Best SUVs under $50k
1.GWM Tank 300
8.3
2 badges available
$46,990 - $60,990*MRLP
What we love
What we don't
2.Toyota RAV4
8.3
5 badges available
$42,260 - $58,360*MRLP
What we love
- -Impressive fuel efficiency
- -Easy handling instils driver confidence
- -Practical, no-frills car that’s hard to fault
What we don't
- -Lengthy wait times
- -No 360-degree camera
- -Frustratingly slow power tailgate operation
3.Hyundai Tucson
8.0
3 badges available
$39,100 - $61,100*MRLP
What we love
- -Seamless petrol-electric power transition
- -Spacious first and second rows – plus big boot
- -Mutable speed limit alert!
What we don't
- -Some lag between throttle application and power output
- -No sliding second-row
- -Short 10,000km service intervals
4.MINI Countryman
8.0
5 badges available
$49,990 - $77,990*MRLP
What we love
- -Unique design spices up the segment
- -Increased dimensions make the car a more practical choice
- -Distinctive cabin is sustainably built and thoughtfully designed
What we don't
- -Infotainment connectivity issues
- -Thirsty for a compact SUV
- -360-degree camera could be better
5.Kia Sportage
7.9
5 badges available
$32,995 - $55,420*MRLP
What we love
- -Premium look and feel in both rows
- -Technology in the car – both safety and infotainment – feels top quality
- -Predictable: both in looks and drive – which is ideal for a medium SUV
What we don't
- -A big price disparity between the only two variants
- -Small monthly allocation figures may lead to long wait times
- -RAV4 just undercuts the Sportage in both running costs and overall ownership costs
6.Mitsubishi Outlander
7.9
7 badges available
$37,740 - $73,790*MRLP
What we love
- -Cavernous interior space
- -Seven-seat flexibility
- -Premium-like interior
What we don't
- -Similarly sized EVs are close to this price
- -Powertrain can feel underwhelming
- -Dynamically flaccid
7.Subaru Outback
7.9
4 badges available
$43,690 - $57,490*MRLP
What we love
- -Massive cabin
- -Simple and effective tech suite
- -Rides surprisingly well
What we don't
- -Fabric feels a bit low-rent
- -No physical buttons for air-con
- -Minimum 95-octane fuel
8.Honda CR-V
7.8
2 badges available
$43,900 - $60,400*MRLP
What we love
- -Dirt-cheap servicing program
- -Smooth hand-off between petrol and electric power
- -Sharp driving character
What we don't
- -Missing key spec inclusions
- -Limited head room in second row
- -Hybrid powertrain locked to flagship specification
9.Lexus LBX
7.8
2 badges available
$47,550 - $56,990*MRLP
What we love
- -Lexus ownership costs and benefits are impressive
- -Appealing gateway into owning a luxury hybrid car
- -A good-looking car – inside and out
What we don't
- -Down on power compared to other compact premium SUVs
- -Interior door handles tricky to use
- -Compact second row – not designed with back-seat passengers in mind
10.Mazda CX-30
7.8
2 badges available
$33,940 - $48,340*MRLP
What we love
- -Good quality 360-degree camera system
- -Nice combination of ride quality and handling
- -Interior quality and presentation
What we don't
- -Lacks the space and versatility of segment rivals
- -Not very hybrid nor efficient
- -Priced close to larger mid-sized SUV competitors
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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