Best SUVs under $50k
1.Volkswagen Passat
8.7
30 badges available
$50,790 - $67,790*MRLP
What we love
- -Golf R-like performance from a humble family wagon
- -Superb ride characteristics
- -Spacious and beautifully-appointed interior
What we don't
- -Still no DAB radio in high-end VW product
- -Or wireless phone charging
- -Some might want more aural theatre
Finalist - Best Medium To Large Car
Drive Car of the Year 2022
2.SKODA Kamiq
8.4
2 badges available
$35,490 - $41,990*MRLP
What we love
- -Jam-packed with equipment and tech
- -Spacious and nicely designed interior
- -Composed and comfortable ride
What we don't
- -Occasional hesitation from dual-clutch auto from standstill
- -Still no digital radio
- -Supply-chain price rises
Winner - Best Small SUV
Drive Car of the Year 2022
3.Kia Sorento
8.3
15 badges available
$47,650 - $81,080*MRLP
What we love
- -Fuel economy (nearly) matches the Kluger Hybrid at a cheaper price
- -Comfortable, modern and practical interior
- -Well-dialled ride quality for town and country alike
What we don't
- -Slight hesitation from a standing start takes getting used to
- -Random engine flaring from time to time
- -Beaten by the Palisade in the overall space stakes
Finalist - Best Large SUV
Drive Car of the Year 2022
4.Hyundai Kona
8.2
9 badges available
$26,900 - $64,000*MRLP
What we love
- -Raucous exhaust note
- -Eminently configurable drive modes
- -Functional interior with supportive seats
What we don't
- -Interior finishes feel downmarket
- -Crashy ride comfort
- -Smaller boot than i30 N
5.Toyota Kluger
8.2
9 badges available
$47,650 - $75,700*MRLP
What we love
- -Spacious, practical interior
- -Supremely efficient hybrid powertrain
- -Soft, comfortable ride quality
What we don't
- -Not the value pick of the range
- -Interior not as smart-looking as rivals
- -Hybrid powertrain lacks the punch of V6
Winner - Best Large SUV
Drive Car of the Year 2022
6.Audi Q2
8.0
5 badges available
$46,000 - $53,300*MRLP
What we love
- -Competitive price point
- -Good list of standard features
- -Audi now offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty
What we don't
- -Cabin noise is noticeable
- -Boot volume is down on main competitors
- -Fuel consumption is high
Finalist - Best Small Luxury SUV
Drive Car of the Year 2022
7.Hyundai Tucson
8.0
10 badges available
$34,900 - $54,400*MRLP
What we love
- -Slick design from tip to tail looks great on the road
- -Well featured with lots of clever inclusions
- -It's not exciting, but this might be the best way to package a Tucson
What we don't
- -Ride comfort and control could use a little work
- -Some ergonomic challenges with button placement
- -Driveline might be simple, but its pretty dull too
8.Mazda CX-8
8.0
5 badges available
$40,490 - $69,890*MRLP
What we love
- -Quiet and comfortable
- -Huge second row with fancy temperature controls
- -Third row will fit an adult and is easy to use
What we don't
- -Feels underpowered when packed to the rafters
- -Dated infotainment
- -Missing some convenience features like keyless entry
8 badges available
$31,490 - $54,490*MRLP
What we love
- -More space than the old model
- -Hybrid powertrain works seamlessly
- -Has all the right safety gear
What we don't
- -Interior doesn't feel like a $50,000 car
- -Small info screen, no navigation, no rear air vents
- -Charging cable has nowhere to be stored
Finalist - Best Small SUV
Drive Car of the Year 2022
10.Nissan QASHQAI
8.0
10 badges available
$33,890 - $47,390*MRLP
What we love
- -Fresh new interior with well-integrated tech
- -Feels premium, even with lower-spec grades
- -Strong turbocharged engine
What we don't
- -Feels top-heavy through quick manoeuvres
- -Â Lack of storage space
- -Second row is tight for knee room
Drive's Best Cars
Drive's team of experts reviews and rates hundreds of the latest models each year to help you find your next new car. Browse our Best Car lists to discover how different models rank against each other and what our team loves and doesn't love about these top-rating vehicles.
* ‘MRLP’ is the manufacturer’s recommended list price as provided by our data provider and is subject to change, so is provided to you for indicative purposes only. Please note that MRLP is inclusive of GST, but is exclusive of any options and does not include on-road costs such as registration, CTP, stamp duty and dealer delivery. Where an MRLP is stated as a price range, this reflects the lowest to highest MRLP provided for that model range across the available variants.
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