Best Family SUVs

Family cars come in all shapes and sizes. Some of us just need that extra bit of space, which is where SUVs come in. SUVs are incredibly popular in the UK, often outselling smaller cars like hatchbacks. People love their spacious interiors and high driving position — and of course, the generous boot space!

Finding the best family SUV cars can feel like a big task, especially when you’re juggling everything that comes with family life, but we're here to make it easier. In this guide, we'll break down the most important things to consider when choosing a family SUV in 2024. 

By focusing on what matters most to your family, you can find a car that suits you perfectly. Think about…

• Budget: How much can you afford to spend on your SUV? Think about not only the initial cost but also expenses like fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

• Space and Seating: Think about the SUV’s space: does it have the capacity to comfortably accommodate your family's size and lifestyle? Is there enough room for the tallest teens or a couple of car seats? 

• Fuel Efficiency: Find a balance between performance and economy. The more fuel-efficient the SUV, the less you’ll spend on petrol or diesel, meaning you can go further for less. 

• Driving Habits: Are you always heading off on long road trips, navigating urban streets, or adventuring off-road? Select an SUV that matches your lifestyle.

• Safety Features: Look for SUVs equipped with advanced safety technologies like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control to protect your most precious cargo. 

• Technology and Connectivity: Look for features like intuitive infotainment systems and connectivity options to keep everyone entertained and connected on the road. 

Best SUV Family Cars 

Why not let us do the leg work for you? The team at Family Car Deals has looked at a range of different SUVs to find some of the best options for families: 

1. Volvo XC90

Earning top marks for safety across the board, The Volvo XC90 is a top choice for families looking for a secure, luxurious, and versatile SUV. 

At a glance

• 5 Star NCAP rating
• Boot space to fit a pushchair and a couple of suitcases
• 7 seats and 5 doors — space for the kids and their friends 
• Seats with knee and headroom that can be adjusted separately
• ISOFIX points with loads of room for bulky car seats 

Why families love the Volvo XC90

With its spacious three-row seating, advanced safety features including Pilot Assist and a 360-degree camera, and an upscale interior, the XC90 provides comfort and peace of mind whether you’re on the school run or off on holiday. 

It looks elegant — appealing to parents looking for something a little more stylish. It feels smooth on the road and has loads of space in the back and the boot for pushchairs and shopping, making it an ideal SUV for regular, shorter trips. There’s also enough space for golf clubs if you’re heading off for a bit of fun! 

The XC90 has 5 doors, making getting in and out easier — which is especially handy if you have a car full. This SUV has 2 ISOFIX points to keep the littlest travellers safe and secure, and there’s also plenty of room for bulky car seats. 

1. BMW X5

A truly luxurious SUV that will capture the attention of even the most uninterested teens. The BMW X5 combines sporty performance with the practicality and tech of a modern SUV.

At a glance: 

• 5 Star NCAP Rating
• Boot space for up to 5 suitcases 
• Choose between 5-7 seats 
• ISOFIX mounts with covers to keep everything tidy 
• Wide opening rear doors to make loading and unloading simple 
• Virtual Personal Assistant for hands-free help on the road 

Why families love the BMW X5 

The BMW X5’s powerful engine options include a plug-in hybrid version for eco-conscious families, making the car genuinely fun to drive. It has a spacious interior with up to 7 seats for larger families, and a whole host of advanced technology features make for a top-of-the-range experience every time, even if you’re just popping to the shops.

It comes with a spacious interior and boot, perfect for ferrying the kids back and forward in style. Remove the parcel shelf and store it under the floor for easy access for the dogs, if you can bear the muddy paw prints! 

1. Volkswagen Tiguan

An SUV from a reliable, well-loved brand, the Volkswagen Tiguan offers everything families might be looking for in their next car. With a third row of seating available, a roomy cabin and boot, and affordable pricing, the Tiguan is great value for money. 

