When you’re trying to find the perfect family car, it can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Between carpooling, road trips, and everyday errands, you need something spacious, safe, and with enough bells and whistles to keep everyone happy. On top of that, you don’t want a price tag that makes you break out in a cold sweat! Thankfully, 2025 offers plenty of family SUVs that strike the ideal balance between affordability and reliability. We’ve rounded up some top picks to help make your choice a whole lot easier.

Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander continues to be a go-to choice for families, and it's easy to see why. This midsize SUV gives you seating for up to eight passengers, making school drop-offs, soccer practice, and family road trips a breeze.

Toyota stepped up its game with the 2025 Highlander by packing in more safety and entertainment features. Standard across all trims, you’ll find Toyota’s Safety Sense suite, which includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a handy lane-keeping system. These features help you stay safe and stress-free, especially when you’ve got a car full of little (and not-so-little) passengers.

What truly wins families over is the Highlander’s dependability. Toyota builds this SUV to last, giving you years of trouble-free ownership and low maintenance costs. Plus, with the hybrid option available, you can get an impressive fuel economy of 36 mpg combined, saving you cash at the pump (or fewer trips to the pump, period).

Inside, the Highlander boasts a well-thought-out cabin loaded with storage compartments, a user-friendly infotainment system, and a spacious cargo area that easily handles groceries, backpacks, and beach gear. If you need a family-friendly workhorse that doesn’t feel like a chore to drive, the Highlander delivers every time.

Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride shows up year after year, proving it deserves its best-seller status. Kia has perfected the formula for an affordable, well-equipped, and reliable family SUV, and the 2025 Telluride only builds on its winning streak.

Space is the star of the show here. With three rows of seating and an interior that feels more premium than the price suggests, the Telluride has your family riding in comfort. There’s ample legroom for both second- and third-row passengers, so even your tallest teens won’t feel cramped on long drives.

Technology is another highlight. Every Telluride comes equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, seamless smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and—this is a lifesaver for family chaos—multiple USB ports all over the cabin. No more arguments over who gets to charge their tablet first!

Kia also keeps safety top of mind, offering advanced driver-assist systems like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. Priced starting under $38,000, the Telluride gives families the features and reliability they need without wrecking the budget.

Honda Pilot

If a smooth ride and a roomy interior top your wish list, take a hard look at the 2025 Honda Pilot. Redesigned this year and better than ever, the Pilot stands out as one of the most family-oriented SUVs around.

Honda makes sure you have enough space for everyone and everything. The Pilot offers one of the largest cargo areas in its class, with up to 87 cubic feet when you fold the seats down. Need to haul strollers, groceries, or luggage for a weekend getaway? The Pilot’s got you covered.

What really sets the Pilot apart is its safety and reliability. Honda outfitted the 2025 Pilot with a full suite of safety tech, including forward collision warning and traffic sign recognition. Honda models are known for holding their value and durability, so you can count on the Pilot to stay dependable for years.

The interior is all about family-friendly details. Whether it’s the easy-to-use infotainment system, the optional panoramic moonroof that lets kids gaze at the stars, or the adjustable seating options, Honda thinks of everything. Starting at approximately $40,000, the Pilot feels like a premium pick without crossing into luxury territory.

Hyundai Palisade

Looking for value without sacrificing features? The Hyundai Palisade has been a family favorite since its launch, and the 2025 version is no exception. Offering upscale interiors, intuitive tech, and excellent reliability, this SUV is one to watch if you’re hunting for the ultimate combination of style and function.

The Palisade flexes its family-friendly muscles with three rows of seating and plenty of space for passengers of all sizes. You’ll find thoughtful touches everywhere, like ventilated seats (because no one likes a sticky seat on a hot summer day) and a built-in intercom system so you don’t have to shout to reach the back row.

Hyundai packed the Palisade with safety tech, too. You get features like Safe Exit Assist, which prevents you from opening a door into oncoming traffic, and adaptive cruise control that makes long highway drives feel less draining. With a starting price around $37,000 and one of the best warranties in the industry, the Palisade proves you don’t have to compromise on quality.

Subaru Ascent

Families who love adventure often turn to the Subaru brand, and the 2025 Subaru Ascent offers everything you need to tackle the great outdoors without giving up everyday practicality.

The Ascent comes with Subaru’s famous all-wheel-drive system, which keeps you stable whether you’re driving in the rain, snow, or hitting a gravel trail. Despite being rugged and outdoorsy, it doesn’t skimp on comfort. Inside, you’ll find three rows of passenger seating, plenty of storage options, and durable materials that clean up easily after spills (because spills WILL happen).

Subaru also keeps your crew safe. Standard EyeSight safety features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a driver monitoring system to ensure you stay alert behind the wheel. Combined with a reputation for reliability, the Ascent makes for a stress-free family SUV starting in the mid-$30,000s.

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer has long been a staple for families, and it continues to earn its spot on the list. Ford refreshed the Explorer once again to focus on spaciousness and versatility while maintaining its rugged appeal.

This SUV has seating for seven, plus loads of cargo space for road trips, grocery runs, and everything else family life demands. Ford simplified its infotainment system so that even the least tech-savvy among us can figure out how to use it. It also added family-pleasing features like Wi-Fi connectivity and rear-seat climate controls.

For peace of mind, Ford beefed up the safety features for 2025 by offering a suite of advanced systems, like automatic parking, evasive steering assist, and lane-centering technology. With trim options that cater to different budgets, from affordable base models to higher-end luxuries, the Explorer suits a wide range of families without cutting corners on dependability.

Finding Your Family’s Match

Choosing the right family SUV can shape your day-to-day life more than you think. Whether you prioritize safety, space, or cool tech, the good news is that 2025 offers plenty of options that tick all the boxes. You don’t need to break the bank to find an SUV that perfectly balances affordability and reliability.

Cars like the Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot excel at offering the space and features families need, while names like the Palisade, Ascent, and Explorer add a bit of flair and adventure to the mix. Explore, test drive, and allow yourself to daydream about which of these SUVs might fit your family’s busy life best. After all, picking the right vehicle means less stress on the road and more time enjoying life’s adventures!