SUV 7-seater under $60K: Australia's Best Value Cars 2017

Whether you’ve got a big brood or just want a couple of “just in case” seats for when the in-laws visit, these three-row SUV options should fit the bill.

1st: Mitsubishi Outlander LS

Pricier larger seven-seat SUVs were edged out by more affordable entry-level variants in this category, with the Nissan X-Trail and Honda CR-V just falling short of earning a place on the podium. This year’s top step goes to the Mitsubishi Outlander, which at just over $30K and with a reasonable 48 percent three-year resale forecast, mounts the most convincing retained-value case.

Sure, the Hyundai Santa Fe can match its five-year warranty, and the Kia Sorento’s seven-year guarantee trumps it, while new seven-seat player, the fifth-gen Honda CR-V, can go close to the 6.6L/100km combined-cycle economy. But no model brings together the wide-ranging cash-saving credentials of the Outlander.

2nd: Kia Sorento Si

The Kia’s $41K price-tag is at the upper end of the seven-seat SUV players, but with a 54 percent three-year resale, the depreciation cost remains on the right side of $20K.

3rd: Hyundai Santa Fe Active

The Santa Fe steers a value middle course, with typical pricing, upper-end resale, okay economy, and a generous warranty, before finishing with an enticingly low $755 annual insurance premium.

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