Aussie parents are splurging on new cars
'Thud-thud-thud.' The ultrasound confirmed two things: I was having a baby, and I desperately needed a car with 17 cup holders and five-star safety.
Suddenly, my trusty old sedan felt like a deathtrap. No rear air vents. No boot space. And absolutely no way it was going to handle a pram, let alone a scooter, nappy bag, and the crushing weight of my new mental load.
Like many expecting mums, I was hit by the overwhelming, rather irrational urge to upgrade my entire life. And that started with my ride.
You've probably heard of nesting - the biological instinct that turns otherwise normal people into midnight drawer organisers, onesie washers and freezer-meal warriors. Well, for a growing number of Aussies, that instinct has now extended to the driveway.
More Aussies than ever are upgrading their car before they have a baby. Picture: Supplied
Because in 2025, baby prep goes beyond painting the nursery. It's about finding the safest, roomiest and most reliable car to bring your new human home in.
And the numbers back it up. More Aussies than ever are upgrading their vehicles as their families grow, with 16 per cent listing it as their main reason for buying a new car - up from 11 per cent in 2021 according to Carsales.
The data also reveals new families with kids under six care less about engine size or power… probably because hauling little ones, groceries, and a small army's worth of gear doesn't require drag-race speeds.
So, what are they buying? SUVs - or as I like to call them, people movers with perks.
Turns out we're a nation obsessed. In fact, these roomy rides make up around 60 per cent of all new vehicles sold, and it's easy to see why. They offer height, safety, and enough boot space to haul half the house.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Kia Sorento Hybrid. Picture: Mark Bean
And they come with features such as 'baby modes', built in rear sunshades, rear-seat reminders and seats that fold all the way down for a spontaneous roadside nap.
In Australia, brands like Kia, Hyundai and Volvo are leading the way with clever features designed for parents, from quiet cabin tech to pram-friendly boots, integrated child seat anchors and hands-free tailgate that open with a swipe of your foot.
Here are some of the most popular, all boasting a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Toyota is leading the charge with the award-winning RAV4 - crowned Australia's most popular SUV. A spacious cabin with clever storage and a massive safety focus. Featuring smart pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection technology, Active Cruise Control and Road Sign Assist.
Toyota also takes second and third place with the iconic LandCruiser and Prado. While the Ford Everest is also a popular pick.
2025 BYD Sealion 7. Picture: Mark Bean
Electric vehicles are also cruising into the baby bubble. Tesla's Model Y and the BYD Sealion 7 were the top two selling EVs in the first six months of this year - both mid-size SUVs targeted at families.
The big question is - if you're expecting, do you really need a new car? It's easy to get swept up in the baby vortex, where suddenly your old car feels wildly unfit for the job ahead.
Plenty of parents make it work with hatchbacks and clever boot Tetris. But for those of us deep in the nesting phase, a trip to the dealership feels just as essential as the trip to the hospital.
I didn't need 59 muslin wraps, 15 booties or an electric bottle warmer. And technically, I probably didn't need a brand-new SUV either. But when you're facing sleepless nights, an avalanche of baby gear, and endless unknowns, sometimes it feels like a safer, bigger car is one of the few things you can control.
For me, in an ironic twist, the new car ended up delayed for months due to a parts shortage. Well past my baby's due date. But hey, if parenthood has taught me anything, it's this: sometimes you just have to buckle up, grab a double shot coffee, and embrace the chaos… preferably from the comfy seat of a family-sized SUV.
Originally published as Forget the pram: New parents are splurging on this instead
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