7 seater

The Sport + is exactly middle-order in the Kia Carnival range, above the S and Sport and below the GT-Line Lite and GT-Line.The Sport+ ($62,380 petrol, $64,610 diesel) gets a whole host of new safety equipment, including a Blind Spot View Monitor and rain-sensing wipers, as well as rear AEB through the Parking Collision Avoidance function. It joins the rest of the new stuff across the range, including a centre side airbag, Forward Collision Assist AEB, Rear Occupant Alert, Trailer Stability Assist and front parking sensors, joining the rear ones that were already there.You also get a powered tailgate, automatic sliding doors and auto windows, and heated seats in the first and second rows. It also ups the tech, with twin 12.3-inch screens taking care of multimedia and driving info duties.The petrol engine is what I reckon is the lesser of the two ICE options — a 3.5-litre petrol V6, producing a rev-happy 216kW and 355Nm. The better option, I think, is the 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel, which makes 148kW and 440Nm, and just suits the nature of the car a little better.Both pair with an eight-speed automatic, and send their power to the front tyres.The key practicality perk here, though, is space, and lots of it. At 175cm, there was ample room for me in the middle row, and you can configure the cabin to your liking, too. You can slide the row on rails, for example, to prioritise leg room where you need it, and the middle seat folds down to reveal cupholders in a kind of hard plastic travel tray.But even in the third row I could easily get comfortable, though head room begins to get a little tighter. There are cupholders and USB connection points, too, and I can honestly say you could send full-size humans back there and not feel overly guilty about it.

The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max launches in Australia in three variants, and the Urban is the entry-level version.

The Sport ($56,050 petrol, $58,280 diesel) is the second-cheapest way into the Carnival family — though all models are now more expensive — sitting just above the entry-level S.It builds on the S model’s LED headlights and DRLs, heated mirrors, cloth seats, smart key with push-button start, and integrated 4.0-inch driver display, and a new 12.3-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, linking with an eight-speaker sound system, now with a surround-sound function.It adds 18-inch alloys, rear LED combination lamps, a leather steering wheel and shifter, and dual-zone climate up front with single-zone temperature control in the second row. New for this updates are AeroBlade wipers, wireless charging and artificial leather seats. The petrol engine is what I reckon is the lesser of the two ICE options — a 3.5-litre petrol V6, producing a rev-happy 216kW and 355Nm. The better option, I think, is the 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel, which makes 148kW and 440Nm, and just suits the nature of the car a little better.Both pair with an eight-speed automatic, and send their power to the front tyres.The key practicality perk here, though, is space, and lots of it. At 175cm, there was ample room for me in the middle row, and you can configure the cabin to your liking, too. You can slide the second row on rails, for example, to prioritise leg room where you need it, and the middle seat folds down to reveal cupholders in a kind of hard plastic travel tray.But even in the third row I could easily get comfortable, though head room begins to get a little tighter. There are cupholders and USB connection points, too, and I can honestly say you could send full-size humans back there and not feel overly guilty about it.

Hyundai’s bold looking seven-seat Santa Fe family SUV is preparing to land in Aussie showrooms.The popular car brand has already confirmed the hybrid version of the Santa Fe will arrive this month but we now know the petrol version will arrive later this year.Hyundai says the Santa Fe will arrive in the final quarter of this year, we expect the turbo-petrol SUV to land in dealerships around Christmas time.Petrol versions use a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that makes 206kW and 422Nm and is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It is available in either front- or all-wheel drive layouts.Hyundai hasn’t confirmed prices for the petrol variants but the outgoing model is priced from about $46,000 (before on-road costs), so it is likely to arrive in the low-$50,000 range. The new hybrid range kicks-off from $55,500. The petrol range will mimic the hybrid line-up: starting with the simply named Santa Fe, moving up to the Elite and then to fully-loaded Calligraphy.Base example buyers can choose between front- and all-wheel drive with all-paw grip costing an extra $3000.The Elite and Calligraphy are all-wheel drive only.The Santa Fe is a bold looking SUV with dynamic H-shaped headlights and a light bar across the front grill. It has a boxy silhouette similar to older Land Rovers.Buyers of the entry Santa Fe can expect 20-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting front and back and rear privacy glass.Inside, there are dual 12.3-inch digital displays – one for the multimedia and one for the driver’s instruments – and cloth seats.Safety is comprehensive with 10 airbags and a mass of active driver aids.There is plenty of in-car tech including the brand’s connected Bluelink app, over-the-air update capabilities and smartphone mirroring paired with a wireless device charger.All-wheel-drive versions get multiple driving modes including Snow, Mud and Sand.Elite versions up the level of standard kit with synthetic leather-appointed seats, a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and a second wireless device charger.It ditches the base versions’ six-speaker stereo for a premium Bose sound system.Full fruit Calligraphy variants up the luxe factor with plush Nappa leather upholstery, sunroof and power adjustment for the front-seat passenger.

Chery has a task in front of it shaking its rivals new and old, but is it putting its best foot forward with the Tiggo 8 Pro Max?

The Kia Carnival range opens with the entry-level S ($50,150 petrol, $52,380 diesel), which scores 17-inch alloys, LED headlights and DRLs, heated mirrors, cloth seats, an electronic parking brake, and a smart key with push-button start, which is new for this update.On the tech front, there is a new integrated 4.0-inch driver display, and a new 12.3-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, linking with an eight-speaker sound system, now with a surround-sound function.The petrol engine is what I reckon is the lesser of the two ICE options — a 3.5-litre petrol V6, producing a rev-happy 216kW and 355Nm. The better option, I think, is the 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel, which makes 148kW and 440Nm, and just suits the nature of the car a little better.Both pair with an eight-speed automatic, and send their power to the front tyres.The key practicality perk here, though, is space, and lots of it. At 175cm, there was ample room for me in the middle row, and you can configure the cabin to your liking, too. You can slide the row on rails, for example, to prioritise leg room where you need it, and the middle seat folds down to reveal cupholders in a kind of hard plastic travel tray.But even in the third row I could easily get comfortable, though head room begins to get a little tighter. There are cupholders and USB connection points, too, and I can honestly say you could send full-size humans back there and not feel overly guilty about it.

