Best family SUVs 2024: our favourite SUVs for kids and cargo

If you had to describe the quintessential family SUV to an alien shopping for their next family car, the model you'd try and describe would be the Kia Sportage.

No matter what criteria you choose to judge the Sportage on, it simply nails the brief. It's spacious, for example, meaning that passengers or all shapes and sizes will fit comfortably no matter which seat their in. And when it comes to your shopping, the Kia's boot is simply vast, and scores points over the rival Nissan Qashqai and Volvo XC40 for being able to drop its rear seats in a handy 40/20/40 configuration.

Then there's how solid it feels inside, with plush materials on the areas you're likely to touch regularly, and plenty of kit even on entry-level models. Plus, the driving position is exactly what SUV buyers are looking for, placing you high up to give you a great view over the road ahead.

Our recommened 1.6-litre petrol-engined model is both frugal and powerful, but if you'd rather a greener option, then there are fuel-sipping hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions available.

You might think that given all of these talents, the Sportage would cost the Earth to buy, but that's not the case. Yes, it costs a little more than its Hyundai Tucson sister car, but we think it’s worth the extra because of its superior ride comfort and refinement.

"An intelligently designed centre console means the Sportage has plenty of storage space, and I like the generously sized bin under the centre armrest." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth Kia Sportage review

The first electric SUV to feature on this is the Renault Scenic, which officially offers up to 379 miles of range between charges in our recommended Long Range form. In our real-world range tests, the Scenic's efficiency figure of 3.1 miles/ kWh means a range of 270 miles should be acheivable under normal conditions, and that's likely enough for the needs of most drivers.

The Scenic's suspension has been tuned for comfort rather than agility, with the result being that it edges even the Kia EV6 for outright comfort, and is more supple than the Tesla Model Y. The Scenic's steering is accurate, too, and although we'd like it to have a bit more heft, you can adjust its resistance by placing the Scenic into its Sport driving mode.

Even Long Range versions of the Scenic undercut most rivals on price, and there's no need to look beyond entry-level Techno trim, because this comes with everything you're likely to want including 19in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control.

"Although there's decent space in the back of the Scenic, I was disappointed to find that I couldn't slide the rear bench backwards and forwards to prioritise either leg room or boot space like you can in the rival Hyundai Ioniq 5." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our in-depth Renault Scenic review

Genesis is a relative newcomer to the British new-car market, and is the upmarket sister brand to Hyundai and Kia. As a result, cars from the trio are similar, meaning the Genesis GV60 is based on the same underpinnings as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. And despite being the least well known of the three, in some ways it forms the most compelling package.

Its ride strikes a fine balance between comfort and control, making it more refined than the EV6, with less lean than the Ioniq 5 when cornering. All models are fast, but we think the entry-level Premium model is best because it trades searing performance for improved range. So while it takes 7.5sec to accelerate from 0-60mph, it can travel 321 miles between charges.

Inside, the GV60 is by far the most plush of the trio and is adorned with a sensible combination of physical and touch controls, making it very easy to live with. Despite being shorter than its siblings, the GV60 manages to be fairly practical, although it doesn't have as much boot space as its EV6 sibling, and so finishes below that car here. 

Some GV60s can be expensive, but if you stick with the entry-level Premium model, the Genesis represents decent value for money.

"Unlike its rivals, the Nissan Ariya and BMW iX1, the GV60 has a small but useful additional storage area under the bonnet. It's a feature I wish more EVs had." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our in-depth Genesis GV60 review

The BMW iX3, like many other electric cars, is based on the underpinnings of an existing combustion-engined car. In this case, it shares many parts with the equally impressive BMW X3. But developing cars in that way can leave electric versions compromised.

Not so with the iX3, though. By placing batteries under the floor, there’s no impact on boot space or leg and head room for rear passengers, and you can even recline the outer rear seats – something you can’t do in the Jaguar I-Pace or Mercedes EQC. The iX3's 550-litre boot can swallow eight carry-on suitcases, which matches the Land Rover Discovery Sport, but is one less than the Audi Q5 can accommodate.

