When you're looking for the best SUV for your family, there are many factors to consider. Size, safety and performance are all part of the equation, but even top-rated SUVs and crossovers make some compromises. There are dozens of choices in almost every category, so choosing the right SUV can get complicated.
To help you narrow down your search, we'll tell you about the top-rated family SUVs and crossovers based on Edmunds' expert testing. But it's not just about what we think; it's also about your specific needs and circumstances. So let's begin with a few pieces of buying advice that apply to anyone who's shopping for the best family SUV.
By the way, if you're just here for the expert ratings and recommendations, scroll down a couple of sections and you can dive right in.
Finding the Best Family SUV for You
As a first step, we recommend identifying must-have features for your family so you can dispense with any SUVs that don't deliver. Size is a good starting point. How big is your family and how willing are your loved ones to share their space? Most compact and midsize SUVs seat five in two rows, but many also offer the option of a third row. Cargo room is important, too, since all those passengers are bound to have plenty of stuff to carry with them. The smallest SUVs and crossovers have enough room for five and not much else, while the biggest family SUVs can accommodate up to nine passengers and whatever they might bring. Don't forget that size is inversely correlated with gas mileage, generally speaking, so if you need maximum mpg, go with the smallest SUV you can live with.
Edmunds' Top-Rated Family SUVs
Let's look at the latest results from the Edmunds testing program. Our vehicle testing team subjects approximately 200 vehicles every year to a full battery of tests and rates each vehicle on a five-star scale. Only the finest performers make the cut for our top-rated lists. Here are the best SUVs for families, according to our vehicle experts.
Best 3-Row SUVs for Families
If you plan to use the third row in your family SUV, we prefer the larger vehicles in the midsize class since they use carlike platforms for refined driving dynamics. But if you also plan to do some serious towing or hauling, we'd point you toward true full-size SUVs with trucklike underpinnings, such as the new Ford Expedition. The midsize models offer enough room in the third row to seat children comfortably and even accommodate adults for shorter trips, while the full-size SUVs offer industrial-grade toughness and even more room, along with plenty of usable cargo space behind the third row.
2018 Mazda CX-9
Edmunds Rating
There are a number of reasons why the CX-9 shines, from its dynamic driving demeanor to its upscale styling inside and out. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is tuned to provide big torque right off the line, making acceleration feel effortless, while the CX-9 shrinks around you on winding roads for a genuinely rewarding experience. Inside, the CX-9 doesn't have as much third-row or cargo space as some rivals, but it compensates with an attractive dashboard layout and high-quality materials. Bottom line? If you and your family like to drive with vigor and ride in style, the CX-9 belongs in pole position.
2018 Nissan Armada
Edmunds Rating
Suppose the CX-9 just isn't big enough for your cargo-carrying needs, but you're not quite sold on a "trucky" full-size SUV. The full-size Nissan Armada is an intriguing proposition because, unlike its predecessor, it's actually not based on a truck. Instead, the Armada is an Americanized version of the legendary Nissan Patrol SUV, a rival to the Toyota Land Cruiser that's been plying its trade in deserts and other harsh environments for decades. So that purpose-built SUV pedigree comes standard, along with an enormous cargo bay and generous passenger space. We're fans of the standard 5.6-liter V8 engine, too — it makes great noises and hauls the Armada and all its occupants up to speed with impressive ease. Fuel economy? Keep your expectations low and you might be pleasantly surprised
2018 Honda Pilot
Edmunds Rating
If passenger comfort is what you're after, the Pilot is tough to top, especially in the midsize segment. Unlike the Mazda and Ford, the Honda offers adult-friendly (or big-kid-friendly) dimensions even in the third-row seat. It's got a bit more maximum cargo capacity, too, although the Explorer still wins with all seatbacks in place. Performance is strong from the 3.5-liter V6 engine, even if the ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic transmission can be finicky. (If you agree, try the Honda-built six-speed in lesser Pilot models.) You'll also find that the cabin is full of handy storage cubbies where you and your kids can stash small items, including a vast and configurable bin beneath the front center armrest