Australia is known for its rough terrain and extremely long distances between big cities, which is - at least part - of the reason that large SUVs are one of the most popular segments of the market.
When it comes to loading up a large family and all their belongings, there are very few breeds that match the practicality and versatility of a large SUV, and that’s before you bring braked towing capacities into the mix.
With so many options out there in the Australian market, it can be difficult to separate the good from the great when it comes to large SUVs, so let’s jump in and take a look at ten of our favourites.
Ford Everest
The latest-generation Ford Everest has been quick to make a bold and lasting impression here in Australia, and is arguably one of the most versatile large SUV packages on the market today.
It comes powered by a choice of three engines, all of which are paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, with braked towing power standing at 3500kg across the range, making the Everest a towing powerhouse, even in base form.
Available in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants, the Everest range picks up an electronic locking differential on four-wheel-drive variants for added off-road abilities, and a super-spacious cabin that makes it a family-friendly off-road weapon.
- Engine: 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder & 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel
- Power & Torque: 154kW/500Nm (petrol) 184kW/600Nm (diesel)
- Fuel Economy: 7.1 - 8.5L/100km
- Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg
Mazda CX-90
The all-new Mazda CX-90 is a slice of what we can expect to see from the company’s next-generation SUV lineup, with the CX-90 sitting as Mazda’s flagship large SUV package.
Everything about the CX-90 is a major upgrade over the previous generation, making for one of the most stylish, comfortable, practical and powerful Mazda SUVs thanks to a choice of new mild-hybrid inline six-cylinder engines.
Inside, the CX-90’s cabin is spacious and well-appointed with a premium design filled with features to keep those in the front and back of the cabin comfortable on even the longest Australian road trips.
- Engine: 3.3-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo-petrol & turbo-diesel
- Power & Torque: 254kW/500Nm (petrol) 187kW/550Nm (diesel)
- Fuel Economy: 5.4L - 8.2L/100km
- Braked Towing Capacity: 2500kg
Check out our list of the best SUVs on Sale for Under $40,000 in Australia
Toyota LandCruiser Prado
For those looking for a large SUV that doubles as a practical family hauler and an equally-impressive off-road package, Toyota’s LandCruiser Prado range remains atop the leaderboard.
Inside, there’s enough space for up to seven people - and the option of a five-seater with a monstrous boot - making it an extremely well-credentialled family SUV.
When the sealed roads stop, the Prado doesn’t slow down thanks to its hardcore underpinnings, 2.8-litre turbo-diesel and a switchable four-wheel drive system, locking centre differential and a high/low transfer case that give it immense off-road abilities and towing figures of 3000kg.
- Engine: 2.8-litre turbo-diesel
- Power & Torque: 150kW/500Nm
- Fuel Economy: 7.9L/100km
- Braked Towing Capacity: 3000kg
Skoda Kodiaq
If you’re looking to get a more premium slice of European motoring without breaking the bank, the latest Skoda Kodiaq is a great large SUV from the Volkswagen-owned company.
With enough space for seven people inside the cabin, the Kodiaq offers leather upholstery as standard, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 9.2-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto to keep the family happy and entertained on long journeys.
On the road, the Kodiaq feels smooth and refined, with Skoda offering two engines for the Kodiaq including the range-topping 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder that throws 180kW of power and 370Nm of torque to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch for rapid shifts.
- Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
- Power & Torque: 132kW/320Nm (Style) 180kW/370Nm (Sportline)
- Fuel Economy: 7.5L - 8.2L/100km
- Braked Towing Capacity: 2000kg
Hyundai Palisade
For those planning on spending more time in the urban jungle than off-road trails, Hyundai’s flagship large SUV, the Palisade, has proven itself as one of the best of the family-friendly bunch.
Having enjoyed a recent styling refresh with added equipment as standard, there’s a heap to love about the Palisade when it comes to driving refinement in the front seat and comfort in the back seats.
The Palisade is available as a seven- or eight-seater, with the entry-level variant picking up three-zone climate control with three rows of air vents, leather upholstery and an 8.0-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.
