The dilemma

Kathy’s 2005 Ford Focus has been a great car for her but, with two children now on her plate, she’s after something with more space, seating for seven and stronger safety. She’s been looking at used, 2008/09-ish Toyota Klugers and Mazda CX-9s of similar vintage.

The budget

Between $15,000 and $20,000

The shortlist

The Kluger, as a lot of Toyotas do, makes a solid yardstick. It does most things well and nothing terribly enough to count it out at this preliminary stage.

The CX-9 is a tough one. It’s a better drive than the Toyota and more likeable but also a well-known fuel swiller, while upper-level models have 20-inch tyres that can cost a bomb to replace. It’s a car that doesn’t really do a significantly different fundamental job to a Kluger but is likely to inflict more financial pain doing it.

If Kathy had driving satisfaction as a priority the Mazda’s issues might be worth suffering. With no such directive, she’s probably better looking to contenders that deliver a real point of difference as a family conveyance.

2011-16 Ford Territory TDCi, from $13,900*

This Ford offers the opportunity to target later-year stock than its Toyota rival in this price range. Late enough, in fact, to target 2011’s SZ facelift, which introduced a 2.7-litre turbodiesel V6 that’s much more economical than the Kluger’s petrol V6.

The Territory’s cabin is a very roomy, functional and user-friendly example of the seven-seat breed. Stability control, head-protecting curtain airbags and reversing camera are part of its safety armoury and it’s covered by Ford’s lifetime fixed-price servicing deal.

It’s available in potentially desirable 2WD form (why cop the added weight and complexity of AWD if you don’t need it?) and one of the most agile and large SUVs to drive.

But the Territory’s diesel isn’t remarkably frugal or snappy off the line and final-row occupants do without curtain-airbag protection. Well-documented suspension, brake and other niggles mean ownership isn’t always headache-free.

Read Drive’s Ford Territory reviews:

Used-car review: Ford Territory diesel

2009-12 Hyundai Santa Fe CRDi 2.2R, from $13,000*

This Hyundai, like the Ford, is one of the few large SUVs available with a diesel engine in this price bracket.

However, while its diesel is smaller than its rival's (it’s a 2.2-litre four-cylinder) it’s more responsive and economical (6.7-7.5L/100km versus 8.2-8.8L/100km).

Its seven-seat cabin stacks up well (it’s roomy, flexible and well thought-out) and its safety artillery includes stability control, full-length curtain airbags and reversing camera.

It’s a sharp buy (a tidy 2011 model is a realistic goal in this price range) and covered by Hyundai’s lifetime fixed-price servicing plan.

But the Santa Fe is this group’s oldest design, and looks and feels it, while an odd driving position and less than glitzy materials mean the cabin’s attention to detail lags behind its functionality. It’s neither as agile a Territory through the bends nor as comfortable on bad roads.

Read Drive’s Hyundai Sante Fe reviews:

Road test: Hyundai Santa Fe Elite
Road test: Hyundai Santa Fe SLX CRDi

2007-12 Toyota Kluger seven-seater, from $9300*

This Toyota’s mandatory petrol V6 is this group’s thirstiest option (11.0-11.6L/100km), its middle-row bench is too narrow to cater for three adults effortlessly and its handling is ponderous.

It asks for more frequent servicing than its rivals here (six-monthly/10,000km versus yearly/15,000km)

But the Kluger counters with ample space and functionality. It matches its rivals with curtain bags and stability control but goes one better with a mandatory reversing camera (it’s a model-dependent feature in it the Ford and Hyundai).

Its petrol V6 is a willing performer and acceptably thrifty by petrol standards, and it can also be had in potentially desirable 2WD form. It soaks up bad roads with more aplomb than the Santa Fe.

A reputation for dependability and affordable upkeep means its lack of fixed-price servicing is unlikely to be a serious issue in practice.

Read Drive’s Toyota Kluger reviews:

Used-car review: Toyota Kluger

Drive recommends

The Ford and Hyundai have advantages over the Toyota that could easily swing things their way. But their gains are also balanced by prominent negatives, whether it’s the former’s quality niggles and lack of final-row curtain airbags or the latter’s outdated feel and mediocre driving.

The Kluger isn’t exactly perfect either but, mediocre fuel economy aside, its sins don’t detract unreasonably from the ownership experience or its effectiveness as a family hauler. It’s not an original, inspired or bargain choice for the family buyer on a sub-$20k budget but it’s probably the safest, most rounded one.

* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.