The 10 Best Vehicles for Large Families

in Car Buying Tips
Family in car

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

If you’re from a big family you’re definitely familiar with how difficult it can be to plan travel and accommodate for everyone in the car. It can also be a challenge to find a vehicle that performs well, provides comfort, and has modern features at an affordable price.

If you’re beginning your search for one of the best vehicles for large families, the good news is that manufacturers are offering plenty of options to choose from. Check out these 10 recommendations of the best vehicles for large families.

GMC Yukon

The Yukon was completely redesigned for the first time several years and expanded its cubic feet by about 30 feet for more cargo and passenger comfort. It’s built to seat 8 as standard, so long trips were designed with larger families in mind.

The other major upgrade is with its new V8 engine and 10-speed transmission. It is priced a bit higher than many competitors, but the Yukon combines new comfort with additional power and interior space.


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Nissan Armada

The Armada is loaded with a powerful 400-horsepower engine and seating for 8, and is a comfortable and entertainment packed ride and one of the best vehicles for large families.

Maybe given the name of Armada for a reason, this really does accomplish the job of getting lots of people and cargo from point A to point B. Its downside is its fuel economy which is slightly below some of its competitors, but makes up for in affordability and standard features.

Ford Expedition

Ford as a whole re-strategized its lineup a few years ago with a stronger focus on SUVs and improving the current trucks. It’s paid off to this point, with the Expedition coming at the top of the list for the large SUV category.

Available with 3 rows of seats for up to 8 people, the Expedition provides tons of cargo and passenger space with a surprisingly smooth handle for a vehicle of this size. With the power of a Ford V6 engine, the Expedition’s power and towing capability put it at the top of the large SUV list, and makes for one of the best vehicles for large families.

Chevrolet Suburban

Similar to its American truck counterpart, Chevy started to focus on larger family oriented vehicles over traditional sedans, and has one of the highest rated large SUVs on an annual basis in the Suburban.

It has more of a luxurious feel than some of the other models in this class, and with a 10+ inch touch screen it brings some modernity to what was often left for the higher end names in the industry. It’s great for transporting families, sports equipment, and luggage, but doubles as a great option for rough and rocky terrain.

Its 10 inches of ground clearance and V8 engine give the Suburban some power and improved handling capability. If you have a large family and have less than perfect road conditions often, this is a great option.


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Hyundai Palisade

One of the best bang for your buck SUVs out there, the Palisade provided some much needed modernity to the Santa Fe XL and is poised to climb the missive SUV rankings on an annual basis. While still fairly new to the market in its second model year, the interior cabin and infotainment improvements make a great match for the modern family.

Enhanced connectivity with bluetooth, apple carplay, and android auto, the Palisade is an affordable and dependable option, making it one of the best vehicles for large families in 2021.

Kia Telluride

This spacious midsize SUV has seating for up to 8, provides top of the class infotainment systems, and has one of the longest standard manufacturer’s warranties in the industry. It creates a feeling of an upscale interior without increasing the price.

In addition to its affordability, Kia provides a 10-year 100,000 mile warranty. If you’re in the market for a vehicle that will last for years, this is a great option.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The only hybrid to make the list, the Highlander is loaded with Toyota’s standard safety features, large cargo space, and gets bonus points for fuel efficiency and entertainment package. With seating for either 7 or 8 and one of the highest MPG estimates for SUVs, the Highlander Hybrid is a no-brainer to make the list of best vehicles for large families.

Honda Odyssey

Voted the number 1 minivan for 2021, the Odyssey really has everything a big family needs. Whether you’re going on a long trip or just need to pick everyone up from school, the Odyssey provides tons of space, modern Honda safety features, and is one of the most affordable mini vans on the market.

Kia Sorento

Re-designed for 2021, the Sorento is near the top of the list for midsize SUVs with a third row. The interior touch screen was expanded to 8 inches and comes standard with Apple Carplay and Android auto.

The Sorento gets nearly 30 MPG highway, and new safety features make it one of the best vehicles for large families. Lane departure detection, forward collision warnings with automatic braking, and driver drowsiness alert. The affordability factor and enhanced safety should get consideration from any family.

Mazda CX-9

Mazda may not necessarily be known for its 7-seat SUVs, but the CX-9 makes the list based on its excellent fuel efficiency, entertainment experience, and standard safety features. It fits into the crossover category and provides a little bit more sportiness than a majority of other models on this list.

While it handles much better than many of its counterparts, it does give up some cargo space to improve its overall smooth drive. If you want to bring some fun to your next cross country vacation, the CX-9 is a great option to consider and among for large families.


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Chrysler Pacifica

With the Grand Caravan being discontinued by Dodge, the Pacifica jumps to the top of the list for minivans going forward. It’s extremely versatile, and provides tons of cargo space perfect for families going on long road trips.

Revamped and restyled, the leather trim creates a more breathable feeling than the traditional cloth, and the standard connectivity with Apple Carplay and Android Auto are great for big families with multiple devices.               

Price, fuel efficiency, and standard seating are all some of the things you’ll need to consider before this purchase. Since it impacts lots of people, it’s a good idea to get multiple eyes and perspectives on which vehicle to go with. Getting someone to experience each row of the vehicle is crucial to make sure it’s exactly what you’re looking for.

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