Best Family SUV: Top Picks for Safety, Space, and Comfort

June 15, 2024
The best family suv all lined up on the lot at Palm Beach Auto Sales Outlet.

Choosing the perfect vehicle for your family involves several key factors, with safety, space, and comfort at the forefront. As a family grows, so does the need for a reliable and spacious vehicle that can accommodate everyone comfortably while ensuring top-notch safety standards. In this guide, we explore the best family SUV available today, focusing on models that excel in safety, offer ample space, and provide superior comfort. For families in Palm Beach, Florida, Palm Beach Auto Sales Outlet offers a fantastic selection of pre-owned SUVs that meet these criteria.

Safety First: The Most Reliable Family SUVs

When it comes to family vehicles, safety is paramount. The best family SUVs are equipped with advanced safety features designed to protect all passengers. These features not only provide peace of mind but also enhance the overall driving experience by preventing accidents and mitigating the impact of unavoidable collisions. Here are some top picks that excel in safety:

Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is a perennial favorite among families due to its impressive safety ratings and comprehensive safety features. It comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of advanced safety technologies designed to assist the driver and enhance safety. Key features include:

  • Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: This feature uses a camera and radar to detect vehicles and pedestrians ahead. If a potential collision is detected, it prompts the driver to take action and can automatically apply the brakes if necessary.
  • Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: This system helps prevent unintentional lane departures by detecting lane markings and providing visual and audible alerts. If the driver does not take corrective action, the steering assist function can make minor steering adjustments.
  • Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: This adaptive cruise control system maintains a preset distance from the vehicle ahead, adjusting speed as needed to ensure safe following distances.
  • Automatic High Beams: This feature enhances nighttime visibility by automatically switching between high and low beams based on the presence of oncoming traffic.

In addition to these advanced features, the Highlander boasts a robust structure designed to absorb and distribute impact energy in the event of a collision. Multiple airbags, including front, side, curtain, and knee airbags, provide comprehensive protection for all occupants. The Highlander consistently earns high marks in crash-test ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), making it one of the safest options on the market.

Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is another excellent choice for safety-conscious families. It features the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assist technologies, which includes:

  • Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS): This system can detect a potential frontal collision and provide visual and audio warnings to the driver. If a collision is imminent, CMBS can apply the brakes to reduce the severity of the impact.
  • Road Departure Mitigation System: Using a small camera to detect road markings, this system can determine if you’re making an unintentional departure from a detected lane and can provide steering assistance to help you stay in your lane or provide braking to prevent you from leaving the roadway entirely.
  • Adaptive Cruise Control: Similar to Toyota’s system, Honda’s adaptive cruise control maintains a set following interval behind detected vehicles for highway driving, adjusting speed as necessary.
  • Lane Keeping Assist System: This feature subtly adjusts steering to help keep the vehicle centered in a detected lane.

The Honda Pilot’s safety credentials are further reinforced by its excellent crash-test ratings. It has consistently received top ratings from the IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick designation, and high scores from the NHTSA. These accolades, combined with its extensive list of safety features, make the Pilot a top choice for families prioritizing safety.

Subaru Ascent

Subaru’s commitment to safety is evident in the Ascent, its largest SUV. The Ascent comes standard with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes:

  • Adaptive Cruise Control: This system maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, adjusting speed to ensure consistent and safe following distances.
  • Pre-Collision Braking System: This feature can apply full braking force in emergencies to help avoid or reduce the severity of frontal impacts.
  • Lane Keep Assist and Sway Warning: This technology monitors lane markings and can alert the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane. It can also provide gentle steering inputs to help keep the vehicle in its lane.
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: When backing out of a parking space, this system detects approaching vehicles from either side and provides visual and audible warnings.

The Ascent also includes a suite of additional safety features such as blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. Its strong safety structure is designed to absorb and dissipate crash energy, protecting occupants in the event of a collision. The Ascent has received high marks in crash tests, earning top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

When choosing a family SUV, safety should always be at the forefront of your decision-making process. The Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Subaru Ascent are all exemplary choices that excel in safety, offering advanced features and top-tier crash-test ratings. By prioritizing safety, you can ensure that your family travels securely and confidently, no matter where the road takes you. For families in Palm Beach, Florida, looking for a reliable and safe pre-owned SUV, Palm Beach Auto Sales Outlet provides a wide selection of quality vehicles to meet your needs. Visit us today to find the perfect SUV for your family.

Space and Comfort: Perfect for a Family of 5

A family of five requires a vehicle with ample space and a comfortable interior. Here are some of the best SUVs that cater to these needs:

Best SUV for a Family of 5: Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is an ideal SUV for a family of five. It offers three rows of seating with plenty of legroom and headroom, ensuring that everyone travels in comfort. The Explorer also features a spacious cargo area, making it perfect for family road trips or daily errands. With its modern infotainment system and comfortable seating, the Explorer ensures a pleasant ride for all passengers.

Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride stands out with its luxurious interior and spacious seating for up to eight passengers. For a family of five, this means extra room for friends or additional cargo space when the third row is folded down. The Telluride’s premium materials and advanced technology features, such as a large touchscreen display and smartphone integration, make it a comfortable and enjoyable vehicle for families.

Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevrolet Traverse is another excellent option for families needing space and comfort. It offers one of the roomiest interiors in its class, with ample seating for up to eight and a significant cargo capacity. The Traverse also features tri-zone automatic climate control, ensuring that all passengers stay comfortable regardless of the weather.

