The Most Fuel-Efficient Family SUVs in Australia 2024

A combination of new engine tech and fierce competition has landed buyers here in Australia with a healthy list of options for a fuel-efficient SUV that means space and practicality won’t land you with a hefty fuel bill.

Let’s take a look at some of our favourite picks in the world of fuel-efficient family SUVs to help you out with your search.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

There’s no escaping just how fuel-efficient Toyota’s hybrid engine technology is, with the company proudly rolling it out across almost every member of its lineup.

The clever tech works perfectly in the case of its midsize SUV package, the RAV4, which stands proudly as one of the most practical and fuel-efficient SUVs on the road and makes for a prime option for any family looking to trim down their fuel bills without any major sacrifices.

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

• Fuel Economy: 4.7L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 580L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Subaru Forester L Hybrid

Subaru has introduced a range of new mild hybrid engines for the Forester lineup, making its adventurous midsize SUV package even more versatile for Aussie families.

Inside, the Forester’s cabin offers acres of space and great visibility for town driving, while the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system keeps things smooth and stable on everything from sealed roads to gravel tracks.

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

• Fuel Economy: 6.7L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 509L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre 

Volvo XC60 Recharge

Buyers looking for a sleek, stylish and luxurious midsize SUV package with some clever fuel-efficient hybrid tech, the Volvo XC60 Recharge is a great addition to any shortlist.

Under the swooping bonnet lies a powerful plug-in hybrid engine that not only offers immense fuel-saving benefits but also a heap of power thanks to the added motivation from the electric motor, making it a sporty and practical family SUV package.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbo & supercharged four-cylinder + electric PHEV

• Fuel Economy: 1.6L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 505L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Sante Fe Hybrid

Hyundai’s addition of a hybrid engine for the Santa Fe range gives buyers the opportunity of serious fuel savings in a super practical seven-seat SUV package.

The electric motor offers some added power and the stability of an all-wheel drive system, while Hyundai’s clever interior designs keep things spacious in a remarkably easy package to pilot around town on a daily drive.

• Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder + electric motor hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 6.1L/100km

• Seats: Seven

• Boot Space: 130 - 1649L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Lexus RX 350h Sports Luxury

Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, has you more than covered when it comes to a fuel-efficient family SUV with its sharp RX 360h range which offers a healthy blend of style, tech and smooth on-road manners.

For those looking for some more power, Lexus also offers the RX 500h which offers a tonne more performance and a clever DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system while retaining decent fuel economy figures.

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

• Fuel Economy: 5.0L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 612L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda CX-90 D50e Touring

Mazda’s latest CX-90 is the company’s flagship family SUV that comes packing a heap of power, family-friendly practical touches and extremely refined on-road manners.

Inside, the CX-90’s cabin looks fantastic and offers the choice of six- and seven-seat layouts and a tonne of luxurious features that make it a premium SUV option that truly rivals European competitors.

• Engine: 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel mild hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L/100km

• Seats: Six & seven 

• Boot Space: 608L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mitsubishi Outlander ES PHEV

Mitsubishi has transplanted some super fuel-efficient tech under the bonnet of the Outlander range, gifting its versatile and super family-friendly SUV package some great fuel-efficiency figures backed by an outstanding warranty.

So long as the battery is charged, the Outlander sips just 1.5L/100km and can drive up to 84km on electric power alone thanks to a 20kWh battery pack, making it one of the most affordable plug-in hybrids on the road.

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

• Fuel Economy: 1.5L/100km

• Seats: 5 or 7 

• Boot Space: 163 - 478 - 1461L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: up to ten-year/200,000-kilometre

Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-Power with e-4ORCE

Nissan’s updated X-Trail range is the biggest and best we’ve seen yet, with the company offering its clever hybrid tech in the more affordable ST-L variant.

While it misses out on the seven-seat layout, the ST-L e-Power with e-4ORCE hybrid’s five-seat layout remains family-friendly thanks to a spacious cabin and clever practical design touches, with all-wheel drive stability giving it some light off-road abilities.

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged  three-cylinder + electric motor hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 6.1L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 575L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Kluger GX AWD Hybrid

Toyota’s biggest family mover, the Kluger, gives buyers a taste of three super fuel-efficient hybrid options across the range, including the most affordable GX variant.

With an immensely spacious interior layout and all-wheel drive stability, the Kluger is smooth and confident on the road, easy to drive around town and offers a great mix of family-friendly practicality in a fuel-efficient package.

• Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol + two electric motor hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 5.6L/100km

• Seats: Seven

• Boot Space: 241 - 552 - 1150L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda CX-5 G20 Maxx

Mazda’s CX-5 has become one of the most popular midsize SUVs on the road today, with the entry-level G20 Maxx offering great fuel economy in an affordable, family-friendly package.

While it might be a base model, the G20 Maxx picks up a healthy equipment list, an impressively practical cabin and a surprisingly sporty nature on the road that proves family-friendly motoring doesn’t have to be boring.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 6.9L/100km

• Seats: Five

• Boot Space: 438L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

Volkswagen Touareg R

Finally, our list wraps up with the almighty Volkswagen Touareg R, a performance SUV that offers blistering acceleration combined with fuel efficiency when you’re behaving yourself thanks to a clever plug-in hybrid powertrain.

It’s the most powerful SUV we’ve seen from the company yet, and can sprint to 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds while offering fuel economy figures of just 3.3L/100km so long as the 14.3kWh battery pack is charged.

• Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol + electric motor PHEV

• Fuel Economy: 3.3L/100km

• Seats: Five 

• Boot Space: 610

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

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If you’re on the hunt for a fuel-efficient, family-friendly SUV, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find the best possible price on your dream car.