Best SUV for family needs

Looking for family vehicles is now more fun than ever with the best SUVs of the year. For most US households, a spacious car is a must, so the SUV has always been their staple. Not only does it have to fit all the members of your family, but it also has to keep them safe too. Of course, getting one that provides style and comfort is great as well!

The term SUV means sports utility vehicles, so sleek speedsters usually come to mind based on the first word. Nowadays, the latest models focus on “utility” as they have so many features that would give a four-wheeled racer a run for its money. However, having so many options can make it difficult to choose one. This article will give you a rundown of the best picks!

That’s why we’ll put the pedal to the metal immediately by going through the best SUV for families. I matched each recommendation to certain features that a breadwinner would look for, such as trunk space and fuel efficiency. After that, I will show you how to choose the right SUV yourself, so you’ll be ready before you head to a car dealer.

Here are the top SUVs for family needs in 2022:

• Toyota RAV4 (2022) – Best SUV for families with small kids
• Kia Telluride (2021) – Best SUV for cargo space
• Honda CR-V (2022) – Best SUV for fuel economy
• Tesla X (2022) – Best Electric SUV

Toyota RAV4 (2022) – Best SUV for families with small kids

The first-ever 2021 #RAV4 #Prime: Estimated 302-horsepower? ✅ Quickest RAV4? ✅ Estimated 90 MPGe? ✅ Are you ready for prime time? #LAAutoShow Discover more: https://t.co/CvRtFvNwG8 pic.twitter.com/bqal6z6KlB

— Toyota USA (@Toyota) December 1, 2019

Let’s say you start 2022 with your new family. This means you have a cute little tot or two to take care of now. Of course, you want them to see the world, not just your neighborhood.

Now that more countries are relaxing the COVID restrictions, it will be easier for folks to go outside. Still, you must keep your kids safe, especially if they’re infants or toddlers.

That’s why you need a car that lets you secure them at the back seat properly. It should secure them on the seat while making sure they’re comfortable. That’s where the Toyota RAV-4 can help!

What makes this one of the best SUVs for families is its top-notch LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. It makes installing car seats for kids easier.

You will truly need one if you have kids below three. Otherwise, there’s a greater risk that you install the booster seat wrong and put the kids at the back in harm’s way.

It’s a good thing that the RAV4 has an excellent LATCH feature. It earned the highest rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This SUV also has other safety features like:

• Traffic sign recognition
• Forward collision warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Lane departure warning
• Surround-view parking camera
• Rearview camera

This allows you to keep your kid and others as safe as possible. The Toyota RAV4 has all you need to avoid crashing into anything or anyone.

This compact SUV for families comes in six models: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, TRD Off-Road, Adventure, and Limited. The XLE premium might be the best pick if you have small children.

That’s because the little tikes will likely make a mess while on your ride. The Premium comes with synthetic leather seats, so you’ll have an easier time cleaning them.

You might like the base price, too, since it starts at $26,525. Of course, this may change depending on several factors, such as added features.

Read More: The Best Hybrid Cars Right Now

Kia Telluride (2021) – Best SUV for cargo space

The Kia Telluride has won the World Car of the Year making it two wins for Kia at this years awards! The largest passenger car ever made by Kia is powered by a potent 3.8 litre GDi V6 and is loaded with technology 🥳#wcoty pic.twitter.com/Eg7m764Ia1

— Kia UK PR (@KiaUKPR) April 8, 2020

As time passes, most families want to spend precious memories in various places. For example, you and your kids may go camping and live the van life for a while.

This means bringing more stuff along for the ride. Maybe you need extra space for the kids’ stroller and food. If they’re grown up, you might need more room for their tents or sleeping bags.

The Telluride may seem like a regular SUV until you ride! That’s when you need a spacious vehicle like the Kia Telluride. This is the best SUV for families that bring more stuff while on the go.

The Telluride has three-row seating that can host up to eight passengers. You may choose a seven-seat layout and swap the second-row bench seat for a pair of captain’s chairs.

The Telluride allows adults to sit comfortably in all three rows no matter the configuration. Like the Toyota RAV4, this midsize SUV has a LATCH system for child booster seats.

It’s on the list because it can store up to 87 cubic feet if you fold down the second and third rows. Fold just the third, and you get 46 feet. The trunk can store 21 cubic feet if all the seats are up.

Telluride makes sure you bring everything for family bonding! Even better, it lets you haul stuff at the back. The prices for this mid-sized SUV start at $31,990.

