Finding The Best Family SUV 2023: Your Ultimate Guide

Finding the perfect family SUV can be a daunting task, with numerous factors to consider such as safety, comfort, performance, and budget. Thankfully, 2023 brings an exciting lineup of top family SUVs, each catering to a diverse range of needs and preferences. Ready to discover the best family SUV for you? Let’s dive in!

• Discover the best family SUVs for 2023, offering electric and hybrid options with child-friendly features, spacious interiors and seating configurations, safety ratings, affordability & value for money.
• Enjoy advanced technology & infotainment systems plus kid-friendly features such as rear seat entertainment systems.
• Find large family SUV models to suit different budgets from budget-friendly to luxury vehicles.

The best family SUVs for 2023 include:

• Kia Sportage
• Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Honda CR-V
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Nissan X-Trail

These best SUVs around have been carefully assessed based on factors like ownership costs, interior space, equipment, safety, infotainment, and driving dynamics to determine the best choices for your family life.

These SUVs not only excel in their respective categories but also provide a balanced mix of:

• Electric and hybrid options
• Roomy interiors
• Advanced safety features
• Child-friendly features
• Comfort and convenience
• Performance and driving dynamics
• Off-road capability
• Fuel efficiency

We will delve deeper into these categories.

Electric and Hybrid Options

Electric and hybrid options in family SUVs provide an eco-friendly alternative with noteworthy range and performance. For instance, the BMW iX3 offers:

• A sleek and user-friendly interior
• Ample space
• A generous 550-litre boot
• An enjoyable driving experience with its agile and alert maneuverability

This makes it a great option among seven-seat SUVs with seven seats for families.

Another excellent choice is the Kia EV6, featuring:

• a smart and user-friendly interior
• generous space
• a practical boot
• impressive range

As a bonus, the EV6 provides good grip and a firm yet comfortable ride, making it a top choice among compact SUVs.

A unique feature of the BMW iX3 is its reclining outer rear seats, which is especially beneficial for company car drivers who often have passengers in the rear seats.

In addition to these electric choices, the plug in hybrid version of some large SUVs offer even more versatility for families. The 2023 Subaru Outback, for example, is a midsize SUV with a wagon shape and adventure capability.

Spacious Interiors and Seating Configurations

Spacious interiors and seating configurations in family SUVs provide comfort and practicality for families of all sizes. To evaluate interior space, measurements are taken for:

• The boot
• Luggage floor height
• Floor length in different seating configurations
• Cargo area height and width

The ease of access from the front seats and to the third-row seats is also taken into account, as some models provide a seamless experience, while others can be more challenging.

The Hyundai Santa Fe, for example, offers an upmarket ambience, ample space, room for adults in the third row, a large boot, premium materials, abundant standard equipment, and a comprehensive infotainment system. The 2023 Kia Telluride boasts a seating capacity of up to eight passengers, while the Land Rover Discovery Sport can accommodate up to seven passengers.

Having a spacious interior and flexible seating configuration not only enhances comfort for passengers but also allows families to have more space and easily adapt their vehicle for various purposes, such as accommodating additional passengers or loading cargo for long trips.

Safety Features and Ratings

Safety features and ratings are crucial for the best family SUVs here, as they provide an indication of the overall safety of the vehicle for both passengers and drivers. Top picks like the Volvo XC40 and Subaru Crosstrek boast high safety scores and advanced safety technology. For example, the Hyundai Palisade has earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating and is equipped with:

• Active rear cross-traffic alert
• Active lane-keeping assist
• Rear occupant alert
• Safe-exit assist

These features provide added safety for you and your family.

To assess safety features, the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system is evaluated for detection of both pedestrians and cyclists, and verification that the curtain airbags extend to cover the third row is performed. Some three-row SUVs designed for families even feature innovative safety alerts, such as those indicating oncoming traffic when opening a door or warnings that someone may have been left behind in the rear seats.

The Kia Telluride, Honda CR-V, and Rivian R1S, for instance, have all been recognized for their safety features. Ensuring that your family SUV has the latest safety features and high safety ratings will give you peace of mind every time you hit the road.

Affordability and Value for Money

Affordability and value for money are essential factors for families when choosing an SUV. Nissan X-Trail and Skoda Kodiaq, for instance, offer great value without compromising on features and performance. In order to assess affordability, factors like drive-away pricing, fuel consumption, insurance quotes, resale value, servicing costs, and warranty coverage are taken into account.

