6 Best Family SUVs 2025

Getting the right family car is one of the most important things you can do. Nailing the fine balance between price, equipment, safety, and reliability can be difficult even in modern times, when variety is plentiful. Luckily, our colleagues from U.S. News have compiled a detailed list with the best family cars. To no surprise, the top six family cars are SUVs, each from different categories. Here's what makes them the best family cars in 2025. 

As a bonus, I have added a runner-up for each of the SUV categories. Among the winners are SUV models that I have personally examined and have even considered as my next purchase. 

Best two-row mid-size SUV: Mazda CX-70 

Mazda truly managed to reinvent itself as a more premium brand with its latest SUV models. The CX-70 benefits from Mazda's unibody chassis, which makes it the most performance-oriented SUV here. It also means anything more than light off-roading will be asking too much from this stylish Mazda SUV. What makes the Mazda CX-7-0 a top pick for a family SUV, among 100 reviewed vehicles, is the combination of comfort, reliability, safety, and price.  

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 starts at $41,820 but can reach up to $57,325 MSRP depending on the trim. The 3.3-liter, turbocharged, inline-six engine develops 280 or 340 horsepower in S Premium trim (worth the extra cost). There is also a 2.5-liter PHEV model, which allows for up to 26 miles driving on electricity. Mazda's innovative SKYACTIV engines already comply with the Euro 7 emissions regulations, said to kick into effect in November 2026. You also get the company's all-wheel-drive system regardless of the trim. 

Best three-row mid-size SUV: Kia Telluride 

The Kia Telluride is one of the best SUVs if you are looking for great V-6 SUVs with no complex hybrid tech. The model has been around for a while and represents exceptional value for money. What makes it slightly better than its technological twin, the Hyundai Palisade, is the price, but really, the difference is so negligible that it really comes down to what badge and styling you prefer. 

The 3.8-liter, 291-horsepower, normally aspirated V-6 features direct fuel injection and Atkinson cycle, making it fairly efficient for what it is, but still lagging behind downsized and hybrid competitors. The third-row SUV can seat seven or eight passengers, depending on whether you have the bench seat or captain's chairs on the second row.

At $37,585 starting MSRP, you really can't complain as the Kia Telluride is a lot of SUV for the money. Just make sure you go for the all-wheel-drive model instead of the base, front-wheel-drive one. You are not going to get the best-in-class fuel economy, so you might as well get the extra versatility. 

Best compact SUV: Hyundai Tucson 

There is a good reason the Hyundai Tucson is the brand's best-selling model. The compact SUV manages to steal the crown from the RAV4 by offering catchy design, similar reliability score, and generous equipment at a lower asking price. There are also non-hybrid drivetrain options unlike in the Toyota RAV4, which became a hybrid-only model. It is important to note that U.S. News has awarded the non-hybrid model, which features a 2.5-liter normally aspirated inline-four.  

The hybrid models are based on a 1.6-liter turbo-four. The PHEV variant develops 268 horsepower and can drive up to 33 miles on electricity. What the non-hybrid Tucson lacks in straight-line performance, it more than makes up for with sharp handling, impressive ride quality, and spacious interior, including a roomy cargo area – 38.7-74.8 cubic feet (31.9-66.3 cubic feet for the hybrid models). At $29,750, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson is the best way to spend under $30,000 on a family SUV. 

Best electric SUV: Kia EV9 

Kia is fairly well-invested in EVs, and the brand currently offers a variety of electric SUV models. There is no shortage of great family SUV offerings at the mid-$50,000 price range, but if you are invested in EVs, the Kia EV9 is a solid, three-row offering. The spacious interior can seat up to seven passengers (six if you get the second-row captain's chairs) and can charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 20 to 24 minutes depending on whether you have the 76.1 or 99.8 kWh battery. 

In terms of electric range, the Light Long Range is good for 304 miles according to the EPA standard. However, you will not be impressed by the 201 horsepower and 8.8-second 0 to 60 mph time. The range-topping all-wheel-drive EV9 packs 380 horsepower and sprints to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, but only gets you 280 miles of EPA range (270 miles with GT package). 

Best hybrid SUV: Toyota Highlander 

Whether you are getting the Toyota Highlander or Toyota Grand Highlander, you are getting one of the most versatile, family SUVs you can buy in 2025. Unlike Toyota's J250 Land Cruiser, the Highlander hybrid uses the 2.5-liter, Dynamic Force engine instead of the turbocharged I-Force Max. The 2.5-liter hybrid is one of Toyota's tried and tested powertrains and returns 35 combined MPG according to the EPA cycle. 

At the same time, the Highlander hybrid is only 0.1 seconds slower to 60 mph than the more powerful, 2.4-liter turbo-four engine. The option of third-row seats increases the passenger capacity to seven or eight, depending on the configuration. Granted, the third row is one of the tighter in the segment. The engine also doesn't like to be rushed as it generates a lot of noise under hard acceleration. Aside from those minor drawbacks the Highlander remains a solid pick, which has a starting price of $40,970. 

Best large SUV: Jeep Wagoneer 

If you want to keep things all-American, the Jeep Wagoneer is one of the best large family SUVs you can get in 2025. The elephant in the room is that there is no V-8 on offer. However, there is a strong case to be made for the new Hurricane inline-six engine, which is the only engine available here. With 420 horsepower and potential for much more, the turbo inline-six will make most buyers forget about the V-8s of old.  

With 10,000 pounds of towing capacity, generous cargo space (27.4-116.7 cubic feet), and seating for up to eight passengers (if you get the second-row bench instead of captain's chairs), the Wagoneer can do it all. The Wagoneer offers everything the Grand Wagoneer offers, for $12,000 less, as it starts at $59,945. Unlike the Grand Cherokee, the Wagoneer is body-on-frame, which makes it much better suited for off-roading. 

What do you think about this list of family SUVs? If you own or have personal experience with one of these models, I would love to read your thoughts in the comment section below.

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.