In recent years, the demand for family-friendly SUVs has skyrocketed, and it’s easy to see why. These vehicles offer a perfect blend of comfort, versatility, and ample space, making them ideal for everything from school runs to weekend getaways. With so many options to choose from, finding the right SUV for your family can feel like a daunting task. Whether you’re looking for a vehicle with top-tier safety features, impressive technology, or simply a spacious interior, there’s something on the market for everyone.
In this blog post, we’ll highlight the best new SUVs for families in 2024. We’ve curated a list of options that offer excellent value for money, impressive fuel efficiency, family-friendly features, and reliable performance, ensuring that your family’s needs are met with ease.
1. 2024 Honda CR-V
Why It’s Great for Families: The Honda CR-V is one of the best-selling SUVs in the United States, and for good reason. This compact SUV offers a spacious interior with ample cargo space, excellent fuel efficiency, and a suite of safety features that make it an outstanding family vehicle.
Key Features:
- Seating Capacity: 5 passengers
- Cargo Space: 39.3 cubic feet with seats up, 76.5 cubic feet with seats down
- Fuel Economy: Up to 28 mpg city / 34 mpg highway
- Safety Features: Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features, including collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control
- Technology: 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an optional 9-inch touchscreen for higher trims
Family-Friendliness: The CR-V’s smooth ride and user-friendly technology make it a top choice for families. With a spacious second row and intuitive infotainment options, it’s easy to keep the kids entertained and comfortable on long drives. Additionally, the hybrid option offers excellent fuel economy, making it an eco-friendly choice for the family.
2. 2024 Toyota Highlander
Why It’s Great for Families: The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV that perfectly blends performance, comfort, and safety. With seating for up to eight passengers, it’s a great option for larger families who need plenty of room without sacrificing style or performance.
Key Features:
- Seating Capacity: 7 to 8 passengers
- Cargo Space: 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row down, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows down
- Fuel Economy: Up to 21 mpg city / 29 mpg highway
- Safety Features: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite, including pre-collision system, lane departure alert, and adaptive cruise control
- Technology: 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 11-speaker JBL audio system available
Family-Friendliness: The Highlander’s spacious third-row seating and thoughtful interior design make it a perfect choice for larger families. It offers a comfortable cabin, a high level of safety features, and a smooth driving experience. The hybrid variant further enhances fuel efficiency, helping families save money while reducing their carbon footprint.
3. 2024 Kia Telluride
Why It’s Great for Families: The Kia Telluride is a standout in the midsize SUV category, thanks to its spacious, luxurious interior and high-tech features. It’s consistently ranked among the top choices for families, offering premium materials, a quiet cabin, and an impressive list of standard features.
Key Features:
- Seating Capacity: 7 to 8 passengers
- Cargo Space: 21 cubic feet with all seats in place, 46 cubic feet with the third row down, and 87 cubic feet with both rows down
- Fuel Economy: Up to 20 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
- Safety Features: Standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring
- Technology: 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, available 12.3-inch digital display
Family-Friendliness: The Telluride offers one of the most upscale interiors in its class, with a smooth and quiet ride. The spacious cabin provides generous legroom and comfort, particularly in the second and third rows. Plus, with its array of tech and safety features, the Telluride is as modern as it is functional.
4. 2024 Subaru Outback
Why It’s Great for Families: For families who love outdoor adventures, the Subaru Outback offers the perfect combination of ruggedness and comfort. While technically a wagon, the Outback’s higher ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive make it a great option for families looking for an adventure-ready vehicle.
Key Features:
- Seating Capacity: 5 passengers
- Cargo Space: 32.5 cubic feet with seats up, 75.7 cubic feet with seats down
- Fuel Economy: Up to 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway
- Safety Features: Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking
- Technology: 11.6-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, available navigation system
Family-Friendliness: With its rugged capabilities and spacious interior, the Outback is a great choice for families who enjoy weekend road trips or outdoor adventures. It offers a comfortable ride, ample cargo space, and a suite of standard safety features. Its all-wheel-drive system adds an extra layer of confidence when driving through challenging weather conditions.
5. 2024 Ford Explorer
Why It’s Great for Families: The Ford Explorer has long been a popular choice for families, and the 2024 version builds on that legacy with a more refined design and updated technology. This three-row SUV offers powerful engine options and a well-rounded set of features that make it ideal for family use.
Key Features:
- Seating Capacity: 6 to 7 passengers
- Cargo Space: 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row down, and 87.8 cubic feet with all rows down
- Fuel Economy: Up to 21 mpg city / 28 mpg highway
- Safety Features: Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision assist, and rearview camera
- Technology: 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, available 12.3-inch digital cluster display
Family-Friendliness: The Explorer offers a powerful engine lineup, including a hybrid version, making it versatile for a variety of family needs. The spacious three-row seating provides ample room for both passengers and cargo, making it perfect for long family road trips. The modern tech features are also designed to keep everyone connected and entertained during the journey.
