15 Best Midsize SUVs for Australian Families in 2024

With a spacious cabin and a user-friendly nature around town, midsize SUVs are the leading choice for Aussie families looking for a versatile family chariot.

Thankfully, there’s no shortage of options in the world of midsize SUVs perfect for Australian families, with manufacturers flooding the market with a midsize SUV of their own - let's take a closer look at 15 of the best on sale in 2024.

Below you’ll find a list mapped out in no particular order of 15 of the best midsize SUVs for Aussie families on sale in 2024, including some hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and battery-electric (BEV) options.

Subaru Forester

Our list kicks off with a strong contender for families looking for a comfortable and practical midsize SUV that isn’t afraid to get its toes dirty, the Subaru Forester.

The Forester offers four-paw stability from its AWD system, a super spacious cabin with tall windows that add to the sense of interior space and the bonus of two hybrids in the range for fuel-conscious buyers.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer petrol 

• Drivetrain: Symmetrical all-wheel drive 

• Hybrid Variant: Yes  

• Transmission: CVT automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 6.7 - 7.4L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 498 - 509L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai IONIQ 5

Hyundai has added a new entry-level version of the IONIQ 5, making for one mighty impressive battery-electric midsize SUV package.

The IONIQ 5’s futuristic styling is matched with a super practical interior layout that keeps things clean and simple for those up front, spacious for kids seated in the rear of the cabin and offers an impressive technology package, even in the base model.

• Engine: Single rear-mounted electric motor, dual-motor available 

• Drivetrain: RWD standard, AWD available 

• Transmission: Single-speed automatic
  Battery Size: 53 - 77.4kWh 

• Electric Driving Range: 384 - 507km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 527L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre with eight-year battery warranty

Toyota RAV4

It wouldn’t be a list of the best midsize SUVs for Aussie families without a mention of the Toyota RAV4, arguably Australia’s favourite midsize SUV.

Within the RAV4 range, there are hybrids across all major variants, meaning you don’t have to break the budget to get your hands on Toyota’s outstanding fuel economy figures, while the RAV4 package as a whole is perfectly suited to the needs of families.

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

• Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD available  

• Transmission: CVT automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 4.7 - 7.0L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 580L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a great option for large families looking for a super practical seven-seat layout in the midsize SUV segment backed by the longest warranty available in Australia.

With the option of both five- and seven-seat layouts, the Outlander is super confident when put under the family test, comfortable on a mix of Aussie roads and returns outstanding fuel economy figures in the case of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, 2.4-litre + two electric motor PHEV 

• Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD available 

• Transmission: CVT automatic, single-speed transmission for PHEV 

• Fuel Economy: 1.5L - 8.1L/100km

• EV Driving Range: 84km 

• Seats: Five standard, seven-seater available 

• Boot Space: 163 - 478L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: up to ten years/200,000km

Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is one of the best-looking midsize SUVs on the market, and while style is subjective, the fun driving experience on offer is hard to deny.

With a heap of variety in the range, the CX-5 is offered with a choice of two engines, the most powerful of which makes for a super sporty SUV driving experience that proves a family-friendly SUV doesn’t have to be bland.

• Engine: 2.0- 2.5-litre four-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol

• Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD available 

• Transmission: Six-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 6.9 - 8.2L/100km
  Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 438L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Sportage

2024 is a big year for Kia’s almighty Sportage range, with the company adding an all-new hybrid range-topper to its family-favourite midsize SUV range.

With super accessible price tags, the Kia Sportage makes for a very affordable midsize SUV package with a heap of premium touches on offer for variants higher up in the range and Kia’s outstanding seven-year warranty that offers great peace of mind.

• Engine: Four available, two petrols, one diesel, one hybrid 

• Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD available 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual and automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 6.3 - 8.1L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 542L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is another great option for Aussie families in need of an affordable, well-equipped, safe and stylish midsize SUV.

Hyundai offers its base version of the Tucson at a very reasonable price, especially considering how much equipment the company is happy to bundle in as standard, while the rest of the range picks up some super-premium and clever tech features.

• Engine: Three available, two petrol one diesel 

• Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD available 

• Transmission: Six & eight-speed automatic, seven-speed dual-clutch 

• Fuel Economy: 6.3 - 8.1L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 539L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y is currently Australia’s favourite battery-electric midsize SUV, with the lineup offering affordable price tags, a super practical cabin, smooth driving dynamic and a long list of active safety tech.

Inside the cabin, the Model Y’s interior is super minimalist, with just a steering wheel and a large dash-mounted tablet in view, treating occupants to a heap of headroom, storage options and great legroom for kids in the second row of the cabin.