Like the X3, the iX3 is great fun to drive, feeling agile and alert through the bends, which is why we favour the more sporting feel of the M Sport trim. Its 0-62mph time of 6.8sec is brisk rather than thrilling, but of more interest to most family SUV buyers is the range. Officially it will cover 285 miles on a charge, more than the Mercedes EQC, although we found 210-220 miles is more likely during our testing.

Don’t fancy an all-electric model? Don’t worry, because we rate the BMW X3 just as highly.

"Being based on the regular X3, the iX3’s interior is logically laid out and everything is exactly where you expect. I like the digital driver display because it's easy to read, but it's a shame it's less configurable than the newer version used by the BMW iX." – Dan Jones, Reviewer

Read our in-depth BMW iX3 review

In many ways, the Volvo XC40 is the purest essence of a great family SUV. The former What Car? Car of the Year blends the practicality, style and – of course – safety credentials for which Volvo is famed the world over. Just here, it’s scaled down into more compact dimensions that make it great for more congested environments.

Our favourite engine is the entry-level B3 2.0-litre petrol, because it has enough power for most buyers and keeps costs down. The driving experience is relaxed and comfortable, with an outstanding ride and a smooth automatic gearbox – you can no longer buy a manual XC40. It’s not as much fun to drive as the BMW X1, but it’s certainly quieter on the road. Plus, it has mild hybrid technology to help lower your fuel bills.

The XC40 comes well equipped as standard, although we recommend upgrading to Plus trim, which adds heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel and ambient interior lighting. As you might expect, the XC40 scored a full five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests, coming with a comprehensive suite of safety features including an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system which can detect cars, cyclists, pedestrians and even animals. Low depreciation means good PCP deals are available.

"The XC40’s portrait-orientated 9.0in touchscreen looks and operates a little like a tablet, with menus that slide and swipe. I like the 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, too, but that's only available in high-spec Ultimate models." – Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor

Read our in-depth Volvo XC40 review

With a sub-£40,000 starting price, the Skoda Enyaq is among the cheapest family electric SUVs on sale. Yet despite this, it’s still a superb all-rounder – and its ‘Simply Clever’ features such as a compartment in the driver’s door to store an umbrella, double seat pockets, folding tables and myriad storage compartments make family life that much easier.

The interior is handsome and the controls are well laid out. And importantly for a family SUV, it feels top-notch inside, with materials that feel of a higher quality than in the more expensive Ford Mustang Mach-E. The driving position is great – not lofty like a Range Rover, but higher than a Kia EV6 – and the seats are comfortable for most drivers.

Tech is mostly good, and isn’t afflicted with the unlit heater controls that vanish at night as you find in cars like the Volkswagen ID 4. A number of interior design flavours are available, but we think if you’re choosing our favourite model, the 85 Edition, then you won't be disappointed.

Entry-level versions offer decent range – returning 208 miles in our real-world tests – but we think it's worth upgrading to the bigger battery you'll find in 85 models, which can officially manage 348 miles on a full charge. There's also a version with four-wheel drive, but we suspect most buyers will be fine with the rear-wheel drive models.

"Although there's no storage under the bonnet, the Enyaq's boot is very big. I think the optional Transport Package is worth having because it adds a height adjustable boot floor, nets and remote levers to fold the rear seats." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our in-depth Skoda Enyaq review 

The Mercedes GLC is a strong performer in the family SUV class but it’s the plug-in hybrid version, badged 300e, which is particularly impressive, especially for those with short commutes to school or work, or for company car drivers.

That’s because it combines low company car tax bills with the promise of being able to travel around 80 miles on electric power alone – that’s further than pretty much any other plug-in hybrid on the market.

Away from the pragmatic, the GLC has a spacious and eye-catching interior with loads of on-board tech that's a big step up from the tough-but-dull look of some family-focused models. Our favourite AMG Line Premium car even includes special glass that insulates you from heat and noise – a welcome feature if you have a young family and do lots of long journeys.

We were able to fit six carry-on suitcases into the PHEV 300e, which has a slightly smaller boot than regular petrol-powered models. But there’s more outright space than you’ll find in the Audi Q5 or BMW X3.