6. 2024 Chevrolet Traverse
Why It’s Great for Families: The Chevrolet Traverse is a large, family-friendly SUV that delivers a smooth ride, generous cargo space, and a long list of standard features. With seating for up to eight people, the Traverse is an excellent option for larger families or those who frequently travel with friends or extended family.
Key Features:
- Seating Capacity: 7 to 8 passengers
- Cargo Space: 23 cubic feet with seats up, 57.8 cubic feet with second row down, and 98.2 cubic feet with both rows down
- Fuel Economy: Up to 18 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
- Safety Features: Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and rear park assist
- Technology: 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, available 8-inch driver display
Family-Friendliness: The Traverse is known for its spacious interior, with room for adults in all three rows. It also offers a variety of standard tech and safety features, making it a well-rounded option for families looking for comfort and convenience on the road.
Conclusion: The Best Family SUV for You
Choosing the best new SUV for your family depends on a variety of factors, including the size of your family, your budget, and the features you prioritize most. Whether you’re seeking a compact SUV with excellent fuel economy like the Honda CR-V, a three-row SUV with generous seating like the Toyota Highlander, or a rugged option like the Subaru Outback, there’s a perfect family SUV for every need.
All of the models listed above offer a winning combination of space, safety features, and modern tech, ensuring that your family will be comfortable, connected, and safe. Take a closer look at each option, test drive a few, and consider what matters most to your family—then hit the road with confidence in one of the best new SUVs for families in 2024
1. What is the best family SUV for 2024?
The best family SUV for 2024 depends on your specific needs. Some top choices include the Honda CR-V for its compact size, excellent fuel economy, and safety features, the Toyota Highlander for its spacious three-row seating and hybrid options, and the Kia Telluride for its luxurious interior and family-friendly tech features. Each SUV excels in different areas, so the best choice for your family will depend on factors like size, budget, and preferences.
2. Which SUV has the most space for families?
If you’re looking for the most space, the Chevrolet Traverse and the Toyota Highlander are excellent options. The Traverse offers seating for up to eight passengers and has a large cargo capacity, making it ideal for large families. The Toyota Highlander also provides ample room for passengers, with spacious third-row seating, and generous cargo space when the rear seats are folded down.
3. Which family SUVs offer the best safety features?
The Honda CR-V, Toyota Highlander, and Subaru Outback all come equipped with advanced safety technologies. The Honda CR-V includes the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, while the Toyota Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which includes adaptive cruise control and pre-collision systems. The Subaru Outback is known for its Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which provides a range of active safety features.
4. Are hybrid family SUVs worth it?
Yes, hybrid family SUVs can be a great choice for families looking to save on fuel costs and reduce their carbon footprint. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid are both excellent options, offering impressive fuel efficiency and reduced emissions without sacrificing performance or space. Hybrid SUVs are especially beneficial for families who drive long distances or spend a lot of time on the road.
5. Which family SUVs are the most fuel-efficient?
If fuel efficiency is a top priority, the Honda CR-V Hybrid and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid stand out. The Honda CR-V offers up to 34 mpg on the highway, and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieves up to 29 mpg. These hybrids provide excellent fuel economy while still offering ample space and features for families.
6. What is the best SUV for large families?
For larger families, the Chevrolet Traverse and the Toyota Highlander are standout choices. The Chevrolet Traverse seats up to eight passengers and offers expansive cargo space, making it perfect for families who need lots of room. The Toyota Highlander is also a great option, offering three rows of seating and enough room for up to eight people, along with an efficient hybrid option.
7. Which SUV is best for road trips with kids?
The Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer are both great options for long road trips with kids. Both SUVs offer spacious interiors, advanced infotainment systems, and numerous safety features. The Kia Telluride is known for its upscale cabin and tech features, while the Ford Explorer provides a powerful engine lineup and plenty of space for passengers and cargo.
8. Do family-friendly SUVs have enough legroom?
Yes, many family-friendly SUVs are designed to provide ample legroom for both front and rear passengers. The Kia Telluride and Chevrolet Traverse offer generous legroom in both the second and third rows, making them great options for taller passengers. Even compact options like the Honda CR-V provide sufficient space for most families, with comfortable rear seating for adults.
9. Are there any affordable family SUVs?
Yes, several affordable family SUVs offer great value for money. The Honda CR-V is a popular choice with a starting price that is budget-friendly, and it offers excellent fuel economy and safety features. The Subaru Outback also provides a competitive price point, especially considering its all-wheel-drive system and rugged capabilities, ideal for active families.
10. What’s the best SUV for safety and reliability?
The Toyota Highlander is well-known for its reliability and strong safety record. Toyota has long been praised for making vehicles that stand the test of time, and the Highlander is no exception. With its Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver-assist features, excellent crash-test ratings, and reputation for long-term reliability, the Highlander is a safe bet for families. Similarly, the Honda CR-V is known for its dependable performance and standard safety features, including the Honda Sensing suite