Large families have a big challenge when it comes to going places together so we’ve gathered the best SUVs in one place.
There’s no doubt that big families face many big challenges these days. One of those is how to get from place to place in comfort and safety. To that end, we’ve gathered together a list of the absolute best SUVs on the market today for larger family groups. Every single one has a group of features that make it special in the SUV market today. We’re willing to bet that there are a number of choices here that you may not have considered.
Possibly our very favorite SUV of the bunch, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, leads off the top spot. As one of the newest SUVs on the market, it’s come out swinging at its competition with a package of features never before seen on a Jeep vehicle. Inside the cabin, buyers will find real wood, an exceptional infotainment system, and up to 75 inches worth of display area. That includes a rear seat entertainment system and a screen specifically for the front passenger too. In fact, it’s that package of features that make it our choice over the smaller Grand Cherokee L. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning are all standard too. On top of that, Jeep will handle all routine maintenance costs for the first three years no matter how far you drive. That’s a killer deal.
GM products don’t always make our “Best” lists but the Yukon deserves mention here. Despite its subpar interior materials, we love its robust powertrain, its spacious interior, and its dapper styling. On top of that, it’s priced just barely above its Chevrolet Suburban brethren so there’s really no reason not to go for the GMC. Keep in mind that it’s not going to get great fuel mileage or feel as special as most of the full sized SUVs here. It also doesn’t have all of the standard safety equipment that others do, such as adaptive cruise control. Nevertheless, it’ll haul your family around in comfort and cost thousands less than most of its rivals.
The new Lexus LX is one of the most impressive SUVs on the market thanks to refinements across the board. One major improvement over the old model is a 409-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 under the hood. It’s smooth and the standard adaptive suspension on top trims makes the journey all the more enjoyable. On top of that, the LX is sincerely capable when the road runs out and comes with a comprehensive list of safety equipment too. Every trim includes blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, park assist, lane-centering control, and a surround-view camera.
Our first all-electric SUV for big families is the one that set the bar, the Tesla Model X. Sure, it’s a bit polarizing and those falcon-wing doors can be a little finicky at times, but there’s no question that this is one very capable SUV. The third row seats are by far the most cramped of the bunch here but there’s no way to get around one simple fact, the Model X is one of the safest cars on the road. It gets outstanding safety scores not just at the NHTSA but around the world and comes with above-average safety technology too.
If there’s another all-electric SUV that we’d rather have than the Model X it would have to be the somewhat unimaginatively-named EQS SUV. Unlike the Tesla, it has a conventional third row and the entire interior feels considerably more luxurious and classy. The 17.7-inch infotainment system is unbeatable. Similarly to the Grand Wagoneer, there’s a separate screen, 12.3-inches in this case, specifically for the passenger. The EQS SUV also utilizes hundreds of different sensors to prevent or prepare for danger constantly. It’ll even remind you to check your back seats for pets or kids before leaving the vehicle.
This biggest BMW is also one of the best with an exceptional 335 horsepower turbocharged inline-six, great steering feedback, and a cavernous cabin. That’s just the base car too. A 4.4-liter V8 is also available and it pumps out 523 horsepower. Of all the SUVs here, the X7 has the second-best interior only losing out to the Mercedes. It’s thoughtfully designed, beautiful to look at, and even better to spend time in. Rear cargo space is a bit limited and it’s not particularly fuel efficient but there’s quilted leather to soothe those who need it. BMW also covers the SUV from bumper to bumper for four years or 50,000 miles. It’ll even service it for free for three years or 36,000 miles.
Unlike the GMC Yukon which is similar in price and appearance to its lower-tiered Chevrolet sibling, the Lincoln Navigator isn’t just a poshed-up Ford Expedition. Sure, the two SUVs do share components, but the Navi has a number of bespoke features that are worth its premium. Additionally, we love how spacious it is. Tall folks can easily fit in all three rows without feeling cramped or uncomfortable. It also packs an outstanding 440 horsepower V6 under the hood and a fabulous 10-speed automatic. We also love the exceptional four years or 50,000 miles of complimentary maintenance that comes with every new Navigator.
The Armada is, in our opinion, the dark horse here. It’s not all-new, and it’s not particularly flashy, fast, or full of advanced features. Nevertheless, it checks all of the most important boxes. It develops 400 horsepower. It has three spacious rows of high-quality seats. A large 12.3-inch infotainment system sports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A pair of 8-inch rear seat entertainment screens are available on the Platinum trim too. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that at $51,595 it starts at less than any other SUV here.