New 7 Seater (Non-EV) Recommendations or Should I Get 2-3yo Old Car?

bhunter101 on 30/11/2024 - 21:14
Last edited 30/11/2024 - 21:37 by 1 other user

Hi all, looking to buy a new 7 seater car.

Secondary car that will be driven 5k/yr if that. Budget is around $70k.

1st preference is Kluger $66.5k
2nd is Kodiaq (new facelift model 25) $60k
3rd is CX80. $60k

I want a small SUV not huge so 5+2. Not a people mover.
Back seats are for little kids.

Would you recommend any other car?
Wait for any new other cars if they are worth waiting?

Must be reliable and economical.

Or do you think it’d be smart to get a 2-3 year old car to save 20-30k as it’s going to be our secondary car? For example I don’t think Kruger’s have had any major changes or facelifts recently? So they’re all kind of same?

Poll Options

Automotive Car Mazda CX-80 Skoda SUV Toyota Volkswagen

Comments

  • MS Paint on 30/11/2024 - 21:20
    +45

    Just get a new Kia Carnival.

    /thread

      • MS Paint on 30/11/2024 - 21:25
        +12

        My guess says there is barely a few centimeters between a kluger and a carnival. Which feature of an SUV do you specifically need?

      • p1 ama on 30/11/2024 - 23:59
        +36

        How can you want a small SUV but also want 7 seats? Small SUVs are Corolla Cross / CX-30…etc.

        FWIW, completely second the Kia Carnival - 7-seater SUVs are not practical, you basically have no boot space with the rear seats folded up, they're incredibly uncomfortable (even for kids) because of how high the floor is, you're basically squatting. The rear seats in a Kia Carnival are comfortable, the sliding doors make it much easier to get in and out of the rear seats, and the boot is designed for use with the back seats up.

        If you need to drive around 7 people, you need a people mover. If you only need to drive around 5 people, but need the rear seats once in a blue moon, then something like a Kluger is fine.

        • klaw81 on 02/12/2024 - 10:14
          +8

          A lightly used Carnival would be amazing value for money.

          If you're willing to get something the size of a Kluger (which is NOT a small car by any reasonable definition) then the Kia Carnival is by far the more practical and sensible suggestion - much more room, more comfortable and an absolutely gigantic boot in comparison. Probably similar fuel economy too, compared to the older model Kluger.

          I have no idea why people have such an SUV fetish and look down on mini-vans.

          • rumblytangara on 02/12/2024 - 19:24
            +2

            @klaw81:

            I have no idea why people have such an SUV fetish and look down on mini-vans.

            Insecure masculinity?

      • HeWhoKnows on 01/12/2024 - 08:13
        +4

        7 seater is NOT a small SUV
        make up your mind!

      • Ravensbane on 02/12/2024 - 07:50

        Is 20cm extra really that much of a difference?

      • m00c0w on 02/12/2024 - 16:02
        +5

        When you say small, you shouldn't list a Kluger then. That being said, having personally gone from a Kluger to a Carnival, the Carnival is way easier to drive than the Kluger and has more tech. Size-wise they are about the same, but storage is not even comparable. With the third rows up in a Kluger you're literally left with SFA, in the Carnival I can still have enough storage for 4 adults and 3 kids to go away for a week.

      • Ghost47 on 01/12/2024 - 13:47
        +7

        Sushi is my favourite Korean food!

      • smartProverble on 02/12/2024 - 22:29
        +3

        Username does not check out

    • sponson on 02/12/2024 - 13:53
      +1

      I love the Carnival, until I have to park it.

      • angywoo on 03/12/2024 - 02:15

        reverse park ;)

  • Sye on 30/11/2024 - 21:22
    +9

    Camry Limo

    • MS Paint on 30/11/2024 - 21:26
      +1

      Is this still available?

