New family SUVs still coming to Australia in 2026

With less than 10 weeks of 2026 remaining, the shops are filling with everything jingly and the countdown to Christmas is on!

As the kids’ school year winds down there’s still plenty of activity in the new car world, with some fresh and exciting family SUV models arriving before the end of the year to tempt families who are thinking about or have started looking for a new SUV.

As a mother of two and family car journalist I have put together this list of family cars still to come in 2026 to make life easier for you. 

GWM Haval H7

The outgoing GWM Haval H7 ticked all the boxes for a practical family SUV, but the one box it didn’t tick was off-road ability. I am very excited about this all-new H7 because GWM made sure it ticked that box.

GWM says first customer deliveries are only weeks away for this great looking, practical and capable new mid-size SUV aimed adventurous families.

Its rugged and boxy design is backed up by an Hi4 all-wheel drive system comprising a rear differential lock for all grades.

So it will not only be practical and look good for the Monday to Friday school run, but it’s designed to maintain traction on wet, loose and rough surfaces, so it should make you feel confident when driving your family in varying weather conditions, as well as being capable enough to take the family camping at the weekend.

The new H7’s 210mm of ground clearance should allow for some mild off-roading in the school holidays too.

Large families should stay tuned because the new Haval H7 will initially be available as a five-seater, followed by the seven-seat version – expected to be called Haval H7 Plus – in 2027.

Both top-spec Vanta and entry-level Lux grades are available with hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, starting at $46,990 drive-away for the H7 Lux HEV AWD.

Stepping up to the H7 Vanta HEV AWD costs $49,990 drive-away, while the H7 Lux PHEV AWD costs $50,990 drive-away, and the range-topping H7 Vanta PHEV AWD is $53,990 drive-away.

PHEV versions have a 137km (WLTC) battery range, which is plenty for a few days of school runs, commutes and local driving between charges for the average Aussie family.

The powerful 320kW PHEV variants have plenty of grunt for overtaking on highways and the claimed 4.9-second 0-100km/h time means extra confidence when pulling out at roundabouts and the like.

Families with infants have the advantage of driving their little ones to sleep using the battery alone, and sitting with the air-con running while baby sleeps without chewing through fuel.

ISOFIX anchors in the two outboard rear seats and top-tether anchorages for all three rear seats mean the hardware is there for installing three child seats in the back, but I am yet to test if three fit across.

The generous interior height indicates there should be good headroom inside for tall families with lanky teens.

Air vents in the back of the central console box keep rear passengers comfortable, and the Vanta also comes with built-in sunblinds for the rear doors.

The 586-litre boot is a nice, clean square shape so it’s very practical for the demands of family life, whether it’s the family dog, baby’s pram, or carting the kids’ scooters or sports gear.

Although the side-hinged boot door needs to be considered when parking, it houses a full-size spare tyre, so you know you’re prepared when you take your family adventuring.

The rear seats are split 60:40, so if you only need two rear seats you can fold a seat flat to fit in your longer camping gear or surfboards.

Reflecting the tough-looking exterior is a cabin with modern tech including all of the latest connectivity and safety features.

The 2027 GWM Haval H7 is yet to be given an ANCAP safety rating but comes with a full safety suite and up to seven airbags, including side curtain airbags that extend to the second row. It is yet to be confirmed if the seven-seat H7 Plus will have third-row side airbags.

A braked towing capacity of 1.5 tonnes enables families to tow a small trailer for team sports, weekend camping gear, or jet skis.

GWM backs the Haval H7 with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assistance. Both hybrid and plug-in hybrid batteries are covered for eight years with no kilometre limit.

Mitsubishi Pajero

For serious towing or off-roading families, the new-generation Mitsubishi Pajero reaches Australian showrooms in December. This big 4WD is based on the Mitsubishi Triton ute and replaces the Pajero Sport.

Catering for families big and small with five and seven-seat options, Pajero prices start at $68,490 before on-road costs for the five-seat GLS, extending to $69,990 plus on-roads for the seven-seat GLS, $79,990 plus ORCs for the Exceed, and $84,990 plus ORCs for the GSR flagship.

The born-again Pajero is powered by a 150kW/480Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

For families that like more serious off-roading, the new Pajero has low range as well as centre and rear diff locks. And its 3500kg braked towing capacity makes it boat- or caravan-ready.

