SUVs are having a moment in Australia, now making up 63.4% of all new cars sold this year. Electrified options are close behind, with 48.4% of new cars sold either fully electric or hybrid.

If your family is eyeing off a switch to electric or hybrid, there's a solid run of new SUVs landing in Australia over the next 18 months. Here's what's coming, what it costs, and what's actually great about it for family life.

What's New in Electric and Hybrid Family SUVs

Mazda CX-6e: The City-Friendly EV

Price: From $53,990
Seats: 5
Expected release: Q3 2026

Mazda's CX-6e is the brand's first electric mid-size SUV, and it undercuts EV rivals like the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7 on price.

Inside, families get a 45-inch central touchscreen, a 360-degree view monitor and tri-zone climate control, handy for keeping the peace on longer drives.

Boot space is a modest 468L, and range comes in at 484km combined. That makes it a better fit for school runs and weekend errands than long-haul road trips.

BMW iX3 40: Luxury Without the LCT Hit

Price: From $89,990
Seats: 5
Expected release: Q4 2026

The iX3 40 sits $20,000 below its sibling, the iX3 50 xDrive, which puts it under the Luxury Car Tax threshold. For families weighing up a novated lease before the tax benefit changes in April 2027, that pricing certainly matters.

Range stretches to 635km, and a 300kW DC charger can take the battery from 10% to 80% in just 21 minutes. Despite the lower price, it still comes with a 43.3-inch panoramic display, a Harman Kardon sound system, Veganza leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control. Not too shabby!

Kia Seltos: A Smaller Hybrid Option

Price: From under $40,000
Seats: 5
Expected release: Q4 2026

The Seltos is on the smaller side for a family car, but it works for households with one or two kids. The big news is a new hybrid powertrain, available in both FWD and AWD.

Fuel economy figures aren't confirmed yet, though hybrid power should bring petrol savings, just not to the level of a full EV. One feature worth knowing about: Kia has flagged reclined, forward-facing child seats designed to stop that classic "head-flop" when little ones fall asleep in the back. Very smart!

smart #5: The Tech-Heavy Crossover

Price: From the low $60,000s
Seats: 5
Expected release: Q4 2026

The smart #5 comes from a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely Holding, and it's arriving in Australia before the end of 2026. It's a five-seater, but the cabin feels roomier than the exterior suggests.

Tech-wise, it's well equipped: two 13-inch OLED displays and a Sennheiser sound system with Dolby Atmos across 21 speakers. Storage is a highlight too, with up to 630L in the rear boot and a 72L front frunk for extra gear.

Volvo EX60: Long Range, Family Comfort

Price: From $86,990
Seats: 5
Expected release: Q4 2026

Think of the EX60 as an electric XC60. At $86,990, it stays under the LCT threshold, making it another option eligible for an effective novated lease.

The claimed range is up to 660km per charge (unfortunately, the 810km variant won't be sold in Australia). Standard features include heated front and rear outboard seats, tri-zone climate control and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system with Dolby Atmos across 28 speakers. The base model comes with grey Nordico synthetic leather-look upholstery.

BYD Ti 7: Seven Seats, Plug-In Power

Price: From $50,000 to $60,000
Seats: 7
Expected release: H1 2027

BYD has had a huge 2026 in Australia, climbing to second in overall sales.

The Ti 7 is a seven-seat plug-in hybrid with a claimed 120km of electric-only range, enough to skip petrol entirely on short local trips if you're charging at home regularly.

Boot space is tight with all seven seats up, at just 126L, but it opens up to 970L with the back row folded down. Standard features include an in-car fridge (wow!), leather upholstery, a glass roof and heated front and outer second-row seats. Need even more room? The BYD M9 arrives later in 2026.

Toyota C-HR: The Budget-Friendly Electric

Price: From under $60,000
Seats: 5
Expected release: H1 2027

Toyota's electric line-up grows to four models with the C-HR, joining the bZ4X, bZ4X Touring and electric HiLux. First announced in late 2025, it's set to be the cheapest of the group, undercutting the bZ4X with a predicted starting price under $60,000.

Toyota has flagged a range of over 500km. Confirmed features so far include a 14-inch touchscreen multimedia system, voice recognition and the full Toyota Safety Sense suite of active safety tech.

GWM Haval H7: A Bigger Seven-Seat Option

Price: TBA
Seats: 7
Expected release: 2027

GWM is giving the Haval H7 a major update, adding a seven-seat variant for larger families. Buyers can choose between hybrid and PHEV powertrains, with five-seat versions arriving before the end of this year and the seven-seater following in 2027.

Pricing hasn't been confirmed, but it's expected to sit under the Tank 500's $65,990 base price. Families who like to get away will appreciate the 1,500kg braked towing capacity, enough for a light or medium caravan or camper trailer.

What to Sort Out Before You Buy Your Next Family Car

A new family car is exciting, but a few things are worth checking off before you hit the road on your next family road trip:

Set your budget. Know what you can spend before you start test-driving, so the excitement of a new car doesn't outpace your finances.

Plan your charging setup. If you're going electric or plug-in hybrid, work out how you'll charge at home and whether it'll keep up with your daily driving.

Sort your finance early. If you're not paying cash, compare car loan options and get pre-approval before you hit the dealership.

Book your car seat refit. Switching vehicles usually means your car seats need professional refitting for the new car.

Whichever new family car lands in your driveway, financing it right matters as much as choosing the model. Savvy compares car loans from 40+ lenders, including green car loans built specifically for EVs and hybrids, with rates currently starting from 6.49% p.a.
Compare car loan options with Savvy and see what you could borrow before you start test-driving.

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About ellaslist

ellaslist is written by Sydney parents, for Sydney parents. Our editors are the same people doing the school runs, planning the weekend activities, and trying to stretch the family budget without compromising on the good stuff. We cut through the noise to bring you the best deals, products, activities and finds for Sydney families — the stuff that makes everyday family life a little easier, a little more fun, and a lot less expensive.

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