Top 10 best family SUVs 2023
Numerous brands claim to make the best family SUV. Our definitive top 10 list lays that argument to rest
The SUV came, saw, and pushed estates, MPVs and the odd hatchback off many families’ driveways. Offering estate-like space, but with a higher load area and of course the all-important high driving position, the family SUV has become the do it all vehicle of choice for many people.
A lot of them also offer seven seats, which has effectively obliterated the MPV market. With that said, if you are looking to transport more than four adults in comfort, you would still be better off with a van-based MPV.
Four-wheel drive is standard on many of these larger SUVs, which heightens their towing abilities and gives them some mild off-road capability. For any hardcore mud-plugging, a proper off-roader is the way to go, however. On the flip side, some of them are actually a pretty decent steer on a twisty road.
There should be a powertrain to suit every need. Many of these cars still offer torquey yet frugal diesel engines, as well as petrol and full hybrid options. Some offer tax-busting plug-in drivetrains for those looking to run one as a company car. If you’d rather go fully electric, have a look at our 10 best family electric cars.
Here are our favourite family SUVs.
*1. Nissan X-Trail*
For 2023, there’s an all-new version of Nissan’s largest SUV in Europe. Unusually, it is powered exclusively by three-cylinder engines. That doesn’t bode well for effortless motoring, but for the e-Power hybrid versions at least, the opposite is true.
Nissan claims that its new hybrid system – where the engine only ever powers a generator and the wheels are driven by electric motors – provides an EV driving experience, but with the reassurance that you can simply fill up with fuel. The X-Trail gets very close indeed, which makes it a very undemanding car to drive. Motorway efficiency is good, but could be better, while efficiency in town is excellent.
Away from the novel powertrain, the new X-Trail is very well considered. It’s a slightly smaller vehicle than cars like the Hyundai Santa Fe or Skoda Kodiaq, but still offers seven seats as an option. The second row offers plenty of space, the rear doors open 90° and the boot space is competitive. In front, the X-Trail feels familiar from the smaller Nissan Qashqai, but that’s a good thing, because there are big buttons for commonly used functions and the infotainment is mostly logical, which makes the car very easy and frustration-free to use. The front seats are very comfortable, too.
On the road, the X-Trail is an easy-going companion. It suffers from a slightly crashy low-speed ride, but is very supple everywhere else, and even offers some dynamism in the corners.
*Save money with new X-Trail deals from What Car?*
*2. Land Rover Discovery Sport*
The Discovery Sport is the entry-level Land Rover, but that doesn't mean it's short on the brand's trademark capability, comfort or charm. Compared to some of the other options on this list, it’s pretty expensive as well.
Facelifted for 2019, the Discovery Sport sits on the same PTA platform as the Range Rover Evoque, but hasn't lost out on any of the characteristics that we liked about the original. It's still higher-riding than many of its opponents and affords better visibility. True to the Land Rover brand, the four-wheel drive versions will also go further off-road than most owners will ever needs. Even so, it actually handles in an impressively tidy fashion, with accurate steering, good body control and surprising agility.
There's a practical interior that’s available with seven seats for those who need them. The latest versions have plenty of premium appeal and benefit from the latest Pivi Pro infotainment system, which help give it a similar feel to the firm's upper-crust Range Rover offerings.
Most of the petrol and diesel engines have 48V mild-hybrid assistance, but the particularly slick P300e plug-in hybrid is the standout version, thanks to its well engineered integration that allows smooth transition between petrol and electric power. However, its claimed EV range of 34 miles is no longer class-leading (and lands it in the 12% BiK band, plus the need to accommodate the motor and battery pack means there's no seven-seat option on this version.
If you want a family SUV with more versatility and off-road ruggedness than the class average, the Discovery Sport delivers that with very few compromises. Still one of the best 4x4s by far.
*Save money with new Discovery Sport deals from What Car?*
*3. Hyundai Santa Fe*
From value-for-money bargain basement brand to genuine premium player, Hyundai's head-spinning progress over the past decade or so almost beggars belief. Yet you need to take only a cursory look around the Santa Fe to appreciate just how far the South Korean firm has come. A winner in our 2022 edition of the Autocar Awards, this SUV features distinctive looks and a spacious and classy cabin, plus a range of drivetrains that includes both a traditional diesel, as well a full hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
The key to the Santa Fe's appeal is its interior, which blends a real upmarket vibe with plenty of space. Unlike many seven-seat rivals, there's actually room in the third row for adults and access is fairly straightforward. There's a vast boot, too: 571 litres with five seats in place and a cavernous 1649 litres with all the second and third rows folded flat. Quality is excellent, with numerous high-grade materials, loads of standard kit and a decent infotainment set-up.
It's not the most exciting car to drive, but the steering is light and precise and the Hyundai handles corners with surprising composure for something so tall and heavy. It's at its best when taking it easy, which is no bad thing when you consider its family-friendly credentials. The relatively soft suspension can become a little discombobulated over really challenging surfaces, but the rest of the time the Santa Fe is refined and relaxing companion that's as happy mooching about town as it is taking in a long haul trip.
