The CarExpert road test team has cycled through plenty of large SUVs this year, including segment stalwarts, updated favourites, and fresh arrivals.
We spent extended periods with the new Toyota Prado and came to view it as a flawed family wagon, while the similarly positioned new Ford Everest continued to earn praise for its better rounded set of attributes.
Newcomers were plentiful. Chinese brands such as BYD, MG and Chery kept us on our toes by introducing several new large SUVs to the market, as did the Japanese and Europeans.
But which large SUV did you, our readers, take the most interest in?
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As 2025 nears its end, lets count down CarExpert‘s top five most viewed large SUV reviews of the year.
In the interests of transparency, all vehicles in this list are large SUVs as defined by VFACTS sales statistics published by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
5. Ford Everest Sport V6
Even in the face of stiffening competition and threatening emissions regulations, Ford continues to kick goals with its locally developed, Ranger ute-based Everest, as deputy marketplace editor Josh Nevett found out back in July.
Josh Nevett wrote:
“The Sport V6 may just be the pick of this runt-less litter. In turn, that probably makes it the pick of the attainable seven-seat off-road SUVs.
“Class-leading turbo-diesel torque and towing capacity? Check. Tough exterior design and a utilitarian interior? Check. A comfortable ride and genuine off-road chops? Check again.
“If you’re in the market for an adventure-ready family SUV, you don’t need any more than what the Everest Sport V6 has to offer. The Platinum is a more premium package, but it’s also $7000 dearer, while the cheaper Trend is well-equipped but less appealing without a V6 under the bonnet.
“Looking outside the Ford stable, I’m not convinced there’s a better alternative to the Everest. The new-generation Prado is pricey, underpowered and imperfectly packaged, while the Isuzu MU-X is let down by its engine and cabin tech.
“So, Australian families should just buy an Everest and call it a day? It’s not quite as simple as that.
“The Everest is aimed at lovers of the great outdoors, not city slickers who spend their time balancing a peak-hour commute with the school run.
“Those who fit the latter description should instead consider car-based seven-seaters that prioritise luxury and efficiency over ruggedness. Such options in this price bracket include the Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-80, andKia Sorento.”
You can read our full review of the Ford Everest Sport V6 here
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MORE: Explore the Ford Everest showroom
4. Volkswagen Tayron
Volkswagen replaced the Tiguan Allspace with an entirely new model called the Tayron earlier this year, and contributor Dave Humphreys was at the international launch in Europe for us to see how it compared to its predecessor.
Dave Humphreys wrote:
“Volkswagen has done a comprehensive job of making the Tayron a comfortable and refined car to drive, though it’s not exactly what we’d call an exciting driving experience.
“The longer electric driving range of the plug-in hybrid is a huge plus though, and it’s the best choice of powertrain for the Tayron.
“It’s just a pity that you can’t have it with seven seats.”
You can read our full review of the Volkswagen Tayron here
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MORE: Explore the Volkswagen Tayron showroom
3. Jaecoo J8
Ahead of Chery’s lifestyle-focused Jaecoo sister brand launching in Australia, contributor Gautam Sharma took the opportunity to get a sneak preview of the J8 seven-seater in Dubai.
Gautam Sharma wrote:
“All told, the Jaecoo J8 is a polished and well-rounded offering that should be able to hold its own against established players in the seven-seat SUV segment.
“Solid although unspectacular in its driving characteristics, the J8’s fortes lie in its premium cabin ambience (for its price) and overall refinement.
“We’ll deliver a more emphatic verdict once Australian pricing and specs are known.”
You can read our full review of the Jaecoo J8 here
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MORE: Explore the Jaecoo J8 showroom
2. Toyota Prado GXL
Following its launch, marketplace journalist Max Davies was handed the keys to a seven-seat Toyota LandCruiser Prado GXL, a popular trim level and the second most affordable Prado variant currently on sale in Australia.
Max Davies wrote:
“The latest iteration of the Prado is a generally strong offering, but there are a few hiccups that detract from the nameplate’s reputation.
“There are quite a few positives, namely in its tough styling, durable engine, and rock-solid Toyota build quality. There’s plenty of space in all three rows, which is appropriate for a family vehicle that’s intended to be capable of long-distance mass transport.
“It’s also decent off-road, even if this GXL grade misses out on a handful of off-road systems reserved for higher-spec grades.
“Its interior is lightyears ahead of the old Prado and the GXL offers a meaningful upgrade over the GX too, punching well above its position in the Prado pecking order.
“But its diesel engine is still gruff and lacks the grunt for a vehicle this size and weight, and the ride on its standard suspension is too ute-like for our tastes. As the engine is the same across the range, the suspension is the only thing holding the GXL back on-road – leading us to recommend the VX instead.
“Then there’s the boot situation, which is as unappealing, inconvenient and feels like an uncharacteristic afterthought by Toyota. Unfortunately, this is something ingrained into the J250 Prado’s DNA, and its more luxurious Lexus GX sister model does better with the same packaging limitations, although it’s not perfect either.
“The Prado has short service intervals and isn’t cheap either, and we don’t think the GXL does enough to justify its price position. VX pricing makes a bit more sense, but there’s no getting around the fact the Prado is generally an expensive vehicle.
“Yes, it feels more premium than the Everest and MU-X, but those vehicles are much better-rounded packages despite being cheaper.
“At the end of the day, it’s hard to argue with the 13,406 people who bought a new Prado to the end of May this year. In the same period, Ford has managed 9589 Everest deliveries and Isuzu has shifted 5785 examples of its MU-X – making the Prado the clear favourite among Aussies shopping in this segment once again.
“There’s no doubt the higher-spec Prados get the job done better because they tick more of the chassis hardware boxes, although they have the same compromised packaging, so it remains to be seen whether the GXL continues to be the most popular Prado in the range.”
You can read our full review of the Toyota LandCruiser Prado GXL here
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MORE: Explore the Toyota LandCruiser Prado showroom
1. Toyota LandCruiser Prado VX
Yes, another Prado review. Deliveries of the new-generation large SUV finally commenced late in 2024, and news editor William Stopford was quick to get hold of a mid-spec VX for a full review.
William Stopford wrote:
“The new Prado mightn’t have moved the needle much over the last one on paper, but it feels better to drive and looks more modern and handsome inside and out, with much-improved technology.
“Still, it has received a sharp price hike for a vehicle with no extra power and torque and a heavier kerb weight. It has also gone backwards in terms of interior flexibility, which grates.
“In a vacuum, the Prado probably looks like good value given the capability and equipment on offer. Unfortunately for Toyota, the large SUV segment isn’t a vacuum, and against key rivals the Prado looks overpriced.
“You can get a top-spec Everest with a turbo-diesel V6 for a few thousand less than this. Sure, if you buy the Prado you’re getting that Toyota reputation, a nicer interior, adaptive dampers and a couple of other novel features, but you’re also getting a vehicle with less power and torque, a less practical interior, and shorter servicing intervals.
“We’ve waited a long time for a new Prado and in that time its rivals have improved dramatically, so much so that we doubt Toyota has done enough to make its ‘Son of LandCruiser’ reign supreme in what’s a very competitive segment.
“It’s a Toyota, though, so we fully expect it to sell like hotcakes regardless.”
You can read our full review of the Toyota LandCruiser Prado VX here
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