Top 10 Best Value SUVs in Australia in 2024

With so many options available to SUV buyers, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of vehicles to choose and compare, and even easier to miss a great deal when it’s lost in a sea of competitors.

With that in mind, we’re here to provide you with our list of the 10 best value SUVs on sale here in Australia in 2024, including the outright cheapest SUV deals and packages that offer a boatload of features at a great price.

Kia Sportage S

Our list kicks off with a must-have on your midsize SUV shortlist, the latest Kia Sportage range.

With affordable prices for a reasonably well-equipped base model, there’s a lot the Sportage has to offer for growing Australian families looking for a safe, reliable and practical midsize SUV package.

The base model picks up a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, while there’s also a turbo-diesel an all-new hybrid on the horizon here in Australia and the option of an all-wheel drive platform that makes the Sportage super versatile for the money.

Atop the outstanding seven-year warranty, you’ll find the entry-level Sportage S receives 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol 
• Power & Torque: 115kW/192Nm 
• Transmission: Six-speed manual & automatic 
• Fuel Economy: 7.7 - 8.1L/100km 
• Seats: 5 
• Boot Space: 542L 
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 
• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Palisade Elite

While it’s not the cheapest large SUV on the market, the Hyundai Palisade comes jam-packed with so many features and family-friendly creature comforts it’s impossible to ignore the value proposition on offer.

The base Palisade Elite is an excellent option for families looking for a more premium package that can comfortably fit up to eight people and an impressive amount of their gear.

Hyundai’s base model comes riding on 20-inch alloys and receives luxurious touches like leather upholstery, heated seats, a pair of 12.3-inch displays, a panoramic sunroof, a 12-speaker Infinity sound system and a hands-free boot lift that makes stepping higher up the range completely unnecessary.

• Engine: 3.8-litre V6 petrol 
• Power & Torque: 217kW/355Nm 
• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic 
• Fuel Economy: 10.7L/100km 
• Seats: 7 - 8 
• Boot Space: 311 - 704L 
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda CX-5 Maxx

The Mazda CX-5 is one of the most recognisable midsize SUVs in Australia and, even with its fierce reputation, Mazda has maintained a super accessible price list for the CX-5.

While it’s tempting to step up higher into the CX-5 range, the base CX-5 Maxx is a rock-solid package that will meet the expectations of most, if not all Australian families.

The base model comes powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a smooth six-speed automatic transmission and offers nimble handling that is user-friendly around town and comfortable on long trips away.

As standard, the CX-5 Maxx picks up 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with parking sensors, cloth upholstery with a leather steering wheel and gear lever as well as an upgraded 10.25-inch infotainment system.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol 
• Power & Torque: 115kW/200Nm 
• Transmission: Six-speed automatic 
• Fuel Economy: 6.9L/100km 
• Seats: 5
• Boot Space: 438L 
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mahindra XUV700

While it might be a relative unknown to Australian buyers, there’s a lot to like about the latest Mahindra XUV700 if you’re a large family after an absolute bargain of a seven-seat SUV.

For what it lacks in brand reputation, the Mahindra XUV700 makes up for with a long warranty program and a barely believable list of equipment that you won’t match at this end of the market.

As standard, the Mahindra XUV700 receives 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a pair of 10.25-inch displays with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, a massive panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control and leatherette upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder 
• Power & Torque: 149kW/380Nm
• Transmission: Six-speed automatic 
• Fuel Economy: 8.3L/100km 
• Seats: 7 
• Boot Space: N/A
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated 
• Warranty: Seven-year/150,000km

Isuzu MU-X

The Isuzu MU-X is an impressive vehicle from pretty much every angle you look at it.

The spacious cabin is perfect for families looking to move seven people, while its D-Max underpinnings mean that it’s a confident off-roader and heavy-duty tower that makes it one of the most versatile large SUVs on the market.

Considering its abilities, the Isuzu MU-X is almost the benchmark for value, with its reputation bolstered by a features list that includes 17-inch alloys with all-terrain tyres, adaptive cruise control, LED head & tail lights, keyless entry & start, a 7.0-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & wired Android Auto and a locking differential for 4x4 variants.

• Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
• Power & Torque: 140kW/450Nm 
• Transmission: Six-speed automatic 
• Fuel Economy: 7.8 - 8.3L/100km 
• Seats: 7  
• Boot Space: 311 - 1119L 
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Standard Range RWD

Hyundai’s updated IONIQ 5 range makes for one of the best-value electric SUVs currently on sale in Australia.

