SUVs are among the best vehicles for smaller and growing families in the U.S.. They have elevated seating, more headroom and legroom in the back, and enough truck space to store all your gear on the go. From midsize to large, there are plenty of options available in the market that can offer you the practicality of everyday driving and the thrill of those time-to-time getaways with your loved ones.
Today, in this blog, we are talking about some of the best 2025 vehicles you can purchase for your household. With these rides, you will not only save yourself from the bickering of your kids in the back for not having enough space but also enjoy the utmost comfort that takes care of your neck and the back.
1. Honda CR-V
- MSRP: From $30,100
- MPG: Up to 28 city / 34 highway
- Engine: 1.5 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 190 hp
- Transmission: Continuous variable transmission
- Towing capacity: 1,500 lbs
Available in three variants, ranging from $30,100 to $35,000, the all-new Honda CR-V carries on the redesign it got back in 2023. Kelly Johns had a chance to test drive the EX trim here, and she loved the interior with its minimalist, practical design, supportive seats that recline (even in the back), and soothing combination of black and grey. If you are looking for a low-service cost ride with a calm demeanor, comfortable seating, and an easy-to-operate dashboard, look no further than this five-seater Honda.
2. Kia Telluride
- MSRP: From $36,390
- MPG: Up to 20 city / 26 highway
- Engine: 3.8 L V6
- Horsepower: 291 hp
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Towing capacity: 5,000 to 5,500 lbs
Kia Telluride is one of the most affordable vehicles on our list. Despite being a three-row square SUV, this ride is easy to handle, even in an urban setting. It boasts four trims, among which the base one can be yours for only $36,390. The interior is spacious with thoughtful integration of high-quality materials that can handle the roughness your kids show in the back. There is enough for adults in the rear, whereas the third row is mainly kids-friendly. Adults can surely carpool in it, but only for short distances.
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3. Hyundai Palisade
- MSRP: From $37,200
- MPG: Up to 19 city / 26 highway
- Engine: 3.8 L V6
- Horsepower: 291 hp
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs
This South Korean midsize ride is an exceptional choice for buyers who want a luxurious feeling vehicle at an affordable price. Not exactly thrilling to drive, this ride effectively cushions passengers over rough surfaces, ensuring your safety, especially the little ones. Hyundai has done a remarkable job of creating an upscale feeling in the Palisade’s cabin. You get soft, cushioned seats, ample space for people and cargo, and luxurious amenities like voice recognition, a universal garage door opener, a dual-pane sunroof, and more. This women-friendly SUV can accommodate seven to eight people, depending on if you opt for a second-row bench seat or captain’s chair.
4. Mazda CX-90
- MSRP: From $37,845
- MPG: Up to 24 city / 28 highway
- Engine: 3.3 L 6-cylinder
- Horsepower: 280 to 340 hp
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Towing capacity: 3,500 to 5,000 lbs
Our testing team member Lesley drove the all-new Mazda CX-90, and she was impressed by the upgrades it boasts compared to the 2022 variant CX-9 she owns. She stated it is not only larger but more upscale as well. What she likes the most is the revised design compared to its predecessor and the availability of the plug-in hybrid option. The three rows make it possible to seat adults in the rear to feel all lazy, especially on those long road trips where you want to do nothing but stretch and sleep. She specifically mentioned Mazda’s suite of drive assistance features, especially the driver-attention monitoring that keeps people like her who easily lose focus paying attention on the road.
5. Subaru Ascent
- MSRP: From $38,910
- MPG: Up to 20 city / 26 highway
- Engine: 2.4 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 260 hp
- Transmission: Continuous variable transmission
- Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs
Here at Highway Pulse, we have loved the Subaru Ascent since its early days. This practical ride not only offers seating for seven to eight people but also comes with a price tag, which is acceptable in current times of rise in inflation. Over the years, this Japanese ride has grown from just another SUV model to a true family hauler, offering cargo space to carry your strollers, suitcases, groceries, and other gear in one go. Despite being big, maneuvering, especially in tight spaces, is not a chore.
If you have the skills, this ride can be your true on-the-road partner. I personally like the well-built cabin, where the first two rows offer sufficient support and head- and legroom for adults. The third row, however, is on the cramped side and suitable mainly for children, which I think shouldn’t be much of a problem.
6. Toyota Sienna
- MSRP: From $39,185
- MPG: Up to 36 city / 36 highway
- Engine: 2.5 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 245 hp
- Transmission: Continuous variable transmission
- Towing capacity: 3,500 lbs
Kelly took the recently released Toyota Sienna for a long road trip and was impressed by its efficiency. She claims this minivan to be a great option for families who travel a lot and require not only space but also something that goes easy on their pocket. She was impressed by the driver assistance features like blind-spot monitoring and rearview camera that ensure your overall safety, whereas the rear-seat alert reminds you to check the back seats for kids or pets before exiting the vehicle, which is grateful for as long drive and dog under the seat, she had forgotten she was with company. With a moonroof connecting with the outside while being all cozy on cushioned seats with leg rests, her driving trip was a blast.