"The GLC trades some agility for impressive stability, and I like that its suspension is softer than rivals such as the Lexus NX to deliver a comfy ride. It's quiet at motorway cruising speeds, too." – George Hill, Staff Writer

Read our in-depth Mercedes GLC review

Lexus has been building SUVs and hybrid models for years, but the NX was the first to be offered as a plug-in hybrid. But you’d be hard pressed to tell, because it’s a superb effort. As you’d expect, the Lexus NX 450h PHEV offers low company car tax bills and the best efficiency, while the non-plug-in 350h is significantly cheaper to buy, and is still very efficient by class standards.

Both versions offer a refined ride, especially if you opt for smaller wheels, and the driving position should suit most people. Indeed, those front seats are some of the best you’ll find in any car because they’re extremely comfortable, provide excellent support and have a huge range of adjustment.

The rest of the interior is a delight, with a superb attention to build quality and tech that represents a huge leap forward over Lexus models from only a few years ago. Space in the front, rear and boot is perfectly respectable, too, and usually for a plug-in hybrid, the NX 450h has underfloor storage for its charging cables.

The NX comes well-equipped whichever version you choose, but we recommend the entry-level version of the 450h+, called Premium. And we certainly recommend the optional larger touchscreen.

"I like the physical knobs for adjusting temperature inside the car, which are easier to use than touchscreen-based controls. That said, the touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel deal with more than one function, so it took me a while to figure out where to find things." – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Read our in-depth Lexus NX review

We named the Kia EV6 What Car? Car of the Year in 2022, and it remains a fantastic all-rounder if you're in the market for an electric family SUV. It’s proof that cars in this class can be handsome, spacious, good to drive and travel long distances – even if its price is a far cry from Kias of old.

The Kia EV6 shares its underpinnings with the Genesis GV60 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, but the Kia is the most fun to drive of the trio. Yet while its suspension is firmer than the Hyundai, some of our testers preferred the less floaty sensation. The stiffer setup does mean that cars like the Jaguar I-Pace and GV60 are slightly more comfortable, though,

The EV6's interior is very smart and user-friendly, while space is generous up front and there's limo-like leg room in the rear. The boot is a very practical shape, and large enough to swallow seven carry-on suitcases.

It's great to drive, too: it grips well, the ride is firm without being uncomfortable, and depending on the model you choose, the EV6’s performance is either decent or seriously quick. And the range is impressive, with our top choice, the entry-level EV6 RWD, covering 230-270 miles between charges in real-world use.

"A firm edge to the EV6’s ride means you’ll feel urban bumps, but it remains calm at motorway speeds. I found it holds the road securely, encouraging you to push harder in corners, which isn't something you can say about all electric family SUVs." – Dan Jones, Reviewer

Read our in-depth Kia EV6 review

The Audi Q5 is a stalwart of the family SUV class because it blends sportiness and usability with the upmarket look and feel many buyers seek. While there’s no electric version – you’ll need the slightly smaller Q4 e-tron for that – there is a comprehensive range comprising petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid models. That’s in addition to the high-performance SQ5 and Q5 Sportback coupé SUV, which we’ve covered separately.

The best choice for company car drivers is the plug-in hybrid model, but for all round ability (whisper it quietly), the entry-level diesel, badged 40 TDI, is our top pick. It feels strong and smooth, and makes for an excellent tow car, too. Ride quality is good, but depends on the trim you choose. Here, the expensive Vorsprung is best, closely followed by the entry-level Sport.

Yet it’s the S Line that’s our favourite because it has superb and supportive seats, LED headlights with beams that constantly adjust to avoid dazzling other motorists – and the sporty look that’s so popular with premium SUVs. 

Space in the rear is a step behind the Volvo XC60, but there’s a decent amount of storage. The boot is great; we were able to squeeze nine carry-on suitcases inside, although plug-in hybrids’ boots are smaller.

"I found the Q5 to look a little austere inside, but there's no faulting its build quality and the solid yet tactile materials. These are first-rate." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our in-depth Audi Q5 review

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