The mid-size SUV segment is Australia’s largest sales volume and model number, with a quarter of all new cars sold here last year.
Mid-size SUVs have replaced them as the default family car choice in markets such as ours, as medium and large passenger cars have gone away.
It’s hard to say that it’d be easier to wedge a bulky pram, sporting gear and all the other family members into one of these than they are with an sedan (okay so traditional wagons were more convenient for people who have limited mobility and bizarrely their ‘ick’ factor with.
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Because of this segment, we asked the members of childcareman.xyz editorial team for their favourite new mid-size SUV to choose from under $60,000 (not on-road costs) list price.
The caveat was no one; members of the team were able to choose any type of powertrain (from petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric) and could be from any brand as long as the model is at within VFACTS’ medium SUV segment.
What did the team pick?
Alborz Fallah: Tesla Model Y
I need to make this very clear: I am not a huge fan of Tesla.
Having owned a Model Y for around 10 days, I went back because of the ride quality and lack of ‘drive-oriented speedometers’.
All that said “I have just spent a fair bit of time in the new Model Y with the Full Self-Driving system enabled, but I’m told you there is no other car which has even been classified as that for under $60,000.”
The car I owned was a full week. It never footed wrong under any driving conditions and even though I love to drive, I don’t love being in traffic.
But I like the technology, comparing it with using a horse for getting to Coles and even in ‘car-toting’. Why don’t people ride horses for the joy and thrill of it (which is how I want to think about driving going forward) but not a desire to drive myself through heavy traffic and wait at red lights? I want a car to do this for me,’ .
But Tesla can offer that right now and, in my experience with Full Self-Driving, it works perfectly. It had an 8 and I would not care if it was a . I’d choose it for the FSD engine with 0-litre diesel engine in it, just because of its own type.
A bonus is that it’s also supported by the best charging infrastructure, looks pretty good and finally rides well. I just hope that Elon would swallow his damn pride and put a digital speedo in front of the driver so I can see whether or not, as it is going by himself!
MORE:
Explore the Tesla Model Y showroom
Sean Lander: Skoda Karoq
Full disclosure: I spent my own money buying a Karoq last year, but I just got the front-wheel drive.
The 4×4 is a beast – 140kW, very nicely trimmed, and pretty darn economical to boot.
Then we did our medium SUV megatest last year, and the test of a hard roller test was 15 degrees with three wheels on one wheel left to take the load.’ Karoq out-performed every other SUV there is an interesting tester for this season’s toughest rider; set on traction in – which has no tyre road (and only two wheels) that are not able to pull down from their car at all point?
You may ask yourself what this has to do with real-world testing, but it’s a very extreme example of ice road car on an icy road that is not traction. And that’s how good the traction control system is, it shows its torque to where it needs at times when it’d be needed.
“But we don’t really have icy roads here – we’re not exactly Greenland!” I hear you say.
Yes yes, you’re right, we aren’t the one who says a paraphrase. And if the road is wet, or oil has been dropped, and you do decide that autumn drive up to Charlotte Pass is a good idea, you can comfort yourself by knowing that your Karoq Sportline 44 is up for the task, heated seats are no – that’s right, no ‘fun safety bing/bongs’!
And it’s the price tag that really works for , but its true party hack is how much does a person pay. So you’re getting the best Volkswagen parts for less than an equivalent VW, a seven-year warranty and Skoda dealers love to do.
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Explore the Skoda Karoq showroom
Marton Pettendy: Kia Sportage
In the market for a mid-sized SUV I’d certainly short-list all of the known numbers such as the Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail, Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan (or the current models or the new ones coming this year) to both the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4.
I’d like to say the Kia Sportage, but that is what I am referring to and it has been the only one of these bunches with an unconditional seven-year warranty, a wonderful locally tuned ride/handling package as well as petrol, diesel and hybrid power.
But the Sportage is actually the only mainstream (sub-$60,000) mid-size SUV that I can still buy with a diesel engine, which was my choice because I live outside the city and travel longer distances; I’d combine it with all-wheel drive as I have plowed down gravel driveway and frequent treacherous rural roads.
I’d like to buy the best-spec GT-Line CRDi AWD for $56,900 before on road trips, which would give me all the performance, range, versatility and user friendliness that I need – even if it is the equivalent of hybrid version (the flagship of the new MY26 model released in mid-2025 can be purchased for about $4500 more ($60,390 plus ORCs)).
I’m doing reasonably well, but when it comes out in the second half of next year, a sixth-generation Sportage will be available only with hybrid and plug-in Hyg power.
MORE:
Explore the Kia Sportage showroom
James Wong: Honda CR-V
I have heard that in the past you’d probably say Nissan X-Trail e-Power, but this time around I’m changing it up.
The e-Power system of its electrified X-Trail is objectively excellent, but it’s most disappointing that the technology in its EV (E–Power) system is not as efficient as other mid-size hybrid SUVs. price increases, as has also been raised in a recent update (albeit very mild one) of s.
Then the Honda CR-V (e.g., HHEV) makes sense to me more than $60,000 when you have it in your driveway and so does an expensive high quality X-Trail e-Power come in?
A recent ad for $56,990 drive-away, the CR-V is better packaged than the inside of (with more space in the rear and the boot) Honda’s trick hybrid system has been more effective in real world.
More car-like dynamic for those who want a more interesting drive, it’s also much cheaper to service at $199 – slightly better than the Nissan’d longer (conditional) 10-year warranty.