The Subaru Crosstrek and Hyundai Kona, for example, are suitable budget-friendly family SUV options, with the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek starting at a price point well under $30,000. By considering factors like purchase price, running costs, and available features, families can make an informed decision and choose a family SUV that offers the best value for their budget.

Keep in mind that extra-cost options weren’t included in scoring and pricing to ensure a fair comparison among the vehicles. With a variety of budget-friendly SUV options available, families can find a vehicle that meets their needs without breaking the bank.

SUVs with advanced technology and infotainment systems, such as the Genesis GV70 and Audi Q5, provide seamless connectivity and entertainment options for families on the go. These systems often include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, and satellite navigation, making it easy to stay connected and entertained during long drives.

Some SUVs even offer advanced safety and convenience features that integrate with their infotainment systems, such as the Hyundai Palisade Highlander, Toyota Kluger GXL, and Kia Sorento GT-Line, which are all equipped with advanced technology and infotainment systems. We will examine some of these features more thoroughly.

Kid-Friendly Features

Kid-friendly features in family SUVs can make a world of difference when traveling with young children. Some examples of these features include:

• Rear-seat entertainment systems, which can keep kids occupied during long drives
• Easy-to-clean interiors, making it simple to maintain a clean and organized vehicle
• Built-in sunshades for the second row, providing shade and reducing glare
• Second-row occupants climate controls, allowing passengers to adjust the temperature to their liking
• A minimum of two USB ports, ensuring that devices can be charged and ready for use

These features can greatly enhance the comfort and convenience of traveling with children in an SUV.

The Subaru Forester and Ford Expedition are popular choices for families with young children, offering features like rear-seat entertainment systems and easy-to-clean interiors. Additionally, the 2023 Kia Telluride is equipped with standard safety features such as blind-spot sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, making it an ideal family SUV.

Choosing a family car, like a family SUV with child-friendly features, guarantees a vehicle that’s not just practical for everyday use, but also enjoyable and comfy for the whole family.

Convenience and Comfort

Convenience and comfort features are essential for making long drives more enjoyable in family SUVs. The Land Rover Discovery Sport and Jaguar F-Pace, for example, offer adaptive cruise control and comfortable seating, making long drives more enjoyable for passengers and drivers alike.

The Genesis GV60, which was mentioned earlier for its advanced technology and infotainment features, also provides a ride that is a perfect blend of comfort and control, making it more sophisticated than the EV6 and more stable than the Ioniq when maneuvering. In addition to driving comfort, vehicles like the Volvo XC40 offer added convenience with features like heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and ambient interior lighting in its Plus trim.

Focusing on convenience and comfort features in a family SUV guarantees a vehicle that offers a delightful driving experience for all passengers.

Performance, ride quality and driving dynamics are important factors to consider when choosing a family SUV. A well-rounded vehicle should provide a balance of power, handling, and ride comfort, making it suitable for various driving conditions and types of terrain. The BMW X3 and Volvo XC60, for example, are known for their excellent performance and driving dynamics, offering a smooth and enjoyable ride that effectively conceals their size.

Vehicles like the Nissan Pathfinder and Skoda Kodiaq also offer punchy and agile driving experiences, delivering an enjoyable and fluid on-road feel. We will further investigate performance and driving dynamics, with particular attention to off-road capability and fuel efficiency.

Off-Road Capability

Off-road capability in family SUVs is essential for families who enjoy exploring beyond the pavement. Models that provide off-road capability include:

• Subaru Outback
• Jeep Wagoneer
• Ford Everest
• Toyota Landcruiser Prado
• Nissan Patrol

These SUVs offer features such as high ground clearance, four-wheel drive, and low-range gearboxes, allowing them to tackle demanding terrain with ease, making them popular in the SUV market.

Vehicles like the Land Rover Defender and Ford Everest, which were previously mentioned for their spacious interiors and seating configurations, also excel in off-road capability. Opting for a family SUV with off-road capability gives families the liberty to venture into varied terrains and undertake outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and off-roading.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency is a key consideration for families when selecting an SUV, as it can help reduce the cost of ownership and facilitate transportation. SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Hyundai Ioniq 5 offer impressive fuel economy and electric range, with the RAV4 Prime boasting an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 40 mpg combined and an electric range of 42 miles, and the Ioniq 5 offering an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 58 mpg combined and an electric range of up to 300 miles.

