The best family SUVs to buy in 2025 – the Parkers team rates them from hero to zero

FAQs: Family SUV buying guide

• What does SUV stand for, and what does it mean today?

  SUV stands for Sports Utility Vehicle. Originally, SUVs were rugged off-roaders with four-wheel drive and high ground clearance, typified by Jeeps and Land Rovers. These days, the term covers a much broader range of vehicles, from compact crossovers to large seven-seaters, and most are far better suited to the school run than a muddy track. In the UK SUV market, they’ve become a family favourite thanks to their elevated driving position, practical interiors and desirable image. Not all SUVs are built for off-road use anymore – many share their underpinnings with hatchbacks and estates, offering a balance between practicality and elevated driving position.

• What makes an SUV good for families?

  A great family SUV combines a high driving position, comfort, practicality and safety. Key features include wide-opening doors, a flat boot floor with storage options, plenty of Isofix points, and a large, usable loadbay. You'll also want good rear seat legroom, clever cabin storage, and lots of safety kit as standard. For longer trips, rear USB ports, sliding seats and great-sounding infotainment are helpful. Many of the best family SUVs also include useful features like reversing cameras, powered tailgates and keyless entry to take the stress out of everyday driving and using. These cars are all about making family life easier.

• Are all SUVs four-wheel drive?

  Where have you been, that's ancient thinking! Most modern SUVs are two-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive offered on some as an option or reserved for more expensive trim levels. This helps reduce cost, emissions and fuel consumption, especially for buyers who spend most of their time on tarmac. Unless you regularly tow, live in a rural area or drive in wintry conditions, front-wheel drive is usually fine. And if not, winter tyres will make all the difference before going down the four-wheel drive route. Many of the most popular SUVs in the UK – like the Nissan Qashqai or Peugeot 3008 – are buyers don't care.

• Is a hybrid or electric SUV better for families?

  Hybrid and electric SUVs can be ideal for families, especially if most journeys are short. In fact, we've included a couple in this list, as they are so good. Plug-in hybrids let you do the school run on electric power, while full EVs offer quiet, smooth driving with lower running costs – provided you have access to home or reliable (and cheap!) public charging. Many hybrid SUVs also come with impressive boot space and towing capacity, while electric SUVs are becoming more affordable and family-friendly by the day. Just be aware of how you drive and charge – efficiency depends on usage.

• Are SUVs more likely to roll over than normal cars?

  Modern SUVs are much safer than their off-roading ancestors, and roll-over risk is minimal under normal driving. Features like electronic stability control and improved suspension design help them corner confidently and brake every bit as well as any other car. It’s true that SUVs have a higher centre of gravity than a hatchback or saloon, so aren't quite as sharp to drive, but the difference is much smaller than it used to be. If you’re buying a newer model with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, roll-over risk shouldn’t be a concern.

• How much boot space do I need in a family SUV?

  For a typical family, 500 litres or more is a good benchmark. That allows room for pushchairs, shopping and luggage without needing to fold the seats. Mid-size models like the Skoda Karoq or Hyundai Tucson strike a strong balance between overall size and practicality. Boot shape matters too. Look for low loading heights, square openings and flat floors for ease of use. If you need to carry five people and luggage regularly, larger SUVs or those with clever storage solutions – like the Volkswagen Tiguan – are worth a look.

• Are seven-seater SUVs worth it for families?

  If you have a large family or regularly carry extra passengers, a larger seven-seater SUV is a flexible choice and sometimes not much more expensive choice. Models like the Kia Sorento and Skoda Kodiaq, our current favourite, offer third-row seating that folds flat when not in use, giving you the best of both worlds. However, the rearmost seats are often best for children, and boot space can shrink dramatically when all seven seats are in use. For regular seven-up driving with luggage, consider a roof box or look at MPV people carriers instead.

• Are SUVs expensive to run?

  That comes down to what you choose, as SUV running costs vary massively by model. Smaller petrol SUVs are often surprisingly economical, while larger diesel or performance models can be costly to fuel and insure. Hybrids and EVs help keep costs down, especially if you drive in town and can charge up at home. Use the Parkers car tax calculator and check out our specs pages to see real-world fuel costs. Many plug-in hybrid SUVs look efficient on paper, but as we've said before, only deliver savings if you regularly recharge them at home. Tyre wear, servicing and insurance should also factor into your budget.

• Is an SUV a good first car?

  Some small SUVs can make excellent first cars, rather than the larger models featured in this list. Models like the Ford Puma, Vauxhall Mokka or Volkswagen T-Cross combine SUV looks with small car dimensions, giving you good visibility and ease of driving without feeling too bulky on the road. Check insurance groupings before committing, as some small SUVs carry a premium over equivalent hatchbacks – a T-Cross costs more than a Polo, for instance. That said, the newest ones are packed with a good amount of safety kit and driving aids, making them ideal for inexperienced drivers who want a bit more security on the road.

• Which family SUVs are the safest?

  Safety is a top priority for many families, and the best SUVs combine high Euro NCAP ratings with active driver assistance features. Look for autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert – ideally standard across the range. A rule of thumb tends to be the newer the better, so top picks include the Volkswagen Tiguan, Renault Austral and Hyundai Santa Fe, all of which score well for adult and child occupant protection. Check Parkers car reviews for more detail on what to look for in each specific model.