Best of
Best family SUVs 2026: our favourite SUVs for kids and cargo – plus the models to avoid
Want practicality, class and an elevated driving position in a relatively compact and affordable package? These are the top 10 cars you should be looking at – and the one that is best avoided
Stuart Milne
Updated: 18 July 2026
A family SUV is effectively the automotive equivalent of a Swiss Army Knife. While most vehicles are designed to excel in one or two areas, a family SUV is expected to master every challenge. Over a standard week, that might mean transitioning seamlessly from the daily commute and school runs to long-distance motorway cruising, light off-road excursions, or hauling bulky loads to the local tip. Simply put, a top-tier SUV must be a true all-rounder.
Identifying which models actually deliver on this promise is no small feat, but our expert road testers have done the heavy lifting for you. In this guide, we reveal the 10 best family SUVs currently on the market, along with two specific models you’d be wise to skip. We’ve also included links to help you secure the most competitive PCP and leasing deals for each recommendation. If you're curious about what our rigorous testing process involves, you can find out more in our dedicated feature.
Best family SUVs to buy now – and how to get the best deal
Make and modelList price fromRatingPCP dealsLeasing dealsKia Sportage£30,9355Best PCP dealsBest leasing dealsVolvo XC40£36,8605Best PCP dealsBest leasing dealsSmart #5£39,8005Best PCP dealsBest leasing dealsSkoda Elroq£31,7105Best PCP dealsBest leasing dealsMG HS£26,4955Best PCP dealsBest leasing deals
The best family SUVs for you
The Kia Sportage has long been a What Car? favourite, and it remains the best family SUV you can buy. Not only is it available in a wide range of configurations, from petrol to hybrid and even plug-in hybrid power, but it's also loaded with kit, even in entry-level form. Because of that, you don't need to swell your budget in order to put one on your driveway. In any case, the Sportage already undercuts most of its rivals on price, especially if you stick with the cheaper versions.
If you want something a bit more premium, then it's worth looking at the Volvo XC40. This former What Car? Car of the Year stands out thanks to its stylish, high-quality interior and comfortable ride. Plus, being a Volvo, most versions come loaded with safety kit.
Ready to go electric? The Smart #5 takes everything that we love about the smaller Smart #1 and #3 and translates them over to a larger package. And with a range of up to 366 miles in Pro+ models, plus a punchy motor, you can enjoy weaving around urban traffic. You get lots of standard kit thrown in, too.
- * *
The 2026 What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now
advertisment
scroll for more
Kia Sportage
Best buy: 1.6 h T-GDi Pure Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.9 sec
MPG/range: 51.3 mpg
C02 emissions: 125 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 587 litres
Insurance group: 23E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Lower-spec models are great value
- Smart interior
- Generous rear leg room and boot space
Weaknesses
- Rear head room compromised with panoramic roof
- No clever rear seat functions
- Auto gearbox feels frustratingly slow with non-hybrid engine
Some people might think they’re getting a superior car if they go for a premium-badged model rather than something more down to earth, but when a car is as well rounded as the Sportage, it’s really difficult to justify the extra outlay.
As well as being good to drive and slightly comfier and more refined than the closely related Hyundai Tucson, the Sportage has a smart-looking and user-friendly interior, with loads of space for rear passengers. It also has a large, practical boot measuring 591 litres (petrol) or 587 (hybrid), and we managed to fit eight carry-on suitcases in the latter. Although the rear seats don’t slide like they do in some rivals, the seatbacks recline for extra comfort and have a useful 40/20/40 split.
While plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid versions are available, it's the regular hybrid which we'd choose for its blend of real-world performance and excellent running costs. There's no need to look beyond the entry-level Pure trim either, since this comes with everything you're likely to want including 17in alloy wheels, cruise control and dual-zone climate controls.
On a pure like-for-like basis, you'll pay less to put a Sportage on your driveway than you would for the rival Honda ZR-V or Renault Austral. And Kia offers a longer warranty than those manufacturers, with the Sportage being covered for up to seven years or 100,000 miles.
"An intelligently designed centre console means the Sportage has plenty of storage space, and I like the generously sized bin under the centre armrest." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our full Kia Sportage review
New car deals
Best price from £27,995
!
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £27,995
RRP from: £31,395
Nearly new deals
From £23,298
Leasing deals
From £298
!
