10L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2,700kg

• Seats: 7 - 8

• Boot Space: 205 - 554 - 782L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Skoda Kodiaq

Starting from $51,490*

For buyers looking for a large and practical SUV for the family with some premium European touches, the Skoda Kodiaq is here to save the day.

While there’s a brand new Kodiaq on the horizon for later in 2024, the current model remains a strong performer when put under the family test thanks to its long wheelbase platform and clever design touches.

With a generous features list for the base model, 4x4 systems across the range and even a fire-breathing RS flagship at the top of the range, there’s a healthy amount of choice and practicality on offer in the Kodiaq lineup.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol

• Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch

• Fuel Economy: 7.5 - 8.2L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2,000kg

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 270 - 765  - 2,065L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Sorento

Starting from $47,650*

There’s an updated Kia Sorento in town and it remains one of the most practical and cost-effective ways to transport your family of seven thanks to the wide-sprawling range for many budgets.

The mid-cycle update has seen the Sorento get a sharper styling package, and an overhauled technology package while retaining the option of hybrid and plug-in hybrid range-toppers for fuel-conscious families.

Inside, the Sorento’s cabin is vast and filled with practical touches that make it a genuine seven-seater that is a dream to drive on everything from a hop around town to a long-distance road trip.

• Engine: 2.2-litre turbo-diesel & 3.5-litre V6 petrol

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 6.1 - 9.7L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2,000kg

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 179 - 608 - 1995L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Kluger

Starting from $51,790*

The Toyota Kluger is a great option for families looking for a massively practical all-wheel drive SUV package with the option of a fuel-efficient hybrid engine under the bonnet.

It’s a unique and very attractive proposition for families that don’t want to skimp on interior space and storage options inside the three-row, seven-seat cabin while keeping fuel economy figures closer to those of a pint-sized hatchback or compact SUV.

Inside, the Kluger’s cabin is filled with practical touches and can comfortably seat seven people, with decent boot space and a feature-packed safety equipment list for the base model.

• Engine: 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid Transmission:

• Eight-speed automatic and CVT (hybrid)

• Fuel Economy: 5.6 - 8.7L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2,000kg

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 241 - 552 - 1,150L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Isuzu MU-X

Starting from $48,900*

Isuzu’s MU-X remains one of the leading options for adventurous families looking for a well-mannered urban runaround with flagship towing power and a super spacious interior layout.

Underneath, the MU-X’s bones are transplanted from the D-MAX ute, which means it comes ready to conquer off-road trails and get busy towing without breaking a sweat.

Inside, the MU-X’s cabin isn’t the most sophisticated on the market though it offers impressive space and practicality with three rows of seats for a family of seven.

There’s also a new entry-level MU-X variant powered by a smaller 1.9-litre turbo-diesel that proves itself a worthy base model for buyers on a budget that don’t want to skimp on practicality.

• Engine: 1.9-litre & 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

• Transmission: Six-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy:7.4 - 8.3L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,000 - 3,500kg (1.9 vs 3.0-litre turbo-diesel)

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 311 - 1,119 - 2,138L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Six-year/150,000-kilometre

Volvo XC90

Starting from $95,990*

If you’re after a sleek and stylish SUV with seven seats, a lavish interior, smart technology and the option of a plug-in hybrid engine, look no further than the Volvo XC90.

It’s the largest SUV in the Volvo ranks, with more than enough interior space for a family of seven and a huge amount of boot space with all seats standing.

The base model comes powered by a perky mild-hybrid engine while the range-topping plug-in hybrid XC90 produces a massive 709Nm of torque to slingshot you up to speed and help tackle long distance trips with ease.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, turbo & supercharged plug-in hybrid

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 1.8 - 8.2L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2,400kg

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 709 - 1,868L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Expired five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Subaru Forester

Starting from $37,890*

Finally, our list wraps up with the Subaru Forester, a family-friendly midsize SUV that offers a practical, family-friendly cabin backed by a confidence-inspiring AWD system that means it’s not afraid to get its toes dirty.

Inside the Forester’s cabin, the roof line is high and accommodating to tall drivers while adding great visibility to your surroundings behind the wheel, while a healthy amount of boot space can swallow up a school run or weekend away without breaking a sweat.

With the added bonus of a hybrid Forester at the top of the range, there’s a healthy amount of choice in the lineup, all of which receive Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system for confidence off the beaten track.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol + electric hybrid

• Transmission: CVT automatic

• Fuel Economy: 6.7 - 7.4L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 1,200 - 1,800kg

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 498 - 1,779L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre (eight years for battery)

Request a Quote

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can take the stress out of the buying process and find you the best possible price.

* Prices accurate at time of writing.