- Engine: 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and 3.8-litre V6
- Power & Torque: 217kW/355Nm (petrol) 147kW/440Nm (diesel)
- Fuel Economy: 10.7L/100km (petrol) 7.3L/100km (diesel)
- Braked Towing Capacity: 2200kg
Genesis GV80
Cars like the Genesis GV80 really have you questioning the need to spend more on a luxurious European SUV, and provide Australian buyers with an important point of difference at the price point.
For the price of a lesser-spec European SUV, the GV80 SUV comes right out of the gates with pretty much every premium touch and clever feature you could dream of, and drives exceptionally well on the road.
The base model picks up full leather upholstery, including a leather-stitched dashboard with wood highlights, heated and ventilated front seats, a 12-inch head-up display, ambient lighting, a 21-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a massive 14.5-inch infotainment display.
- Engine: Three engines (four-cylinder diesel & petrol, six-cylinder petrol)
- Power & Torque: 224kW/422Nm (petrol) 204kW/588Nm (diesel) 279kW/530Nm (V6 petrol)
- Fuel Economy: 8.8 - 11.7L/100km
- Braked Towing Capacity: 2722kg
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Request a quoteVolvo XC90
If you prefer your large SUVs with a sprinkling of Swedish style, the Volvo XC90 range is the most versatile yet thanks to the recent addition of a plug-in hybrid flagship.
The XC90 is a fabulous seven-seat SUV that comes beautifully styled inside and out, offering a spacious and minimalist-inspired cabin for those lucky enough to sit inside on a long journey.
Underneath the bonnet, there are three engine options, including a range-topping plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that drops fuel economy figures from 8.2L/100km to just 1.8L/100km, so long as the 20kWh battery is charged.
- Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and plug-in hybrid variants
- Power & Torque: 183kW/350Nm (petrol) 340kW/709Nm (PHEV)
- Fuel Economy: 8.2L/100km (petrol) 1.8L/100km (PHEV)
- Braked Towing Capacity: 2400kg
Kia Sorento
Kia’s largest SUV in its ranks is also by far the most practical family offering thanks to its cleverly-designed seven-seat interior, and the recent addition of a trio of hybrid engines in the lineup.
Inside the cabin, the Sorento has acres of headroom and space for passengers to get comfortable across three rows of seats, with the option of five- and seven-seat interiors that offer 616L and 187L of boot space, respectively.
Kia has added two hybrid engine options as well as a plug-in hybrid range-topper that drops fuel use from 9.7L/100km to just 5.3L/100km in the standard hybrid, and down to 1.6L/100km in the Sorento PHEV.
- Engine: 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and 3.5-litre V6
- Power & Torque: 200kW/332Nm (petrol) 148kW/440Nm (diesel)
- Fuel Economy: 9.7L/100km (petrol) 6.1L/100km (diesel)
- Braked Towing Capacity: 2000kg
Volkswagen Touareg
The Volkswagen Touareg is another worthy addition to your shortlist if you’re after a large and refined European SUV but don’t want to move north of a six-figure price tag.
Even in base form, the VW Touareg is an exceptional family SUV, providing a remarkably smooth and premium driving dynamic and a large, well-appointed and luxurious interior design for five people inside.
The base model Touareg picks up a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel producing 170kW/500Nm which offers 3500kg of towing power, giving it more than enough grunt to become a powerful yet smooth grand tourer with a caravan in tow.
- Engine: 3.0-litre turbo-diesel
- Power & Torque: 170kW/500Nm
- Fuel Economy: 6.8L/100km
- Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg
Nissan Patrol
Our list wraps up with another super versatile large SUV platform, the Nissan Patrol.
All things considered, it’s hard not to like the Nissan Patrol, which picks up a monstrous 5.6-litre V8 producing 298kW/560Nm that offers braked towing figures up to 3500kg and some serious off-road abilities, with the option of seven and eight-seat configurations to keep the whole family moving.
Standard equipment for the Nissan Patrol includes leather upholstery, LED headlights, a rear-locking differential, three-zone climate control and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.
- Engine: 5.6-litre naturally-aspirated V8
- Power & Torque: 298kW/560Nm
- Fuel Economy: 14.4L/100km
- Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg