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Kia Sportage
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £297.55 Initial payment £3,570.60
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
£3,571 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Volvo XC40
Best buy: 2.0 B3 MHEV Ultra Dark DCT Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 8.6 sec
MPG/range: 42.1 mpg
C02 emissions: 153 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 569 litres
Insurance group: 25E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Stylish and high-quality interior
- Comfortable ride on most versions
- Comprehensive safety kit
Weaknesses
- Lacks the rear-seat flexibility of some rivals
- Fairly small infotainment screen
- Some rivals are tidier to drive
In many ways, the Volvo XC40 is the purest essence of a great family SUV. This former What Car? Car of the Year blends the practicality, style and – of course – safety credentials for which Volvo is famed the world over. Just here, it’s scaled down into more compact dimensions that make it great for more congested environments.
Our favourite engine is the entry-level B3 2.0-litre petrol, because it has enough power for most buyers and keeps costs down. The driving experience is relaxed and comfortable, with an outstanding ride and a smooth automatic gearbox – you can no longer buy a manual XC40. It’s not as much fun to drive as the BMW X1, but it’s certainly quieter on the road. Plus, it has mild hybrid technology to help lower your fuel bills.
The XC40 comes well equipped as standard, although we recommend upgrading to Plus trim, which adds heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel and ambient interior lighting.
As you might expect, the XC40 is practical and its 452 litre boot is able to swallow seven carry-on suitcases. It scored a full five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests, coming with a comprehensive suite of safety features including an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system which can detect cars, cyclists, pedestrians and even animals. Low depreciation means good PCP deals are available.
It's a shame that the XC40 finished pretty poorly in the family SUV class in the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, coming 54th out of 76 cars featured. Volvo as a brand didn't do much better, finishing 21st out of 30 car makers. At least you get a three-year, 30,000-mile warranty to cover any issues – and that includes roadside assistance and three years of paintwork protection.
"The XC40’s portrait-orientated 9.0in touchscreen looks and operates a little like a tablet, with menus that slide and swipe. I like the 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, too, but that's only available in high-spec Ultimate models." – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our full Volvo XC40 review
New car deals
Best price from £32,860
!
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £32,860
RRP from: £36,860
Nearly new deals
From £29,490
Leasing deals
From £299
!
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Volvo XC40
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £298.78 Initial payment £3,585.36
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
£3,585 initial payment, 24 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
advertisment
scroll for more
Smart #5
Best buy: 100kWh Pro+ Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 6.5 sec
Range: 366 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 630 litres
Insurance group: 42E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Comfortable and quiet
- Very roomy interior and a big boot
- High-quality fit and finish
Weaknesses
- No physical controls on the dash
- Pricer than some rivals
- Efficiency isn’t great
Smart might be a relative newcomer to the family SUV market, but its previous electric SUV offerings, the #1 and #3, have both impressed us, so our hopes were high for its latest and largest model.
Thankfully, it doesn't disappoint. Entry-level Pro versions draw power from a 74.4kWh (usable capacity) battery which gives an official range of 288 miles, which is more than you'd get from a similar Skoda Enyaq. If you feel like travelling further afield, then Pro+ models get a larger 94kWh battery and a range of 366 miles – and we dare say that's comfortably enough to meet the needs of most drivers. Meanwhile, the 335bhp electric motor offers decent performance, helping you to nip away from traffic lights or make the most of gaps in the traffic.
Every #5 offers a comfy ride, but the Pro+ versions, with their 19in alloy wheels and deeper tyre sidewalls, are the best of all. The #5 is surprisingly tidy through the corners for such a heavy SUV, too, with well-weighted steering. It's not quite as sharp as the Enyaq, but no less satisfying to drive. Of more importance is its practicality: there's a huge amount of space inside, and its boot measures 630 litres, with a further 110 litres of space under the bonnet. It can carry nine carry-on suitcases.
Discounts on the #5 are something of a rarity, and whether the model consitutes good value really depends what you're benchmarking it against. Against rivals such as the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross and MG S6, for example, the Smart looks rather expensive, whereas if you're looking at the Enyaq, the #5 looks competitive.
While there are cheaper electric SUVs out there, then, the #5 comes well equipped. Our recommended Pro+ model comes with faux leather seats, a heated steering wheel, two-zone climate control, keyless entry and adaptive cruise control as standard.
"I'm tall and regularly carry tall passengers, and I've found they're more comfortable on the rear seats of the #5 than in the Skoda Enyaq or Tesla Model Y." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer
Read our full Smart #5 review
New car deals
Best price from £37,800
!
