Most popular cars for teachers

15 April 2025

Teachers, we know you're the superheroes shaping the future, and you deserve cars that are as reliable, efficient, and comfortable as you. Whether you're commuting to school, running errands, or sneaking away for a well-deserved weekend getaway, the right car can make all the difference.  

Here's a list of some of the most popular cars leased by our amazing customers in the education segment.  

We've teamed up with Wheels magazine to find out why these cars are such hits. From standout features to top-notch reliability and efficiency, you'll see why these vehicles are the go-to choices for many drivers. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!  

 

8 most popular cars for teachers

 

Mitsubishi Outlander: A medium SUV for all occasions 

Versatility is the outstanding feature which has made the Mitsubishi Outlander one of the most popular medium SUVs in Australia, offered in up to 14 variants in Australia

That extensive range offering means an entry-level petrol model with five seats can be snared for under $40,000, up to a top-spec, seven-seat plug-in hybrid model at over the $70,000 mark. Adding to the appeal, standard features on the base models are generous, from a 7.0-inch driver's display, 8.0-inch infotainment screen, cloth fabric interior, dual-zone climate control and electronic parking brake, to 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights. For the busy teaching professional who often needs to transport people and things here, there and everywhere, storage and boot space is also good - 478L in the Outlander Exceed model with the last two rows of seats down. An outstanding all-arounder.

Toyota Rav 4: Popular medium SUV that’s practical and cheap to run

The Toyota RAV4 regularly tops sales charts as Australia’s most popular medium SUV, prized for its fuel efficiency and the sensible practicality of its layout – particularly for families. That means a super voluminous boot – 542 litres with the dual-level boot floor set to its highest position, or 580 litres when lowered.  The spacious interior is sturdy and well built with plenty of storage – a shelf below the dash with wireless phone charger, large cupholders in the centre console, and big slots on the doors for large bottles. 

There are now five model variants in the range with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive - the RAV4 Edge Hybrid at the top of the range – and each featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder non-turbo petrol engine boosted by with three electric motors for 163kW total outputs. Claimed fuel economy is a parsimonious 4.8 litres per 100 km. A next-generation update to the popular model is expected within the next 12 months. 

Tesla Model Y: New model SUV has greater range and speed

A popular choice among electric vehicle (EV) fans since it was introduced to Australia in mid-2022, updated editions of the medium-sized electric Tesla Model Y SUV were recently introduced with more range and faster acceleration. They also maintain their reputation for good boot space, a frunk, minimalist interior, and efficient design. Though a seven-seat option is available in the US, Australia only gets the five-seat option and two variants, including the Long Range (551km, WLTP est, priced at $73,400 before on-road costs) and the single-motor rear-wheel drive option (priced at $63,400). Acres of space is the sensation provided by the interior of the Model Y - its higher roofline and longer body offering airy headroom and spacious rear seats. It also carries an 854-litre boot (including underfloor well), which grows to 2158 litres once the 40:20:40-split rear seats are folded down. The rear area also offers two ISOFIX child seat anchor points in outboard seats and three top-tether points for the growing family.

Tesla Model 3: Ideal for the connected professional

The all-electric medium five-seater sedan features high-tech in the cabin as well as roominess and – after its 2021 update, an electric tailgate and greater range.

Three variants are offered in Australia included the rear-wheel drive version with a 'standard range' battery ($54,900), or the pricier Long Range ($64,900) and Performance ($80,900) versions which feature a 'long range' battery.

For the connected family, the Model 3 is ideal – centred around a 15.4-inch touchscreen with over-the-air (OTA) software update capability, built-in Google Maps, an 8.0-inch rear passenger climate and entertainment touchscreen and nine speakers with amplifier. Add in dual-zone climate control with hidden front and rear air vents, heated and ventilated front seats and range of safety and driver assist features. The rear bench has two ISOFIX child seat anchor points in the outboard seats and three top-tether points. The sedan has a 561-litre boot volume, which includes the underfloor well, and a sizeable 88-litre 'frunk' (front trunk) storage space under the bonnet. 

Kia Sportage: Reliable, affordable and tuned for Aussie conditions

A volume seller for the Korean brand in this market, one of the reasons for the popularity of the Kia Sportage is that it’s ride has been properly tested and adapted for harsher Australian conditions, making it one of the best handling medium SUVs on the market. It should be noted an updated version of the model is expected here during 2025. 

Sportage ticks a lot of boxes for the busy family person and professional – affordably priced (from about $39,500 for the front-wheel drive auto Sportage S, up to $60,770 for the GT-Line hybrid), a well-appointed interior and all-wheel drive stability and safety. 

