What seven-seat SUV should I buy?

The dilemma

Thomas is after a large seven-seat SUV for his growing family. It needs to be able to handle three child restraints and have a big boot, and he'd like its safety artillery to include active cruise control.

He's shortlisted Mazda's CX-9 Azami and Toyota's Kluger Grande but isn't sure which way to go, or if he should be considering anything else.

The budget

About $60,000

The shortlist

In theory, the Mazda - newer and more talented than its rival - would look to have the advantage but that doesn't mean it's a large SUV for every large-SUV buyer. There are devils in the detail that could easily swing things around, which we'll delve into here.

Other options? Well, Ford's ageing Territory falls short in too many crucial ways to be a serious contender in 2017, and Nissan's Pathfinder also struggles to mount a serious case against a CX-9 or Kluger. Hyundai's Sante Fe goes closer but ultimately loses out to a corporate cousin with an even better handle on things.

Kia Sorento Platinum, from $55,990

This Kia is roomy, has a big boot (605 litres), active cruise control and its middle-row seat has ample child-restraint anchor options (three top-tether, two Isofix).

Its cabin has thoughtful touches the Mazda and Toyota don't, most notably a versatile 40/20/40 split for the second-row seat.

Where its rivals are petrol-only, it has a strong, flexible diesel engine with this group's best economy rating (7.8L/100km). Its seven-year warranty/fixed-price servicing deal and yearly/15,000km service intervals are great for convenience and peace of mind.

But the Sorento also has this group's tightest second and third-row accommodation, and smallest seven-up boot (142 litres). It's merely good rather than great to drive and not especially cheap to service.

Read Drive's Kia Sorento reviews:

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

Mazda CX-9 Azami, from $59,390

This Mazda is the newest car here and it shows in the safety field - its active cruise control has this group's only stop/go function and its autonomous emergency braking uniquely scans for rearward impacts.

Its spacious cabin is the only one here with a child-restraint anchor point in the final row, so you're not just limited to using the second-row seat.

It's a nice thing to drive and its 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine is flexible, willing and economical (8.4L/100km for FWD models, 8.8L for AWDs).

But the CX-9 is also the only car here to do without final-row air vents and a full-sized spare tyre.

The superiority of its stated boot capacities (810/230 litres) can be at least partly attributed to Mazda measuring from floor to roof rather than from floor to window-line like the other cars (and other Mazda SUVs).

Service costs are fixed for life but it's not a benchmark for cost or convenience (intervals are nine-monthly/10,000km) or the length of its warranty (three years).

Read Drive's Mazda CX-9 reviews:

Review: 2016 Mazda CX-9
Road-test comparison: Seven-seat SUVs

Toyota Kluger Grande, from $64,075

This Toyota's mandatory petrol V6 is this group's economy wooden-spooner (10.2L/100km for FWD models, 10.6L/100km for AWDs).

It has this group's weakest warranty (three years but with a 100,000km limit rather than unlimited like the Mazda), shortest fixed-price servicing deal (three years/60,000km) and least convenient intervals (six-monthly/10,000km).

It costs more than its rivals but it's the only car here to miss out on Isofix child-restraint anchor points. Its road manners are somewhat ponderous.

But the Kluger has generous occupant space, this group's best small-item storage, a big boot (529/195 litres) and this group's only pop-open tailgate window.

It ticks key safety boxes (including active cruise), has this group's only standard rear entertainment system and this group's lowest service costs. Its petrol V6 has ample shove and it's a quiet, comfortable drive.

Read Drive's Toyota Kluger reviews:

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

Drive recommends

The Mazda is roomy, practical and outscores the Sorento and Kluger in several key fields. That makes it the standout large seven-seat SUV for most buyers and, in all likelihood, Thomas, too.

Not that there aren't scenarios that could lead to a different outcome. Buyers with serious touring on the cards or who wish to minimise their spend will find the Kia's value, diesel thrift, full-size spare and generous service intervals very tempting.

The Toyota? It really doesn't do a lot wrong but it simply accrues fewer points across the board than its rivals. It's a safe large-SUV bet but not the best one.