There is no universal definition of a family car; depending on your unique needs, superminis, hatchbacks, saloons, estates, MPVs, and SUVs may all be suitable. However, in recent years, demand for family SUVs has increased. And there are now a plethora of options to select from. For many purchasers, family SUVs have surpassed MPVs as the preferred vehicle. SUVs retain a higher driving position and a rougher appearance, which appeal to a wide range of purchasers.
Family SUVs offer complete comfortable & even receive five-star crash-test ratings from Euro NCAP. SUVs are frequently associated with being large and expensive to operate. Although it isn’t always the case with newer models, which are often based on conventional hatchbacks. Generally, four-wheel-drive models are more expensive to operate than front-wheel-drive models. But most of these cars only offer it as an option, and others don’t even offer it.
If you’re one of the thousands of people looking for a family SUV. Then you may even choose how many seats it has. The majority have five seats and a large boot. But there are a few seven-seat variants available if you require them. Few of them have a spacious boot with all seats in place. But these automobiles are more versatile because the space can be used for passengers or cargo. Despite a lack of variety in appearance and approach, it’s currently a pretty diversified category. This category attracted a range of companies into the SUV fold. As manufacturers compete for a larger share of the more emissions-conscious fleet market, many models are now available as tax-friendly plug-in hybrids. Let’s get the information for the top 10 SUVs for families.
1. Land Rover Discovery Sport
The Discovery Sport may be the cheapest Land Rover on the market. But it’s not short on Land Rover capabilities, comfort, or charm. The Discovery Sport has been facelifted for 2019. And now it rides on the same PTA platform as the Range Rover Evoque. But it retains all of the features we liked about the original. It’s still higher-riding than many of its competitors, has better visibility. Although it has 4×4 capabilities and drives more like a regular SUV than some while still handling admirably.
It boasts a practical cabin with seven seats available. It has now been given a much-needed boost in premium appeal with Land Rover’s latest ‘Pivi’ infotainment system. To enhance fuel economy, its petrol and diesel engines are now complemented with a 48V mild-hybrid architecture. But the particularly sleek P300e plug-in hybrid variant stands out with its fairly long electric range. If you’re looking for a family SUV with more adaptability and off-road toughness. Then the Discovery Sport offers minimal compromises.
2. Jaguar F-Pace
In 2016, Jaguar’s first SUV hit the market with generally outstanding handling & plenty of passenger space. And the looks that propelled it to the top of the Jaguar range until it was surpassed by the smaller E-Pace.
A few minor elements, such as some unremarkable four-cylinder diesel engines, a sluggish automatic gearbox, and a slightly twitchy, noisy ride in certain configurations, detract a little from the overall driving experience.
However, as part of a major midlife makeover in 2021. The car received a much more luxurious interior and a vastly improved infotainment system. Although it has a wider variety of engines, including a torquey six-cylinder mild-hybrid diesel and a six-pot plug-in hybrid petrol. The D300 diesel is still our pick for balanced in-town and out-of-town driving. Although the mild-hybridized four-pot diesel has improved drivability over the years.
The quicker F-Pace SVR is also a lot of fun, and it’s a great example of a well-executed performance SUV with plenty of V8 drama.
3. Audi Q5
It’s difficult to find flaws in such a refined and capable all-rounder as the Audi Q5. But the car’s slightly anodyne handling will turn off more experienced drivers. Despite this flaw, the Q5 has been able to replicate the sales success of its predecessor, it becomes a best-selling car. The Q5 is a quiet, practical, and appealing SUV with superb driving finesse and material quality. And there’s now a swoopy-roofed Sportback version if you prefer your SUVs with a little more beauty and less utility.
For 2020, the Q5 underwent a rather extensive revamp, with efficiency-boosting mild-hybrid engines beneath the hood. Even there are new digital electronics in the cabin, and a larger trapezoidal grille on the front end. The popular 40 TDI received a 14-bhp power boost. It remains a smooth, comfortable, assertive-performing, and easy-to-drive family car.
The 50 TFSI e plug-in hybrid is a particularly refined performer, with its electric motor and 2.0-liter turbo petrol four-pot producing 300bhp. While the 55 TFSI e approaches 400bhp. For both variants of the automobile, the electric-only range and CO2 emissions have decreased. Thus making them more competitive offerings on benefit-in-kind tax than they were previously.
4. BMW X3
What exactly is this: a mid-range SUV with decent handling? The thought of BMW creating SUVs would have been ridiculous before, but the BMW X3 has handling appeal down pat.
The X3 offers a lot of power and performance. The smaller diesel engines are a little rough around the edges. But the multi-cylinder M40d and M40i are both quick and smooth.
The plug-in X3 xDrive30e PHEV may not be as dynamic as its conventionally powered siblings. Because it currently lacks the all-important adaptive M suspension (which includes mass-checking adaptive dampers). But in other ways, the petrol-electric X3 is slick and pleasurable to drive. Even if it isn’t the most tax-efficient PHEV of its kind due to a fad.