It’s at its best as with the good old 2.2-litre diesel, as it’s a muscular unit that’s great for towing and racking up big mileages.
There's a choice of plug-in and 'self-charging' turbocharged 1.6-litre hybrid engines, the plug-in packing 262bhp and an all-electric range of 36 miles (which means it misses out on the lowest PHEV company car tax rate of 8%). There's even an unfashionable 2.2-litre diesel, although this muscular unit is great for towing and still the best bet for those racking up big annual mileages.
Sure, it's not the most exciting, but when you need a car that fits seamlessly into family life, the Hyundai takes some beating. Compared to a lot of rivals, you’ll get far more space and equipment for the money, too.
*Save money with new Santa Fe deals from What Car?*
*4. Volvo XC60*
The XC60 is now one of the oldest cars in Volvo’s line-up, having been introduced in 2017, but it’s as handsome as ever. Although the refresh in 2022 makes for a good game of spot the difference, Volvo made plenty of useful changes that keep it at the sharp end of this list.
The XC60 still isn’t the last word in driver appeal, but as a slick, comfortable, easy-to-use family wagon, there's plenty to recommend here. The revised engine line-up means that all XC60 variants now offer some form of electrification. The B-series petrol and diesel models now have 48V mild-hybrid power for fractional reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and remain the choice for private buyers.
Company car drivers will be delighted by the recent upgrade to 18.8kWh for the Volvo XC60 T6 and T8 Recharge PHEVs which gives them well over 40 miles of EV range and drops the benefit-in-kind rate to just 8%.
If you want an SUV for making stylish and serene progress, then look no further than the XC60.
*Save money with new XC60 deals from What Car?*
*5. BMW X3*
What's this: a decent-handling mid-range SUV? Before BMW set about making SUVs, the idea would have been borderline laughable, but the X3 has handling appeal sorted.
The X3 has powertrains with plenty of power and performance. The smaller diesel offering can be a touch unrefined, but the multi-cylinder M40d and BMW X3 M40i are both rapid and smooth.
In fact, the BMW is a car of contrasts, with the all-electric BMW iX3 at one end of the scale, the fairly monstrous 503bhp BMW X3 M at the other and in between the BMW X3 xDrive 30e plug-in hybrid version. Yet for most, it's the conventional four-cylinder petrols and diesels that are best suited to the X3, although the increasingly unfashionable 3.0-litre straight-six diesel in the BMW X3 xDrive 30d is still unrivalled for refined and efficient muscle. Whichever X3 you choose it'll steer neatly and precisely, but is still happier taking it easy than being driven on its door handles.
The X3’s cabin is classy in the way that we’re used to from BMW. It received a facelift in 2021, but escaped the button purge that’s been happening at BMW recently. As a result, it still has the older, clearer infotainment system with its rotary iDrive controller and physical climate control button.
Standard equipment is a bit mean on some trim levels, but the car's perceived quality is above that of almost all others, and serves up just enough space that you'll never feel you have to leave something behind. There's no seven-seat option (you'll need the bigger and pricier BMW X5 for that), but in all other respects, this is a roomy, versatile and satisfying family SUV.
*Save money with new X3 deals from What Car?*
*6. Skoda Kodiaq*
Even though the Kodiaq is one of the older models in the Skoda line-up, a facelift in 2021 means it’s still an excellent all-rounder, and as long as you’re careful with the options, it’s pretty good value, too. In particular, it undercuts even the cheapest of the ‘premium’ offerings on this list by a not insignificant sum.
So what are you sacrificing? A chunk of premium-feel materials for a start, although it's not as much of a step down as you'd think, plus everything feels well screwed together. There are more upmarket options than the Kodiaq, but not many that offer as much space for the money. Seven seats are standard on all Kodiaqs apart from the entry-level trim.
Even lower-end versions handle tidily, with commendable agility and composure, and a good feeling of connection from the steering fooling you into thinking it's smaller than it actually is.
The Kodiaq still lacks electrified powertrains and is unlikely to get them until its replacement goes on sale in 2024. That makes it less attractive as a company car, but its range of petrol and diesel engines is impressively frugal in the real world. If you want to go all-electric, the Skoda Enyaq is an excellent option, but doesn’t offer seven seats.
The only version we’d avoid is the Skoda Kodiaq vRS, which switched from diesel to petrol power with the 2021 facelift. The diesel suited the big-boned SUV quite well, but the petrol engine is slightly overwhelmed.
*Save money with new Kodiaq deals from What Car?*
*7. Jaguar F-Pace*
Jaguar's first SUV came to market with typically good handling back in 2016, as well as plenty of cabin space and looks that rocketed it into the position of becoming Jaguar's best-selling model until it was overtaken by the smaller Jaguar E-Pace.
It received a facelift in 2021, which was fairly subtle on the outside but also involved Jaguar throwing most of the old interior in a skip and starting over. And to good effect: the design now looks modern but classy, and perceived material quality is excellent across the board. The clunky old infotainment has also been replaced with the much more user-friendly Pivi Pro system.