It’s worth noting, though, that there’s an updated one coming soon with available all-wheel drive and potentially even better efficiency.
MORE:
Explore the Honda CR-V showroom
William Stopford: Hyundai Tucson
I’m looking to go for one out, and a Mazda CX-5 G35 Akera is one of the most fun cars in this segment to drive.
The turbocharged 2 was released in its super-soft, punchy turbo with a smooth and punch. A crying shame is that the next generation CX-5 won’t be able to offer a turbo option, and 5-litre four-cylinder engine and six-speed auto should have been put in the Cx-60.
It’s not the roomiest car in the segment, but it’s showing its age as a CX-5 is. I’d look at a Hyundai Tucson, and with the $60k cap that I could just slip into if I left the N Line pack for an elite Premium version. That’s okay with .
The Tucson Hybrid is not as fun to drive as the CX-5, but it’s punchy and comfortable – and much more fuel-efficient. A mid-size SUV has a full set of equipment, and then some s in Premium trim.
Toward the end of this generation’s run, it still looks good style and a mid-life update removed much of the horrifying piano black trim inside.
Give me one with the attractive two-tone interior, thank you very much.
MORE:
Explore the Hyundai Tucson showroom
Max Davies: Subaru Forester
It’s hard to pin down this as many people have mentioned. I don’t really need an SUV, but I’ve still decided to follow our criteria and vote for the Subaru Forester.
After the launch of the new-gen Forester in Australia in 2025, it has been popular since then and almost all range slides under our $60,000 budget even after on-road costs. My choice is therefore the best non-hybrid Forester Touring, which is listed at $56,990 drive-away for a Victorian postcode.
If I had this much money to throw around, top-spec variants of any car aren’t usually the best value buy but Touring is the only Forester grade with the features I would like.
For me, the drawcards are leather and suede upholstery, ventilated front seats and 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system – all of which would make it more fun as a daily routine.
Then I’d also use the traditional petrol power instead of the much-improved hybrid system that Forester has developed. Its boxer engine is a good performance, its suspension and steering are well-sorted. I just want to drive this package.”
My only gripe would be its overreactive driver attention monitor, but I’m sure there are workarounds…
An honourable mention has to go to the Volkswagen Tiguan 150TSI R-Line, though its on-road costs nudge it above $60,000.
MORE:
Explore the Subaru Forester showroom
Damion Smy: Honda ZR-V
If I had to drive it all the time, it’d have to be the Honda ZR-V.
It’s such an excellent SUV to drive, given the core competency of its Civic underpinnings.
The smaller side is it, but for $55k drive-away the hybrid ZR-V test car we drove months back steered rode and responded so much better than many competitors because – newsflash for other brands it’s really engaging behind the wheel.
At this price point, there are SUVs with prettier or at least more palatable designs like the (smaller) Alfa Junior and Volvo XC40 but also a smorgasbord of ugly, horrible-to-drive cars that mix into’mediocrity’ and best ignored.
A good, affordable and well-funded ZR-V is backed by a decent warranty and aftersales support; in my view the Zr-v is also branded on the road up. sign me up, a .
MORE:
Explore the Honda ZR-V showroom
Josh Nevett: Kia Sportage
In the words of my learned colleague James Wong… none of them. I’d buy a practical hatch or wagon instead.
Yet I think I’ll choose a name for playing by the rules, but in the name of play. With my sensible hat on it, I can’t pass the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.
The look and feel of Tucson is a big deal for me, but my $60k budget has me leaning towards ‘tour turbo-petrol Sportage GT-Line which comes with all the kit you could ever need to live in family life.
A large, comfortable and satisfying to steer Sportage with a long warranty and plenty of safety features aside from finer details, is well-equipped for its length. Ask me about the dangers of paraphrasing – almost too many safety options, but Kia has worked hard to make its systems more user friendly.
Alternatively, the Skoda Elroq is a cracking option for those willing to buy an EV.
MORE:
Explore the Kia Sportage showroom
Ben Zachariah: Honda CR-V
I was a bit of suck for this one (as you’re about to know) and probably spent more time on it than I would like to tell my bosses. My brain is a little bit of an insight into my brain, ladies and gentlemen, I give you…
There’s a strong shortlist of candidates in the sub-$60K mid-size SUV segment, of all models. Longlist If you will, a longlist. Unfortunately, most of the variants I’d choose would just nudge outside set budget… or completely blow past it.
It’s the same story with the Mitsubishi Outlander and the rest of the shortlist, a lovely Nissan X-Trail, an excellent Ariya (but based on that money) and it’s also the story behind the Nissan ‘X–Trails’. Great vehicles, though I don’t mean something that would force me to hit the trigger.
Certainly the strongest contender is the Skoda Elroq but, in fact it’s not just that smart money would be on the new Toyota RAV4 Edge Hybrid AWD. You just know it’s going to be a solid car – the last model was one of Australia’S most popular models for good reason – and the very fresh style will ensure great value for money.
The RAV4 GR Sport is the best out of our price range, but I really want it. And so I’m now looking for Honda CR-V eHEV R, which mixes a sporty theme with great fuel economy – and an equally amazing design (and even the premium interior)? Until now, I do like all-wheel drive for my daily driver…
So, I answer the Subaru WRX Sportwagon. I don’t think that is a medium SUV, but it has everything in one and – CVT aside – is pretty fun on the road, plus all-wheel drive. Can I have two minute noodles if fuel economy is damned,’ said the writer.
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Explore the Honda CR-V showroom
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