The world is dominated by SUVs. The hatchback was replaced by the compact crossover, like the Toyota RAV4, the luxury sedan was replaced by the luxury SUV, à la BMW X5, and the humble family wagon and minivan were replaced by the incredibly popular midsize SUV. Here at CarBuzz, we have tried them all and have our opinions on each. While there are a lot of good models, and some great ones, there has to be one that triumphs above the rest. It showed itself to be the best combination of safety, value, interior space, design, and driving dynamics in its class.
Join us as we look at the best SUV for families, first looking at two that didn’t quite make the cut, before revealing the best and seeing what makes it so great with a general overview. If you’re thinking of getting into the best family SUV money can buy, this is the place to be.
Runner-up #1: The Volvo EX60
Volvo EX60 P10 AWD UltraVolvo
While the electric car market has cooled in the US market, with tariffs and defunding of EV grants hurting the space, it is still a very competitive segment. For something to succeed, it has to be so much better than its rivals that it becomes the default option, and the Volvo EX60 is just that.
Electric Efficiency And Forward-Thinking Running Costs
Volvo EX60 P10 AWD UltraVolvo
The fully electric Volvo EX60 is a champion of family transportation efficiency. While positioned in the premium segment, its long-range battery options and ultra-fast 800-volt charging architecture will make the ever-increasing cost of fuel seem like a problem of the past. With lower long-term maintenance requirements inherent to EVs and above-average retained value, the EX60 starts at $59,750 and represents a lot of car for the money.
Built on Volvo’s latest EV platform, the EX60 delivers rock-solid engineering alongside modern software integration. Volvo is quick to point out that the software update capabilities will keep the powertrain, battery management system, and infotainment system up to date throughout ownership without requiring frequent dealer visits.
Next-Generation Safety Innovations
2027 Volvo EX60 driving shots + details.Volvo
A Volvo being safe is almost as certain as the sun coming up. The brand continues its legacy as an industry leader in automotive safety with the EX60. Featuring next-generation structural safety architecture, a suite of advanced lidar and radar sensors, and innovative occupant protection systems, it offers unmatched peace of mind. The vehicle continually monitors its surroundings to prevent potential collisions and offers class-leading automated driver support.
Exceptional Cabin Practicality and Versatile Storage
2027 Volvo EX60 Cross Country interior photo showing the dashboardVolvo
The EX60 maximizes interior space through clever EV packaging. A flat interior floor opens up room for passengers across both rows, while a dedicated front trunk (frunk) complements a massive rear cargo hold to handle all forms of family gear. High-end, sustainable materials line the cabin, offering a comfortable, easy-to-maintain space designed specifically to adapt to changing daily needs.
Expert
insight
the company has done a great job creating attractive pricing options that can be dialed up or down, whether your priority is luxury appointments, lots of power, extended range, or all of the above.
It features a 15-inch curved OLED infotainment touchscreen alongside an 11.4-inch digital driver display. Like some other cutting-edge SUVs, it also gets integrated Google built-in services (including Google Gemini), wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Runner-up #2: The Honda Pilot
2026 Honda Pilot heroJared Rosenholtz/CarBuzz/Valnet
The Pilot is a mainstay in the family SUV group, and is one of Honda’s big core products that it works so hard to get right. It is no surprise, then, that it was one of the best models we tried this year.
Accessible Pricing And Sensible Running Costs
2025 Honda Pilot side angle while towing a trailer off-roadHonda
Starting at $42,395, the Honda Pilot continues to establish itself as a solid pick for family budget management. Offering competitive initial pricing across its trim lineup, it delivers exceptional value for families seeking a three-row crossover without entering luxury price brackets. Running costs remain manageable thanks to a proven 3.5-liter V6 powertrain designed for efficiency during daily commutes, reasonable routine maintenance costs, and strong long-term resale values that protect your investment over time.
“f you are looking for a three-row SUV with a hybrid powertrain, the Pilot must be crossed off your list.”
– Jared Rosenholtz, Former Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz
One downside to the Pilot, and a reason it misses out on the top spot, is its lack of available hybrid powertrain. The Pilot’s smaller sibling, the CR-V, has a hybrid version, but the Pilot is not expected to receive one until at least 2029.
Unwavering Reliability Built For The Long Haul
2026 Honda Pilot TrailSport rear 3/4 angle in greenHonda
Honda’s reputation for mechanical durability is on full display in the Pilot. Its sturdy chassis and well-tested powertrain are built to endure years of school runs, family road trips, and heavy daily use without unexpected trips to the mechanic. Owners benefit from predictable maintenance schedules and high-mileage longevity, making it a dependable backbone for busy household routines.
Top-Tier Safety to Protect What Matters Most
2024 Honda Pilot TrailSport Blue Side View Sand DriftingHonda
Equipped with the comprehensive Honda Sensing driver-assist suite as standard, the Pilot prioritizes occupant protection at every level. Features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control provide vital driver reassurance. Robust crash-test performance and thoughtful engineering ensure optimal impact protection for passengers across all three rows.