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £37,800
RRP from: £39,800
Nearly new deals
From £37,990
Leasing deals
From £493
!
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Smart #5
Expected annual mileage 6000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £492.77 Initial payment £5,913.24
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
£5,913 initial payment, 48 month contract, 6000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Skoda Elroq
Best buy: 84kWh 85 Edition Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 6.6 sec
Range: 370 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 470 litres
Insurance group: 31E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Comfortable yet sharp to drive
- Very roomy in the back
- Well priced and equipped
Weaknesses
- Rear seats don't do anything clever
- No physical climate controls
- Heat pump costs extra
If you're in the market for an electric family SUV, then we think the Skoda Elroq is the best car of its kind. And that shouldn't come as a surprise, because it's roughly the same size and shape as the combustion-engined Skoda Karoq – a firm What Car? favourite. Indeed, we managed to fit six carry-on suitcases inside its boot, which is more than the Kia EV3 can manage. And although the Renault Scenic can hold more still, the Elroq is better to drive than that car.
Speaking of driving, it's the range-topping 85 model which we think will suit most buyers best. That's because you get a punchy 282bhp to play with, which results in a nippy 0-62mph sprint time of 6.2sec, plus the largest 77kWh battery, which gives you an official range of up to 360 miles between charges.
You'll be comfortable inside the Elroq. Its seats offer more side support than the Tesla Model Y, and a couple of six-footers will be comfortable on the rear bench, even if they're sitting behind an equally tall driver. Edition trim won't leave you wanting for kit, with adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and wireless phone charging counting among its key features. We'd recommend choosing the optional Transport Pack because it adjustable-height boot floor increases boot space from 470 litres, meaning it can carry eight, rather than six, carry-on suitcases.
The Elroq is priced competitively next to rivals, and regular discounts mean you can usually secure a good saving on one. Skoda fnished above its Volkswagen parent in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, but behind Kia and Renault. The Elroq comes with a three-year warranty capped at 60,000 miles, which is less generous than what you can find elsewhere in this class, falling behind the four-year, 60,000-mile vehicle warranty and eight-year, 100,000-mile battery cover provided with the Leapmotor C10.
"I didn't expect the Elroq to drive as well as it does – it handles more nimbly than a Kia EV3 or Renault Scenic, with light steering and a tight turning circle." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our full Skoda Elroq review
New car deals
Best price from £26,990
!
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £26,990
RRP from: £34,295
Nearly new deals
From £23,475
Leasing deals
From £362
!
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Skoda Elroq
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £361.96 Initial payment £4,343.52
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
£4,344 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
advertisment
scroll for more
MG HS
Best buy: 1.5 T-GDI 24.7 kWh SE Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 6.8 sec
MPG/range: 705 mpg
C02 emissions: 12 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 530 litres
Insurance group: 26A
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Classy interior with loads of kit for the money
- Hybrid versions are good to drive
- Plug-in hybrid has a huge electric range
Weaknesses
- MG’s poor reliability record
- Non-hybrid 1.5 petrol is disappointing
- Some rivals have even more luggage space
Just because MG started out making lightweight two-seat sports cars doesn't mean that it can't also excel at making comfortable five-seat family SUVs, and the MG HS is a case in point – because in most of the areas which matter to family SUV buyers, it delivers.
Let's start with the price, because you'll pay less to put one on your driveway than you would for most rivals. In fact, it only costs a little more in entry-level form than several small SUVs from the class below. But don't think that means you'll be short-changed for kit, because even SE models come with everything you're likely to need, and are our recommended choices.
We'd go with the plug-in hybrid version if you can possibly make it work. Not only is this the cheapest option for company car drivers, but its official 75 miles of electric-only range should be enough to cover the commutes of most drivers, meaning a drastic reduction in your fuel bills. And when you put your foot down, the HS' 0-62mph sprint time of 6.8 seconds is respectably lively. That electric range is highly competitive, though the Stellantis-backed Leapmotor C10 Hybrid EV pushes the envelope further with a 90-mile pure electric range from its 28.4 kWh battery, qualifying it for a low 7% BiK tax rate for the 2026/27 tax year.
Inside, we like the quality of materials used throughout the HS, but it's safe to say that the infotainment system is a weak point, with graphics which feel behind the times and an unintuitive layout. The boot can swallow 507 litres of luggage, and we managed to slot in six carry-on suitcases.
