Australia's Best SUVs: Comparing the Top Contenders

With so many great SUVs to choose from, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. These vehicles have become incredibly popular because they offer a perfect mix of comfort and capability, meeting a wide range of driving needs.

Whether you're handling the school run, planning a road trip, or managing day-to-day life, there’s an SUV that’s just right for you.

In this comparison, we’ll look at some of the best SUVs in Australia. Each of these vehicles has earned its spot by delivering on what matters most: reliability, innovation, and performance. The best part is, you really can’t go wrong with any of them.

Kia Sportage

With its muscular aesthetic and cutting-edge technology, Kia's Sportage redefines what a medium SUV can be. Combining a long, athletic body with bold design, the Sportage sets a new benchmark for style and performance, making it the ideal choice for families looking for both functionality and flair.

Inside the GT-Line grade, the Sportage offers an advanced driving experience with a dual 12.3" curved display that puts control at your fingertips. The driver-centric design ensures that every gear change is as effortless as turning a dial. The ambiance is enhanced by LED ambient mood lighting, offering 64 colour options to match your vibe. Also, with the 8-speaker Harman Kardon® premium sound system, every drive is accompanied by high-quality audio.

The Sportage also prioritises safety, packed with a range of active safety features to keep you and your family protected on the road. Blending visionary design, innovative tech, and robust performance, the Kia Sportage is more than just a medium SUV—it’s a new standard.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is the ultimate 7-seat SUV designed for families who are always on the move. Whether you opt for the fuel-efficient 2.2L diesel or the powerful 3.5L V6 petrol engine, the Santa Fe offers a smooth and responsive driving experience. For those looking to step into the future, the new Santa Fe Hybrid combines an electric motor with a turbo petrol engine, delivering efficiency without compromising on performance.

Inside, the Santa Fe is all about comfort and convenience, packed with features that keep everyone in the family happy. But it's not just about comfort—safety is paramount too. Hyundai’s SmartSense™ system comes standard, providing advanced safety features like cameras, radars, and sensors to help you navigate any situation with confidence.

Stylish, spacious, and smart, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a top choice for families seeking a reliable and versatile SUV.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport offers a powerful and versatile driving experience, perfect for those who crave adventure. Its 2.4-litre MiVEC diesel engine is engineered for efficiency and strong torque, making it ideal for both city driving and off-road exploration. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters, the Pajero Sport delivers smooth and responsive performance.

Designed to handle tough conditions, the Pajero Sport features the Super Select 4WD II system with four off-road modes—Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, and Rock—ensuring you’re prepared for any terrain. With a braked towing capacity of 3.1 tonnes, it’s equipped to tow trailers, boats, or caravans with ease.

Inside, the Pajero Sport offers comfort and practicality with flexible 5 or 7-seat configurations and advanced features like a hands-free power tailgate, making it a top choice for those who need a vehicle that’s both capable and convenient.

Volkswagen T-Cross

The Volkswagen T-Cross is a compact SUV that seamlessly blends style with versatility. Powered by an 85kW engine delivering 200Nm of torque, it’s both responsive and fuel-efficient, achieving 5.6 L/100km. Perfect for city driving and weekend escapes, the T-Cross adapts to your lifestyle with a flexible interior that offers up to 1,281 litres of storage space, thanks to its sliding and folding rear seats.

The T-Cross stands out with its modern design, featuring LED headlights, a wide radiator grille, and striking alloy wheels. Inside, the Digital Cockpit keeps you connected with a high-resolution display, while ambient lighting and high-quality finishes create a comfortable and stylish environment.

With its combination of practicality, cutting-edge tech, and a sleek exterior, the T-Cross is a top choice for urban drivers.

Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 has long been a favourite among Australian drivers, and it’s easy to see why. This award-winning SUV combines rugged performance with thoughtful design, making it an ideal choice for those who need a vehicle that can handle both city streets and off-road adventures.

At the heart of the RAV4's appeal is its powerful yet efficient 2.5L Hybrid Electric engine, which delivers an impressive 163 kW of power. Available in both 2WD and AWD variants, the RAV4 offers dynamic performance while maintaining excellent fuel economy—boasting as low as 4.7L/100km on the Hybrid model.

This efficiency doesn’t come at the cost of capability, though. With a braked towing capacity of 1,500 kg, the RAV4 is more than equipped to tow trailers, boats, or other gear, making it a versatile choice for weekend getaways.

For those looking for an SUV that delivers on all fronts—performance, efficiency, and practicality—the Toyota RAV4 stands out as a top contender.

Nissan X-Trail

The Nissan X-Trail is a versatile SUV that caters to a variety of needs, offering both 5 and 7-seat configurations and a choice between 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains. With a braked towing capacity of up to 2,000 kg, the X-Trail is built to handle both family duties and outdoor adventures with ease.

For those looking to embrace the future, the X-Trail’s hybrid model offers an electric driving experience without the need to plug in. Inside, the X-Trail Ti and Ti-L models impress with three large display screens, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10.8-inch Head-Up Display, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. These displays provide a customisable and intuitive interface, ensuring you have all the important information right where you need it. Plus, wireless smartphone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay® integration make staying connected effortless.

Overall, the Nissan X-Trail is a solid choice for those who need an SUV that can do it all.

Mazda CX-5

Designed with both comfort and practicality in mind, the Mazda CX-5 comfortably seats five and offers up to 1,340L of cargo space, with rear seats that fold completely flat for added versatility. 

Inside, the Mazda CX-5 is packed with intelligent technology to keep you connected, protected, and entertained. The 10.25” widescreen display comes standard on all grades, projecting key information in full colour. For an enhanced view, the Akera model offers a 360° View Monitor, giving you a complete perspective of your surroundings.

Mazda’s commitment to safety is evident with features like High Beam Control, Lane Departure Warning, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control now standard across the range. Plus, with Mazda Intelligent Drive Select technology and a choice of Skyactiv engines, including a 2.5L Turbo Petrol, the CX-5 delivers a driving experience that balances efficiency with excitement.

For those who want a blend of space, technology, and safety in a sleek package, the Mazda CX-5 is an excellent choice.

Ready to find your perfect SUV?

When it comes to choosing an SUV, these top contenders each bring something unique to the table, making them all worthy of consideration.

At the end of the day, the right choice comes down to your lifestyle and what you value most in a vehicle. If you’re in the market for a reliable and versatile SUV, why not explore these options in person? Explore our range of SUV cars for sale in Perth and let our team help you find the perfect fit for your needs.