There are plenty of 7-seater vehicles on the Australian car market, but sometimes even seven seats aren’t enough. If your family’s on the large side – or you simply like to take all your friends along for the ride – you might be on the lookout for an 8-seater car.
And in case you’re wondering if there are any alternatives to the minivan – yes, there are. Plenty of alternatives, in fact. While many 8-seater cars are based on commercial vans, there are some SUVs and people movers that lose the van styling and feel more like a car to drive.
For the eco-conscious, there are also some hybrids on our list – greatly improving fuel efficiency – and one fully electric 8-seater, currently the only EV option for sale in Australia.
So, what’s the best 8-seater family car in Australia? That depends on your needs, your lifestyle and your budget. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 currently available 8-seat options, from a pragmatic $49,500 all the way to a luxurious $118,104.
For any models that catch your eye, you may wish to explore our Car insurance by make and model pages. While not all models listed are included, these pages may provide an idea of potential car insurance costs should you decide to purchase any of the vehicles featured.
Note that prices are subject to change based on the manufacturers’ suggested retail price for the lowest-priced variant, quoted for postcode 2000 in November 2024. Costs such as stamp duty, other government charges, and options may not be included.
Entry-level 8-seater cars – under $60,000
A van, an SUV and a people mover – there’s something for everyone in this entry-level segment. That includes the best-selling 8-seater vehicle in Australia.
Hyundai Staria from $49,5001
Meet the cheapest 8-seater car in Australia. Looking like it just drove out of a science fiction film, the Staria is based on a commercial van, which means it has plenty of space inside – for eight people and their luggage.
“Space is brilliant” in the Staria, according to news.com.au reviewer Toby Hagon.2 Hagon also found the Staria effortless to drive in its 2.2-litre turbodiesel trim, which also offers the security of all-wheel drive.
“If you want to venture onto gravel or other loose surfaces, the added traction is reassuring,” he said, giving the Staria a strong 4 out of 5 rating. The Staria also comes with Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.1
Kia Carnival from $50,1503
The Carnival is Australia’s best-selling people mover,4 and it’s easy to see why.
“The Kia Carnival has been the king of the people-mover segment for a while now,” reads a review by CarExpert reviewer Matt Campbell.5
Campbell noted the generous interior space – large enough to fit luggage with all eight seats in use – and handling that more closely resembled a car or SUV than a van. It also has five ISOFIX child seat mounting points, “making it one of the most practical cars in the country for big families.”5
The Carnival comes with Kia’s seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.6 A hybrid version is available on the top-spec GT-Line only.7
Nissan Pathfinder from $59,6708
The lowest-priced 8-seat SUV option on the market, the Nissan Pathfinder uses a petrol 3.5-litre V6 engine instead of a diesel or turbo four-cylinder engine like many of the other vehicles here.9
Richard Blackburn on news.com.au found the Pathfinder to be big on space and comfort, with lots of room for a large family, but ultimately heavy on fuel consumption, recording 10.5L/100km.10 Blackburn also reported that space in the third row would be “a cosy ride” for three people, although a sliding second row helps maximise space in the far back. The Pathfinder comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.9
Mid-range 8-seater cars – $60,000-$80,000
Three vehicles fall into this category, all offering plenty of space and comfort.
Ford Tourneo from $65,99011
Another vehicle with commercial-van origins, the Tourneo is a newer entrant into the segment of 8-seater cars in Australia and is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine.12
CarExpert reviewer William Stopford praised the Tourneo for its clever, configurable seating, spacious cabin and abundant in-car tech – but found it to offer “a less car-like experience than a Kia Carnival.”13 Its large, full-length panoramic glass roof was also a standout feature for Stopford.13
The Tourneo comes with Ford Australia’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.14 According to reports, Ford is weighing up an electric version of the Tourneo for Australia.15
Hyundai Palisade from $66,80016
Looking for an 8-seat SUV that has the space of a van? Look no further than the super-sized Hyundai Palisade. Two powertrain options are available – a 2.2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder with all-wheel drive, and a 3.8-litre petrol V6 with front-wheel drive.16
Drive reviewer Peter Anderson found the Palisade’s third row offered plenty of amenity in the form of four cup holders, roof-mounted air vents and two USB-C ports.17 But it’s a bit tight on space, Anderson said. “The seat itself is a bit flat and uninviting so it’s an occasional-use proposition for anyone other than patient kids,” he noted. The Palisade comes with Hyundai Australia’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.16
Volkswagen Caravelle from $69,29018
If eight seats aren’t always enough, this people mover could be the pick. Another vehicle that started life as a commercial van, the Volkswagen Caravelle can seat up to nine.18
With its roots stretching back to the original Volkswagen Kombi van of the early 1950s, the Caravelle offers an enormous interior space – with plenty of room for eight. Fully configurable seating means the luggage space can extend from 298mm in 9-seater mode up to 1967mm with the rear two rows folded down.19 If you have just as much gear to move as you do people, the turbodiesel Caravelle has you covered. The Caravelle comes with Volkswagen Australia’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.19
Toyota Granvia from $70,30620
This 8-seater from Toyota is something of a replacement for the popular Tarago of yesteryear. Despite being based on the Toyota Hiace commercial van, Richard Blackburn from news.com.au found the diesel Granvia to be comfortable and practical for family duties and road trips.21
That’s if you can forgive it for having minimal room for luggage when all eight seats are in use, Blackburn said, while he also found Toyota’s 8.0L/100km fuel economy claim difficult to match. His verdict was that the Granvia is big and comfy, but there are arguably better value – and better designed – options available. The Granvia comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.21
Luxury 8-seater cars – $80,000+
Options are limited to just three in this category, although one could be considered the most stylish 8-seater of them all.