"There's a lot to like about the MG HS, but I hate that you have to use the touchscreen just to change the temperature. Physical climate controls would be far simpler to use and less distracting." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our full MG HS review
New car deals
Best price from £18,995
!
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £18,995
RRP from: £27,495
Nearly new deals
From £17,900
Leasing deals
From £252
!
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
MG HS
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £251.51 Initial payment £3,018.12
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
£3,018 initial payment, 24 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Comfortable ride and quiet cruising
- Plenty of space for passengers and luggage
- Up to 420-mile official range is impressive
Weaknesses
- Handles fine but it's not fun to drive
- Interior quality isn't as good as some rivals
This family-sized electric SUV is based on the same underpinnings as the Peugeot e-3008 and Vauxhall Grandland Electric, but thanks to a combination of attributes, it's the only one of the three to feature on this list.
Of the two versions available to choose from, named Comfort Range and Extended Range. As you'd imagine, the latter gets the longest official range between charges, at 422 miles. That's thanks to a massive 97kWh (usable capacity) battery, and is comfortably longer than any of its rivals, even the Tesla Model Y. The only slight drawback is that charging the huge battery can take a while, even at the car's maximum speed of 160kW.
Elsewhere, it's clear that the ë-C5 Aircross has been engineered for comfort rather than excitement – it does a good job of gliding over bumps and its seats are impressively comfortable, but plenty of rival family SUVs handle with more aplomb. Speaking of the interior, while everything feels sturdy, the quality of materials doesn't match what you'll find in the Kia EV6 or Skoda Enyaq. It's practical, too, with a 565 litre boot capable of fitting eight carry-on suitcases.
The ë-C5 Aircross represents brilliant value for money, costing less than most rivals. And while we don't have reliability data for the ë-C5 Aircross yet, we can tell you that Citroën as a brand claimed 10th position in our 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey.
"Call me bonkers, but when Citroën engineers say they wanted to make the ë-C5 Aircross' interior feel like your living room, I sort of get what they mean. The design, materials and colour choices make it feel comfortable and homely." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor
Read our full Citroën ë-C5 Aircross review
New car deals
Best price from £31,991
!
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £31,991
RRP from: £34,085
Nearly new deals
From £31,670
Leasing deals
From £351
!
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £350.86 Initial payment £4,210.32
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
£4,210 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
advertisment
scroll for more
Renault Scenic
Red](/themes/custom/ha_theme/components/ratingstars/assets/Star%20Rating%20Red.svg)
Best buy: long range 87kWh techno Auto 5dr (11kW Charger)
0-62 mph: 7.9 sec
Range: 381 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 545 litres
Insurance group: 33E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Long range between charges
- Cheaper cash buy than many rivals
- Fine ride and handling balance
Weaknesses
- Relatively slow peak charging speed
- Spongy brake-pedal feel
- Not particularly quick in a straight line
The third electric SUV to feature on this is the Renault Scenic, which officially offers up to 379 miles of range between charges in our recommended Long Range form. In our real-world range tests, the Scenic's efficiency figure of 3.1 miles/ kWh means a range of 270 miles should be acheivable under normal conditions, and that's likely enough for the needs of most drivers.
The Scenic's suspension has been tuned for comfort rather than agility, with the result being that it edges even the Kia EV6 for outright comfort, and is more supple than the Tesla Model Y. The Scenic's steering is accurate, too, and although we'd like it to have a bit more heft, you can adjust its resistance by placing the Scenic into its Sport driving mode.
Even Long Range versions of the Scenic undercut most rivals on price, and there's no need to look beyond entry-level Techno trim, because this comes with everything you're likely to want including 19in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control. The boot measures 545 litres, which is sufficient for seven carry-on suitcases with space to spare.
You get a three-year warranty as standard, which doesn't have any mileage cap in the first two years, and 100,000 miles thereafter. That's fairly par for the course among family SUVs, but lags behind what you get from Kia and Hyundai.
"Although there's decent space in the back of the Scenic, I was disappointed to find that I couldn't slide the rear bench backwards and forwards to prioritise either leg room or boot space like you can in the rival Hyundai Ioniq 5." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
Read our full Renault Scenic review
New car deals
Best price from £32,321
!
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £32,321
RRP from: £36,995
Nearly new deals
From £28,450
Leasing deals
From £332
!
