What's the best SUV for your family? Depends on how big your family is. Subcompact and compact SUVs are often hatchbacks on stilts, providing five seating positions but not necessarily space to stretch out when five people are involved. Midsize SUVs often provide some towing capability in addition to more space, though in most cases well-sized third row seating is reserved for full-size SUVs. Several full-size models can comfortably seat eight passengers, though their cost and size may limit their practicality in other ways. No matter the scale of the task, SUVs are prized for their versatility and are generally overequipped to handle whatever life throws at them.
Features
- Safety First: Delve into a selection of SUVs prioritising safety features, providing peace of mind for families on the road.
- Ample Space: Explore spacious interiors designed to accommodate families ranging from three to seven members comfortably.
- Versatility for All: Discover SUV options that cater to diverse family sizes, offering flexibility and versatility for various needs.
- Family-Focused Design: Uncover the thoughtful design elements aimed at enhancing the overall family travel experience.
- Top Picks: Get insights into specific SUV models recognized for their safety, spaciousness, and family-friendly features.
- Budget Considerations: Consider SUV options that not only meet safety and space requirements but also align with varying budget considerations.
2023 Jeep Wagoneer
On the big side of things, the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer is a sumptuous, full-size, three-row SUV cruiser with massive amounts of space in all three rows. Comfort and space can be found everywhere in this road-bound cruise ship, though all that real estate doesn't come cheap, as the Wagoneer starts above $60,000. Gas mileage is also lacklustre, though one shouldn't expect much from a vehicle this gargantuan.
2023 Ford Expedition
For big families of seven or eight, the best SUV could very well be the 2023 Ford Expedition. This full-frame, full-size three-row SUV has variants for several budget brackets and use cases from the highway to the trail, not to mention technology new to the Ford lineup. Unlike many other large SUVs, the massive Expedition has refined driving manners, making what might be an ungainly experience into one of the most relaxing freeway cruisers you can buy. Gas mileage isn't spectacular, though that's expected for such a large vehicle with an abundance of space in all three rows.
2023 Subaru Forester
Although The 2023 Subaru Forester is a compact SUV, it was designed with a focus on practicality that makes it especially spacious. There is seating for a family of five and cargo space to match. The Forester is quite kid-friendly, with features such as wide-opening second-row doors that make carseat loading easier than other SUVs. Admittedly the Forester is not engaging or entertaining to drive, but when it comes to practicality in an SUV starting under $30,000, this Subaru has it where it counts.
2023 Subaru Outback
If plush comfort is what your family of five or fewer is after, the 2023 Subaru Outback will provide that and as much adventure capability as you want. The Outback ditches the dreary outline of your typical family SUV in lieu of a highly practical wagon shape, kid-friendly and loved by enthusiasts. The Outback stands out as a midsize SUV just as capable on the highway and in the city as it is off the beaten path, though its transmission and base engine leave something to be desired. The XT and Wilderness trims offer a turbocharged engine that brings the necessary power bump.
2023 Genesis GV70
If you're lucky enough to indulge in wants instead of needs, the 2023 Genesis GV70 has you covered. The GV70 is a luxury compact SUV that can make driving fun, with power and handling that lean into genuine performance car territory. While carving up canyons you can bring your people along for the ride, as the beautifully finished interior has a lot of space for a compact luxury SUV. In 2022 the GV70 even earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. The most powerful twin-turbo V-6 version can be a $60,000 proposition, and that's before the lackluster gas mileage becomes a factor.
2023 Nissan Rogue
What makes an SUV one of the best for a family depends on many factors, including gas mileage, purchase price, dependability, interior space, safety ratings, and more. The 2023 Nissan Rogue is a jack of all trades and a master of several. If you need more space, or want to spend less money, or want more genuine off-road capabilities, there are better options. But for the daily highway and byway grind, the Rogue is a compact SUV that offers value at purchase and high scores in almost every other category during ownership. Safety and efficiency are especially prevalent in this five-seat compact SUV.
