With hybrids and electric vehicles beginning to strengthen their foothold in the Australian market, seven-seat SUVs are one of the latest to pick up fuel-efficient hybrid and zero-emissions battery-electric tech.
The end result is a bucket-load of fuel savings, in the case of hybrid seven-seaters, while battery-electric options significantly reduce your operating costs.
With a number of growing options in the world of seven-seat electric and hybrid SUVs hitting the market, let’s take a closer look at those well deserving of a spot on your shortlist.
Kia EV9
We’ll kick off with one of the biggest launches in the world of seven-seat electric cars, the almighty Kia EV9, which is set to arrive here in Australia in the latter stages of 2023.
The EV9 rides on the latest all-electric platform from Kia, with single and dual-motor options offering a heap of power and torque, and range figures standing at an impressive 541km of all-electric driving range from the 99.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Inside, the EV9’s cabin is sleek, modern and filled with tech. Kia gives buyers the option of a six-seater with two large captain’s chairs in the rear, or a seven-seat configuration that is perfect for large families.
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Request a quoteVolvo XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid
For those in the market for a sleek, European and remarkably powerful SUV package, the Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV is a great option for growing families.
Inside, the XC90’s cabin looks wonderful and offers more than enough space for a family of seven, with the PHEV variant picking up a panoramic sunroof, adaptive air suspension and a premium Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
Underneath, the XC90 Recharge comes packing a potent turbo and supercharged four-cylinder with an electric motor that pushes out 340kW of power and 709Nm of torque, making this a serious player when it’s up and moving.
All electric driving figures stand at 77km, while fuel economy figures with a fully-charged battery are rated at 1.8L/100km.
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Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
Hyundai has updated its seven-seater Santa Fe range with two hybrid options, making the spacious and practical SUV package more fuel-efficient in the process.
Hyundai offers its hybrid tech in two forms, the mid-range Elite Hybrid and the range-topping Highlander Hybrid, both of which pick up an all-wheel drive system and a generous 169kW/350Nm.
Fuel economy figures stand at 6.0L/100km in the hybrid, a significant reduction from the standard Santa Fe’s 10.5L/100km combined cycle figures, making it a great option for fuel-conscious buyers.
Kia Sorento Hybrid & Plug-in Hybrid
Kia has updated its large, seven-seat platform in the Sorento SUV with a choice of a traditional hybrid assembly and a clever plug-in hybrid range-topper.
The Sorento’s cabin is large and particularly family-friendly thanks to Kia’s clever interior designs, while fuel economy drops from 9.7L/100km in the standard V6 Sorento to 5.3L/100km in the Sorento Hybrid FWD, and down to just 1.6L/100km with a fully-charged battery in the PHEV.
Better yet, the Sorento comes packaged with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for long-term peace of mind.
Toyota Kluger Hybrid
Toyota’s latest Kluger range has seen the company stick with hybrid engines across all three variants, giving buyers the option of a fuel-efficient powertrain on even the entry-level Kluger GX.
As one of Toyota’s largest platforms, the Kluger’s interior offers a tonne of space for growing families, with significant fuel savings of 5.6L/100km on a combined cycle over the standard Kluger’s 8.5L/100km.
Inside the cabin, you’ll find 241L of boot space with the third row of seats standing, with the cloth upholstery switched out for leather upholstery in the move from the entry-level GX to the range-topping Grande.
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Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid
While it might not be the most spacious seven-seat offering, the Outlander plug-in hybrid (PHEV) remains a super cost-effective option for growing Australian families.
Over the standard Outlander, the PHEV variant picks up a four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors that produce a combined 185kW/450Nm, with 84km of all-electric range available from the 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
This drops fuel economy figures, when the battery is fully charged, down to a claimed 1.5L/100km on the NEDC test cycle, with the pack receiving vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) architecture that makes it a mobile battery pack.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
Our last entrant comes from German giant, Mercedes-Benz, who has transplanted its class-leading electric architecture into the GLB seven-seater to create the EQB SUV.
Inside, the EQB’s cabin is ultra-modern and filled with technology, while the package offers more than enough space for a family of seven to hit the road in comfort and style.
Power for the EQB comes supplied by a 66.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers 474km of driving range in the EQB250, which drops to 416km in the EQB350 4Matic.
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