  • SBOB on 30/11/2024 - 21:25
    +25

    Kia Sorento

    Though seems a crazy chunk of $ for 5k a year.
    Just buy any older model 7 seater Mitsubishi outlander and pocket the 30+K difference.

    • pegaxs on 30/11/2024 - 22:19
      +12

      100% this… 5k/year and looking at dropping $70k on a brand new SUV… must be nice to have that much loose cash to burn on a vehicle that will do less than 100km/week

      Buy a slightly used Outlander and pocket the change. Hell, for under 100km per week on average, I would even be looking at a PHEV Outlander. Would literally need 0 fuel in it per year. If you needed to go further than your 100km/week, you could just put petrol in it and treat it like a normal car.

      • bhunter101 on 01/12/2024 - 06:45

        I think you are right. It may actually not get driver even 5k/yr. It could be less. Our other pure EV gets driven a lot.

    • smartProverble on 02/12/2024 - 22:31
      +1

      The Sorento is also a very sharp looking car IMO… I'd describe it as "handsome".

  • Murkymerv on 30/11/2024 - 21:31
    -1

    VW caddy comfortline or trendline
    I have a 2020 model but needed a conversion for my wife's wheelchair (NDIS) . It's a 1.4 turbo with DSG, it goes well but servicing is expensive at Volkswagen !

    • LFO on 01/12/2024 - 12:58
      +2

      Maybe … but .. is it the almighty and venerated

      S U V ? ?

      It has to be SUV …

  • bargaino on 30/11/2024 - 21:33
    +5

    2nd car that will be driven 5k/yr if that. … Budget is around $70k

    You are on the wrong website. That is horribly decadent. Great that you can, of course :-)

  • websterp on 30/11/2024 - 21:38
    +10

    Secondary car that will be driven 5k/yr

    LOL. I would get an Uber. Invest/Save that 70k and you should be able to pay for your rides from the interest alone. Also think about the savings you'd make from Rego, Insurance, Servicing, Spares, etc, etc.

    • bhunter101 on 30/11/2024 - 21:41

      Need a second car regularly so uber is not an option. Already have an old suv (5 seater) that I’ll sell to replace with 7 seater. I get what you mean. Maybe I’ll settle with 2-3 year old car.

  • sumyungguy on 30/11/2024 - 21:47
    +4

    Get this classic Mercedes Benz and bank $60K for any unexpected remedial maintenance

    • bargaino on 30/11/2024 - 21:51

      Nice car. Km are a bit high for a petrol, no? If only it were a diesel :)
      I had something similar once. Does anybody make 7-seaters now that are not enournous?

      • sumyungguy on 30/11/2024 - 21:54

        My petrol W124 made it to 370,000km

        • bargaino on 30/11/2024 - 21:54

          German precision! Did it need much work to get there?

          • sumyungguy on 30/11/2024 - 22:01
            +1

            @bargaino: It was handed down by my dad, just the a/c had failed. When the fuel distributor faulted my tech guy reminded me it's just automotive machinery, not intended to last forever.

    • JIMB0 on 30/11/2024 - 23:14
      +3

      buffed whole car with medium cut 2400

      This was listed 4 times in the maintenance log. Wouldn't be much paint left now.

      • AlbiesDad on 02/12/2024 - 00:53
        +1

        Jeez this guy is even listing applying wax to the car. I thought I was obsessed with my car, this is another level.

    • LFO on 01/12/2024 - 13:00

      Get this classic

      Now, that is a venerable classic.

      Beautiful indeed.

  • Hardlyworkin on 30/11/2024 - 22:10
    +4

    Nice flex post.

    • Tiredman on 30/11/2024 - 22:31

      Mate it's not $700k.

    • Nillionaire on 01/12/2024 - 00:11
      +1

      How is this a flex post?

      • kaleidoscope on 02/12/2024 - 08:27

        its all relative

      • casho on 02/12/2024 - 08:42
        +5

        $70,000 for a car you will drive 5000kms seems a flex

  • pegaxs on 30/11/2024 - 22:23
    +4
    Suggested Slightly used Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

    1 or 2yo Outlander PHEV would be my go to in this situation, and I would pocket the spare change.

