Best Kid-Friendly SUVs

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Comfort, Safety and Entertainment
The best-selling kid-friendly family cars are without a doubt SUVs. It has been said that there is no such thing as, "fun for the whole family," but today's SUVs may disprove that saying. Of course, what makes kids happy may not be the same things that make parents happy. For instance, kids would probably want a vehicle that could also fly or turn into a boat or that comes with an ice cream buffet in the back, who wouldn't? Sadly, there are currently no mass produced SUVs on the market that include those features. 
Safety 

When buying a new kid-friendly SUV, the highest priority for parents is without a doubt safety. You want a vehicle that was created with safety in mind. You look for an SUV that includes well-engineered airbags and seat belts/head restraints. You want to be sure the SUV you choose has taken high marks in crashworthiness tests. Handling, strong braking, performance and stability control allow an SUV to transport its family safely. 

When asked what safety features consumers want in a family vehicle, technology that is high on the list includes electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, rearview cameras, and side-curtain airbags for front and rear seats. You also want to know how well the vehicle handles child seats and you'll likely be interested in such technology as automatic lift-gates and driver assist features.

For our pick of the 10 best kid-friendly SUVs, we paid special attention to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, looking for vehicles with Five Star ratings. Every vehicle on this list has high Overall Safety Ratings in its class. Each of them have also earned strong reputations for durability and reliability. 

Comfort and Cargo Space 

A smooth ride, quiet cabin and comfortable seats help keep the kiddos happy while on the move. Having enough cargo space is also important so that the kids can bring all their gear, whether we're talking sports equipment, camping gear or inflatable rafts for the river. 

For families with infants and toddlers, the most important kid-friendly feature involves child car safety seats. In picking these kid-friendly vehicles, we considered if there is enough distance between the front seat and the back seat to accommodate both the child safety seat and the child. 

Entertainment 

When it comes to entertainment, all kids want to make sure they have a personal video screen and headsets. All the SUVs on our list include entertainment screens, DVD systems and video streaming to keep the kids happy. But for parents, infotainment systems must include the latest driver assist features. Tech such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist are becoming more common while backup cameras/sensors and rear cross-traffic alert help parking lot navigation.

Top Best Kid-friendly SUVs

Remember that all the vehicles on our best kid-friendly SUVs list are available through Lithia Motors, where we want to keep you as a customer for life. With that in mind, let's take a look at three-row SUVs that tick all the boxes for safety, comfort, cargo space and infotainment systems that include entertainment screens and much more.

What family-friendly features should I look for in an SUV?

To keep your family safe, connected, and comfortable, prioritize SUVs with the following features:

      
  1. Three-row flexibility - sliding second-row seats, one-touch access to the third row, or captain's chairs for easier entry.
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  2. LATCH & tether anchor access in all outboard seats to simplify car seat installation.
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  3. Advanced driver-assistance systems - look for AEB with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist.
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  4. Rear-seat reminders or interior cameras to prevent child and pet forgetfulness.
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  5. Built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless phone charging to keep devices powered and kids entertained cord-free.
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  6. Tri-zone climate control and rear sunshades for comfort in every row.
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  7. Hands-free power tailgate for easy access when juggling kids, groceries, or gear.
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  8. Easy-clean materials like stain-resistant upholstery or synthetic leather for low-maintenance cleanup.

What are the most reliable SUVs for families?

Top-rated SUVs for reliability in 2025, based on Consumer Reports and U.S. News data:

     
  • Toyota Highlander / Grand Highlander (including Hybrid models) - known for above-average reliability across model years.
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  • Honda Pilot: Strong powertrain, low reported issue rates, and family-friendly features.
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  • Mazda CX-90: Awarded Best 2-Row Midsize SUV for Families, with upscale feel and solid dependability.
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  • Kia Telluride: High owner satisfaction and consistently strong predicted reliability scores.
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  • Subaru Ascent: High safety ratings and strong owner-reported reliability make it a practical family SUV.

I want a seven-seater SUV with wireless charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Any recommendations?

Quick answer: The 2025 Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Grand Highlander (and Highlander), Chevrolet Traverse, and Volkswagen Atlas all seat at least seven passengers and can be equipped with both a Qi wireless phone charging pad and an in-vehicle 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Each SUV also includes family-focused extras like multiple USB-C ports, rear-seat climate options, and easy-to-clean interiors.

     
  • Kia Telluride: Seats 7-8; includes Verizon-powered hotspot via Kia Connect and factory wireless charger.
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  • Hyundai Palisade: Seats 7-8; Wi-Fi hotspot and Qi pad standard on SEL Premium trim and above.
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  • Toyota Grand Highlander / Highlander: Seats 7-8; Wi-Fi Connect supports up to five devices, with wireless charging available on most trims.
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  • Chevrolet Traverse: Seats 7-8; offers OnStar 4G LTE hotspot and available wireless charging pad.
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  • Volkswagen Atlas: Seats 7; Car-Net Wi-Fi hotspot and Qi charger included on SE Technology trim and higher.