Top Picks for Long Road Trips

For families who love to travel, having an SUV that performs well on long road trips is essential. The right vehicle can make all the difference in terms of comfort, convenience, and overall enjoyment. Here are some top picks that combine comfort, space, and efficiency, ensuring that your family can travel in style and ease:

Mazda CX-9

The Mazda CX-9 is a standout for its sleek design and enjoyable driving experience. Known for its sporty handling and upscale interior, the CX-9 offers a comfortable and quiet cabin, making it ideal for long journeys. Key features that enhance its suitability for road trips include:

  • Comfortable and Quiet Cabin: The CX-9’s cabin is designed with high-quality materials and sound insulation, creating a serene environment even on long drives. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with available heating and ventilation for the front seats.
  • Advanced Infotainment System: The CX-9 features a user-friendly infotainment system with a large touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration, ensuring that all passengers can stay entertained and connected.
  • Excellent Fuel Efficiency: The CX-9 boasts one of the best fuel efficiency ratings in its class, making long road trips more cost-effective. Its turbocharged engine provides a good balance of power and economy, allowing for fewer stops at the pump.

The Mazda CX-9 combines style, comfort, and efficiency, making it a top choice for families looking to hit the open road.

Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas is designed with road trips in mind. It offers a spacious interior with plenty of room for passengers and cargo, ensuring that everyone travels comfortably. The Atlas also features several advanced driver-assistance systems that enhance safety and convenience on long drives:

  • Spacious Interior: The Atlas has one of the roomiest interiors in its class, with three rows of seating that can comfortably accommodate adults. The second-row seats slide and recline, providing flexibility and additional comfort for passengers.
  • Smooth Ride: The Atlas is known for its smooth and composed ride, which is essential for long trips. Its suspension absorbs road imperfections well, providing a comfortable experience for all occupants.
  • Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems: The Atlas comes with features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. These systems help reduce driver fatigue and enhance safety on long journeys.
  • Ample Cargo Space: With its large cargo area, the Atlas can easily handle all the luggage and gear that a family needs for an extended trip. The third-row seats fold flat, allowing for additional storage when necessary.

With its combination of space, comfort, and advanced features, the Volkswagen Atlas is an excellent choice for families who love to travel.

Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade is a fantastic option for families who enjoy road trips. It provides a comfortable and upscale interior, packed with features designed to enhance the travel experience:

  • Luxurious Interior: The Palisade’s interior is one of the most luxurious in its class, featuring high-quality materials, a spacious layout, and thoughtful design touches. The available heated and ventilated seats, along with a large panoramic sunroof, add to the overall comfort and appeal.
  • Advanced Infotainment and Connectivity: The Palisade boasts a large infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple USB ports, ensuring that all passengers can stay connected and entertained. The available Harman Kardon premium audio system provides excellent sound quality for music lovers.
  • Smooth and Quiet Ride: The Palisade’s suspension system is designed to deliver a smooth and quiet ride, which is crucial for long-distance travel. It handles various road conditions well, providing a comfortable journey for all occupants.
  • Generous Cargo Space: The Palisade offers ample cargo space, with easy access to the third-row seats and a power-folding option for added convenience. This makes it easy to load and unload luggage and other essentials.

The Hyundai Palisade’s blend of luxury, comfort, and practicality makes it a top pick for families planning extended road trips.

When planning long road trips, choosing the right SUV can make a significant difference in the overall experience. The Mazda CX-9, Volkswagen Atlas, and Hyundai Palisade are excellent choices that combine comfort, space, and efficiency. Each of these vehicles offers unique features that cater to the needs of families who love to travel, ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and memorable journey.

SUV FAQs

Which is the best SUV for a family?

The best SUV for a family often depends on specific needs, such as the size of the family, budget, and personal preferences. However, some of the top contenders include the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Kia Telluride. These models are highly regarded for their safety features, spacious interiors, and overall comfort, making them ideal choices for families.

What is the best SUV for a family of 5?

The best SUV for a 5-person family is the Ford Explorer. It offers three rows of seating with plenty of legroom and headroom, ensuring that everyone travels in comfort. Additionally, the Explorer features a spacious cargo area, making it perfect for family road trips or daily errands. Its modern infotainment system and comfortable seating further enhance the travel experience for all passengers.

What is the most reliable SUV to purchase?

The Toyota Highlander is often cited as the most reliable SUV to purchase. Known for its durability and longevity, the Highlander consistently receives high marks in reliability ratings. It comes with Toyota’s renowned quality and a suite of advanced safety features, making it a dependable choice for families looking for a long-term vehicle.

What is the most comfortable family car?

The Kia Telluride is frequently regarded as the most comfortable family car. It stands out with its luxurious interior, premium materials, and advanced technology features. The spacious seating for up to eight passengers and the availability of heated and ventilated seats make it an exceptionally comfortable vehicle for families. Its smooth ride and quiet cabin further enhance the comfort of long journeys and daily commutes.

Find Your Best Family SUV at Palm Beach Auto Sales Outlet

When it comes to finding the best family SUV, safety, space, and comfort are crucial factors to consider. The Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Subaru Ascent excel in safety, while the Ford Explorer, Kia Telluride, and Chevrolet Traverse offer ample space and comfort for a family of five. For long road trips, the Mazda CX-9, Volkswagen Atlas, and Hyundai Palisade are top choices.

At Palm Beach Auto Sales Outlet, we understand the importance of finding the perfect vehicle for your family. Our wide selection of quality pre-owned SUVs ensures that you can find a model that meets your needs and budget. Visit our dealership in Palm Beach, Florida, to explore our inventory and take a test drive. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment. Let us help you find the best family SUV that provides safety, space, and comfort for your loved ones.

Category: SUVs