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Renault Scenic
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £332.32 Initial payment £3,987.84
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
£3,988 initial payment, 48 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Hyundai Tucson
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Well-made, user-friendly interior
- Spacious for passengers and luggage
- Good range of engines
Weaknesses
- Some rivals have tidier handling
- Slightly more expensive to buy than rivals
- No sliding rear seats
You can have your Tucson with petrol, mild hybrid, regular hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, but it's the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol which we think makes the most sense. This is pleasantly peppy, and whether you choose to have it with the standard six-speed manual gearbox or optional seven-speed automatic – which also brings mild hybrid assistance – it's a truly versatile powerhouse.
Thanks to a mid-life refresh last year, the Tucson now deals with lumps and bumps in the road far better than it did before, with a ride that's slightly softer than what you'll find in the Kia Sportage. And while the Tucson isn't the kind of car which will have you grinning from ear to ear when you weave it along a country road, its still sure-footed and has accurate steering. The Sportage, as well as the Volkswagen Tiguan, have better body control through corners, mind.
You don't sit as high up inside the Tucson as you do in some rival family SUVs, but it's easy to get comfortable and the controls are easy to get used to. The materials you'll find inside are a step up from those in the Ford Kuga, too. Like the Sportage, the Tucson's boot varies according to engine: the petrol has 620 litres of space — among the biggest you’ll find in the family SUV class — while the mild-hybrid and regular hybrid cars get 577 litres, and the PHEV has 558.
"I managed to squeeze seven carry-on suitcases into the boot of plug-in hybrid Hyundai Tucson, which isn't bad at all when you consider that some boot space is lost to the battery pack." – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor
Read our full Hyundai Tucson review
New car deals
Best price from £27,985
!
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £27,985
RRP from: £33,485
Nearly new deals
From £23,670
Leasing deals
From £302
!
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Hyundai Tucson
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £301.56 Initial payment £3,618.72
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
£3,619 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
advertisment
scroll for more
Nissan Qashqai
Best buy: 1.3 DIG-T MHEV N-Connecta Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.5 sec
MPG/range: 44.1 mpg
C02 emissions: 144 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 504 litres
Insurance group: 22E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Smooth, quiet engines
- Lower trim levels are great value for private buyers
- Smart, easy-to-use interior
Weaknesses
- So-so performance
- Some rivals are more fun to drive
- Lacks the seating flexibility of many rivals
The Nissan Qashqai is one of the most popular cars on UK roads, and with good reason. And while it doesn't score quite highly enough to place any further up this list of the best family SUVs, we wouldn't steer you away from putting one on your shortlist.
It's the entry-level 138bhp 1.3-litre petrol which we think will suit most drivers the best, and this engine benefits from mild hybrid technology to help lower your fuel bills. You might find that you need to drop down a gear to pass slower cars on the motorway, though, which isn't a problem you'll have with the heftier 156bhp version.
Sadly, the Qashqai isn't among the most agile SUVs to drive. A Seat Ateca is noticably more enjoyable to weave along a country road, but if you're not overly concerned about raising smiles, then the Qashqai offers plenty of grip and remains mostly composed as you change direction. You'll appreciate its light steering around town, but it remains devoid of any feeling no matter what speed you're going.
A couple of six-footers won't have any complaints about the Qashqai's rear seats, but trying to fit three adults back there will be a squeeze. If you regularly need to carry four people with you, consider the Kia Sportage or Skoda Karoq. Oddly, boot space depends on which trim level you go for, with Acenta Premium giving 504 litres, N-Connecta and Tekna 479 litres and the others 455 litres.
"I think the sweet spot of the Qashqai's wheel options is 18in – they look great and allow the suspension to deal with scruffy surfaces better than models on larger wheels." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
Read our full Nissan Qashqai review
New car deals
Best price from £23,299
!
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £23,299
RRP from: £30,635
Nearly new deals
From £16,995
Leasing deals
From £318
!