At a glance 

• 5 Star NCAP rating
• One of the largest boots with room for 5 suitcases 
• Hybrid engine option to save money on fuel 
• Expansive front and back seats with enough room for the tallest passengers 
• ISOFIX points with wide opening doors to fix car seats with ease 
• Infotainment similar to that of modern smartphones 

Why families love the Volkswagen Tiguan

Think comfort, performance, and loads of practical features for families. The Tiguan has one of the biggest boots in the family SUV segment, so you can pack it full of everything you might need day-to-day, it’s also perfect if you’re heading off on holiday.

It has a spacious interior with comfortable seats so no one needs to feel squashed. While it hasn’t been through NCAP’s test yet, if the brand’s other models are anything to go by, this will be awarded the full 5 stars. 

The Tiguan is packed with user-friendly features like Climate Control and Voice control to make your time on the road even more convenient. Assistance features like Park Assist and a Reversing Camera make squeezing into tight spaces nice and easy. 

1. Toyota RAV4

Another big name when it comes to family cars, the Toyota RAV4 delivers reliability, fuel efficiency, and practicality in the form of a compact SUV. The RAV4 has a reputation for durability, with loads of interior and boot space. As a hybrid car, it’s fuel efficient, saving you money on petrol each month. 

At a glance 

• 5 Star NCAP rating
• Hybrid engine with a decent acceleration of 60mph in 6.0 seconds 
• Roomy boot with space for 5 suitcases with the seats up 
• Comfortable back seats wide enough for 3 growing kids 
• Fold the seats down flat to pack the boot from floor to ceiling 
• Keyless entry and electrically operated boot for access with your hands full

Why families love the Toyota RAV4 

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the best family SUVs on the market. It looks rugged, but inside, passengers can enjoy comfy seats with loads of room to stretch out. ISOFIX points make it easy to secure the kids in place with enough room for the bulkiest car seats. In the boot, stack your luggage from top to bottom with a flat loading floor for all of the storage space you might need. 

Top-of-the-range tech like keyless entry and electric tailgate means you can open the car from afar instead of juggling with your shopping bags. A 7.0-inch screen keeps you up to date with everything you need to know, with lane trace assist and a pre-collision system to prevent the worst from happening. 

1. Ford Kuga

You only need to consider how many Ford cars are on the road to work out that they’re one of the best family car brands around. The Ford Kuga offers families a blend of comfort, and performance, and is packed full of technology for you to enjoy. The brand is known for its reliability as an SUV you can count on. 

At a glance 

• 5-Star NCAP rating
• Hybrid engine available with 35 miles of all-electric driving 
• A roomy boot that can fit 5 suitcases with the seats up 
• Parking sensors and front parking camera 
• Twin front and side airbags that can be deactivated to fit a car seat 
• Wide opening rear doors to load up the kids or the weekly shop easily 

Why families love the Ford Kuga 

The Ford Kuga looks sleek — it’s a great option for parents looking for the best family SUV with a little more style. Inside, it’s one of the best options for passenger and boot space so everyone can travel comfortably, no matter how long the journey is. There’s plenty of space with door pockets and a tray in the front to keep water bottles, snacks and any other bits that you or the kids might need.

Sit comfortably with space for knees, shoulders and heads — space can be enhanced with the Kuga’s adjustable back seats. In the boot, there’s a flat loading floor so you can slide your luggage in with ease. 

Heading off on a long journey? Keep everyone happy with Kuga’s infotainment system, including a 12.3-inch digital display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as temperature and fan speed adjustments to keep everyone cool. 

With a range of good family SUVs to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start, but that’s why we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking for style and space, or practicality and power, there is a good family SUV to suit families of all sizes. 

If you want to know more about any of the best family SUVs, get in touch with our experts, we’re more than happy to talk you through your options to make your life a little easier. 

Find out more about the best 7-seater family cars if you always have a car full, or explore the best cars for tall families if you need that bit of extra headroom.