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Discover some of the best cars to take on a road trip, covering large SUVs, mid-sized SUVs and small SUVs
11 March 2025
Written by Wheels magazine
The family road trip is one of the great Aussie traditions – but which cars on the market are ideally suited for those who love the open road?
A large SUV that, really, ticks all the boxes as a road trip car – practicality, seven seats, lots of storage, comfortable interior, excellent safety systems and a choice of turbo petrol or more fuel-efficient hybrid power. Wide-opening doors and boot mean it is a great fit for families bringing lots of stuff on the holiday. There are three Kluger variants but the 4WD hybrid version, priced from $60,920, delivers winning fuel economy of 5.6L/100km.
Popular because of its accessible pricing and practical, family-oriented styling, this seven-seater straddles the medium-large SUV segment. With lots of variants, from petrol to plug-in hybrid and including two wheel and all-wheel drive models, it also offers excellent standard features - 7.0-inch driver's display, 8.0-inch infotainment screen, cloth fabric interior, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights in the base model. It also boasts plenty of storage space, both in standard configuration and with back row seats folded down.
An enduringly popular family model in Australia, particularly for those who like to travel. The updated 2025 models get new tech and convenience features but importantly, prices remain similar to those of 2024. Plenty of up-to-the-minute tech across the range, from the base-spec ST up to the top-spec Ti-L and N-TREK variants, including a bigger dash screen compared with earlier models, as well as rugged-wearing, easy-to-clean upholstery (kids are messy, remember), and improved ride and handling. The hybrid model sips around 6.1-7.8 litres per 100km, not bad for this category. Front wheel and four-wheel drive options across the range, which varies in price from about $40,000 up to nearly $60,000 for the Ti-L-e-power hybrid model.
We’re up to the fifth generation of the popular Santa Fe seven-seater now, with more expensive, hybrid-only models released last year with added standard equipment and a more attractive exterior. One hybrid powertrain now covers the Hybrid, Hybrid Elite, and Hybrid Calligraphy variants. Comfort is obviously a road trip priority and the Santa Fe accommodates with heated front seats, electric driver’s seat adjustment, dual-zone climate control with individual fan control in the third row. Instrument cluster and infotainment are displayed on a dual 12.3-inch digital screen, while devices can stay powered up via wireless charging along with digital radio, wireless smartphone connectivity and a 360-degree camera. There are also 10 airbags, plenty of driver assist safety technology and in the higher-spec models, USB-C charging ports throughout the cabin. Thoughtfully laid out, this is an ideal choice for the longer journeys.
Maza covers the field when it comes to SUVs, with small, medium and large options. Of the latter, the CX-90 is the pick for regular roadtrippers. Offered with either a 3.3L mild hybrid turbo petrol or mild hybrid turbo diesel engine, the CX-90 is a very roomy seven-seater, with a sliding middle row to create even more space inside and generous boot space – 257L with all seven seats in use, 608 litres behind the second row, or 2025L if you lay the seats flat. The third row also has top-tether mounts so you can fit kiddie seats back there, unlike some rivals. Adaptive cruise control, a great stereo and smooth engine performance make short work of big distances. And economical. Even fully loaded and with some big hills to tackle, the diesel CX-90 returned an economy figure of 6.4L/100km on a Wheels road test.
The clue is in the name, of course – a Subaru model you can feel safe and secure in while out on Australia’s roads and their varying quality. While classed as a large SUV, the Outback is closer to some medium-sized models and offers five seats only to prioritise cabin room and luggage/storage space. All-wheel drive, the five variants in the Outback range either run a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine or 2.4-litre turbocharged engine. We’d say the former offers the smoother drive but the turbo certainly adds punch for the open road. There’s an excellent list of features in the base Outback, too, from 11.6 inch-central screen in portrait mode with satnav and plenty of clever storage options in the cabin.
To note first up, a sixth-generation Subaru Forester is due in in Australia during 2025, the latest update on a model that has been popular with Aussies because of its durability and practicality for well-travelled families. The new Forester will feature a hybrid drivetrain developed in collaboration with Toyota tech, delivering better performance and fuel efficiency compared with earlier models. As an example of features, the 2.5i Sport in the middle of the Forester line-up, costing $45,640 before on-road costs, comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels with a dark metallic finish, an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, leather steering wheel and gear shift and cloth trim seats. Its combination of accessible pricing, good standard features and reputation for handling tough treatment make it ideal for road trippers.
The MG HS is a five-door, five-seat wagon which has attracted plenty of small to medium families because it’s so well priced, with the entry-level Vibe model priced at $33,990, Excite at $36,990 driveaway and the top-spec Essence at $40,990. Plus it comes with a massive 10-year warranty. The new model introduced last year features a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and seven-speed automatic transmission. Interior space has also increased in the new model – perfect for families who like drive rather than fly. The entry-level Vibe includes twin 12.3-inch digital instrument and infotainment displays, six-way electric drivers’ seat adjustment for the driver, automatic LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels. Higher spec models get better trim on the seats, 360-degree camera system, more in-car tech and, in the Essence, a panoramic sunroof and electric tailgate. Of particularly note is now roomy the second row is in the HS, particularly good for those with little ones still in child seats.
Images supplied by Wheels magazine. This article was written by an independent author of Wheels Media. Full disclaimer