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Nissan Qashqai
Expected annual mileage 6000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £317.75 Initial payment £3,813.00
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
£3,813 initial payment, 48 month contract, 6000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Dacia Bigster
Best buy: 1.8 Journey Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.7 sec
MPG/range: 58 mpg
C02 emissions: 106 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 612 litres
Insurance group: 27A
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Cheap to buy and run
- Comfortable and composed on the road
- Huge inside and filled with practical features
Weaknesses
- Interior is as cheap as it gets in its class
- Disappointing safety rating
- Rivals are more refined
As its name suggests, the Bigster is the largest and roomiest SUV made by Dacia, and if you regularly carry tall passengers, they'll thank you for choosing one. That's because there's more head room in the second row than you'll find in most rivals, and even though the MG HS offers more leg room, we reckon a couple of six-footers will be perfectly happy back there, even over longer journeys. And the boot? Well, it's pretty vast. Going for our recommended 1.2-litre petrol-engined version means the boot is 629 litres – and that's more than you get just about anywhere else in this class.
But what's that petrol engine like? Well, with 138bhp the 1.2-litre engine isn't going to set any speed records, but it's fast enough for everyday driving and, like some of the other models on this list, gets mild hybrid assistance to help keep your running costs in check. It should return around 47mpg without you having to try too hard.
As for kit, we'd stick with entry-level Expression trim, since this comes with everything you're likely to want while keeping the price sensible. Like most Dacias, the Bigster undercuts most of its key rivals on price. And you get a decent warranty, with coverage lasting for up to seven years or 75,000 miles.
"I like to sit high up in my cars, so I was pleased to see that the Bigster places you high up, giving you a great view over the road ahead. In fact, the driving position is even higher than that of the Dacia Duster." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor
Read our full Dacia Bigster review
New car deals
Best price from £23,795
!
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £23,795
RRP from: £25,215
Nearly new deals
From £22,782
Leasing deals
From £300
!
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Dacia Bigster
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £299.77 Initial payment £3,597.24
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
£3,597 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
And the family SUVs to avoid...
Subaru Crosstrek
Worth considering if you spend more time driving off-road than on it, but the Crosstrek is inefficient, expensive to buy and not especially practical
Read our review
How to choose the best family SUV
Some of the most popular cars on UK roads are family SUVs. Indeed, around half of the country’s best-selling new cars come under this category. But if you’re regularly travelling with kids and luggage, is a family SUV right for you?
Here, we’ll go over the key points to consider if you’re in the market for a family SUV. For instance, does the car you’re thinking of buying have the kind of versatile boot to cope with all of your needs. Or does it have enough space for all your passengers to relax in.
Do you want a high driving position?
Many buyers choose an SUV because of its high driving position. This allows you to see farther in front of you than you might otherwise in a traditional family car. But alongside those visibility benefits, a family SUV typically will offer you a greater degree of comfort than a smaller model – whether that be because its width means you won’t be rubbing shoulders with the person sitting beside you, or because there’s more space for your odds and ends.
Are your passengers prone to car sickness?
Family SUVs have a higher centre of gravity than a traditional family car, and some models can sway more through corners as a result. The resulting motion can leave your head moving around more than it might in a lower-slung car – and that could lead to an increased risk of motion sickness. If you or your passengers have a history of suffering from that, then you need to be careful in choosing the right family SUV.
In addition, because of its extra bulk and height compared with a family car, the ride on a family SUV might lead to more of a swaying motion than in a hatchback. That said, some models in the class come with adaptive suspension which allows you to stiffen or soften the ride at the touch of a button to suit your preferences.
How much interior storage do you need?
Family SUVs typically offer more storage space in their boots than their family car counterparts – partly because of their taller bodies. That means that if you regularly travel with hefty items such as pushchairs or suitcases, you might find them easier to fit inside a family SUV. The Leapmotor C10 addresses this need with a 435-litre boot that expands to 1,410 litres when you fold the rear seats flat, accompanied by 19 separate storage cubbies throughout the cabin to swallow smaller items.
Of course, you’re also likely to find that a small SUV will have slightly less boot space, with most being about on a par with what you’d find in a family hatchback. And if you’re looking for the biggest boots, you’ll want to look at either seven-seat or luxury SUVs, which are simply colossal.
Is the boot easy to load?
The boot height of a family SUV will typically be higher than that of a small SUV, while larger seven-seat models will be taller again. That said, many family SUVs will come with the option of either an electrically opening tailgate which you can activate via the key fob, or a gesture system which opens the boot when you wave your foot under the rear bumper.
The height of the boot isn't just a concern for yourself, as a taller boot might make it harder to load bulkier items, but also for your pets. An older dog, for example, will find it harder to jump up into the boot of a family SUV than it would into a smaller car. If you’re looking for a good car for dogs, take pooch along for a test drive. The Leapmotor C10 caters directly to pet owners here, featuring a dedicated guard mode that uses the climate control to keep dogs safe and cool in the cabin for short periods.