Under the bonnet, an expanded range of engines now includes petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines, as well as a pair of mild-hybrid straight sixes. The facelift also saw the introduction of the slick Jaguar F-Pace P400e plug-in hybrid. It was initially down on range compared to rivals, but 2023 models benefit from a larger 19.2 kWh battery, which lifts the claimed EV range to 40.4 miles and drops the car into the 8% BiK company car bracket.
While the straight-six petrol F-Pace P400 is lovely, it is thirsty, so for balanced in-town and out-of-town driving, the F-Pace D300 diesel is still our choice, while the mild-hybridised four-pot diesels have better drivability and refinement than than they used to.
The go-faster Jaguar F-Pace SVR is an absolute riot and a fine example of a brilliantly executed performance SUV brimming with V8 drama, although its thirst and bombast mean you'll have to happy to me marked out as a devotee of conspicuous consumption.
*Save money with new F-Pace deals from What Car?*
*8. Audi Q5*
It's hard to pick faults with such a classy and consummate all-rounder as the Audi Q5, although slightly anodyne handling is what will prevent it from really appealing to keener drivers. This shortcoming hasn't prevented the Q5 from emulating the sales success of its predecessor, though, which was a car that became the best-seller in its segment in nearly every country in which it was offered.
Although a pricey option, the Q5 is quiet, practical and desirable, with outstanding driving refinement and material finish. And if you prefer your SUVs with a little more style and less utility, there's a swoopy-roofed Audi Q5 Sportback version as well.
The Q5 received a pretty wide-reaching facelift for 2020, with efficiency-boosted mild-hybrid powertrains going in under the bonnet, some new digital technology going into the cabin and a wider trapezoidal grille going onto the front end. The big-selling Audi Q5 40 TDI diesel version got a 14bhp power boost as part of that revision, and it remains a refined, comfortable, assertive-performing and easy-driving family car, while the 2.0-litre petrol powered Audi Q5 45 TFSI is a punchy and smooth device. If you want more than four cylinders, the V6 diesel powered Audi SQ5 is your only option.
The 50 TFSIe plug-in hybrid is a particularly smooth operator, with its electric motor and 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-pot combining to produce just shy of 300bhp. However, with its electric-only range of 39 miles, the Audi just misses out on the lowest company car tax bracket of 8%, falling into the higher 12% banding instead.
*Save money with new Q5 deals from What Car?*
*9. Seat Tarraco*
The Seat Tarraco is Seat's first attempt at a full-sized SUV, and it's a pretty good-looking one. Being a Volkswagen Group product, this Spanish SUV shares practically everything with the Skoda Kodiaq, although, unlike its sibling, the Tarraco comes equipped with seven seats as standard across the range.
It feels a touch more incisive and agile than other SUVs of its size, but this sharper handling does seem to come at the expense of rolling refinement and outright comfort. In a car such as this, comfort and refinement should arguably be of greater focus. That said, it's far from uncomfortable and for keen driver's that have previously had to sacrifice fun at the altar of family-friendly practicality, the extra injection of agility and ability will be welcomed.
Being based on the same stretched, seven-seat version of the VW Group's MQB platform as the Kodiaq means its hobbled by some of its flaws too, the biggest of which is that there are virtually no electrified powertrain options. That's not a big deal from a driving perspective, but given the popularity of these machines in the company car sector, the lack of a PHEV is something of an oversight.
Still, the interior is well finished and the petrol and diesel engines are impressively refined and pretty economical. It's priced competitively, too.
*Save money with new Tarraco deals from What Car?*
*10. Kia Sorento*
Well, the Sorento has really come a long way since the bland, boxy original model that turned up in 2002, hasn't it? On design appeal alone, this new fourth-generation model easily has what it takes to mix it with the genuine premium players in this class.
Thanks to its cavernous interior and seven-seat layout, it wins serious points for being one of the most spacious, practical and versatile cars on this list. With an appealingly affordable price, it would seem on the surface that there's very little that this handsome Korean SUV can't do.
There is a but, though. Its conventional hybrid powertrain isn't quite capable of delivering the gains in fuel efficiency you might hope to see during balanced daily driving, and dynamically the car is pretty average. It's refined and comfortable enough at a steady cruise, but dig a little deeper and it begins to show itself up, particularly where body control, ride sophistication and steering feel are concerned.
The Sorento does have an ace up its sleeve compared to other seven-seat SUVs like the Kodiaq and Tarraco: There's a plug-in hybrid version that's rated for 35 miles of EV range, putting it in the 12% BiK band. Together with the mechanically related Hyundai Santa Fe, it's one of very few seven-seat PHEVs. As long as the battery is charged, this version also drives more assuredly than the regular hybrid. High-mileage drivers will still be better off with the diesel, however, which offers decent refinement and performance.
The reason it doesn't finish higher up this list is the fact the Sorento now costs a far chunk of change. With prices starting at £49,000 and rising to nearly £60,000, Kia's flagship proves the brand isn't quite the value-for-money choice it once was.
*Save money with new Sorento deals from What Car?*
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