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7 of the best family SUVs

We take a look at the most practical, stylish and safe SUVs you can buy right now. Perfect for expanding families, these cars are also spacious and efficient.

Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90

SUVs are the perfect option for families wanting plenty of space and equipment to keep the little ones safe. These cars continue to grow in popularity, but there are some that stand out from the crowd when it comes to answering family needs.

Best family crossover

Best small SUV for families

Best mid-size SUV for families

Best large SUV for families

Best hybrid SUV for families

Best premium SUV for families

Best luxury SUV for families

Best family crossover

ŠKODA Yeti Outdoor

The ŠKODA Yeti is a practical and stylish alternative to a hatchback. It’s fun to drive, has a surprisingly spacious cabin and is much more efficient than other SUVs.

The four-wheel-drive Outdoor model is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged TDi diesel engine which offers the perfect blend of pulling power and efficiency.

  • Mpg (combined): 53.3
  • Safety: Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, front and side airbags, ISOFIX child seat fittings.
  • Seats: 5
  • Boot space: 416 litres with rear seats in place, 1,580 with rear seats folded, 1,760 with rear seats removed.
  • Engine range: 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel
  • Towing capacity: 1800 kg braked or 750 kg unbraked.
  • Equipment: Air-conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windows and 17-inch alloy wheels as standard.
  • Price: From £19,595

Best small SUV for families

SEAT Ateca

SEATs first foray into the SUV world has proven to be an immediate hit. The Ateca is stunning to look at, but it’s also incredibly practical. SEAT proves that the school run needn’t be dull, with these sharp looks and quality interior.

The four-wheel-drive option is cheaper than rivals such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, and it stands up to the competition with excellent performance and handling. And don’t just take our word for it; WhatCar? labelled the Ateca ‘the best handling small SUV on the market’.

Incredibly spacious, with plenty of head and legroom, the Ateca also has a wide and comfortable middle rear seat, meaning there’s easily enough space for five, and a sizeable boot as well.

If it’s flexibility you’re after with seating, we’d advise you opt for the SE model, which has handy release levers to drop the rear seats.

  • Mpg (combined): Up to 65.7 mpg

  • Safety: Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, seven airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX child seat fixings on the outer rear seats, front collision warning, emergency city braking with pedestrian protection and more.

  • Seats: 5

  • Boot space: 510 litres (FWD), 485 litres (AWD)

  • Engine range: Diesel – 1.6-litre, 2.0-litre (148bhp or 187bhp). Petrol – 1.4-litre TSI, 1.0-litre.

  • Towing capacity: 640 kg unbraked, 1,500 kg braked.

  • Equipment: Driving modes including off-road, sport and eco, air conditioning, 16-inch alloys, five-inch touchscreen, driver drowsiness detection, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors and more as standard.

  • Price: From £16,995

Best mid-size SUV for families

Mazda CX-5

This mid-size SUV is one of the best crossovers you can buy, with stylish looks, a well-made chassis and tech upgrades that bring the CX-5 right to the top of its game.

This one’s perhaps not the best option for a large family, as there isn’t as much interior space as some of the other SUVs on this list – but that doesn’t mean to say this isn’t a fine family car.

This is the perfect option for families wanting a car to fit around their active lifestyles. The CX-5 is great fun to drive and offers plenty of space for a family of five.

  • Mpg (combined): Up to 61.4 mpg
  • Safety: Five-star Euro NCAP rating, front and curtain airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, ISOFIX child-seat mounts, city braking system and tyre pressure monitoring as standard.
  • Seats: 5
  • Boot space: 503 litres with rear seats in place, 1,620 litres with rear seats folded.
  • Engine range: Diesel – 2.2-litre diesel engine (148 bhp or 173 bhp). Petrol – 2.0-litre engine (163 bhp).
  • Towing capacity: 690kg unbraked, 1800kg braked.
  • Equipment: Sat nav, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors, rain-sensing windscreen, Bluetooth, USB and MP3 connectivity.
  • Price: From £23,195

Best large SUV for families

Kia Sorento

With a spacious interior, cavernous boot and seven seats, the Sorento is an ideal choice for larger families.

In fact, it is arguably the most practical of all the large MPVs. This is mainly down to its flexibility. This seven-seater has enough room to accommodate the whole brood comfortably, but you’ve also got the option of folding the rear seats away to create a similar load capacity to a commercial van.

And with four-wheel-drive as standard, you won’t need to worry about grip and off-road capability.