Everyday Practicality And Smart Packaging
2026 Honda PilotHonda
Where the Pilot truly shines is inside the cabin. Generous cargo capacity, versatile seating configurations, and a clever layout make transporting children, luggage, and sports gear effortless. Features like accessible third-row seating, abundant storage nooks, and durable, easy-to-clean cabin materials demonstrate a clear focus on the real-world demands of family life. The Pilot now features a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous seven- and nine-inch displays. While the built-in system remains easy to navigate, it works best simply as a bridge to standard Apple CarPlay, which is where drivers will likely spend most of their time. This entertainment update was huge for the Pilot, bringing it back up to standard with the segment.
The Best Family SUV Revealed: The Hyundai Palisade
2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy front angle in gray while parkeddHyundai
We’ve had the newest Hyundai Palisade since 2026. “Bigger, better, further” is its central theme. It accomplishes this with a few additional features, including a 2.5L turbo hybrid drivetrain with 329 horsepower. This power plant can haul up to 4,000 pounds and generates 339 lb-ft of torque. For the class, the projected driving range of 619 miles is remarkable. The upgraded V6, which now comes as a more modern 3.5L displacement, generates 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and complements the hybrid drivetrain. Additionally, it can tow 5,000 pounds. It is so good that we named it our Best Family Vehicle at The Buzz Awards this year.
Size, Presence And Price
2026 Hyundai Palisade LimitedHyundai
As the largest vehicle in Hyundai’s range, even surpassing the Ioniq 9, the Palisade is also its most luxurious. A key highlight from our review is its revamped interior, where even entry-level models feature leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a 360-degree camera. Higher trims add available rear heated seats along with built-in leg rests for second-row captain’s chairs. The cabin retains user-friendly physical controls and offers an available 14-speaker Bose premium audio system. Pricing for the Palisade starts at $39,735 for the gas model (excluding destination, options, and fees), while the hybrid version begins at $44,160. Compare that to rivals in this space, like Toyota’s Grand Highlander, which comes in slightly higher at $42,260 for the entry gas LE trim and $45,610 for its lowest-priced hybrid. Honda’s Pilot is priced from $42,395, though it comes exclusively with a single gas engine, sitting out the competitive hybrid race entirely.
Safety For Your Family
2026 Hyundai Palisade interior steering wheel and infotainment viewHyundai
Safety is always a primary concern, with your most precious cargo occupying the second- and third-row seats. At the same time, family buyers always place a premium on value. College and youth travel sports aren’t going to pay for themselves. The best family cars make life’s most important job feel easy, while still delivering enough performance and luxury that buying one doesn’t feel like a sacrifice. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade meets all these criteria and then some.
The Hyundai Palisade places a high emphasis on safety, consistently earning top industry accolades such as the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation alongside a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Much of its protective capability stems from Hyundai’s SmartSense suite, which comes standard across all trims and includes driver-assistance technology like forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. Beyond active crash avoidance, family-focused features, such as safe exit assist to stop passengers from stepping into oncoming traffic and advanced rear occupant alert to prevent leaving children or pets behind, make the Palisade one of the most secure three-row SUVs in its segment.
Why It Beat Out The Rest
2026 Hyundai PalisadeHyundai
The first-generation Hyundai Palisade was already one of the best family SUVs money could buy in the US, and with this second generation, it has only gotten better. Our experts praised the Palisade’s exterior with its bolder, more boxy silhouette, along with its massive, commanding grille and prominent lighting features that look great up close. Behind the wheel, it can deliver an enjoyable drive along winding roads, offering well-balanced steering, strong body control, and smooth, responsive power. Upgraded acoustic glass keeps the cabin significantly quieter than the previous generation, lending it that elevated, luxurious feel. Even the pseudo-off-road version saw improvements. While it is no dedicated rock-crawler, the XRT trim’s 8.4 inches of ground clearance provides more than enough capability for standard off-road driving.
Hyundai, alongside Kia, backs its entire vehicle lineup with an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, covering core components like the engine, transmission, driveshafts, axles, and differentials. In contrast, competitors like Toyota and Honda limit their powertrain coverage to five years/60,000 miles, meaning Hyundai provides long-term peace of mind during a vehicle’s later, higher-mileage years when others step away.
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The big Hyundai is already an unqualified knockout in its class, boasting the style, panache and comfort of a much more expensive vehicle. And with added power and efficiency, trust me on this: The 2026 Palisade Hybrid is the one to get.
The Palisade also leads the field in terms of pricing, with a trim level available at most price points. While the Volvo is a thoroughly upmarket car, and the Honda, while less expensive, still carries the price premium a Honda badge commands in the non-premium segment, the Palisade offers a model priced below either. Our review team was particularly impressed by the top-spec Calligraphy trim’s interior, which takes design cues from classic mid-century furniture. Thanks to smooth, curved surfaces, soft Nappa leather, and a suede headliner, the roomier cabin delivers a luxury feel typical of an $80,000 SUV at a ~$60,000 price point.
Base Trim Engine
3.5L V6
Base Trim Transmission
8-Speed Auto
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
287 hp
Base Trim Torque
260 lb-ft
Infotainment & Features
9 /10
Sources: Hyundai, Volvo, Honda