    Has 7 seats. With less than 100km/week, it would easily do all of your town trips on EV mode and if you were taking the full 7 seats out on a holiday trip, you just treat it like a regular petrol vehicle.

    I literally could not think of a better use case for a PHEV.

    • Frankensnore on 30/11/2024 - 22:48
      -1

      the back seats is gimmick only

      • pegaxs on 30/11/2024 - 23:24
        +2

        Back seats are for little kids.
        Small & 5+2 seater

        I owned an Outlander and can assure you it is fine for “little kids” to do a few km/day in.

        • MS Paint on 30/11/2024 - 23:26
          +5

          Plus the novelty factor. Little kids just love being back seat bogans. They don't care if they are squished in like sardines.

          • pegaxs on 30/11/2024 - 23:33
            +9

            @MS Paint: Yeah, because the Kluger and Kodiaq have full sized adult seats in the back… FFS.

            What OP should be getting is a Kia Carnival, like you suggested, because they are going to outgrow any of those SUV 3rd row seats, and the novelty will wear off and it won’t be all “let’s go dad!” It will be “BuT i SaT in tHe bAcK LaSt TiMe! It’S LiSa’S tUrN tHiS TiMe!!”

            But, you know, it’s hard to beat that Kluger and Kodiaq for their luxury appointed and spacious 3rd row of seats… So yeah, (fropanity) the Outlander and its, *checks notes* “tiny gimmicky seats”.

    • MetalPhreak on 03/12/2024 - 02:11

      As someone who cross shopped these and the byd sealion 6 (which i bought) i expect second hand values to drop on the outlander phev. Especially once everyone gets over the ChInA bAd QuAlItY rhetoric. Definitely worth considering the outlander if you can get a good deal on a second hand one but i wouldn’t buy a new PHEV model. The petrol though… yes.

      BYD won’t suit OP due to 7 seats needed. But on every other aspect it’s hard to justify the $20k premium and missing features. Especially considering mitsubishis warranty (or lack of) follow through on the previous gen ones.

      The hyundai palisade is a nice unit but it’s huge. My dad has the 4+2 and the backseats are usable for adults. But above this price range.

      I don’t have the hands on knowledge to comment on anything else. Maybe check out some of the cheaper chinese options (chery/haval/gwm etc). They’ve come a long way in a few years.

  • Benoffie on 30/11/2024 - 23:10
    +1

    If it has to be a larger SUV then the Kluger, more specifically the Hybrid.

    But these really are for large families. Relos have one for 2 kids and it is stupid oversized. My Aunt looks at my RAV4 😉

    If you have 3+ kids, especially hitting teen years, then absolutely, youll see value in the Kluger (although for 5k/km pa, why?)

    • skillet on 01/12/2024 - 18:10
      +2

      Kluger is a very nice large car for a family of four adult. It has a enormous boot space for my two kids bags and crap when we go travel or camping. I never have to worry about the boot. It's also pretty comfy plenty of cabin space. For a sedan lover I feel it's a little too big but extra space is always a plus.

      It's a very reliable car according to a taxi driver friend of mine.

      • kaleidoscope on 02/12/2024 - 14:38

        What’s the fuel economy like?

        • milanoxpress on 02/12/2024 - 19:09

          Real word figure of min 6L~7L /100km
          Mixed driving conditions of course.

          95RON needed instead of economical 91RON for some other Toyota's. Add min 10c/L more spend on fuel as well.

          *Edit for the hybrid models.
          Expect min 10L/100km for the 2.4T Kluger. Short runs (less than 5km) around the suburb will increase the figure more.
          So hybrid will be recommended if funds allow it.

  • Euphemistic on 30/11/2024 - 23:12
    +3

    Get a 3-5yo one with a good aervice history. Be perfect second car for 5k per year. IMO youre mad to even consider a new $70k car for such low usage.