Scoring ‘excellent’ for both parent and child protection in the Euro NCAP crash tests, the Sorento also boasts several useful safety features.

  • Mpg (combined): Up to 49.6 mpg

  • Safety: Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, rear ISOFIX child seat anchors, six airbags, Vehicle Stability Management, Electronic Stability Control and electric power steering.

  • Seats: 7

  • Boot space: 142 litres with all seats in place, 605 litres with third row folded, 1,662 litres with second row folded.

  • Engine range: 2.4-litre, 2.0-litre turbocharged, 3.3-litre V6 (all diesel)

  • Towing capacity: 750 kg unbraked, 2500 kg braked.

  • Equipment: Alloy wheels, roof rails, rear spoiler, fog lights with integrated cornering lights, power-folding heated door mirrors, full electric windows, cruise control and reversing sensors as standard.

  • Price: From £25,995

Best hybrid SUV for families

Kia Niro

The all-new Niro is Kia’s first attempt at a hybrid SUV, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

While the Niro may not be the most efficient hybrid on the market, it is an incredibly practical family car that is still cheap to run for a car of its size.

There are plenty of generously-sized cubby spaces throughout the car and the underfloor storage will surely be a godsend to any expanding family.

With an attractive seven-year warranty and plenty of safety technology, you can rest assured you’re in safe hands with this Kia.

  • Mpg (combined): Up to 74.3 mpg
  • Safety: Autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, ISOFIX child-seat anchor points and electronic stability management as standard.
  • Seats: 5
  • Boot space: 427 litres with seats in place, 1,425 litres with rear seats folded.
  • Engine range: 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with electric motor.
  • Towing capacity: Currently unavailable with tow bar.
  • Equipment: LED headlamps, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, large touchscreen and Android Auto as standard.
  • Price: From £18,495

Best premium SUV for families

Mercedes-Benz GLC

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a smaller family SUV that’s both comfortable and fun to drive.

The GLC is by no means the cheapest in this list, but its features and luxurious cabin quality make it worth every penny.

Storage space inside is plentiful, with handy cubbies and nets in the boot.

The real joy the GLC brings, however, is the drive. The power in the 255 bhp diesel engine option is remarkable, allowing you to soar through 0–62 mph in just 6.2 seconds.

  • Mpg (combined): Up to 56.5 mpg

  • Safety: Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, multiple airbags, attention assist (drowsiness detection), autonomous braking and more.

  • Seats: 5

  • Boot space: 550 litres

  • Engine range: Petrol – 3.0-litre V6. Diesel – 2.1-litre (170 hp or 204 hp).

  • Towing capacity: 750 kg unbraked, 2500 kg braked.

  • Equipment: Automatic tailgate, reversing camera, privacy glass, DAB radio, keyless go as standard.

  • Price: From £39,070

Best luxury SUV for families

Volvo XC90

This is a real luxury SUV for those of you wanting a premium driving experience.

The XC90 is a real game-changer as far as technology, efficiency and safety are concerned. In fact, the XC90 was voted the Auto Express Car of the Year 2015 on account of its striking looks and high-tech features.

Volvo has given the XC90 a truly class-leading package that focuses equally on optimising safety and ensuring an enjoyable driving experience.

We’d recommend making the £450 investment in the Family Pack if you’ve got young children. This adds a two-stage booster cushion to the central seat in the middle row, allowing your little ones to travel safely and comfortably. Also included in this pack is a load protection net that prevents items flying forward from the boot in a crash, and integrated blinds in the rear windows.

  • Mpg (combined): Up to 134.5 mpg
  • Safety: Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, 100% score for safety tech, including a Run Off-Road system (pre-crash preparation if you veer off the road), energy absorbent seats that reduce crash impact, autonomous braking, City Safety package with pedestrian and cyclist detection, seven airbags and more.
  • Seats: 7
  • Boot space: 451 litres with all seats in place, 1,102 litres with the third row folded, 1,951 litres with the second row folded.
  • Engine range: 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel 222 bhp twin-turbodiesel, 316 bhp turbocharged and supercharged petrol, 316 bhp hybrid Twin Engine (electric and petrol).
  • Towing capacity: 750 kg braked, 2,700 kg unbraked.
  • Equipment: Sat nav, LED headlights, keyless entry, DAB radio, auto-dimming mirrors and more as standard.
  • Price: From £47,405

About the Author

Sophie McGraw

Staff writer at Arnold Clark

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