There are many two-wheel drive cars on sale in SA with seven or more seats, but these urban-based vehicles don’t have the ability to tackle more challenging terrain.
Sometimes large families seek off-road adventures and they require an SUV or MPV with at least three rows of seats, and all-wheel drive traction to get them through tricky turf.
Planning a trip up Sani Pass or the less accessible areas of Namibia or Mozambique? We’ve assembled a list of family-friendly adventure vehicles that seat at least seven people and won’t get stuck at the first sight of mud or soft sand, all priced under R1m.
Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4XPlor — R573,199
The Mahindra Scorpio-N is a bakkie-based seven-seater with a body-on-frame platform.
It is more refined and sophisticated than the first-generation Scorpio, with better-quality cabin finishes and modern infotainment.
Though it has a jittery ride on bumpy surfaces, it is very offroad-capable with a 4Xplor terrain management system that allows shifting on the fly from 2WD mode to 4WD, a low range gear, a diff lock and a choice of four preprogrammed terrain modes: Normal, Snow, Mud & Ruts and Sand.
The Scorpio-N’s front two rows are roomy while the third row is suitable for children, and the latter folds down to provide extra cargo room.
With outputs of 129kW and 400Nm, performance from the 2.2l turbo diesel engine is suitable for tackling off-road trails and cruising.
The Scorpio-N is also available as a more comprehensively equipped Adventure model priced at R644,499.
Mitsubishi Outlander 2.5 GL — R709,995
A spacious, five-seat, family soft roader with an extra pair of fold-out seats for small children, the Outlander has an eye-catching design, a modern interior and good refinement.
It is capable of mild off-tar excursions with a respectable 210mm ground clearance, permanent all-wheel drive and off-road driving modes (gravel, snow and mud), though its low-profile 20-inch tyres aren’t ideal for rocky trails.
The new-generation Outlander is available in five versions priced from R709,995-R819,995, all powered by a 2.5l petrol engine with outputs of 135kW and 245Nm.
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 TGDI 390T Executive AWD — R731,900
Chery recently added this all-wheel drive soft roader to its Tiggo 8 Pro Max range, which was previously offered only in front-wheel-drive guise.
A spirited 2.0l turbocharged petrol engine with 187kW and 390Nm sends power to the road via permanent all-wheel drive. It has a front-wheel bias under normal driving conditions and automatically sends torque to the rear axle when needed.
Compared to two-wheel drive models, the Tiggo 8 Pro Max AWD has upgraded suspension, a unique drive mode select system and a larger fuel tank. A 360º around view monitor system gives it digital eyes on the surroundings.
It is packed with hi-tech features usually found in more premium models. The Tiggo 8 Pro Max is a 5+2 seater as the tight fold-down third row is suitable only for kiddies.
Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 4x4 — R739,100
It is SA’s best-selling large SUV and the robust, Hilux-based stalwart was recently given a refresh incorporating an edgier design and interior updates. It helps keep the eight-year old vehicle reasonably fresh in the face of newer rivals and it is priced competitively.
All Fortuners have a rear differential lock while the part-time 4x4 system in off-road models is complemented by a low-range transfer case for enhanced rough terrain ability.
The third-row seats are adult sized and fold up against the sides of the load bay when more luggage space is needed.
With 110kW and 400Nm the 2.4 GD-6 turbo diesel is the cheapest Fortuner 4x4 model but it’s also available in more powerful 150kW/500Nm 2.8l guises starting from R907,700.
Nissan X-Trail 2.5 Acenta Plus 4WD — R810,900
With more assertive styling and a modern cabin, the new generation X-Trail is offered in three models all powered by a 2.5l normally aspirated petrol engine with outputs of 135kW and 244Nm.
The range-topping Acenta Plus is a soft roader with an intelligent All-Wheel Drive system that offers off-road and snow modes, and a 211mm ground clearance.
The midsized SUV’s third row is not ideally suited to adults but the middle seat row can be adjusted to distribute legroom across the cabin.
VW Tiguan Allspace 2.0 TSI 4Motion Style — R821,700
The Allspace is longer than the regular Tiguan and boasts seven-seat practicality, with a third row that is reasonably spacious.
The third row can fold flat to open up 760l of boot space, but to accommodate seven passengers with their holiday paraphernalia will require a trailer or roof box.
The 2.0l petrol turbo engine delivers a peppy 132kW and 320Nm, powering both axles through a 4Motion AWD system which automatically adjusts the amount of torque between the front and rear axles.
The all-wheel drive Tiguan Allspace is also available as a livelier 162kW model for R889,500.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4 DI-D 4x4 — R854,990
The Pajero Sport is a robust, bakkie-based SUV that perches atop the Triton one-tonner’s ladder frame chassis.
It is a full-blown adventure vehicle with a tall ground clearance, a Super Select II 4WD system, rear diff lock, a low range transfer case, and modes for different surfaces including gravel, mud/snow and sand.
The 2.4l turbo diesel engine delivers a gutsy 430Nm of torque and a 133kW power output.
The seven-seater has generous room in the first two rows, while the third row will take a pair of adults at a push but is ideally suited to the youngsters.
Apart from the R854,990 base model it is also sold in more comprehensively equipped Aspire (R874,990) and Exceed (904,990) variants.
Isuzu MU-X 3.0 TD LS 4x4 — R902,700
With a burly 140kW/450Nm engine, true off-road capability and room for seven adults, this SUV is geared for trailblazing adventures.
Based on the Isuzu D-Max bakkie, the seven-seater MU-X has a part-time 4x4 system with easy switching between two-wheel drive, 4x4 high range and 4x4 low range.
A modular interior allows the second and third rows to fold flat, creating a cavernous cargo maw.
The LS model has all the important comforts but the LSE (R946,300) and Onyx (R970,300) add more frills.
Ford Everest 2.0 BiTurbo 4x4 XLT — R974,800
The large SUV is based on the locally-built Ranger one tonne bakkie and offers a huge, comfortable cabin for seven people. It has generous luggage space even with all three rows up, and turns into a veritable cargo van with the rear seats folded down.
With 154kW and 500Nm, the 2.0l biturbo engine gives this big road ship easy cruisability and overtaking prowess.
Part-time four-wheel drive, low range and various terrain modes ensure the adventure doesn’t end when the tar road does, and high-profile 18-inch tyres deliver a cushy ride.
Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi AWD EX+ — R988,995
While not as suited to dancing through dongas as some of the other contenders in the list, this soft roader’s all-wheel drive system ensures good traction on tricky turf assisted by a 176mm ground clearance.
The Sorento offers a variety of seating arrangements in a configurable cabin. There is ample space for adults in the first two rows which are all separately adjustable for backrest angle and leg room, while the tighter third row is suitable for children.
The 2.2l turbo diesel engine musters 148kW and 440Nm of easy-cruising power.
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