Most Fuel-Efficient Seven-Seat SUVs in Australia

There’s no cheating physics, after all, though some of the best in the segment have come close, offering impressive fuel economy figures in a large, practical seven-seat package.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly package but want to cut down on your fuel bills, you’re in the right place because we’re going to be mapping out your best and most efficient options in the seven-seat SUV segment.

To cover all the bases, we’re going to list out the most fuel-efficient hybrid, diesel and petrol-powered options and close with a look at some plug-in hybrid ones, too, so you’ve got all possible options at your fingertips.

Kia Sorento HEV

The Kia Sorento in hybrid form makes for Australia’s most fuel-efficient, seven-seat SUV package, proving that family-friendly motoring doesn’t need to drain your back pocket.

Kia offers the Sorento in petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid flavours, with the HEV hybrid offering great fuel economy figures at a significant discount over the range-topping PHEV.

• Engine Type: Petrol-electric hybrid

• City Fuel Economy: 5.7L per 100km

• Highway Fuel Economy: 6.5L per 100km

• Combined Fuel Economy: 5.7L per 100km

• Boot Size: 179 - 1,996L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2020)

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid 2WD

Hyundai’s latest-generation Santa Fe has made a big impression here in Australia.

With its funky new styling package, a spacious interior for families of seven and particularly efficient petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, the Santa Fe is a must-have on any fuel-conscious shortlist for large SUV buyers.

• Engine Type: Petrol-electric hybrid

• City Fuel Economy: 6.2L per 100km

• Highway Fuel Economy: 5.3L per 100km

• Combined Fuel Economy: 5.6L per 100km

• Boot Size: 628 - 1,949L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2024)

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

Toyota Kluger

Up until fairly recently, the Toyota Kluger remained virtually unchallenged in the world of seven-seat hybrid SUVs, with the company offering a hybrid-only Kluger lineup in 2025.

While its competition has gotten thicker, the Kluger remains a great option for family buyers looking to trim down on their fuel bills, thanks to Toyota’s outstanding hybrid know-how.

• Engine Type: Petrol-electric hybrid

• City Fuel Economy: 6.0L per 100km

• Highway Fuel Economy: 5.6L per 100km

• Combined Fuel Economy: 5.6L per 100km

• Boot Size: 241 - 1,150L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2021)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre (up to ten-years for hybrid battery)

Ford Everest 4x2 bi-turbo

The Ford Everest hits the ground running with one of the most fuel-efficient diesel engines currently on the market, appealing to Aussies looking to conquer the outdoors or a long-distance road trip.

While it can’t match its petrol-electric hybrid rivals, the Everest posts very respectable fuel economy figures from its bi-turbo diesel engine that provides a montsrous 500Nm of torque to help get you out of trouble.

• Engine Type: 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel

• City Fuel Economy: 8.4L per 100km

• Highway Fuel Economy: 6.3L per 100km

• Combined Fuel Economy: 7.1L per 100km

• Boot Size: 259 - 1,823L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2022)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai’s biggest and boldest family SUV, the Palisade, comes with the choice of a V6 petrol and a pretty efficient turbo-diesel that posts very respectable fuel economy figures for such a large and practical package.

The Palisade’s 2.2-litre turbo-diesel unit is a pretty responsible drinker while offering 440Nm of torque to keep you on the move, while those inside are treated to a large and premium cabin.

• Engine Type: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

• City Fuel Economy: 9.2L per 100km

• Highway Fuel Economy: 6.2L per 100km

• Combined Fuel Economy: 7.3L per 100km

• Boot Size: 311 - 1,297L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2022) 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner is the company’s HiLux-based family-mover, offering a seven-seat cabin and stacks of torque from a reasonably effcient turbo-diesel powertrain.

The Fortuner offers some serious off-road versaility for families thanks to its ute-based platform and turbo-diesel torque which posts some respectable fuel economy figures on a long trip.

• Engine Type: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• City Fuel Economy: 9.1L per 100km

• Highway Fuel Economy: 6.8L per 100km

• Combined Fuel Economy: 7.6L per 100km

• Boot Size: N/A

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2019)

• Warranty:  Five-year/unlimited-kilometre (extends to seven years)

Toyota LandCruiser Prado 250 Series GXL

Toyota’s latest-generation Prado looks to improve upon a rock-solid and renowned nameplate when it comes to everything from interior refinement, off-road abilities and even fuel economy.

Boasting a new, mild-hybrid powertrain, the Prado offers 500Nm of torque for all your off-road antics while keeping combined fuel economy figures at a very healthy 7.6L per 100km - not a small feat for an earth-conquering, seven-seat SUV.

• Engine Type: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel mild hybrid

• City Fuel Economy: 8.5L per 100km

• Highway Fuel Economy: 7.0L per 100km

• Combined Fuel Economy: 7.6L per 100km

• Boot Size: 182 - 1,829L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2024)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre (extends to seven years)

Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI Allspace

Volkswagen offers a stretched-out, seven-seat version of the Tiguan known as the Allspace that delivers very solid fuel economy figures.

The Tiguan Allspace has a clever, practical cabin design that allows you to fold down every seat, except the driver’s seat and while the entry-level 110TSI isn’t exactly a performer on the road, it ticks efficiency boxes for seven-seat SUV buyers.

• Engine Type: 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol

• City Fuel Economy: 9.9L per 100km

• Highway Fuel Economy: 6.4L per 100km

• Combined Fuel Economy: 7.7L per 100km

• Boot Size: 230 - 1,775L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Isuzu MU-X 1.9 4x2

For buyers looking for an off-road monster that remains family-friendly during the week, the latest MU-X range is certainly worth a closer look, particularly with the smaller, more fuel-efficient 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine at the base of the range.

Fresh off a mid-cycle facelift, the latest Isuzu MU-X range is a serious performer off-road while offering a large, practical cabin for families of seven and respectable fuel economy figures for such a large footprint.

• Engine Type: 1.9-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel

• City Fuel Economy: 9.0L per 100km

• Highway Fuel Economy: 6.7L per 100km

• Combined Fuel Economy: 7.4L per 100km

• Boot Size: 311 - 2,138L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2022)

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

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX 4x4

Our list wraps up with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, a tough off-road package that is equally as confident on the school run.

With its large footprint and meaty turbo-diesel beating hard, the Pajero Sport isn’t afraid to get its toes dirty while maintaining healthy economy figures for fuel-conscious buyers.

• Engine Type: 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel

• City Fuel Economy: 9.8L per 100km

• Highway Fuel Economy: 7.0L per 100km

• Combined Fuel Economy: 8.0L per 100km

• Boot Size: 673 - 1,624L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/100,000-kilometre (extends to ten-year/200,000km when serviced in network)

Most Efficient Plug-in Hybrid Seven-Seat SUVs

If you’re looking for the best outright fuel economy figures in the world of seven-seat family SUVs, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat what’s on offer in a plug-in hybrid, though you will need to keep the battery topped up between drives.

There are, however, some flaws in how fuel economy figures are measured in plug-in hybrids, with economy figures flying north in everyday driving, especially when the battery is depleted.

• Mitsubishi Outlander - 1.5L per 100km

• Volvo XC90 Recharge - 1.8L per 100km

• Kia Sorento - 1.6L per 100km

• Mazda CX-80 P50e - 2.7L per 100km

• Land Rover Defender 110 P400e - 3.4L per 100km

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