Choosing the right family car is one of the most significant and often stressful financial decisions you’ll make this year. It takes careful research to find the right mix of safety, comfort, and functionality your family relies on every single day. The sheer volume of makes and models can feel overwhelming. Read on to find the best family SUV options in this comprehensive car comparison. We focus on the features and design that matter most so you can stop researching and start driving.

The Rise of the 3-Row SUV

Three-row SUVs have essentially become the modern station wagon. They offer a winning combination of passenger space, cargo flexibility, and a more rugged design than a traditional minivan. This segment is an ideal choice for growing families or those who frequently haul extra passengers and gear. You gain versatility without sacrificing style or capability.

Kia Telluride (Gas)

The Telluride has been a consistent favorite since its introduction. It offers a blend of luxury-for-less and utility that’s hard to beat at its price point.

• Why it stands out: The cabin is remarkably upscale, with materials and features you’d expect in a much more expensive vehicle. Its boxy design translates into usable third-row space, making it comfortable even for adult passengers on shorter trips.
• Family-First Feature: Its straightforward, driver-friendly technology and top safety ratings.
• Confidence Booster: The 2025 Telluride has earned the prestigious IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award for the third consecutive year, reaffirming its status as one of the safest and most dependable midsize SUVs for families.

Toyota Grand Highlander (Gas or Hybrid)

The Grand Highlander is Toyota’s response to the call for more space. It’s designed for families who need more room than the standard Highlander offers.

• Why it stands out: It’s one of the few three-row midsize SUVs where the third row is truly adult-friendly.
• Family-First Feature: The combination of generous space and excellent fuel economy from its hybrid option is a rare and highly practical benefit, especially for families with long daily commutes or frequent road trips.
• Confidence Booster: The Toyota brand consistently earns Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Award for all brands, suggesting strong long-term value for this high-demand model.

Mazda CX-90 (Gas or Plug In Hybrid)

The Mazda CX-90 offers a premium feel that rivals luxury brands, but without the price tag.

• Why it stands out: Its powerful and efficient new inline-six engine and sophisticated exterior design make it feel like an aspirational vehicle. The interior is a minimalist, refined space.
• Family-First Feature: The premium feel elevates the daily driving experience, making mundane school pickups feel a little less ordinary.
• Confidence Booster: The 2025 Mazda CX-90 has earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, demonstrating exceptional crash protection and accident avoidance capabilities.

Minivan’s Unmatched Practicality

Minivans have been the undisputed champions of family transportation for decades. Their design is dictated entirely by utility—sliding doors, low load floors, and maximum interior volume—making them unmatched in pure practicality. If maximum space and ease of entry are your priorities, a minivan should be at the top of your car comparison list.

Chrysler Pacifica (Gas or Plug In Hybrid) 

The Pacifica remains a top choice, setting the standard for seating flexibility and versatility.

• Why it stands out: The exclusive Stow ‘n Go seating system allows the second and third rows to fold completely flat into the floor.
• Family-First Feature: The available plug in hybrid (PHEV) model offers the capability of electric-only driving for short trips, helping to lower your daily running costs significantly.
• Confidence Booster: The Pacifica earned the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Minivan for Families award for the second consecutive year.

Toyota Sienna Hybrid

The Sienna stands out in the segment by making a hybrid powertrain standard and offering an all-wheel-drive option.

• Why it stands out: Its standard hybrid setup provides excellent fuel economy that no other minivan can match. The availability of all-wheel drive is a huge bonus for families in colder climates or those who frequently travel to the mountains.
• Family-First Feature: It’s an incredibly versatile and fuel-efficient choice that blends the practicality of a minivan with the all-weather confidence of an SUV.
• Confidence Booster: The Toyota Sienna has been named a Kelley Blue Book Minivan Best Buy of 2025 for the fifth consecutive year.

Best Electric Vehicles (EVs) for Families

The days of limited range and charging anxiety are rapidly disappearing. Modern EVs offer lower running costs, advanced safety technology, and quiet, smooth rides, making them a compelling part of any family’s car comparison.

Kia EV9

The EV9 applies Kia’s successful Telluride formula to the EV space. It is a true contender for the best family SUV title, electric or otherwise.

• Why it stands out: Its flat floor and expansive cabin design, unconstrained by a traditional engine, result in a spacious and highly versatile interior. It offers a long driving range and consistently earns top safety ratings.
• Family-First Feature: The exceptionally quiet and smooth electric ride can be a game-changer on long road trips or during your daily commute, reducing driving fatigue.
• Confidence Booster: The 2025 Kia EV9 has earned the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation, the highest safety award.

Hyundai Ionic 9

The IONIQ 9 is Hyundai’s large, three-row electric flagship, built on an 800-volt architecture for ultra-fast charging. It applies a lounge-like, futuristic interior design to the highly competitive three-row SUV segment.

• Why it stands out: It boasts an impressive EPA-estimated range of up to 335 miles on RWD models and can recharge from 10% to 80% in as little as 24 minutes at appropriate fast chargers.
• Family-First Feature: The flexible, expansive cabin features power-folding third-row seats and available Relaxation Seats that fully recline with leg rests, perfect for road trip charging stops.
• Confidence Booster: The IONIQ 9 supports the NACS (Tesla) charging port, providing owners with access to the vast Supercharger network.

Your Next Step: Making the Decision Simple

Finding the perfect family vehicle is a big decision, and it shouldn’t have to be a stressful one. As a dedicated auto leasing services provider and concierge car-buying partner, we do the heavy lifting of the research and the negotiations for you. We are insiders on your side, focused entirely on helping people get the right car, on their terms.

Ready to take control of your car-buying experience? Click here to get started today.