    Save the difference for when youre ready for an upgrade to EV.

  • Drakesy on 01/12/2024 - 00:29
    +1
    Suggested LDV D90

    Bit of a curveball but the new LDV D90 or Tank 500 aren't bad options with a 7 year warranty, albeit a 2L engine.
    The D90 is the cheapest of the lot though.

    Huge cargo space with a third row that comfortably fits adults. it'll be a bit thirstier though than the Kluger (if its a Hybrid.)

    Mazda's dated and unreliable imho.

    • supersabroso on 02/12/2024 - 09:33
      +2

      OP's $66k Kluger choice is pointless because you're just getting the base model with virtually zero modern features/creature comforts/technology. (Kind of like buying an old 3 bedroom shack in the CBD instead of a brand new double story 5 bedroom house 30 minutes away from the city). Even if he gets the the GXL ($76k) it wont match what's in the LDV D90 2WD Executive has at $47k. The LDV D90 also has more storage space/tech/features and at 5,000km/year, you'll never ever recoup the cost savings from the hybrid system that Toyota uses. I agree with this recommendation, OP should save themselves the $30k and get a brand new LDV D90 Executive that has a 5 year warranty. The only reason you wouldn't is if you wanted to sell the car after 3-5 years in which case you should stick with a second hand Toyota Kluger that is 5 years old.

      Having said that, if OP has the cash to splash, the Tank 500 HEV is an even better option. However, it's definitely not value for money compared to the LDV D90.

  • geekcohen on 01/12/2024 - 07:22

    Back seats are for little kids.

    They are little now, wait until they get older…… My wife and I got a Hyundai Tucson and we have two kids (5 and 1) and we need a bigger one. We have had it two years now and we regret not getting something like an Ford Everest with a bigger boot and more space. The next one will be bigger when we roll over the Tucson.

  • Hoju on 01/12/2024 - 08:22
    +5
    Suggested KIA RONDO

    You say 'Small SUV' but don't say why. Do you mean small car?

    Seriously, most underrated family car in Aus, the 7 seater Kia Rondo. Absolutely tiny exterior, but the middle row has 3 x full size seats and the seats in the boot are also full size so you can fit an adult in there if you want. I have 3 x car seats in my middle row and the teenagers go in the boot seats.

    You'll save yourself a packet and it's a reliable fantastic car, so easy to drive. I often sit in the boot seats too, no issues for long drives. I can fit a compact pram in the boot, we also go on weekends away with everyone's bags so there is plenty of space.

    • May4th on 01/12/2024 - 08:48
      +6

      I don't think OP knows what they want, asking for a small SUV and having Kluger as top choice

    • Ghost47 on 01/12/2024 - 18:44
      +3

      Cool car, not many Aussie reviews on Youtube for it. It's really sad how Aussies can be such sheep when it comes to buying cars, seems like there's a lot less choice these days for new cars unless you want to get an SUV.

      • Hoju on 01/12/2024 - 18:55
        +1

        Yeh it didn’t last long. They had an earlier version but the 2016+ years were pretty much spot on.

        It’s the Carens in Europe and quite popular there. More can be found online using that model name

        • Ghost47 on 01/12/2024 - 18:59

          Yeah just checked out a video review of the Carens. I really like cars that aren't popular but have a very strong fanbase, this would be a great car to haul people around in (as long as you don't need to take any luggage with you). The storage boxes under the footwells in the second row are neat. The trays on the back of the seats are great too lol.

        • MS Paint on 01/12/2024 - 19:29

          It’s the Carens

          Always asking for management?

      • Jackson on 02/12/2024 - 11:03
        +3

        I was looking for a car for my bro for a while and in my research he could have got a great condition Rondo which ticked all the boxes for under 10k, and save another 2-3k if he went for a manual. In the end he spent 20k and got a Prius C. For 90% of casual 7 seat users these smaller wagons make way, way more sense than an SUV or a bus

        • klaw81 on 02/12/2024 - 11:23

          Did you mean Prius V? Prius C seems to top out at 5 seats.

