Planning a summer family road trip? These 5 SUVs are perfect for the job

Planning a family road trip means finding an SUV that can do more than simply carry people and luggage. Comfort, cargo space, efficiency, ride quality, and long-distance refinement all become much more important when you’re spending hours on the highway. The best road-trip SUVs are the ones that make those long drives feel effortless while still offering enough practicality for the entire family.

Thankfully, today’s SUV market offers plenty of excellent options, whether you’re looking for something rugged and adventure-ready, a quiet three-row cruiser, or even an efficient electric model capable of covering serious miles between stops. Some prioritize off-road capability, others focus on luxury-like comfort and technology, but all of them are designed to make traveling easier and far less stressful. If your summer plans involve loading up the family and heading out on the open road, these SUVs stand out as some of the best companions for the journey.

5

2026 Subaru Outback

Starting MSRP: $34,995

With its latest update, the Outback has transformed from a rugged station wagon into a bit of an SUV mashup. While there are some who aren’t particularly fond of its new styling, there is no denying that it is a comfortable, practical, and capable family hauler. If your roadtrips usually include a mix of tarmac and dirt, the Outback is one of the best options out there.

Performance specifications

Base Trim Engine

2.5-liter four boxer

Base Trim Transmission

CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

180 hp

Base Trim Torque

178 lb-ft

Make

Subaru

Model

Outback

Segment

Midsize Wagon

The Outback comes standard with a 180 horsepower four-cylinder engine under the hood. Top trims, however, get a turbocharged four-pot that puts down a much heftier 260 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, and every model has at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it great for off-road adventures. The Wilderness trim kicks things up a notch with 9.5 inches of ground clearance and chunky all-terrain tires.

Pros

• Loads of space for passengers in the back
• Tons of cargo space
• Some genuine off-road prowess

Cons

• Base engine is a little underpowered
• A little dull to drive
• Some won’t like that it’s no longer a pure wagon

4

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5

Starting MSRP: $35,000

If you’re looking to go electric, there are few options that feel quite as refined or as enjoyable as the Ioniq 5. For such an affordable EV it comes equipped with a ton of standard comfort features, and it looks more premium than you’d expect. It also offers quite a lot of range in every form, and charging times are impressively low, meaning fewer and shorter stops on your roadtrip.

Performance specifications

Base Trim Engine

EV

Base Trim Transmission

Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

168 HP

Base Trim Torque

258 lb.-ft.

Base Trim Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined)

127/94/110 mpge

Base Trim Battery Type

Lithium ion (Li-ion)

Make

Hyundai

Model

Ioniq 5

The base model of the Ioniq 5 is designed for efficiency, meaning you get a humble 168-horsepower setup. This model features a 63-kWh battery pack and can go 245 miles on a charge. Other models get a larger 84-kWh battery and deliver either 225 or 320 horsepower, depending on whether you opt for rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It gets up to 318 miles on a single charge, and Hyundai says it can go from 10 to 80 percent charge in as little as 20 minutes on a DC fast charger.

Pros

• Looks fantastic, inside and out
• More fun to drive than most electric vehicles
• Charges very quickly

Cons

• Quickest models come with lower range estimates
• The frunk is tiny
• Steering is a little light

3

2027 Kia Telluride

Starting MSRP: $39,190

If you need more seats than the last two options offer, then the Telluride is one of the best choices on the market. It consistently ranks among the best value three-row SUVs available, and for good reason. The Korean automaker absolutely loads it with high-end features and tech from the word go, and all three rows of seats are more spacious than you’d expect. Also new for the 2027 model is an optional hybrid powertrain.

Performance specifications

Base Trim Engine

2.5L

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

274 HP

Base Trim Torque

311 lb.-ft.

Make

Kia

Model

Telluride

Segment

Midsize SUV

The V-6 from the outgoing model has been replaced with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine instead. It has fewer horses than the six-cylinder, but produces more torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive being optional. The hybrid model adds a pair of electric motors to the mix, boosting output up to 329 horses, and increasing efficiency by quite a lot.

Pros

• Near-luxury interior
• Quiet and plush ride
• Loads of space in all three rows

Cons

• Not as quick off the line as the outgoing V-6 model
• Quite a bit more expensive than the old model
• Hybrid powertrain compromises cargo space

2

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Starting MSRP: $42,070

For many, the whole point of a family road trip is to get somewhere quiet and picturesque and pitch a tent. This often means traversing some less than smooth terrain. For this task, the 2026 Toyota 4Runner is the perfect fit. As well as being ready to tackle treacherous terrain straight off the dealership floor, this body-on-frame SUV features plenty of space on the inside, and it can even be equipped with an optional third row of seats.

Performance specifications

Base Trim Engine

2.4L I-FORCE I4 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

278 HP @6000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

317 lb.-ft. @ 1700 RPM

Make

Toyota

Model

4Runner

Segment

Midsize SUV

The 4Runner is offered as a hybrid or a non-hybrid. The cheaper setup is the non-hybrid, 278-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, with rear-wheel drive being standard and full-time four-wheel drive offered as an option. The hybrid boosts output up to 326 horses and a whopping 465 pound-feet of torque. There is a ton of off-road equipment available throughout the trim line, but we’re particularly impressed with how much improvement has been made to the SUV’s on-road manners compared to the old model.

Pros

• Built to conquer any terrain
• Much more comfortable on the road than before
• Lots of standard technology

Cons

• The top trim Trailhunter and TRD Pro are hybrid-only
• Hybrid battery takes up some cargo space
• Optional third row is a kids-only affair

1

2026 Chevrolet Tahoe

Starting MSRP: $60,700

Since its inception, the Tahoe has been one of the most popular SUVs in America, and for good reason. The latest iteration of the full-size SUV really does feel like a one-size-fits-all solution. It feels at home when cruising on the highway, delivers a cavernous cabin, and can tow more than most vehicles.

Performance specifications

Base Trim Engine

5.3L EcoTec3 V8 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

10-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

355 HP @5600 RPM

Base Trim Torque

383 lb.-ft. @ 4100 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

15/20/17 MPG

Make

Chevrolet

Model

Tahoe

Segment

Full-Size SUV

Most Tahoes come equipped with a V-8 engine under the hood. Base models feature a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter unit, with a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter setup offered as well. The V-8s are very thirsty, though, which might make you consider the 3.0-liter diesel inline-six, which puts down 495 pound-feet of torque. The American SUV’s on-road refinement is also surprisingly good, especially when equipped with the optional air suspension.

Pros

• Fairly nimble for such a large SUV
• Diesel powertrain is fairly efficient
• Incredibly spacious cabin

Cons

• Top trims are very expensive
• The V-8s are heavy on fuel
• Bottom trims feature some scratchy plastics

There are tons of comfortable SUVs ready to be driven far

In truth, there is no shortage of SUVs out there that are equipped to take your family on a road trip. Picking which one suits you best comes down to what you want it to achieve. However, we think that the above models are some of the best options on the market right now for those that frequently travel long distances with the family in tow.