Do you need seven seats?
If the answer to this question is yes, then you might need to cast your new car net wider than the family SUV market.
That’s because while the cars within this sector might look big and bulky, they’re usually no larger in terms of their footprint than regular family cars, and that means they’re unlikely to cater for a third row of seats.
If you do find yourself in need of seven seats, you’re more likely to need a larger seven-seat SUV – or even a people carrier.
Should I buy a family SUV?
Buy one if:
- Comfort is a high priority
- You want an elevated driving position
- You want a huge choice of models
Don’t buy one if:
- You need seven seats
- You want the sportiest driving experience
- You want to be sitting close to the road
How we choose the best family SUVs
What Car?’s list of the best family SUVs is the definitive guide, because it is underpinned by a rigorous testing process which sees our highly experienced reviewers scrutinising every aspect of these cars. That information is distilled into this list, which is continually updated to ensure it reflects the market as it is today.
But we understand that not all things are equal, so we tailor our approach accordingly. Each year, more than 20,000 car owners contribute to our reader survey, telling us the factors which are most important to them. That means we prioritise the following factors to produce our family SUV reviews:
Reliability – a key attribute for 72% of family SUV buyers
The last thing you want on a family holiday is for your brand-new car to leave you stranded at the side of the road. So, in our annual Reliability Survey we ask owners of cars aged up to five years old what problems they’ve had with their cars, how serious these were and how much they cost to fix. This exclusive data is then converted into an overall reliability rating, to give you an idea of how dependable a given model really is.
Comfortable driving position – a key attribute for 69% of family SUV buyers
When it comes to working out which model offers the best driving position, the brief for a family SUV differs from that of a traditional family car. Models score well here if they offer an elevated driving position to match their jacked-up looks, but must also offer a wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustment to finish near the top of the class.
Interior quality – a key attribute for 64% of family SUV buyers
Most of the time you spend with a car, you spend inside it, so it’s important that the interior is a nice place to be. Even among budget-focused models, the best family SUVs come adorned with a range of visually appealing and plush-feeling materials; these are most important in areas occupants look at or touch regularly.
We test family SUVs in dozens of other areas, too, ensuring you get the very best information to help make an informed purchase. You can read more about that in our how we test cars feature.
FAQs
What makes a good family-size SUV?
Many people buy family SUVs for their ability to make life that little bit easier. That means when you go to view a car, make sure you bring the family, plus any equipment you regularly carry, such as pushchairs or scooters. If you have young children, make sure you can fit their child seats and check the car’s seats are wide enough to make it easy to fasten seatbelts across them. If you carry bulkier items, check how easy it is to fold the seats.
Family-friendly features are really useful. The Skoda Enyaq, for example, has an umbrella that stows in the driver’s door. But of equal use are the ability to disable the rear window switches, turn child locks off and on easily and deactivate the front passenger airbag before installing a child seat.
Can an SUV fit 7 people?
Larger SUVs are often available with a third row of seats in the back allowing seven people to travel, but the family SUVs we’re looking at here are smaller – and therefore usually only fit five. You can find out which are the best seven-seat SUVs in our definitive rundowns, but if it’s absolute space you’re seeking, then our list of the best MPVs and people carriers will be of interest.
What is the most reliable family SUV?
In our most recent survey of the most reliable family SUVs, the Vauxhall Grandland took first place as the most reliable model, followed by the Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid in second and the Kia Niro and Porsche Macan taking a tied third place.
What is the best family SUV to drive?
If you’re looking for driving fun, then it’s the BMW X3 that will fit the bill best, with agile handling and punchy engines. The Porsche Macan Electric is also a top choice if you're in the market for a greener car, with peppy performance and an engaging drive.
However, if your definition of the best family car to drive is more about comfort and smoothness, then once again, it’s the Kia Sportage that’s our top pick.
Top 10
Best family SUVs
News and advice
Best of
Best SUV lease deals - the cheapest SUV deals available now
News
New Renault Megane list price slashed to £28k thanks to Government EV grant
News
New Kia EV3 GT offers 288bhp and virtual gear shifts for £48k
News
New 302bhp Kia EV5 GT to take on Skoda Enyaq vRS for £54k
News
New Aston Martin DBX GT adds luxury touches and punchy performance
Feature