2023 Kia Telluride
Larger families of up to eight will find the 2023 Kia Telluride a great place to be for long journeys or short jaunts. The Telluride is easily one of the best three-row SUVs for larger families, with quality, technology, and safety at a reasonable price. Starting below $40,000, the Telluride has blind-spot sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Wi-Fi hotspot as standard. The Telluride is highly optimised for the kid-hauling SUV role, with a third row sized just for children.
2023 Subaru Crosstrek
Some families need all the space they can get, but many would be perfectly happy with a cheap and cheerful 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. Funky colors, actual adventure capability, and good pricing lend a genuine cool factor to this practical subcompact SUV. Starting well under $30,000, the Crosstrek is our favourite subcompact SUV. It proves the massive three-rows aren't required for smaller families, despite the Crosstrek's not-quite-adequate base engine. The larger 2.5-liter in the Sport and Limited trims is much better, while delivering slightly better gas mileage, as well. A new Crosstrek has appeared for 2024.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime
For those with a family of three or four and fewer budget constraints, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime is one of the best SUVs for your family. The RAV4 Prime can run around town in EV mode for up to 42 miles, near-silently whooshing from destination to destination. After its range is spent, the compact plug-in hybrid seamlessly becomes a standard hybrid vehicle, no range anxiety to be found. That capability (and the ability to keep pace with a GR Corolla in a 0-60 sprint) don't come without compromise, as the RAV4 Prime starts around the mid-$40,000 range and has less cargo space than its more traditional RAV4 Hybrid counterpart.
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Our 2023 SUV of the year remains an excellent all-around EV proposition: the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5. Range and charging speed set benchmarks for the rest of the industry, making the Ioniq 5 much more practical for daily use than a standard SUV, at least when you have a Level 2 charger at home. The Ioniq 5 drips with cool courtesy of futuristic looks, premium feel, and intense performance. An AWD Ioniq 5 can go from 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds, and the EV architecture means there's more interior space available than on a comparable internal combustion SUV. Although the Ioniq 5 is one of the best electric SUVs for family duty, there are a few foibles. Lack of a rear window wiper, a cabin full of screens yet light on physical controls, and a rather spendy sticker price among them.
What Is The Best Affordable SUV For Family?
Although "affordable" can be somewhat relative, the Subaru Crosstrek and Hyundai Kona are both subcompact SUVs that can seat five in reasonable comfort for less than $30,000 new. Both were also just recently updated, with the Kona especially getting a fresh new futuristic look. Both also sip gasoline, though only the Crosstrek is a serious choice for those looking to get out into nature.
What Is The Most Reliable Family SUV?
Judging likely reliability by brand reputation is simple and can be accurate, but it's best to read up on individual vehicle statistics from sources such as the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. If you're looking for a reliable family SUV, many on this list are also on our roundup of dependable SUVs.
Which SUV Is Safest For Families?
Many SUVs have been awarded for going above and beyond in terms of safety, including standouts like the Kia Telluride, Honda CR-V, and Rivian R1S. All of those have been awarded the Top Safety Pick+ designation by the IIHS for 2023.
Which SUVs Should Be Avoided?
With such a massive number of options, there are inevitably some SUVs that find themselves at the bottom of the pack, like the 2023 Infiniti QX80 and 2023 Fiat 500X. Both have been outclassed as the rest of their respective segments modernize and improve, leaving them lacking value compared to the competition. The QX80's truckish driving manners seem outdated compared to other full-size three-rows, which now drive more like large cars. The 500X fulfills the stereotype of a cramped subcompact SUV, while relatively spacious subcompact SUVs like the Crosstrek and Kona don't.
Late-model hybrid SUVs offer some of the best overall values available for used family SUV options, including all the modern safety tech and spacious packaging while cutting out the cost of depreciation. Good examples include the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 hybrid models. There are more practical and less expensive options than SUVs for moving your people and their stuff, including spacious minivans and economical hatchbacks. But SUVs offer an agreeable mix of practicality, safety, and perceived cool factor that has made their mainstream adoption inevitable.