7. Ford Explorer
- MSRP: From $39,785
- MPG: Up to 20 city / 29 highway
- Engine: 2.3 L 4-cylinder, 3.0 L V6
- Horsepower: 300 to 400 hp
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs
Although Jeep has been killing it in the off-roading with its models like Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, they are not ideally the everyday haulers. This is where a popular Ford SUV fills the gap. The all-new Explorer, currently in its sixth generation, shines both on the city roads and the mountains. It is gaining quite attention with the quality enhancement and options to choose between captain’s chairs and bench seats for the second row. The seating is comfortable and supportive with the rear having enough headroom and legroom for adults.
However, in the case of the third row, seats are low and legroom is slim, making it ideal space for kids or extra luggage. You hit a jackpot if you choose the optional Blue Cruise, which allows for partially automated driving on select roadways, allowing you to enjoy the future of driving.
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8. Chevrolet Traverse
- MSRP: From $40,700
- MPG: Up to 20 city / 27 highway
- Engine: 2.5 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 328 hp
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs
The next we have is one of many American-made cars that is filled with nostalgia. This seven-passenger SUV that hit dealerships at the end of last year is an ideal ride for a soccer mom as per Lesley. She states that this vehicle can carry your energetic entourage without suffocating them. Plus, there is enough room in the back to keep all the supplies. The interior design is pleasant with a cabin whose spaciousness is hard to ignore for the class. What makes this model stand out is that all of its three rows offer enough room for adults which its competitors like Nissan Pathfinder are unable to deliver.
9. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- MSRP: From $46,320
- MPG: Up to 35 city / 35 highway
- Engine: 2.5 L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 186 hp
- Transmission: Continuous variable transmission
- Towing capacity: 3,500 lbs
If you are an eco-conscious driver who cares about the environment dearly but also does not wish to compromise on reliability, there is no better option than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Backed with potent driver-assistance features like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and more, a five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and generous space, this hybrid SUV is ruling the segment.
We took it out for a spin in the city and its pleasant interior with standard second-row captain’s chairs (even in the base model) made the exploration a smooth sail. While all in the front were enjoying themselves, the sole passenger in the way back had a hard time, declaring it kids-friendly only.
10. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
- MSRP: From $51,055
- MPGe: Up to 82 (combined)
- Engine: 3.6 L V6
- Horsepower: 260 hp
- Transmission: Continuous variable transmission
- Towing capacity: No official towing capacity (Chrysler does not recommend towing or pulling heavy loads with the Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid.)
When the wave of electrification of vehicles took place in the American automotive market, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was one of the few minivans accepting the change. Kelly took a turn on this one and she has nothing but praises for this incredible model. The looks of this mass-market vehicle may not be as gorgeous and luxurious as you want, but the offered room makes up for the price. She checked out the Pinnacle model which with Nappa leather upholstery and plenty of legroom and shoulder room for adults shined in its full glory. The Stow n’ Go third row turned out to be the showstopper, allowing for the flattest load floor possible. The EV-only drive mode was also stellar, offering the relaxation one might need when driving back home.
How To Choose The Right SUV For Your Family
If you want to ensure your next purchase is worth it, you simply need to learn how to choose the right SUV for your family. There are tens of brands with hundreds of models for you to explore. However, when you are finalizing your options, I recommend you take into consideration the following factors that I swear by with my years of experience in the automotive sector:
- What are your day-to-day driving needs? Do you drive long distances or short distances?
- How many family members will commute daily in the car side by side?
- Are you okay with an SUV, or want to switch to something more significant like a minivan?
- How much can you afford to spend on car buying?
No two people will have the same answers for these questions as your lifestyle is different from others and what you need might also differ. However, there are some things that all families want in their car:
- Ample seating and cargo space
- Good gas mileage
- Robust safety ratings
- Superior reliability
- Uncompromising comfort
- Good towing capacity
- Smooth connectivity
- Easy maintenance services
Keep these things in mind and you are good-to-go.
Final Thoughts
Every household drives differently and every individual member demands differently. Thus, when you are looking for a vehicle for your family of five, you need to think about the comfort of every member of the family (including your pet) along with your daily driving demands, budget, and long-term needs.
All the models presented here are from car brands known for reliability in the U.S. auto market and offer a rock-solid balance of safety, comfort, and everyday usability. Before finalizing on a model make sure you test drive it with your entire crew in the place. You will know when one just feels right.