Jeep has announced severe price cuts for its Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L large SUVs, with discounts as steep as $28,000 for flagship Summit Reserve models.The price of entry has fallen by $12,500 for the Grand Cherokee Night Eagle five seater to $65,450, while the seven seater is $13,300 cheaper at $69,450, all before on-road costs.While it's typical for brands to offer discounts approaching the end of financial year to shift stock, it's rare to see such significant cuts.The Jeeps in question are 2023 plate vehicles though there are no specification differences between them and MY24 examples. The vehicle arrived in Australia in May 2022.The range is mostly powered by a 3.6-litre V6 developing 210kW and 344Nm.Saving for V6-powered Night Eagles are between $12,500-$13,300 (5/7 seat), the mid-spec Limited $11,000-$12,800, Overland $20,500-$21,300 and Summit Reserve seven-seat $28,000.Savings also apply to the five-seat Summit Reserve 4xe plug-in hybrid to the tune of $18,500.It uses a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder and two electric motors powered by a 17.3kWh battery. The result is 280kW/637Nm and WLTP 52km EV-only driving range.When Jeep launched the fifth-gen Grand Cherokee range locally it planned to move upmarket. The vehicle is dearer than rivals such as the Hyundai Palisade (from $66,800) and Mazda CX-90 (from $74,400).Sales have slowed since the Grand Cherokee's introduction, with Jeep shifting just 254 examples down 43.8 per on last year.Jeep Australia did not specify an end date to the sale or communicate how many examples are in stock.It's the first major price cut for a combustion vehicle ahead of EOFY. Electric vehicle makers, including Tesla, BYD, Peugeot, Renault and Nissan, have all slashed prices lately.Jeep Grand Cherokee prices (before on-road costs, in stock MY23 models)Jeep Grand Cherokee L seven-seat prices (before on-road costs, in stock MY23 models)

Kia's Carnival has been refreshed for the 2025 model year, and with the updated model comes new tech, new safety, new driving dynamics... and new and more expensive pricing. So is this still the pick of the family haulers? We put it to the test to find out.

Volkswagen is giving families more room for free.The German brand has slashed the price of its seven-seat Tiguan Allspace by between $2000 and $2500 depending on the variant.This price cut brings it in line with the five seat Tiguan SUV, effectively giving buyers seven seats for the price of five.Australia’s new car market is shifting towards buyers with many car makers starting to offer sharp discounts as years of supply issues untangle and cost of living pressures clampdown on demand. The Tiguan Allspace now starts at $43,990 (before on-road costs) for the base Life variant powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that makes 110kW and 250Nm.If you want a punchier 132kW/320 2.0-litre turbo petrol motor it’ll set you back $47,990.Buyers wanting more oomph can choose the Allspace Elegance ($57,090) or the fully-loaded Allspace R-Line ($60,590) that use a 162kW/350Nm turbo petrol engine.The Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace are nearing the end of their lives with replacement models arriving next year.VW will be swapping out the Tiguan Allspace for the seven-seat Tayron at the end of 2025 and an all-new Tiguan is likely to land in showrooms this time next year.The new Tayron is expected to be bigger than the current Allspace and more aligned with the Skoda Kodiaq.There are no details yet on the family-hauler but expect it to use a variety of petrol engines and there is the possibility for a plug-in hybrid set-up to match the next-generation Tiguan five-seater. 

Toyota and Subaru will co-develop three more electric cars in the next few years.The two Japanese companies are fresh off the launch of the Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X electric SUV twins and have confirmed more models are on the way.Subaru boss Atsushi Osaki said the company wanted to reduce its risks on EV investment by partnering on future models according to Automotive News.“At the moment, it is quite difficult to predict how things will go from here with EVs. There is a huge risk for us to go it alone in this field. We have held talks with Toyota and have agreed that it is better to reduce risks through joint development,” said Osaki.Subaru Australia’s then Managing Director Blair Read told CarsGuide earlier this year there will be more co-developed electric cars before the company goes it alone.“Within the first wave of EV products there will still be some co-development. That partnership has provided some really great results for both brands and meant advancements in technology and engineering but also respecting brand differences,” said Read.“As part of the investment out to 2028 there will be a number of those new models that will be Subaru unique and with Subaru unique engineering.”Toyota Australia’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley has previously said the company is aiming to launch three electric models by 2026, which matches the timeline for co-developed models. It is believed one of the future models could be an electric version of the seven-seat Toyota Kluger SUV.Subaru has been missing a large family SUV in its local line-up since the short-lived Tribeca was cut from its local range.The model could be an electrified version of the Subaru Ascent, which is sold in America in seven- and eight-seat layouts.That model is expected to be built in the US, where large SUVs are more popular. The electric Kluger is slated to be produced in the company’s Kentucky factory.Another model could be a compact SUV dubbed the bZ3X, which is a similar size to the Toyota Corolla Cross and Subaru Crosstrek.The bZ3X was shown at the 2024 Beijing auto show and would be a good fit for the Australian market.A third SUV could be slightly smaller and cheaper replacement for the Solterra and bZ4X to better match the Forester and RAV4 SUVs.Subaru is also borrowing Toyota hybrid technology for its range of cars.The Japanese brand is expected to install Toyota’s popular petrol-electric tech into the Forester and Crosstrek SUVs next year.