In addition to these fuel-efficient options, other SUVs that provide excellent fuel efficiency for families include:

• Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid
• Haval H6
• Hyundai Kona Electric
• Honda HR-V Hybrid
• Lexus NX Hybrid

Prioritizing fuel efficiency in a family SUV selection, including diesel models, can lead to savings on running costs and a smaller environmental footprint.

Given that families vary in size, budget, and preferences, it’s important to consider a range of options when choosing the ideal family SUV. From large family SUVs and budget-friendly choices to luxury models, there is a perfect SUV for every family’s unique needs and requirements.

By exploring the options mentioned in this blog post, families can make an informed decision and choose the ideal SUV that caters to their specific needs. We’ll delve further into these options, highlighting large family SUVs, cost-effective choices, and luxury models.

Large Family SUVs

Large family SUVs, like the Kia Sorento and Ford Expedition, provide ample space and seating for bigger families or those needing extra cargo room. These full-size three-row SUVs offer a generous amount of space and seating capacity, making them ideal for larger families or those requiring head room or additional cargo capacity.

The Volkswagen Touareg, Ford Everest, Volvo XC90, Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Palisade, Skoda Kodiaq, Audi RS Q8, Land Rover Range Rover, and Toyota Kluger are also great options for large family SUVs in 2023. Opting for a large family SUV guarantees the required space and seating capacity to comfortably fit all family members.

Budget-Friendly Options

Budget-friendly family SUV options, like the Subaru Crosstrek and Nissan Rogue, offer great value and features for families on a tighter budget. As mentioned earlier, the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek starts at a price point well under $30,000, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious families.

Additionally, the Nissan Rogue offers excellent value at purchase and stands out in safety and efficiency, making it a well-rounded option for families. Other cost-effective family SUV options include:

• Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 110TSI Life
• Toyota RAV4
• Mazda CX-9
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Hyundai Tucson

All of these options provide great value without sacrificing features and performance.

Luxury Family SUVs

Luxury family SUVs, such as the Genesis GV70 and Mercedes GLC, provide a premium experience with high-end features, refined interiors, and advanced technology. With a starting price of around $60,000 for the most powerful twin-turbo V-6 version, the 2023 Genesis GV70 offers an elegant interior and a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Mercedes GLC offers a luxurious driving experience with its stylish design and advanced safety equipment. Key features include:

• Target price of AUD 94,000 or from AUD 1,030 per month
• Luxury family SUV
• Polished and comfy driving experience
• High-end amenities
• State-of-the-art technology

Finding the perfect family SUV is only the first step. The next challenge is figuring out how to finance your vehicle purchase.

Driva's platform allows you to compare loan options from over 30 different lenders, ensuring you get the best possible deal. Whether you're looking for a secured car loan, an unsecured personal loan, or a commercial vehicle loan, Driva can help you find the right option for your needs and budget.

Our team of car loan experts are always available to answer any questions and guide you through the process. With Driva, financing your next family SUV is a breeze.

In conclusion, 2023 offers a diverse range of family SUVs to cater to various needs, preferences, and budgets. From electric and hybrid options to spacious interiors, advanced safety features, and kid-friendly amenities, there is a perfect family SUV for everyone. By considering factors such as performance, driving dynamics, off-road capability, and fuel efficiency, families can make an informed decision and choose the ideal SUV to accommodate their unique requirements. Happy SUV hunting!

What is the best family car to buy in Australia?

For your family's needs in 2023, the Mazda3 small family hatch, Kia Seltos city family SUV, Nissan X-Trail mid-sized SUV, Toyota Kluger seven-seat car, Tesla Model Y electric car, Ford Everest for towing and the Kia Carnival people mover are all excellent choices.

What is a good family-size SUV?

For a reliable and affordable family SUV, the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 110TSI Life, Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire, Honda CR-V VTi L7, Nissan X-Trail ST-L, Hyundai Santa Fe Active Diesel, Skoda Kodiaq Style and Mazda CX-8 GT SP are great options.

What is the most reliable SUV in Australia?

For a reliable and affordable compact SUV, the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Forester are among the top contenders in Australia.

What are some important factors to consider when selecting a family SUV?

When selecting a family SUV, safety features, interior and cargo space,, performance, driving dynamics, off-road capability, and fuel efficiency are all important factors to consider.

What are some examples of electric and hybrid family SUVs?

Electric and hybrid family SUVs come in a variety of makes and models, such as the BMW iX3, Kia EV6, and Subaru Outback.