5 Family SUVs That Make Road Trips, School Runs, and Grocery Days Easier
August 11, 2025
6 min read
For most families, a vehicle isn’t just transportation—it’s a mobile command center. It’s where sports gear mixes with grocery bags, where coffee is balanced precariously in the cupholder while kids ask for snacks from the back seat, and where summer road trips can be either a joy or an ordeal depending on the comfort and layout of your ride.
I’ve driven and tested enough SUVs to know that family life magnifies both a vehicle’s strengths and its flaws. A rear seat that feels fine for adults on a short trip might suddenly feel cramped when you’re wedged between two booster seats trying to fasten a seatbelt. A cargo space that looks generous in the showroom can mysteriously feel smaller when you’re loading it with a week’s worth of groceries and a stroller.
The SUVs on this list aren’t just capable on paper—they handle the daily realities of family life with smart design, comfort, and reliability. And while no vehicle will make 7:30 a.m. drop-off traffic disappear, these five make the ride there (and everywhere else) far more pleasant.
1. Honda Pilot – The All-Rounder That Actually Feels Designed for Families
The Honda Pilot has been around for two decades, and Honda’s iterative approach has turned it into one of the most balanced family SUVs on the road. The latest generation takes everything that worked — spacious seating, smooth ride, bulletproof reliability — and improves on the small details that matter.
Why it works for family life:
- Three-row seating with genuinely usable space in the third row.
- Rear doors that open wide enough to install a car seat without contortionist-level flexibility.
- Flat load floor for easier cargo stacking.
From a driver’s perspective, the Pilot handles more like a well-tuned sedan than a bulky SUV, which means less fatigue on long drives. The cabin is designed with an abundance of storage cubbies — a subtle but appreciated detail when you’re keeping track of water bottles, toys, and road trip snacks.
According to J.D. Power’s 2024 Vehicle Dependability Study, Honda remains one of the top-rated non-luxury brands for long-term reliability, and the Pilot consistently performs above segment average.
2. Toyota Highlander – Efficiency Meets Everyday Practicality
The Highlander earns its place here largely because of its hybrid option, which can make a significant difference if your family racks up miles with daily commutes and weekend trips. While some hybrids sacrifice cargo space for battery placement, the Highlander Hybrid maintains a versatile interior and seating for up to eight.
Standout features for families:
- Available hybrid powertrain with EPA ratings up to 36 mpg (city).
- Optional all-wheel drive for better traction in rain or snow.
- Standard Toyota Safety Sense suite with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and collision avoidance.
On the road, the Highlander is composed and quiet, with a cabin layout that’s intuitive rather than overly tech-heavy. It may not have the sportiest handling in this group, but the payoff is a calm, predictable ride that keeps kids asleep in the back and the driver relaxed up front.
3. Kia Telluride – Comfort That Feels a Class Above
The Kia Telluride has been praised since its debut, and for good reason. It blends luxury-level interior quality with family-friendly practicality — a rare combination in the non-luxury SUV space.
What makes it family-friendly:
- One of the widest cabins in the class, making it easier to fit three across in the second row.
- Rear seat reminder system that alerts you to check the back before leaving the vehicle.
- Quiet, well-insulated cabin that keeps road and wind noise to a minimum.
In practice, the Telluride shines on road trips. The ride is smooth, the seats remain comfortable over hours of driving, and there’s a thoughtful mix of USB ports and storage pockets for passengers in all rows. Kia’s long warranty coverage (10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain) adds a layer of reassurance, especially for those planning to keep the vehicle long-term.
4. Hyundai Palisade – Tech-Savvy Twin with a Slightly Softer Ride
Sharing its platform with the Kia Telluride, the Hyundai Palisade takes a slightly different approach. It’s just as roomy, but it leans more into upscale design and tech integration, making it ideal for families who want modern conveniences without the luxury badge.
Family-friendly advantages:
- Available second-row captain’s chairs for easier access to the third row.
- User-friendly infotainment system with one of the clearest navigation displays in the segment.
- Hands-free liftgate that opens when you stand behind it — helpful when your hands are full of groceries or sports equipment.
Where the Palisade differs most is in its ride comfort. It’s tuned slightly softer than the Telluride, soaking up bumps with more ease, which makes it an excellent choice for parents driving on mixed urban and rural roads.
5. Subaru Ascent – Confidence in All Weather
For families in regions where winter is a serious season, the Subaru Ascent offers standard all-wheel drive across all trims. Subaru’s reputation for building vehicles that thrive in snow and rain is well-earned, and the Ascent carries that tradition forward while adding modern comfort.
Key family features:
- Standard EyeSight driver assist technology, including adaptive cruise control and lane departure prevention.
- Excellent visibility thanks to large windows and thoughtful mirror placement.
- Roof rails and a high towing capacity (up to 5,000 lbs) for outdoor adventures.
Inside, the Ascent has one of the most flexible seating configurations in the segment, with an emphasis on passenger space over cargo when all seats are in use. Fold down the third row, though, and you’ll have more than enough room for weekly errands.
Subaru reports that 97% of vehicles sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today — a testament to the brand’s durability.
How I Tested These Picks
I spent time in each of these SUVs under conditions families actually face — city traffic, highway cruising, parking in tight school lots, and loading up after a big grocery run. I looked at rear seat usability, cargo space flexibility, ride comfort over time, and how easily tech features could be used without distraction.
While spec sheets and MPG ratings matter, a family SUV succeeds when it fits into daily life without fuss. The five here excel because they make every kind of drive — from a 2-minute coffee run to a cross-country vacation — feel less like a chore.
Insider’s Edge
If your family is split between “captain’s chairs” and “bench seat” preferences, test both configurations in person. Comfort and access to the third row change more than most buyers expect, and it’s worth knowing which works better before you commit.
Choosing What Works for Your Family
Picking the right family SUV isn’t about finding “the best one” on paper — it’s about finding the one that solves the most problems in your day-to-day life. If you need maximum cargo with all seats in use, the Honda Pilot or Subaru Ascent will shine. If fuel efficiency is a priority, the Highlander Hybrid changes the game. And if you want a cabin that feels a notch above without paying luxury prices, the Telluride and Palisade are tough to beat.
A smart choice now means fewer compromises later. The best family SUV is the one that handles the chaos, carries the load, and makes the miles in between feel effortless.
