New Outlander vs rivals

Top of the We see if Mitsubishi’s updated diesel Outlander is a better all-rounder than Hyundai and Kia rivals

Latest Mitsubishi SUV meets Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento

IF you need a car with seven seats, there are two avenues to explore: a conventional MPV or a seven-seat SUV, such as the facelifted Mitsubishi Outlander.

While there are more expensive offroaders, new road tax rules coming in on 1 April mean buyers spending over £40,000 on a new car will have to pay a £310 tax supplement every year. Big 4x4s that slip in under this threshold, offering space and premium features, are going to prove very popular.

Mitsubishi has added more kit and improved the Outlander’s specification, so you get a lot for your money with the top-spec 4 version we’re testing, yet it still undercuts the rivals it’s up against in this test.

The Hyundai Santa Fe has also been updated, with a few design tweaks to sharpen up the looks and the addition of extra safety kit on some models.

It still shares much of its mechanical make-up with the Kia Sorento, though. The Kia hasn’t been upgraded and it’s the most expensive choice. However, it offers the most space on paper and plenty of luxury. The question is, which family SUV should your money go on?