Adaptive cruise control, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Android Auto & Apple Carplay, a six-speaker stereo system, single-zone climate control, auto emergency braking, lane keeping, safe exit warning, blindspot monitoring & rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, rear camera, LED lamps and daytime running lights are all standard in the base model. 

Kia’s well-known 7-year warranty and extensive service network are other major pluses for a brand with a very good track record in Australia.

Hyundai Kona: Electric SUV with a feature-rich cabin

A trailblazer in electric SUVs in Australia, the Hyundai Kona has been a consistent seller with a new generation model fresh on the market. Five Kona Electric variants are now offered in Australia, from the Standard Range at $54,000 up to the Premium N Line model at $71,000.

Storage inside the new Kona is a big improvement on the last model and one of the best in the small SUV segment. The huge centre console storage is great, with big cup holders and a wireless phone charger. Further back is a centre armrest with open storage underneath it, while there are also reasonable door bins, a nicely-sized glovebox, an open tray above the glovebox and an open area housing the wireless charger. Centre of the Kona Electric’s cabin is a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Hyundai’s new ‘ccNc’ infotainment software, satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and DAB+ digital radio. It also features live services such as live traffic for the navigation and over-the-air updates. 

The back seat is a nice improvement over the previous Kona, and is now one of the roomiest in the segment. All grades receive two USB-C ports and a three-pin socket, as well as air vents, a centre armrest with cup holders, two map pockets and reasonable door storage too. There are two ISOFIX points and three top-tether points for child seats and the doors open nice and wide too.

Its boot measures 407-litres with the seats up and 1,241L with them folded. The Kona Electric also features a 27L front boot.

Isuzu MU-X: All occasions SUV for day-to-day and offroad

The MU-X has a deserved reputation as an all-things-to-all-people seven-seat SUV – it’s tough enough to take off-road, durable enough for the day-to-day grind and has enough new tech and other features to keep a new car buyer entertained.

Recently Isuzu has made the MU-X even more accessible by introducing a smaller 1.9-litre engine for its LS-M (base), LS-U (mid-spec), LS-T (top spec) models, adding to the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine previously offered. That means the base model 1.9L 4×2 LS-M starts around the $50,000 mark before on-road costs. 

The interior of the MU-X is workmanlike and functional rather than elaborate, with a 9.0-inch infotainment system featuring satellite navigation, DAB+ radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay in the LS-U. Both back rows are roomy with plenty of storage options.

The large family is well catered for with the MU-X offering 311 litres of boot space, expanded to 1119L when the 60/40-split seat backs are dropped, and 2158L when the second row is folded flat. Helpfully, the boot lid is also power-operated.

Fuel efficiency is also a drawcard, the 1.9-litre sipping a claimed 7.4L/100km on the combined cycle. The MU-X also boasts a five-star ANCAP safety.

Ford Everest: Safe, rugged and an impressive list of standard features

The Ford Everest is a large five-door, three-row SUV that is spacious and comfortable for up to seven occupants, and is one of the smoothest and most refined SUVs of its type.

Based on the Ford Ranger ute platform, this is one of the better ute-based SUVs for driver engagement and up-to-the-minute standard safety equipment, as well as being a strong heavy towing candidate, with its 3500kg (braked) capacity.

The range includes the entry-level Ambiente 4x2 bi-turbo diesel , Sport 4x2 bi-turbo diesel, Trend 4x4 bi-turbo diesel, Tremor 4x4 V6, Sport 4x4 V6 diesel and top-spec Platinum 4x4 V6 diesel, as well as limited edition Wildtrak. It remains popular with Aussies because of its thoughtfully designed interior and long list of standard features.

The base Ambiente model includes a 10.1-inch Sync 4 infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, eight-speaker audio system, eight-way manually adjustable driver's seat, LED headlamps and daytime running lights, power-folding exterior mirrors, pull-out cup holders and 17-inch alloy wheels with full-size spare. With all three rows of seats in use, Ford says there’s 259L of boot space available. Drop the third row and your boot grows to a generous 898L or with all the back seats folded you’ll have 1823L at your disposal.The 80-litre fuel capacity suggests a decent range on one tank of fuel, with a combined-cycle average of 7.2L/100km for 2.0L 4WD models or 8.5L/100km for the 4WD-only 3.0L V6. 

The Ford Everest carries a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. 

Choosing the right car can truly enhance your daily routine - providing the comfort, reliability, and efficiency needed to tackle each day with confidence. We hope these recommendations help you find the perfect vehicle to support your important work.  

Drive away with a Smart novated lease 

You could get big tax savings on a car you love with a novated lease. You’ll pay no GST~ on the purchase price of your car, and get further tax savings by using your pre-tax salary for fuel/charging, rego, insurance and servicing costs. You can also enjoy convenient, bundled repayments that cover all your usual running costs.   

Discover more about novated leasing today.