          • Jackson on 02/12/2024 - 11:24

            @klaw81: Sorry meant the V, yes the C is basically hybrid Yaris before they made a hybrid Yaris

            • LVlahov on 02/12/2024 - 12:29

              @Jackson: Like the Odyssey mentioned below both have 6 months servicing (yuck). Driving 5,000km a year that would have you servicing every 2,500kms.

              • Jackson on 02/12/2024 - 12:54

                @LVlahov: Yeah but you don't have to service every 6 months, it's a korean car not a euro one. I have an elantra which probably has all the same running gear, and extending out a service interval if you are running full synthetic oil isn't that bad if you mainly drive on long trips, the most important thing is that the oil is clean (which is it because you hardly drive) and that you use full synthetic, because it maintains it viscosity when old, and that you get the car up to a good speed for a long period so that it boils off the water and other contaminants.

                Apart from the fact that some Euro cars have piston rings made out of cheese, what is there that needs attention at a 6 month interval that can't be done at 12 months? All the examples I have seen that require the high level of servicing are either badly designed engines or engines that run a turbo or supercharger that's getting power out of a motor that it has no right to get out of it

    • djprima on 02/12/2024 - 09:35

      The reason we bought one :). It is a replacement for Peugeot 308 7-seater wagon which is a similar car but actually better in every aspect, sadly no longer produced. I haven’t seen any new cars with the same body type, so fingers crossed it lasts for years to come

  • May4th on 01/12/2024 - 08:46
    +10

    why the preoccupation with SUV? get a honda odyssey, it's smaller than a kluger and much easier top get in and out of, 7 actual seats for when kids get older, and you don't need to worry about them dinging other cars in tight spots in the carpark

    • Hoju on 01/12/2024 - 09:37

      Totally agree. Kia Rondo even smaller and excellent interior space.

    • smartProverble on 02/12/2024 - 22:34
      +1

      The Oddesey and Rondo are old and outdated cars, not sold anymore.

      Get the Kia Carnival instead!

    • neonlight on 04/12/2024 - 08:35

      Odyssey is a great car. Much better than Kia carnival on quality and smooth ride

  • randomdude14 on 01/12/2024 - 10:52

    Always smart to save the money on depreciating assets like cars. But if it brings you joy, the new Prado 250 is amazing and pretty new on the roads so you might enjoy it.

    (*long wait times in most cases but you can find stock ready to go at some dealerships)

    • pwnd on 03/12/2024 - 11:43

      New Prado’s increased price plus compromised interior ergonomics and raised boot floor have really made the car unappealing.
      We were considering it as a RAV4 replacement, but having explored one in the flesh, it wasn’t practical for us.

  • altomic on 01/12/2024 - 18:36
    +1

    Carsales shows many 3 year old 7 seater mitsubishi outlanders with less 40,000ks for under $30,000.

    I have a 7 seater diesel outlander - 10 years old , nearly 200,000. Is good

  • Rochie on 01/12/2024 - 22:51
    +1
    Suggested Kia Sorento

    We got a Kia Sorento GT model after test driving and researching many 7 seaters. It was 4 years old and saved us 30k from brand new price (it did have 100,000kms). It is an amazing car and we love it. So many nice features particularly in the GT model. If you look at 2020+ that is the newer model. Take one for a test drive, we loved it from the first drive.

  • Richardc on 01/12/2024 - 22:55
    Suggested Honda odyssey

    If you’re after a small 7 seater, have a look at the Honda odyssey, some purchased during promotions might have 7-8 years warranty.

  • liongalahad on 02/12/2024 - 01:53
    +1

    $70k for a fast-depreciating good which will be barely used. Seriously you must hate your money to want to get rid of it so bad lol.