With ISOFIX points in the two outer second-row seats and top-tether anchorages for all three second-row seats, the new Pajero should comfortably house three child seats across.

Seven-seat models don’t have any child seat anchors in the third row, so no child seats can go back there (save the back seats for your teenagers). Thew second-row seats tumble forward for easy third-row access, but you may have to remove a child seat from the second-row for passengers to climb through to the third row.

Ceiling vents for both rear rows of seats will keep rear passengers comfortable and both the Exceed and GSR have built-in rear window blinds – perfect for keeping your little ones shaded from the sun.

The new Pajero does not yet have an ANCAP rating, but comes with a full safety suite and a front-centre airbag, driver's knee airbag, and curtain airbags reaching the third row in the seven-seat vehicles.

With five seats in use there is 519L of boot space and a 10L storage box under the cargo floor, which is ample for fitting in twin prams, or sports or camping gear. But there is just 131L of boot space if you’re using the third row of seats.

A 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen sits centrally on the dash in the GLS, while the Exceed and GSR have a 14.3-inch screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

Mitsubishi's warranty extends to 10 years or 200,000km if you service your Pajero at a Mitsubishi dealer, otherwise it’s five years or 100,000km. 

Lepas L6 EV

You may not be familiar with the Lepas L6 EV, a new five-seat mid-size electric SUV from Chery's new Lepas brand. It’s only available in one Signature model variant, priced at $47,990 plus ORCs. Test drives are available from early November, while first deliveries arrive later next month.

It’s a good looking SUV and its purple and orange paint options will make a refreshing change to the sea of grey and white vehicles flooding Australia’s highways.

A 160kW motor drives the front wheels and a 65kWh battery provides a 440km (WLTP) range, making the Lepas L6 practical for a week of the average Aussie family’s local errands, school runs, commutes, and driving infants to sleep.

It’s also enough range to get a good few hours under your belt on a family road trip before stopping to recharge.

Lepas says the L6’s battery can be charged from 30-80 per cent via a DC fast-charger in about 22 minutes, during which your kids can burn off some energy, use the bathroom, and either devour or spill their lunchbox.

When it comes to family practicality, the L6 has ISOFIX points in the two outer rear seats and top-tether anchors for all three rear seats. I’m yet to test if three child seats will fit across, so if that’s essential for your family make sure to test your child seats first.

The 435L boot (or 323L to the window line, the way most brands measure it) is on the small side, so you might have to load a double pram in on its side. There are also underfloor compartments providing an extra 99L of storage space and housing the puncture repair kit.

ANCAP has not yet released a safety rating for the Lepas L6, which comes with a full safety tech suite and seven airbags including side curtain airbags that extend to the second row.

The dash houses a central 13.2-inch multimedia touchscreen with wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Lepas has a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and the battery is covered for eight years or 200,000km.

Kia Seltos

Also about to hit showrooms is the great looking new-generation Kia Seltos. This five-seat small SUV is available as an HEV only.

It will be available in six variants, starting with the entry-level Seltos S HEV FWD priced at $39,990 drive-away, but for families as a minimum I’d go for the S with Safety Pack which for an extra $2500 adds a 360-degree camera, blind-spot view, side parking sensors, and rear auto braking.

Moving up to the Sport HEV FWD costs $43,990 drive-away, while the Sport+ HEV FWD costs $46,990 drive-away, and the GT-Line HEV FWD flagship costs $52,990 drive-away. All-wheel drive is an option for the GT-Line, for an extra $2500.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen has Kia’s easy-to-use media system, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also houses ‘Sounds of Nature’, a great white-noise feature for families with infants which helps get little ones off to sleep.

The Seltos HEV has a 483L boot with a space-saver spare tyre underneath the floor (although the GT-Line AWD only has a puncture repair kit). The boot is 50L bigger than the previous Seltos’, which could comfortably fit a twin pram with a couple of bags of shopping alongside, or a big 12-bag family grocery shop.

Given the new 2027 Kia Seltos has larger proportions than its predecessor, I am hopeful that this equates to more comfortably fitting three child seats across the back, as it was a squeeze before and there wasn’t much room for a taller driver in front of rear-facing child seats or infant capsules.

The new reclining rear seat function should also allow parents to reduce head flop when their children fall asleep in their child seats.

The new Kia Seltos is yet to be given an ANCAP safety rating, but comes with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the hybrid battery is covered for seven years or 150,000km.

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