Best Large SUV Starting Under $100K revealed! 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year: Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia EV9 battle it out

The large SUV category (starting under $100K) in the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards brings together one of the most varied groups of models from the super modern, fully electric high-performance to the super capable, off-road beasts. But all have a family focus with practicality at an affordable price.

Our shortlist saw entrants from Chery, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Polestar, Skoda, Toyota and Volkswagen.

Now it’s time to announce our final top three, including the winner. First up are the two runners up in alphabetical order, then the category winner.

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Runner up: Kia EV9

Seven-seat upper-large SUVs aren’t unique but fully electric ones are and the Kia EV9 was not just the first of its kind to come to Australia, but it is also a truly outstanding car and that’s why it has easily made it into our top three.

CarsGuide reviewers love how the EV9 provides all the practicality and space that an upper-large SUV should with an advanced electric architecture and a package that feels high quality and stylish.

“I think it’s one of the cars of the decade,” said CarsGuide Contributing Journalist Byron Mathioudakis.

“I still look at it and it stuns me and I just think it’s beautifully packaged … it’s a Range Rover for Kia money. Korea should be so proud of that car.”

While the EV9’s futuristic looks were loved by the team, some thought the high price might put people off.

Runner up: Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series

The Toyota LandCruiser helped spark the world’s fascination with SUVs decades ago with its ability to take families on adventures to places regular cars had no hope of ever reaching.

But while there’s a multitude of other SUVs out there now, the latest-gen LandCruiser 300 Series is still one of the very best, which is why it’s here on our top-three list.

CarsGuide News Editor Dom Tripolone said the LandCruiser 300 was one of the vehicles that did its job well: “It does what it says on the box. It’ll last a long time.”

The team mentioned the good resale value of the LC300, its reputation for reliability and that its intended buyer who wants to go off-road or go anywhere will absolutely love it.

Winner: Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai’s new-gen Santa Fe shocked many with its wildly different look to the previous model when it arrived in late 2024.

But, while the design was polarising, CarsGuide reviewers couldn’t deny that this was an outstanding SUV in almost every other way.

“It genuinely achieves everything it sets out to do,” said CarsGuide Deputy News Editor Tom White. “I also love the design of it – it’s superb.”

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe (Image: Tom White)

With a choice of hybrid and petrol powertrains in both front- and all-wheel drive, the Santa Fe is comfortable and easy to pilot in the city or on long haul trips.

Available in six- and seven-seat formats, the Santa Fe caters impressively well for families with its practicality and space, plus with its extensive features list and affordable entry price represents excellent value for money.

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Sub-$100K Large SUV	Top 10 shortlist	Winner & finalists
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