America sure does love crossovers, so it’s no surprise that many of the best family cars are SUVs. There is no shortage of options in 2025, and the competition is fierce. To earn the title of best SUV for families, contenders need to tick a variety of boxes. Some shoppers see the most affordable derivatives as the best family SUV, while others prefer the more lavish interiors and long list of features of a luxury brand. Don’t let a cheap price tag distract you from the essentials, though. Size and capability definitely matter here, though. Let’s take a closer look at the best SUV models for a family of 5, 6, or more.

Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.

This list includes only compact SUVs and above, as they have more space for families than subcompact models.

Advice For Choosing A Good, Affordable Family SUV

Sometimes, the extra money is worth it. While some of these vehicles have attractive starting prices, you’ll realize that a lot of the comfort features require extra investment. Some products that have a slightly higher MSRP come with far more standard indulgences, so the extra money is often well spent. If you live in an area prone to poor weather and road conditions, it may be wise to consider a model equipped with AWD. Those who value frugal fuel economy figures should stick with a smaller, punchy engine, but these are less common in the top big SUVs for families. Hybrid powertrains can offer both efficiency and power, although they do cost more upfront. Quite a few products in this segment are reliable and come with impressive warranties, so buying a used model from 2018 or 2019 is also viable.

Characteristics Of The Most Reliable SUVs For Your Family

While each brand has its own unique spin on these haulers, there are a few commonalities when assessing the best SUV models for large families.

• Spacious interior – In order to accommodate a few children and a pair of adults comfortably, the inside of these high-riders have to be decently-sized. Thankfully, there are many spacuous SUV options for a family.
• Capable engines – In order to haul multiple occupants around, there needs to be enough power. While some of them could do with a few improvements in this department, most of them deliver decent outputs.
• Comfortable seating – These kinds of autos have to prioritize the comfort of their occupants in order to be successful. Most do, and offer agreeable seating for optimal cushioning during longer trips.
• Safety tech – Since moving precious cargo is the main goal of an auto in this classification, the need for additional features to ensure your loved ones are kept safe is even greater. This is a crucial aspect for big SUVs for families.

What To Consider Before Buying

Before making the big commitment, here are a few key characteristics of the ideal family hauler to think about:

Pros

• Usually very spacious
• There is a broad selection to choose from
• Some are available with tons of standard features
• Practical, thanks to a decent cabin and trunk
• Comfortable on longer journeys
• 4WD can be optioned on if not standard

Cons

• Some are rather pricey
• Bigger versions are heavier in terms of fuel
• Bigger sizes can be harder to maneuver

Sources: BMW, Audi, Toyota, Chevrolet, Honda, Lincoln