While it lacks the range figures of its more expensive siblings, Hyundai’s entry point into the futuristic IONIQ 5 range offers decent power and torque figures of 125kW/350Nm and range figures of 384km from a 53kWh battery pack.

The entry-level IONIQ 5 receives a healthy features list that includes 19-inch alloys, leather and wool upholstery, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, two 12.3-inch displays, a wireless smartphone charger, energy-efficient heat pump and LED headlights.

• Engine: Single, rear-mounted electric motor  
• Power & Torque: 125kW/350Nm 
• Transmission: Single-speed transmission  
• Electric Range: 384km  
• Seats: 5
• Boot Space: 527L + 57L (under the bonnet) 
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre; eight-year/160,000km battery warranty

MG ZS Excite

The MG ZS is Australia’s best-selling small SUV - considering the company’s asking prices, seven-year warranty coverage and generous approach to features lists, it’s not hard to see why.

In 2024, the MG ZS lineup has been slimmed down to just a single variant which comes powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder that returns fairly decent fuel economy figures of 7.1L/100km.

As standard, the MG ZS Excite comes packaged with 17-inch alloys, LED daytime running lamps, leatherette upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay which means you’ve got more than enough gear to hit the ground running.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder  
• Power & Torque: 84kW/150Nm 
• Transmission: Four-speed automatic 
• Fuel Economy: 7.1L/100km 
• Seats: 5
• Boot Space: 359L 
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Four-star 
• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Skoda Kodiaq Style

The Skoda Kodiaq is a great option for buyers looking for a stylish and practical European SUV that won’t break the bank and drives like a dream.

Within the range, there’s three options, including a sporty RS flagship that offers a tonne of performance in a large, family-friendly package with a 4x4 system fitted to every member of the Kodiaq lineup.

Better yet, the base model comes boasting premium touches like 19-inch alloys, leather upholstery, LED headlights, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.2-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol 
• Power & Torque: 132kW/320Nm 
• Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch  
• Fuel Economy: 8.2L/100km
• Seats: 7
• Boot Space: 270 - 765 - 2005L 
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated 
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Subaru Forester 2.5i

The Subaru Forester has been around in Australia for decades now, earning itself a solid reputation for practicality and rugged versatility thanks to its ground clearance and symmetrical AWD system.

Inside, the Forester’s cabin offers great view of your surroundings that makes it easy to drive around town, while the spacious cabin makes it a truly family-friendly package.

As standard the entry-level Forester 2.5i is packaged with 17-inch alloys, active cornering LED headlights, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with parking sensors, a 6.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

• Engine: 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder
• Power & Torque: 136kW/239Nm 
• Transmission: CVT automatic
• Fuel Economy: 7.4L/100km
• Seats: 5 
• Boot Space: 498L 
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mitsubishi Outlander LS

Our list wraps up with one of the undisputed value kings in the midsize SUV space, the Mitsubishi Outlander.

It’s one of the few midsize SUVs able to carry seven people and comes backed by a segment-leading warranty that extends out to ten years when serviced within the Mitsubishi dealer network.

As standard, the Outlander range picks up a comprehensive list of active safety gear, as well as 18-inch alloys, LED head & tail lights, an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as well as dual-zone climate control and a six-speaker sound system in the base model.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
• Power & Torque: 135kW/244Nm 
• Transmission: CVT automatic 
• Fuel Economy: 7.5 - 7.7L/100km 
• Seats: 5 - 7 
• Boot Space: 485 - 1466L (five-seat) 163 - 478L (seven-seat) 
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

FAQ: What SUV Holds its Value the Most?

It’s impossible to pinpoint a single SUV that holds its value the most, though, in the current landscape, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is experiencing less depreciation than the industry average.

Other SUVs that hold their value at an above-average rate include the Mazda CX-5, Isuzu MU-X, Skoda Kamiq, Toyota LandCruiser Prado, Volvo XC60, Subaru Forester, Toyota Kluger, Nissan Qashqai, Mitsubishi ASX and the Subaru Outback.

FAQ: What are some upcoming plug-in hybrid SUVs arriving in Australia in 2024?

Some of the most significant plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs arriving in Australia in 2024 include the Mazda CX-90 PHEV, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV, GWM Haval H6 PHEV and the CR-V e:PHEV.

FAQ: What is the Most Dependable SUV Make?

While it’s difficult to say exactly which manufacturer offers the most dependable SUV, it’s commonly thought that manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Lexus, Subaru and Nissan offer some of the segment’s leading reliability over time.

FAQ: Which 3-Row SUV Holds its Value Best?

Some of the three-row SUVs on sale here in Australia that experience the least depreciation include the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, the Toyota Kluger and the Isuzu MU-X.

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