It’s about the journey, not the destination. That might be true in the abstract, but if you’re taking a long road trip with three kids and a dog, it can be stressful – you’ll probably be very pleased to arrive at your holiday location.
To make the journey as relaxing as possible, the right vehicle really helps. Here are five family-sized SUVs that combine safety, comfort and fun features to help you get the most out of the entire holiday – right from the moment you set off.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Three kids in the back, boogie boards in the boot – or bring a couple of friends. The Outlander gives you the kind of space and versatility your family will love. You’ll cruise along the motorways and soak up the bumps off-road in this flexible four-wheel-drive, and it can tow up to 1,500kg braked.
Up front you have a 9” touchscreen, and in the back the kids can plug in two devices to the USB ports so they can watch a movie on the iPad.
The top-of-the-range VRX 4WD has seven seats and there’s also a five-seater option; all variants are currently eligible for a $4,025 clean car rebate^. Plus, its excellent fuel economy, at 1.6L per 100km, means you won’t spend a fortune at the service station.
Seats: 7
ANCAP stats: 5 stars, 83% for adult occupant protection, 92% for child occupant protection and 83% for safety assist
Engine type: Twin motor 4WD with optional petrol engine engagement
Price: $75,990 + ORC ($4,025 rebate)
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Toyota really knows how to deliver a quality hybrid car, and the Highlander is no exception. It gives you fuel-saving advantages without ever needing to be recharged.
This is a seven-seater, so there’s room for the kids, the dogs and the bags. And with a 2,000kg braked towing capacity, you can even bring a trailer filled with mountain bikes or surfboards. The Highlander will help make the journey smoother with hill-start assist and trailer sway control, to make the towing experience much easier.
The latest Highlanders won’t be available until mid-2024, but in the meantime there are plenty of used models available throughout New Zealand, due to their popularity as a family car.
Seats: 7
ANCAP stats: 5 stars, 90% for adult occupant protection, 88% for child occupant protection and 82% for safety assist
Engine type: 2.5L AWD hybrid engine
Price: From $68,390
Volvo XC60 Recharge
Volvo has a reputation for safety, and the SC60 is no exception; its safety features and ratings are exemplary. This is a plug-in hybrid, with a 67km electric range# and fuel consumption of just 1.3L/100km. It’s even got a 2,250kg braked towing capacity, so you can take the boat or jet ski with you on holiday.
The interior is luxurious and stylish, with an air purifier and a Bowers & Wilkins audio system as an optional extra. With built-in Google, you have Google Maps, Assistant, and Play.
The XC60 is a midsize SUV, so it might not be quite roomy enough if your kids are teenagers. However, Volvo has you covered with the XC90 fully electric seven-seater, which is on its way.
Seats: 5
ANCAP stats: 5 stars, 98% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection and 95% for safety assist
Engine type: Full electric
Price: $112,990
Audi Q8 e-tron
When your family wants to travel in style, the Q8 e-tron more than delivers. It’s a top-quality fully electric vehicle with a spacious interior and a highly adjustable virtual cockpit for the driver. It’s incredibly quiet, powerful, and the intelligent recuperation system helps save energy.
A roomy back seat provides ample space for passengers, plus rear climate control and USB-C ports for those devices. The boot has a sizeable 569 litre capacity, plus additional storage spaces for all your road trip extras and snacks.
The Q8 e-tron has an impressive 582km range#, so you can get from Auckland to the Bay of Islands and you’ll still have plenty of charge left to spare.
Seats: 5
ANCAP stats: 5 stars, 91% for adult occupant protection, 88% for child occupant protection and 78% for safety assist
Engine type: Fully electric 106kWh battery AWD
Price: From $164,490
Kia EV6
The fully electric EV6 has plenty of room for the family, even in the back seats, thanks to the distance between the front and rear wheels. USB charging ports in the back mean the kids can plug in their devices, and in the front you have an impressive infotainment system. The interior is well-designed and plush, and made from recycled materials, so you’ll all travel in eco-friendly comfort.
The EV6 is available in four models, and the long-range Air (details below) gives you 528km of range# from a single charge. All models have a vehicle-to-load (V2L) outlet and there’s an optional external V2L outlet, which means you can use your car as a portable battery. Inflate your tent, recharge your e-bike, or power your fridge so you always have a cold drink on hand.
The EV6 seats five, and it’s not enormous – but there is a seven-seater EV9 arriving soon for those who are looking for more space.
Seats: 5
ANCAP stats: 5 stars, 90% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection and 88% for safety assist
Engine type: Fully electric 77.4kWh battery, long range RWD
Price: $79,990 + ORC ($7,015 rebate)