Best SUVs for Families

For many families, the best midsize SUVs strike a near-perfect balance of space, maneuverability, and fuel efficiency, making them ideal for daily commutes and weekend adventures without feeling like you're driving a battleship. These vehicles offer enough room for five passengers comfortably, plus gear, and often come with respectable towing capabilities for lighter loads. My personal pick for the everyday workhorse is the Ford Explorer. It's been around forever, and for good reason. You can find well-equipped used models from 2018-2022 in the $25,000 to $40,000 range on SearchShop, offering a smooth ride and generally good tech. However, earlier fifth-generation models (2011-2019) were known for some transmission hiccups, particularly the 6F50/6F55 units, so a pre-purchase inspection is non-negotiable. Don't skip it; I learned that the hard way with a transmission rebuild that cost me thousands. If ruggedness and resale value are your priority, the Toyota 4Runner is your Huckleberry. It's a beast. Seriously, these things hold their value like gold bullion, with many used 4Runners from 2015-2020 still commanding $30,000 to $45,000. It's not the most refined ride, and you'll get intimately familiar with gas stations – a 2024 4Runner still gets around 17 MPG combined, which is tough on the wallet. But if you plan on light off-roading or just want something that will run forever, it’s unbeatable. In 2023, the Toyota 4Runner retained an average of 72% of its original MSRP after five years, a testament to its legendary reliability. The Jeep Grand Cherokee also deserves a nod. It offers a more luxurious interior and better on-road manners than the 4Runner, with plenty of off-road chops if you get the right trim. Used models from 2019-2022 often fall between $28,000 and $45,000. Just be aware that some of the earlier WK2 generation (2011-2021) with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 can have oil filter housing leaks or timing chain issues if not properly maintained. You're buying capability, but it comes with a need for diligent upkeep. For pure sales volume, the Ford Explorer moved over 180,000 units in 2023, making it one of the top-selling midsize options in the U.S. market. **Bottom line:** The Ford Explorer offers the best blend of comfort and features for most families, but if you prioritize bulletproof reliability and off-road capability, the Toyota 4Runner is the undisputed champion, despite its thirst for fuel.

When you need to haul more than five people regularly, the best 3-row SUVs offer essential passenger capacity without forcing you into a minivan, providing extra seating, cargo flexibility, and often more robust towing capabilities. These vehicles are the heavy-hitters for larger families or those who frequently carpool. Let's be direct: the Kia Telluride changed the game. When it launched, it made every other 3-row SUV look overpriced and under-featured. It still does. For a used Telluride from 2021-2023, expect to pay $35,000 to $55,000, and you’re getting a ton of bang for your buck: luxurious interior, intuitive tech, and a smooth ride. It won’t tow your F-350, but for most family needs, its 5,000-pound capacity is plenty. In 2023, the Kia Telluride was named 'Best 3-Row SUV for the Money' by U.S. News & World Report, highlighting its exceptional value proposition. If you need serious space and serious towing, then you're looking at the Chevy Tahoe or its upscale sibling, the GMC Yukon. These are body-on-frame beasts, essentially truck platforms with an SUV body. They are massive, they are thirsty, but they will swallow an entire little league team and their gear, plus pull your 25-foot travel trailer without breaking a sweat. Used models from 2020-2023 typically run $40,000 to $60,000, depending on trim and mileage. They're not nimble in a parking lot, and you'll definitely feel the fuel pump's magnetic pull, but for sheer capability, they’re top-tier. Even the Ford Explorer, which I mentioned earlier, can be optioned with a third row, though it's tighter back there than in a Telluride or Tahoe. It's a good compromise if you only need that third row occasionally. A used Explorer with a third row from 2020-2022 can be found for $30,000 to $48,000. The trade-off is often a less comfortable third row for adults and slightly less overall cargo space behind it compared to the larger alternatives. Just know your priorities; if the third row is for adults on long trips, stick to the bigger players. **Bottom line:** For an unbeatable combination of value, features, and comfort, the Kia Telluride is the clear winner for most families, but if maximum space and serious towing are non-negotiable, the Chevy Tahoe is your undisputed champion.

For those with boats, RVs, or utility trailers, the best SUVs for towing combine robust frames, powerful engines, and specialized features to handle heavy loads safely, often blurring the lines between SUV and pickup truck capability. This is where my personal experience with RVs and boats really comes into play; getting this wrong can be dangerous and expensive. When you’re talking about serious towing from an SUV, you're talking about the Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon and the Ford Expedition. These are the heavyweights. They're built on truck platforms, which means they have the stout chassis and powertrain to pull thousands of pounds. A used Chevy Tahoe from 2020-2023 with the Max Trailering Package can easily tow 8,000-8,400 pounds, which covers a huge range of travel trailers and boats. Expect to pay $40,000 to $60,000 for these workhorses, depending on configuration and condition. Don't skimp on the trailering package; it adds things like a beefier radiator and transmission cooler that are crucial for longevity. The Ford Expedition is another powerhouse, often boasting similar or even slightly higher towing capacities than the Tahoe/Yukon, especially the longer Expedition MAX models. Used Expeditions from 2020-2023 are typically in the $38,000 to $58,000 range. They offer a refined ride and plenty of power from their EcoBoost V6 engines. One critical statistic for towing: a well-equipped Ford Expedition can achieve a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds, making it a true contender against many light-duty pickup trucks. While not body-on-frame, certain trims of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially those with the 5.7L Hemi V8, can surprise you with their towing prowess, often rated around 7,200 pounds. A used Hemi Grand Cherokee from 2018-2021 can be found for $30,000 to $45,000. It's a great option if you need to tow a mid-sized boat or smaller travel trailer and still want a more nimble daily driver. However, remember that unibody vehicles, even capable ones like the Grand Cherokee, generally won't handle sustained heavy towing as well as their body-on-frame counterparts. For perspective, over 40% of SearchShop users who browse SUVs also look at RVs or boats, underscoring the importance of robust towing capacity in this segment. **Bottom line:** For towing anything substantial, the Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon and Ford Expedition are your top choices, offering truck-like capability in an SUV package, but always ensure the specific vehicle has the factory tow package.