The BMW is a close third in class, behind the more luxurious Q5 and the more practical Discovery Sport. On some trim levels, standard equipment is a little sparse. But the car’s perceived quality is superior to almost all others, and its on-road qualities are difficult to fault.
5. Skoda Kodiaq
The Kodiaq is our best non-premium family SUV. And it undercuts even the cheapest of the plusher options on this list by a significant margin.
So, what are you foregoing?
For starters, there’s a substantial amount of premium-feeling materials, albeit everything appears to be well-screwed together. The top four SUVs on this list all outperform the Kodiaq in terms of stability and ride quality. But they don’t all come with a third row. Apart from the slightly over-firm and distant manner in which the Kodiaq drives, it’s an excellent car in almost every regard. An oily-bits facelift might easily solve the car’s primary issues, and we’ll be driving one shortly.
6. Volvo XC60
At the time of its launch in 2017, this was the safest car ever evaluated by Euro NCAP. And it’s still one of the most attractive family SUVs on the market today.
The XC60 isn’t the most enticing vehicle to drive. But it has a lot going for it as a stylish, comfy, and easy-to-use family wagon. Volvo has also updated its engine lineup, with all XC60 models now featuring some sort of electrification. The B-series petrol and diesel vehicles now have a 48V mild-hybrid architecture enabling fractional fuel consumption and CO2 emissions savings. But it’s the T6 and T8 Recharge plug-in hybrids that offer the most low-cost running possibilities. However, they do not have as much electric range as competitors.
7. Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Alfa Romeo took the Giulia’s platform and engines, added extra ride height, a raised hip point, four-wheel-drive technology, & created the Stelvio, a fine-handling SUV.
Remarkable handling and classic Alfa Romeo aesthetics are standard, as is a powerful but gruff diesel engine. Unfortunately, Alfa’s emphasis on good handling has resulted in a jittery ride on rougher UK roads. And it has some of the cabin components, like those on the Giulia, feel basic and cheap.
A redesign in 2020 improved things slightly in this regard, adding a new infotainment system and improved driver aids. Although the distinctions between this and the original will still take a keen eye to find. It is, however, reasonably priced, albeit not as competitively as it was when it was first released three years ago. Without a doubt, it’s one for the more experienced driver; yet, it may not be for the dynamically uninterested SUV fanatic.
8. Mercedes-Benz GLC
The handling element sorts the class leaders from the also-rans in the second part of our top ten.
The redesigned Mercedes GLC, with its well-appointed and luxurious-feeling cabin, merits a spot in the top 10. But its numb handling makes it a poor choice for enthusiastic drivers. It drives more like a car than many of the full-fledged SUVs on our list. But it also rides less peacefully than a Mercedes-Benz should on ordinary steel coil suspension, making it difficult to recommend in base trim.
It is, nevertheless, one of the most laid-back, effectively comfort-oriented cars in the class when equipped with optional air suspension. And comes in a variety of mechanical flavors, including The GLC 300e petrol-electric plug-in hybrid, the GLC 300de diesel-electric plug-in hybrid, and the GLC 63 V8 hot-rod SUV are all options. It’s something to consider.
9. Seat Tarraco
The Tarraco is Seat’s first full-size SUV, and it’s a good-looking one at that. Because it is a Volkswagen Group product, the Tarraco shares almost everything with the Skoda Kodiaq, with the exception that, unlike its sibling, the Tarraco comes standard with seven seats across the range.
Although it appears to be a little more incisive and agile than other SUVs in its class. This sharper handling appears to come at the sacrifice of rolling refinement and pure comfort. Comfort and refinement should always come first in a car like this. Nonetheless, the cabin is nicely polished, and the petrol and diesel engines are extremely refined. It’s also quite reasonably priced.
10. Kia Sorento
Well, hasn’t the Sorento come a long way since the drab, boxy first model that debuted in 2002? Its new fourth-generation model easily has the design appeal to compete with the actual luxury competitors in this class.
It earns big marks for being one of the most spacious, practical, and versatile automobiles. Even it has a spacious interior and seven-seat arrangement. On the surface, there appears to be very nothing this attractive Korean SUV can’t achieve, thanks to its appealingly low price.
However, there is a catch. Its conventional hybrid powertrain isn’t quite up to the task of delivering the fuel efficiency benefits you’d expect from normal daily driving. And the car’s dynamic performance is quite average. At a steady cruise, it’s polished and comfortable enough. But dig a little deeper and flaws emerge, particularly in terms of body control, ride sophistication, and steering feel.
Nonetheless, it has a lot going for it as a practical, well-built, well-equipped, and reasonably priced family SUV that’s fun to drive. The diesel variants are also reasonably refined and run well, and the PHEV is more secure and drivable than the standard hybrid.
It’d be more of a gut-feeling option than any other automobile on our list, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Wrapping Up
Most of the people love to buy family SUV due to charming looks & huge internal space. But due to the high availability of this model buyers are confused about which one is better for their requirements. Here in this article, we have shared the information for the best-rated top 10 SUVs for family purposes. I hope the above information will help you a lot more & help you to get the best deal.