Australia's best value large SUV 7-seat winner

Best value car award

9

Wheels' Gold Star car award uses data such as depreciation and running costs to calculate what the best value new cars in eight different segments are. To understand how we calculate the numbers and what considerations were put into the algorithm, read the 2019 Gold Star Car Award 101 here.

The top 3 large SUV (7-seater) contenders

• Honda CR-V VTi-L

9

• Mitsubishi Outlander ES

9

• Hyundai Santa Fe Active CRDi

9

What the numbers said

9

When it comes to putting seven bums on seats for minimum cost, the Mitsubishi cannot be matched.

9

The nearest alternative in terms of value is the Honda CR-V at $38,990, almost $8000 more than the Outlander. (The affordable seven-seat Nissan X-Trail, at $32,490 and ranked fifth overall, got smashed for its tight servicing intervals, short warranty period and thirsty engine). Meanwhile, the entry price and depreciation pushed the CR-V down to second spot, as the Mitsubishi went close to a clean sweep of the five scoring criteria, only losing out on insurance cost against the Hyundai Santa Fe with its low $805 per annum for comprehensive coverage.

9

Though the Hyundai has a strong diesel engine, the Outlander’s 2.4-litre petrol uses the least fuel, at 6.7L/100km officially (using regular unleaded), proving it is an efficient all-rounder.

9

Hyundai Santa Fe Elite CRDi $54,000

Newer and nicer than the ageing Outlander, the Hyundai Santa Fe has some of the latest family bus technology like sensors that prevent locking a stray child in the third row.

The mid-grade Elite gets the nod for all-round value, adding bling such as larger alloys, leather trim, and fancy puddle lamps. Mod cons include keyless entry, 8.0-inch display with live traffic updates, and electric seat adjustment.