Nissan Patrol from $84,90022
If you have eight people to transport off-road, this could be the SUV for you. The Nissan Patrol comes with high- and low-range four-wheel drive and can tow up to 3.5 tonnes braked.23
“Excellent on-road, off-road and towing,” wrote Trent Nikolic in Drive, who also praised the Patrol for its effortless V8 engine, cabin space and comfort.24 That all said, its 14.4L/100km fuel consumption is high.
“Can get thirsty if you don’t manage the right pedal,” Nikolic reported. Note that only the base Ti variant can accommodate eight people. The Patrol comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.25
Mercedes-Benz V-Class from $114,49926
Looking for an electric 8-seater? This is your only choice – for now. While the price shown here is for a turbodiesel model, you’re looking at $161,72327 for an electric version of Mercedes-Benz’s luxuriously appointed V-Class van offering cutting-edge adaptive cruise control and 430km of claimed driving range.28
In a CarSales review, motoring writer John Mahoney commended the recently upgraded V-Class for its interior space and finishes.29
“The big Benz wagon really feels like it’s a vehicle that can do it all while offering just enough comfort and sophistication to drive every day and delivering efficiency well beyond a large SUV,” Mahoney said.29 Mercedes-Benz offers a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.30
Land Rover Defender 130 from $118,10431
If you want an 8-seater that turns heads, look no further than the retro-styled Land Rover Defender 130. The Defender 130 is the priciest vehicle on our list, but for good reason. At 5,358mm, it’s a significant 340mm longer than the 5-seat Defender.32
In a review, CarExpert’s James Wong found the luxurious Defender 130 offered plenty of off-roading features for intrepid types, while space in the third row was surprisingly good for three people. At 389 litres, boot space was also good with the third row in use. The Defender is covered by Land Rover’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.33
What to consider when buying an 8-seater car
Beyond cost, appearance and handling, there are certain features buyers might look for in an 8-seater. These include:
- Ease of access to the rear seats, especially if you’re transporting adults
- Anchorage points – these determine how many child restraints you can transport at one time
- Air vents, cup holders and USB charging outlets, as these may impact the comfort and convenience of your passengers
- Airbag protection for occupants of the third row, as this is not standard
- Boot space when the third row is in use. Some models also have a forward-and-backward sliding second row seat which can be useful.
Once you’ve settled on an 8-seater car that works for you, you might be wondering about your insurance options. So, when you’re ready, start a quote with Youi for car insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped.
Note: Information in this article is relevant as of November 2024 and by its nature will change over time. Check relevant vehicle manufacturer websites for price and specification updates if this information is important to you.
1 Source: Hyundai – Staria.
2 Source: news.com.au – 2023 Hyundai Staria new car review, June 2023
3 Source: Kia – New Carnival GUV
4 Source: CarSales – VFACTS 2023: Car industry breaks all-time sales record, January 2024
5 Source: CarExpert – 2025 Kia Carnival review
6 Source: Kia – Kia warranty
7 Source: CarExpert – 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid review
8 Source: Nissan – Accessible Adventure For Everyone, August 2024
9 Source: Nissan – Nissan Pathfinder
10 Source: news.com.au – 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Ti-L new car review, December 2022
11 Source: WhichCar? – 2024.5 Ford Tourneo people mover: Price and features for new eight-seater, February 2024
12 Source: Ford – Introducing Ford Tourneo Open to anything
13 Source: CarExpert – 2025 Ford Tourneo review, June 2024
14 Source: Ford – What Warranty Remains On My Vehicle?
15 Source: CarExpert – Ford Australia eyeing eight-seat electric people mover, February 2024
16 Source: Hyundai – Palisade.
17 Source: Drive – 2024 Hyundai Palisade Elite review, January 2024
18 Source: CarsGuide – 2024 Volkswagen Caravelle Pricing and Specs
19 Source: Volkswagen – Caravelle The icon updated
20 Source: CarsGuide – 2024 Toyota Granvia Pricing and Specs
21 Source: news.com.au – 2022 Toyota Granvia VX review, July 2022
22 Source: CarsGuide – 2024 Nissan Patrol Pricing and Specs
23 Source: Nissan – Nissan Patrol
24 Source: Drive – 2022 Nissan Patrol Ti review, August 2022
25 Source: Nissan – Nissan New Car Warranty
26 Source: CarExpert – 2024 Mercedes-Benz V-Class Pricing & Specs
27 Source: CarSales – 2024 Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class arrive in Oz, August 2024
28 Source: Mercedes-Benz – EQV.
29 Source: CarSales – Mercedes-Benz V-Class 2024 Review – International, March 2024
30 Source: Mercedes-Benz – Warranty.
31 Source: Land Rover – Defender 130
32 Source: CarExpert – 2024 Land Rover Defender 130 review, July 2024
33 Source: Land Rover – Our Warranty. Your Assurance.