  • phaol7ta on 02/12/2024 - 05:56
    +2

    I wonder why no one mentioned the new Sante Fe here?

    • MS Paint on 02/12/2024 - 09:04
      +3

      Because everyone is confused about what the OP actually wants.

    • HeAvY MenTaL on 02/12/2024 - 09:11
      +1

      +1 for this. I reckon the new Hyundai Santa Fe looks good, is a hybrid, has a spacious 3rd row seats and ticks all the boxes.

  • eddyah on 02/12/2024 - 09:37
    +1

    Base model chery tiggo 8 pro max is $42K drive away https://cherymotor.com.au/models/tiggo-8-pro-max#specificati…

    Added bonus you'll make OzBargainers really mad about buying a Chery

    Shorter than a Kluger - much cheaper too.

  • IpGem on 02/12/2024 - 10:02
    +1

    A cx9?

  • cyrax83 on 02/12/2024 - 10:11

    I bought a 2024 Santa Fe a few months ago. Has been excellent.

  • ozisaver on 02/12/2024 - 10:19

    Wants Small SuV but also a Kluger?

    • klaw81 on 02/12/2024 - 10:49

      Yes, it's very strange. 7 seater small SUV seems like a major contradiction.

      • Jackson on 02/12/2024 - 11:03
        +1

        Only as to be small on the inides, doesn't care how big the outside is

  • sneijder on 02/12/2024 - 11:17
    Suggested Mazda CX-9

    Given that's a hard requirement for a 7-seater SUV I think the critical point is the 3rd row seat.
    More often than not it is not suitable for human.
    OP should just go and test drive those cars and I think a lot of the options can be excluded.
    My suggestion would be a CX-9
    It has better space than Kluger, Sorrento and even CX-90 and CX-80

    cons are it is end of line already (replaced by CX-90) and fuel consumption is whopping 12L/100km

    • klaw81 on 02/12/2024 - 12:01

      More often than not it is not suitable for human.

      Often not suitable for adults, but totally fine for young children….unless you're planning a massive road trip and the kids are going to be there for endless hours at a stretch.

      Some kids actually find sitting in the 2 little back seats exciting in my experience.

    • kl2999 on 02/12/2024 - 19:40

      yeah the third row is actually very usable even for adult.

    • smartProverble on 02/12/2024 - 22:35

      A "small SUV" with 7 seats… 😂😂😂

  • beefmaster on 02/12/2024 - 11:27
    Suggested Nissan X-Trail

    If you want a small SUV and 7 seater then get a Nissan X-Trail. It is 7 seater, bigger than a CX-5 but smaller than a Kluger. From the points you mentioned, this really fit your need

    I have the 2015 X-trail. Gets me point A to B, that is about it, nothing fancy

    https://www.nissan.com.au/vehicles/browse-range/x-trail/buil…

    4,966 mm L x 1,930 mm W x 1,755 mm H - Kluger
    4,680 mm L x 1,840 mm W x 1,725 mm H - X-Trail

  • ReaperX22 on 02/12/2024 - 12:08
    +1
    Suggested Honda CR-V

    Honda CR-V! Just make sure it's a 7-seater, as they also come in 5 seat variants. ~4.7M long so not too crazy big. Good safety and not too expensive per your budget.

    Can find a few years old model for a good price, or brand new under your budget though again make sure 7-seater chosen

  • Shoppingtherepy on 02/12/2024 - 12:21
    Suggested Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

    Hyundai Santa fe hybrid - looks can be subjective, but this is one of the best hyundai out there.

  • LVlahov on 02/12/2024 - 12:27

    Buy a Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire. Looks good, fits the brief (medium SUV with 7 seats) and will give you plenty of change vs the other options to invest or spend on a holiday or something else nice. No need to spend more because you are hardly driving it anyway.

    Bonus the Outlander comes with a 10 year warrant so lots of time to keep the car and ameliorate the depreciation vs buying two other cars in the same time span.

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