• Engine: Single electric motor base model, dual motor range-topper

• Drivetrain: RWD standard, AWD available 

• Transmission: Single-speed automatic 

• Battery Size: 60kWh 

• Electric Driving Range: 455 - 533km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 854L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Four-year/80,000-kilometre

Volvo XC60

For those looking for a premium European midsize SUV with some serious fuel efficiency in the  PHEV range-toppers, the Volvo XC60 is a great option.

The XC60’s cabin is a treat for the senses and is packed to the brim with clever tech, with a spacious second row and a healthy amount of boot space atop Volvo’s excellent safety offering making for a great premium midsize SUV.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid petrol with PHEV range-topper 

• Drivetrain: AWD 

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic  

• Fuel Economy: 1.6 - 7.6L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 468L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

BMW X3

BMW has been in the midsize SUV segment for two decades now, with the company constantly refining the X3 over time to become one of the most comfortable, clever and exciting midsize SUVs on the road.

Within the X3 range, there’s something for every type of buyer, with a modest base model that receives a heap of tech, a fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid and even a fire-breathing M Sport range-topper that doubles as a bonafide sports car.

• Engine: Six available including plug-in hybrid 

• Drivetrain: RWD base model, AWD for rest of range  

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 3.2 - 10.7L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 550L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mercedes-Benz GLE

The latest Mercedes-Benz GLE range gives buyers in the market for a premium midsize SUV some serious food for thought thanks to its lovely interior, healthy equipment lists and even the option of a stylish coupe variant.

Inside the cabin, the Mercedes-Benz GLE looks fantastic and gives those in the front and rear of the cabin a tonne of space to stretch out on long journeys.

Much like its BMW rival, there’s a pair of modest base models and the option of some super-powerful AMG flagships for buyers looking for one of the fastest midsize SUVs on the road.

• Engine: Five available, two turbo-diesel, three turbo-petrols 

• Drivetrain: AWD 

• Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 6.6 - 13L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 630 - 655L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Nissan X-Trail

Nissan’s latest generation X-Trail is without a doubt the best we’ve seen yet, with its five- and seven-seat layouts, updated technology lists and a brand new hybrid engine making for a seriously competitive midsize SUV that doesn’t break the bank.

Within the range, there are four trim levels for different budgets and three ‘e-Power’ hybrid engines squeezed in there for good measure, with Nissan’s practical interior making for a super family-friendly offering inside the X-Trail.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, 1.5-litre three-cylinder dual e-motor hybrid 

• Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD available 

• Transmission: CVT automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 6.1 - 7.9L/100km

• Seats: Five standard, seven-seats available  

• Boot Space: 465 - 585L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Skoda Karoq

Buyers looking for a European midsize SUV that won’t break the bank should certainly have the Skoda Karoq on their shortlist.

The Karoq offers a handful of premium touches that make it feel like a mature midsize SUV package, while the clever interior design with completely removable second-row seats makes it a super versatile package overall.

• Engine: 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder 

• Drivetrain: FWD 

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 6.5L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 479L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Lexus NX

The latest Lexus NX range is a great option for Aussies looking for a comfortable and premium midsize SUV and the bonus of a super fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid range-topper.

Within the Lexus NX lineup, there are four engine options, a sleek and practical interior filled with technology, an incredibly long safety equipment list and a spacious layout for five people to travel in comfort and style.

• Engine: Four available, three petrol and one plug-in hybrid (PHEV) 

• Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD available 

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 1.3 - 8.1L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 520L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Cupra Formentor

Our list wraps up with an unusual suspect from Spain, but one that gives buyers European style in a practical body, a fuel-efficient PHEV offering and the option of some seriously fast range-topper.

While the Cupra Formentor might be overshadowed by its rivals on sales charts, it’s a great option for buyers looking for a sleek midsize SUV package that is a heap of fun to drive while offering more than enough space to tick the boxes for Aussie families.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, 1.4-litre plug-in hybrid 

• Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD available 

• Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch 

• Fuel Economy: 1.9 - 7.7L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 450L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

FAQ: What is the Best Midsize SUV in Australia in 2024?

Some of the leading midsize SUV options here in Australia in 2024 include the usual suspects like the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander, Tesla Model Y, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5 and the Nissan X-Trail.

FAQ: What Midsize SUV has the Best Overall Rating?

Judging from the latest round of reports from automotive experts, midsize SUVs with the best overall ratings include the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and the Lexus NX.

FAQ: What Midsize SUV Has the Least Problems?

Using data from the latest JD Power Dependability study, we can see that midsize SUVs from companies like Toyota, Lexus, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and Mitsubishi are believed to have the least problems. The latest raft of battery-electric midsize SUVs are also earning themselves a solid reputation for reliability thanks to their relatively simple powertrains that have just a few moving parts compared to an internal combustion engine.

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