Buying a car or Family Suv for yourself is already a big decision, with countless options in the USA. You have to ask yourself if you want a sedan or a more stylish coupe, or if you prefer something a little more practical and frugal like a hatchback. But, at the end of the day, you can afford to be a little selfish, prioritizing style, fun, or even status above other factors. This changes when you need to consider how your decision will impact your partner or the little ones. Of the various body configurations available, SUVs like the Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Ascent are the most suited to family life, since they tick so many of the boxes and have so few downsides.
Know your budget
Before you even start researching suitable vehicles, you need to know what your cash ceiling is. When buying used, you can sometimes haggle the dealer down, but then you don’t have the peace of mind that a full warranty provides, and you have no idea what the real history of the vehicle is. But that doesn’t mean that first-hand dealerships are entirely transparent either. Often, the price shown when you look online is the MSRP; this means that it excludes destination fees, which can often exceed $1,000, and then you need to consider tax and registration, too. Beyond that, you will need to put aside enough for your monthly insurance payments, and budget for fuel.
Safety first, always
There are a lot of cars that will meet the other requirements on this list, but not nearly as many can ensure the absolute safety of your family. This is something you cannot afford to compromise on, so you need to know that your final choice has undergone a proper safety review and that it scored well. Luckily, crossovers are usually well regarded in this area, so you should still have ample options from which to choose. Nevertheless, aiming for something with a five-star rating from the NHTSA or Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS certainly won’t hurt. Such vehicles will almost always include loads of advanced driver aids such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation, and parking sensors that not only keep you safe but also take away much of the strain of driving.
Snug or spacious?
Families need a lot of room, especially if you plan on adding a few more members down the road. For most, a five-seater SUV should fit the bill, but if you have teens or young adults, you may want to look at something a bit bigger than a subcompact. While size isn’t everything, a midsize crossover will usually provide enough space for everyone, although a few compacts are deceptively large on the inside. If you find yourself being the designated driver for your kids’ friends, a three-row such as the Kia Telluride might be a smarter choice. In any case, make sure you get a good feel for how much space there really is in the back seat because you really don’t want to deal with complaints on a long drive towards your vacation destination.
Tech isn’t a luxury anymore
Gone are the days when comfort features or comprehensive infotainment suites were reserved for premium vehicles. Nowadays, even the cheapest cars will include an infotainment display or touchscreen, while features such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are generally included. Occasionally, a Wi-FI hot spot, SiriusXM, or HD Radio are included, too, though adding them isn’t usually too expensive. Driver-assistance tech such as a rearview camera, reverse park assist, forward collision warning, and the emergency braking are generally standard, with available blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front park assist available where it isn’t included.
Going the distance
An often-overlooked factor when purchasing a vehicle is the fuel economy. However, if you make a smart decision here, you may find that it opens up a few extra options. Most cars have their mileage rated by the EPA, but it is always best to check for real-world reports, too. If you can find some by owners in your area, that will give you the most accurate idea of how the crossover will handle your roads and weather. With hybrids and EVs becoming increasingly popular and more affordable, it may be wise to consider buying one. Yes, you pay more upfront, but you can easily recoup your investment if you plan on owning the car for an extended period. In fact, if you factor in how much you will save, you may find that you have enough to buy something a little fancier than you initially thought.
Some options to help you decide
While it may be all well and good to give a checklist of dos and don’ts, it is sometimes best to lead by example. So, here are just a few great family SUV to consider across a variety of price brackets.
Under $25,000:
- Kia Seltos
- Mazda CX-30
- Hyundai Venue
- Subaru Forester
$25,000 to $50,000:
- Toyota RAV4 Prime
- Honda CR-V
- Ford F-150
- Mercedes-Benz GLA
Over $50,000:
- BMW X5
- Audi e-Tron
- Volvo XC90
- Mercedes-Benz GLE
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