The dilemma

Jim is recently retired and in the market for a new car. Travelling is on the cards now, so it should be comfortable on the open road and have all-wheel-drive for the odd dirt-road expedition, plus a big boot. He's not planning to head outback or do a lap of the country, and the car will be used as a daily driver and grandchild hauler between trips, so he'd like to avoid a heavy-duty 4WD. He's thinking Toyota's Kluger could be a good bet.

The budget

Up to $50,000

The shortlist

There's little doubt a Kluger will do what Jim is asking but there are question marks surrounding its mandatory petrol engine, value and servicing in this context. Some rivals, like the one we're recommending here, might just tick more of the boxes he needs.

There's also the question of size. A large seven-seater is obviously the only way to go if he has three or more grandchildren to cater for, but in a two-child scenario its bulk and extra seats will be wasted. So it might be worth considering our third contender, which keeps bigger rivals honest in a road-tripping scenario but has come compelling advantages closer to home.

Kia Sorento AWD, from $44,490

This Kia has a roomy seven-seat cabin, big boot (605 litres) and quiet, comfortable open-road ride.

AWD models have a mandatory diesel engine that is economical (7.8L/100km) and well suited to touring with its generous low-rev shove and long legged gait.

It's solid value, reassuring to drive and its warranty is the longest in the business (seven years). Its capped-price servicing regime runs for seven years/105,000km and has the convenience of yearly/15,000km intervals.

The Sorento's third-row seats, though, aren't the roomiest in the class and there are other large SUVs that are nicer to drive. If you want safety tech such as autonomous emergency braking you need to spend $50k plus on a topline Platinum model.

Read Drive's Kia Sorento reviews:

Road test: Kia Sorento SLi
Road-test comparison: Seven-seat SUVs 

Subaru Outback, from $35,990

This Subaru is essentially a Liberty wagon on stilts rather than a dedicated large SUV, which is a disadvantage if you're seeking a bullish street presence or seating for more than five.

Its diesel engine isn't as gutsy as, say, what you get in the Kia. Its warranty (three years) and capped-price servicing deal (three years/75,000km, six-monthly/12,500km intervals) aren't benchmarks here.

But the Outback keeps seven-seat SUVs honest for boot space (512 litres) and open-road comfort while being more car-like to drive and easier to handle around town. The diesel/auto versions that would be most appropriate for Jim are very thrifty (6.3L/100km).

Range-topping 'Premium' models that can be targeted in this price range have a luxurious spec and a full-fat safety artillery that includes autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control and lane-departure/blindspot warnings.

Read Drive's Subaru Outback reviews:

First drive: 2016 Subaru Outback
Road test: Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium

Toyota Kluger AWD, from $46,190

This Toyota scores big practical points with its sprawling cabin and handy boot (529 litres).

Its mandatory petrol V6 is strong and quiet, and its open-road ride is similarly easy on the senses. Like the other cars here, it has the full-size spare tyre that will be desirable if you regularly escape the big smoke.

But the Kluger is thirstier than diesel rivals (10.6L/100km) and a touch ponderous through the bends. Its warranty (three years) and capped-price servicing program (three years/60,000km, six-monthly/10,000km intervals) are outgunned here.

It has no answer to the leather, climate control and sat-nav offered by the Kia in the $50k domain, let alone the Subaru's heated seats and power tailgate. You need to spend near $70k on the range-topping Grande for autonomous emergency braking and other contemporary safety tech.

Read Drive's Toyota Kluger reviews:

Road test: Toyota Kluger Grande AWD
Road-test comparison: Seven-seat SUVs

Drive recommends

The Kluger isn't a bad package but the Sorento is better value, has the better engine for touring and more generous ownership/servicing credentials while matching its rival in other key ways that matter here. That makes it the better large SUV for Jim.

And the Subaru? Well, if we take Jim's shortlisting of the Kluger as evidence of a real need for a seven-seater, it must finish third.

But he should seriously think about just how many seats he's going to use. It doesn't have an answer for the Kia's occupant-hauling abilities and ownership/servicing superiority but its combination of urban agility, open-road flair, economy, safety and value is sweeter.

• Interested in buying Kia Sorento? Visit our Kia showroom for more information.

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