Of course, size is a priority, followed closely by practicality that makes all the difference for a family run-around, but there’s also things like fuel economy, entertainment and safety features to take into account.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top 8 cars that are perfect for expanding families.
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback range is a great option for buyers looking for a family-friendly car that isn’t afraid to get its toes dirty on some weekend or holiday adventures.
The latest generation Outback has received a makeover and a heap of added safety features as standard, with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder throwing 138kW/245Nm to all four wheels via Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system.
On the road, the Outback’s suspension is perfectly suited to a mix of surfaces, and the interior is spacious and practical, making for a great family all-rounder with the help of its 522L boot.
Kia Sorento
Kia has updated its almighty family-mover, the Sorento, with a range of hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, giving buyers a heap of versatility in the body of Kia’s largest car on sale in Australia.
Inside, the Sorento has no problem accommodating up to seven people, and outstanding boot space for up to 616L of cargo with two rows standing, dropping to 187L with the third row standing.
Better still, the Sorento receives Kia’s seven-year/unlimited KM warranty and a heap of entertainment and safety features as standard.
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi has given its family-friendly Outlander platform a major upgrade in recent years, making for one of the best value propositions for expanding families.
Under the bonnet, the Outlander receives a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 135kW of power and 245Nm of torque that is optioned with a front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive platform for those looking for a light off-roader or added confidence while towing.
Inside, the Outlander’s cabin is sleek, modern and undeniably practical thanks to some clever designs and packaging, with 485L of boot space in the five-seat variant and 478L in the seven-seat variant with the second row folded.
To make things even better, the Outlander receives Mitsubishi’s unbeatable ten-year warranty when serviced within its network, giving buyers a decade’s worth of ownership confidence.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V has been a family-favourite for decades now, and it’s not hard to see why.
The CR-V offers a great mix of comfortable driving, a spacious and practical cabin, and offers buyers a heap of value in even the most affordable model of the range, making it a great option for expanding families with seating for up to seven people.
The CR-V is available with a choice of two engines, with a turbocharged four-cylinder headlining the range that offers impressive fuel economy figures of 7.0L/100km on a combined cycle, with boot space standing at a sizable 522L in the five-seat CR-V, decreasing to 150L in the seven-seat variant.
Ford Everest
For buyers looking for a rock-solid option to handle family duties during the week and head into the Great Outdoors on the weekend, Ford’s recently-updated Everest is a heavy-hitter of the segment.
The range offers both 4x2 and 4x4 platforms, with a choice of three engines available offering impressive power and torque, while keeping fuel economy figures under control.
Underneath the bodywork, the Everest gains a sturdy platform, heavy-duty suspension hardware and a clever terrain system that helps to navigate over some seriously testing conditions, while braked towing capacity stands at 3500kg.
Inside, the revamped and incredibly spacious cabin gains a heap of practical elements and a technology upgrade, with comfortable seating for up to seven people, and impressive boot figures of 898L in five-seat variants, dropping to 259L in the seven-seater.
Mazda CX-5
If you’re looking for a family-friendly SUV that is a heap of fun to drive and offers one of the most stylish cabin designs on the market, look no further than the latest generation Mazda CX-5.
With a dozen different variants on offer, there’s a CX-5 available for all types of Australian families, with a choice of four engines that offer some seriously impressive performance as you move toward the top end.
The CX-5 platform shines as a comfortable daily-driver that is surprisingly sporty for a family-friendly SUV when pushed, while the cabin offers more than enough space and practical elements for growing families, with boot space figures standing at 438L.
Hyundai Palisade
If your family has expanded to the point that you need seating for up to eight people, but you want to stick with the SUV body shape rather than something like a people-mover, the Hyundai Palisade is a seriously attractive offering.
As Hyundai’s flagship SUV, the Palisade offers an immense amount of features in higher-spec variants, although the entry-level model comes fitted with more features than you’ll likely ever need.
Under the bonnet, there’s a choice of a V6 petrol or turbo-diesel, with power sent to the wheels via a silky-smooth eight-speed automatic that, when paired with Hyundai’s insanely comfortable suspension, makes for one of the most relaxing SUVs on the road.
Inside you’ll find seating for eight people, with boot space of 311L with three rows of seats standing, which increases to 704L with the third row folded, making for a very practical family SUV.
Kia Carnival
If you’re looking for the leading way to comfortably move your family of eight, it’s hard to deny the all-around versatility of the Kia Carnival.
While it might not be the most exciting proposition on our list, step behind the wheel and you’ll quickly find out that the Carnival has a heap of tricks up its sleeve, from the comfortable suspension package to the surprising fuel economy on offer in the diesel variant.
Inside, the Carnival’s platform is tailor-made for families, from the stylish and spacious cabin to the flexible seating arrangement in the rear of the cabin that makes it one of the best ways to transport an expanding family.
The Carnival’s party trick is that even with a family of eight inside, it can swallow up 627L of cargo, making it one of the most practical family vehicles on the road today.
Find the Best Cars for Expanding Families
When it comes to the perfect car for a large Australian family, there’s too many options for us to squeeze into one list here, which is why we’d encourage you to check out the rest of your options on our Expanding Families page here.
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