The choice of affordable large seven-seat plug-in-hybrid SUVs is growing and there is quite a price range, even among the top five most affordable models listed here, where there is a $16,000-plus difference between the cheapest and most expensive.

Like families, all these cars are very different. Some have five seats and some have seven. Battery range varies and so does combined fuel and battery range, as well as boot size, how many child seats they can cater for, and their overall practicality.

So, depending on your family's needs, you will hopefully find what you are looking for here (and within your budget).

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If price is the deciding factor for your family’s new plug-in hybrid large SUV, we have taken the legwork out of it for you with this list of the top five most affordable models available in Australia, and how suitable they are for families based on my experience, having driven hundreds of cars with my family onboard over the last decade.

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1. Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid Urban ($45,990 drive-away)

Priced from $45,990 drive-away is the seven-seat, front-wheel drive Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid Urban.

For those with a slightly higher budget, the higher-spec Ultimate model costs $4000 more and adds a few creature comforts like a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, driver’s head restraint speakers, and more.

Among the cars on this list, the Tiggo 8 has the shortest battery range at 95km, which is enough for a couple of days’ local driving for the average Aussie family before needing a charge, but its combined range of 1200km is a great amount for minimising fuel stops on a family road trip.

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When it comes to family practicality, the Chery Tiggo 8 has heaps of storage throughout, well-positioned cupholders, and an ample-sized central console box to conceal the kids’ tech when you get out of the car.

In the back are ISOFIX anchors for child seats in the two outboard second-row seats, and top-tether points for all three. Three slim child seats fit comfortably across, and the rear bench seat is split 60/40 and features a sliding mechanism so you can distribute legroom as you need it.

There are no top-tether anchors in the third row of seats, so you can’t put child seats back there.

Because there is no third-row airbag coverage, and the fact that if you have three child seats installed you’ll have to remove one of them to access the third row, the Chery Tiggo 8 makes a practical five-seat family PHEV for daily use if you’re only going to need the third row for occasional visits from the grandparents.

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Rear legroom is tight in the Tiggo 8 and with rear-facing child seats installed, I found only a 162cm-tall driver can fit up front. With a forward-facing child seat it’s slightly better; a 180cm driver can sit ahead of it.

A generous 494-litre boot (when using five seats) easily fits a twin pram, and I found the 117L space remaining available when using all seven seats could still accommodate a single stroller.

The Chery Tiggo 8 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 82 per cent for adult occupant protection and 86 per cent for child occupant protection.

2. Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid Elite ($52,990 plus ORCs)

It is a $7000 jump to second position and the Tiggo 8’s big sibling, the front-drive Chery Tiggo 9 Elite, and that’s without including on-road costs.

With a battery range of up to 170km and a combined range of 1250km, it may suit families who want to charge less frequently or drive longer daily distances, and would like the option of family touring without frequent fuel stops.

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The rear-seat situation in the Chery Tiggo 9 is similar to the Tiggo 8 in that three slim child seats can be installed comfortably across the second row, the third row has no top-tether anchorages or airbags, and three-across families have to remove one of the child seats in order to access the third row.

Although these issues make the Chery Tiggo 9 another daily five-seat SUV with an occasional-use third row, it has slightly more legroom than the Tiggo 8.

A 186cm driver can sit in the front of a forward-facing child seat in the second row, but if you have rear-facing child seats in the back that reduces to 182cm.

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A twin pram and more besides will fit easily in the enormous 819L boot when using five seats, which shrinks to a still-respectable 143L when using all seven seats (enough to fit a single pram).

The Chery Tiggo 9 has not yet undergone ANCAP assessment. It has 10 airbags as standard, including side curtain airbags covering the first and second rows only.

3. GWM Tank 300 Lux PHEV ($55,990 drive-away)

Families that like to get off the beaten track are in luck as third position goes to the five-seat, four-wheel drive GWM Tank 300 Lux PHEV, which is a very different vehicle to the others on this list and an affordable choice for families who like to go off-road, as well as being comfortably able to do the daily school run without using a drop of fuel.

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If you can stretch the budget a little more, the Tank 300 Hybrid Ultra PHEV flagship costs $59,990 drive-away and adds an electronically locking front differential for tougher off-road situations, as well as interior luxuries like heated and ventilated Nappa leather-trimmed seats and wireless phone charging.

It has 100km of battery range and the lowest combined range on this list at 955km, so if you’re doing an outback family road trip don’t forget your jerry can.

For families who need them, three slim child seats fit comfortably across the second row of the Tank 300, and decent interior space allows a 186cm driver to fit in front of forward-facing child seats, or a 180cm driver to sit ahead of rear-facing child seats.

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Although it has the smallest boot on this list at 360L, the Tank 300’s boxy shape means it can be stacked high to accommodate a pram and all the kids’ equipment.

The GWM Tank 300 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 89 per cent for child occupant protection and 88 per cent for adult occupant protection, and comes with seven airbags as standard.

4. BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic (from $56,990 plus ORCs)

The seven-seat BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic FWD costs $56,990 before on-road costs, jumping up to $63,990 plus ORCs for the Dynamic AWD, while the top-spec Premium AWD takes it right up to $70,990 plus ORCs.

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All five rear seats can comfortably accommodate child seats at once. However, with three across the second row you need to remove one for third-row access, so for families that need daily access to the third row, the BYD becomes a full-time four-child seat car.

Legroom is excellent throughout, and with forward-facing child seats in both rear rows of seats a 188cm-plus driver can sit up front – or a 182cm driver can sit in front of a rear-facing child seat.

The Sealion 8’s 103km of battery range for the Dynamic FWD (152km for the Dynamic AWD and Premium AWD) is plenty for several days of school run, and a combined range of 1118km for the FWD (1017km for the AWDs) gives you a long break between visits to the bowser.

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Boot space is excellent, too, at an enormous 960L when using five seats, easily accommodating a twin pram, and there’s still more than 270L available when using all three rows (enough to fit a single stroller with room to spare).

It is yet to receive an ANCAP rating, but the BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic has nine airbags including side curtains that extend to third-row occupants, so it should be a safer option for families who need to use the third-row seats regularly.

5. Omoda 9 Virtue AWD (from $61,990 plus ORCs)

Last but by no means least, the Omoda 9 Virtue AWD holds on to fifth position. This five-seat plug-in hybrid SUV costs $61,990 plus on-roads and is available in one very plush specification.

It has a combined range of 1100km, of which 145km can be done with battery power alone – enough for a good few days of family run-around and commuting between charges.

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The Omoda 9 has ISOFIX points in the two outer rear seats and top-tether anchors for all three rear seats. I am yet to do my family testing on this one, but as it has the hardware for three child seats I am hopeful it will fit three across.

For families with two young siblings, the Omoda 9’s large 660L boot should fit a double pram or the kids’ scooters or sports gear with no problem.

The Omoda 9 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 87 per cent for child occupant protection and 90 per cent for adult occupant protection. It has eight airbags as standard, including side curtain airbags that extend to the second row.

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