Best SUVs under $80k
1.Hyundai IONIQ 5
8.6
3 badges available
$65,000 - $111,000*MRLP
What we love
- -Genuinely fun and engaging to drive
- -Easy to live with day to day
- -Fake shifter and noise elevate driving experience
What we don't
- -High price tag might turn some off
- -Chews through tyres on a track
- -Battery drains quickly when driven at the limit
3 badges available
$68,900 - $96,900*MRLP
What we love
- -Scintillating performance when you want...
- -... and docile enough to pass off as a regular SUV when you need
- -Commendable ride quality
What we don't
- -Hefty price premium over the A45 hatch
- -A shame it's been aurally neutered
- -Is 12.7L/100km fuel use a bit high for a four-pot?
3.Audi SQ2
8.3
What we love
- -Fantastic performance
- -Surety from the all-wheel-drive system in all conditions
- -It looks great and feels a bit naughty
What we don't
- -Your kids will loathe the second row
- -Head says spend money on something bigger or smarter
- -Infotainment isn't latest-gen Audi, and repeat customers may notice
4.Volvo XC60
8.3
5 badges available
$73,990 - $103,990*MRLP
What we love
- -Surprisingly fast
- -Well appointed for the money
- -The benefits of the EV when you want them
What we don't
- -Air suspension could be better
- -Thirsty if you don't keep it charged up
- -Feels heavy and weighs it too (2.1 tonnes)
5.SKODA Kodiaq
8.2
3 badges available
$53,290 - $70,590*MRLP
What we love
- -Spacious boot
- -Thoughtful features
- -Comfortable and supportive enough for longer drives
What we don't
- -Third row is very tight – only suitable for children
- -Plastic buttons lower overall high quality
- -Running costs are quite high – both fuel and servicing
6.Kia Sorento
8.1
5 badges available
$50,680 - $73,330*MRLP
What we love
- -Gorgeous (and easy to use) new infotainment system
- -Ride and handling are top-tier
- -Diesel powertrain is smooth and frugal
What we don't
- -Petrol engine lacks oomph, thirsty
- -Seats lack side support
- -Still no airbags for third row
7.Volvo XC40
8.1
3 badges available
$54,990 - $85,990*MRLP
What we love
- -Google-based infotainment system
- -Interior furnishings are top-tier
- -Energy efficiency and zero-cost servicing aid ongoing running costs
What we don't
- -No wireless smartphone integration
- -Judders under hard acceleration
- -Lack of a defined way to start the car
8.Genesis GV70
8.0
3 badges available
$70,500 - $126,475*MRLP
What we love
- -Refined and powerful drivetrain
- -Five years' complimentary servicing
- -Unashamedly premium cabin
What we don't
- -Fuel consumption not on a par with rivals
- -No wireless CarPlay or Android Auto
- -Some minor overeagerness of some safety tech
3 badges available
$72,900 - $102,900*MRLP
What we love
- -Spacious and fancy cabin
- -Fast
- -Smart touches throughout
What we don't
- -High ticket price
- -No space-saving wheel
- -Lacks some driver-assist systems
10.BMW X2
7.9
2 badges available
$75,900 - $92,900*MRLP
What we love
- -Superb four-cylinder engine
- -BMW has been generous with its standard equipment highlights
- -Handles well
What we don't
- -Ride quality isn't up to scratch
- -Road noise can hamper the driving experience
- -A lot pricier in comparison to other X2 models and the X1
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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