Honda CR-V (2022) – Best SUV for fuel economy

🎉There are now 5 million #HondaCRV vehicles on U.S. roads. 🎉

Since its U.S. debut in 1997, the CR-V has been America’s top-selling crossover, and now it has a nice round number to celebrate. 🚙 pic.twitter.com/vqg9v44boN

— Honda (@Honda) October 29, 2019

Most people expect an SUV to cost a lot of money, so it would be great if it didn’t use too much gas. After all, you will have to deal with many maintenance costs too.

For example, you will have to change motor oil from time to time. As you accumulate more miles on it, you will also have to replace the tires. On top of that, you have other family expenses.

It’s no wonder car buyers often look for fuel efficiency! Fortunately, 2022’s Honda CR-V is the best SUV your family can pick for low fuel consumption.

According to U.S. News & World Report, few similar vehicles come close. It lets you squeeze as much as 28 miles per gallon when cruising around the city.

It gives you at least 34 miles per gallon if you’re dashing down the highway. The Honda CR-V has a 14-gallon gas tank, so it will let you travel quite a distance.

Note that your actual gas mileage may vary depending on several conditions. Still, the Honda CR-V is one of the best SUVs for family road trips! The prices start at $25,750.

Tesla X (2022) – Best Electric SUV

Tesla Model S & X Plaid are so fun! https://t.co/lcaTVyEPzN

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 6, 2022

Have you ever considered purchasing an electric vehicle? If you’re a long-time gearhead, you may find the lack of an engine roar to be off-putting.

You might want that rumble out if you’re riding with your family. After all, it could help your baby sleep soundly at the back. Even better, they let you try the future of automobiles!

The Tesla X is a prime example. It operates using two electric motors, but it may just run on one depending on your trip. This allows this electric SUV also to provide fuel efficiency.

There are more fun reasons why this is one of the best SUVs for families. The Tesla X has a unique road capability called autopilot to drive itself!

Specifically, it will accelerate, steer, and brake within its lane. While it reduces the hassle of driving, you will still have to keep your eyes on the road.

What’s more, the Tesla X can perpendicular and parallel park by itself. When you’re ready to leave, the Summon feature enables it to drive itself to your location.

If you’re anxious about its safety, don’t worry. The Tesla Model X earned the European New Car Assessment Program’s (Euro NCAP) top rating for safety.

Even better, your kids will also enjoy riding in the passenger seats. The Tesla X allows wireless gaming on par with modern gaming consoles.

If their devices run out of juice, this SUV has USB ports for every passenger. Meanwhile, the sleek white leather seats provide a comfortable ride.

The Tesla X lets you and your family get a test drive of the future. Just be prepared to pay up to $104,990 – $126,490, depending on the version and other factors.

How to choose the right SUV for your family

Those were just some of the best SUVs for households right now. There are so many so that this list will miss other great options, such as the luxury SUV Cadillac Escalade.

It’s great that you’re reading articles like this to find suggestions for your next vehicle. However, you can’t just rely on blogs alone since you will be spending thousands of dollars on this.

Fortunately, this article also includes a guide on how you can choose the SUV that your family needs. Look for the following features the next time your browsing options:

Safety

You need a family vehicle, so safety comes first. This means looking for the basics, such as seatbelts and airbags. Also, you have to make sure the car has child safety locks.

Kids can be fidgety during a road trip. They might throw tantrums or move around too much while playing with their siblings. Make sure the doors won’t open unintentionally.

If you have smaller tots, you will need the LATCH systems from the other entries on the list. Aside from reading online articles, you might want to check reviews too.

Budget

Here’s the second most important factor in buying an SUV for your family. Your inner gearhead may want one that has a twin-turbo engine, but you may need a plug-in hybrid more.

A car costs a huge amount upfront and often requires several more payments each month. After buying, you pay for gas and other maintenance costs.

A hybrid may cost more at first, but you may save on gas in the long run. It uses the petrol engine for intensive rides. Then it switches to an electric motor when you’re cruising.

On the other hand, conventional SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 might be more affordable. Note that both vehicles have hybrid models.

Practicality

This usually involves the ease of cleaning and the passenger and cargo space. The latter two are particularly important if you have a growing family.

If you have a small child, getting an SUV with leather seats might be best. Those are easier to clean so that you won’t worry about mystery smells and stains.

You also need comfort, but the leather seats may take that away. That’s why it’s great to have other features like an infotainment system, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto.

Final thoughts

Those are some of the best SUVs for families. There are so many options right now that we can’t possibly cover them all! Feel free to check other sites if these don’t fit your needs.

For example, you might want to check out the Ford Expedition or other mid-sized SUVs. You might want to consider buying secondhand vehicles as well.

You don’t have to limit yourself to just SUVs too. For example, if you don’t have a lot of family members, perhaps a modest sedan will suit your household.