
There's 23 cubic feet behind the back seat, where we packed six carry-on bags (tied for most with the Ford Explorer) over its 30.5-inch lift-over height. In fact, it has one of the biggest third rows and most capacious cargo areas on this list. The Chevy Traverse was recently redesigned with a more trucklike appearance and increased interior space. Here are the top family SUVs, the ones we think will do the best for growing broods and all their gear. We also compared their EPA highway ratings with real-world fuel economy by driving our own 200-mile fuel-economy route, where we maintain a GPS-verified 75 mph. Likewise, we measured the driver's seat height (also called H-point) and used lasers to determine outward visibility.
#Spacious family cars driver#
The Car and Driver technical staff measured lift-over heights-how high you have to lift to load luggage-and we counted how many carry-on bags fit behind the third row, as a measurement of cargo capacity. All of the vehicles on this list of best family SUVs are mid-sizers (which is still plenty large), have three rows of seats for max people-hauling ability, and start at less than $33,500, making them accessible to as wide a range of families as possible. With those family values in mind, we've compiled a list of some of the best family SUVs, based on each vehicle's basic specifications and our own real-world testing. We understand that most moms and dads prioritize cargo volume, contemporary features, fuel economy, safety ratings, interior space, and-of course-value pricing. It's a classic example of different strokes for different folks. While our holistic evaluations include consumer-minded criteria, families have even more diverse wants and needs when shopping for a new crossover or SUV. Hence our annual lists of the 10Best Cars and 10Best Trucks and SUVs, which identify the models we think epitomize user interaction, driver satisfaction, and value. Read on to discover our best budget family cars.Here at Car and Driver, we celebrate vehicles that best fulfill their mission. In addition, every car (apart from two discussed later) scored five stars out of five in Euro NCAP safety tests. Saloons tend to be larger than hatchbacks, but with a less practical boot openingĪll the entry level models on our top 10 list come with rear seat ISOFIX fixtures and are on the market for less than £20k.Estates offer running costs closer to hatchbacks but with roomy cabins and boots similar to SUVs.SUVS and MPVS have a raised driving position, extra space and storage, yet their bulkier frames usually incur higher running costs.Hatchbacks offer good MPG and are cheap to buy and run, but might not provide the space you need or want.A good range of body types feature on this top 10 list, from cheap-to-run hatchbacks to ever popular SUVS, it’s good to bear the pros and cons of each in mind. There’s no one rule that fits all good family cars, but there are some general points worth considering. A large boot with little to no lip for easier usage.USB ports to keep electronic devices fully-charged.Wide opening rear doors to easily add and remove child-seats.Other excellent features to look out for include: To keep the little ones happy in the back, it’s a good idea to look for a car that offers them a lot of room and plenty of storage space for their books, electronics and toys. Often, it’s the smaller features that make a big difference to longer journeys and the daily school run. The owner of a high score in the Euro NCAP safety tests.We suggest that you also look for a car that is:


These days manufacturers have starting putting loads into their baseline trims which means your budget will go a lot further when it comes to great features for your family car.Īfter all, you’ll likely be looking for a car with the latest safety equipment to give you that extra security and possibly the latest tech to keep everyone comfortable.
