The most affordable and reliable family SUVs for 2025

Family SUVs continue to dominate the market, but finding one that’s both affordable and genuinely reliable can be harder than it seems. With the average American now spending over $50,000 on a new car, shoppers are increasingly concerned about long-term costs. Fortunately, several standout models offer the space, safety, and everyday practicality families need, without the intimidating price tags.

In 2025, a select group of SUVs proves that you don’t have to overspend to get durability and value. These vehicles deliver strong reliability records, low maintenance expenses, and fuel-efficient powertrains, making them ideal for budget-focused buyers. Many also include advanced safety tech and thoughtfully designed interiors that handle everything from school traffic to road trips with ease.

This article highlights seven family SUVs that rise above the competition by offering unbeatable affordability and dependability. We’ll break down why they’re worth considering, how they stack up against pricier rivals, and which features make them smart long-term purchases for families who want quality without the $50,000 price tag.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, J.D. Power, RepairPal, and CarEdge. Models are ranked by their MSRP, from most affordable to most expensive. This article focuses on three-row SUVs.

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

Starting MSRP: $34,800

The Santa Fe is one of the most affordable three-row SUVs on the market, costing thousands of dollars less than most of its core rivals. Thanks to its update for the 2024 model year, it is also one of the most handsome crossovers on the market and it comes loaded with standard features.

Reliability and maintenance costs

• Limited warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty: Ten years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance: Three years or 36,000 miles
• Average annual maintenance costs: $515 (RepairPal)
• Average ten-year maintenance costs: $8,720 (CarEdge)
• Reliability score: 81/100 (J.D. Power)

Hyundai offers a pretty exceptional warranty package on every new Santa Fe, including three years of maintenance on the house. This is good, because the Korean crossover is pretty expensive to maintain in the long run. Luckily, it is considered to be pretty reliable, which should mitigate some of those costs.

Pros

• Styled like a luxury SUV
• Spacious and comfortable interior
• Loads of space for cargo

Cons

• Somewhat dull to drive
• A little heavy on fuel
• Third row is only for kids

2026 Kia Telluride

Starting MSRP: $36,390

Kia’s Telluride is one of our favorite mid-size SUVs. Not only does it undercut its core rivals by thousands of dollars, but it is also one of the most refined and well-rounded family SUVs that you can buy. Climb the trim ladder and you can also find some models that deliver luxurious environs.

Reliability and maintenance costs

• Limited warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty: Ten years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance: None
• Average annual maintenance costs: N/A
• Average ten-year maintenance costs: $8,730 (CarEdge)
• Reliability score: 85/100 (J.D. Power)

Kia offers one of the best warranty packages out there, matching what is on offer from Hyundai. The only downside is that they don’t also include the three years of complimentary maintenance that you get with Hyundai. The Telluride has a proven track record thus far, with owners reporting very few issues.

Pros

• All three rows are spacious
• Feels impressively close to a luxury SUV
• Tons of standard features

Cons

• Hybrid powertrain is still a ways off
• Handling is average
• Driver assists can be intrusive

2026 Nissan Pathfinder

Starting MSRP: $36,400

The Pathfinder has always felt like a bit of a hidden gem in this segment, offering phenomenal value for money. For the 2026 model year, the Japanese automaker has also updated the SUV’s styling and given it some interior upgrades that help it better compete with its rivals.

Reliability and maintenance costs

• Limited warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance: Two years or 24,000 miles
• Average annual maintenance costs: $542 (RepairPal)
• Average ten-year maintenance costs: $8,178 (CarEdge)
• Reliability score: 84/100 (J.D. Power)

Nissan is super underrated when it comes to reliability. They had some issues with their CVTs a while ago and that has spoiled their reputation, but in general their vehicles are pretty sturdy. The Pathfinder also comes with a traditional nine-speed auto if that helps your perception of it at all.

Pros

• Rugged outwards looks
• Comfortable and quiet interior
• Tows up to 6,000 pounds

Cons

• Unnecessarily stiff ride
• Steering is dull
• Rearmost seats are too cramped for adults

2026 Dodge Durango

Starting MSRP: $38,995

If you like muscle cars but need something to transport the whole family, the Durango is a pretty good compromise. It comes with either a stoic V-6 or a roaring V-8 and delivers some pretty impressive straight line speed. While it is a little outdated, there are plenty that will find its old-school approach endearing.

Reliability and maintenance costs

• Limited warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance: None
• Average annual maintenance costs: $675 (RepairPal)
• Average ten-year maintenance costs: $11,444 (CarEdge)
• Reliability score: 83/100 (J.D. Power)

The Durango is a pretty simple SUV, with a lineup of naturally aspirated engines and some solid engineering. This means that it holds together pretty reasonably over time. This is a good thing considering it is more expensive to maintain than the average three-row SUV, which is definitely something to keep in mind.

Pros

• Choice of powerful engines
• Easy-to-use infotainment setup
• Can tow up to 8,700 pounds

Cons

• A gas guzzler
• Base models lack some important features
• Definitely starting to feel its age

2026 Hyundai Palisade

Starting MSRP: $39,435

The 2026 Palisade represents an entry into a new generation, with the Palisade growing longer and taller as well as coming with some updated styling. If the Santa Fe was an appealing option, but you want something a bit bigger and more upscale, the Palisade is the way to go.

Reliability and maintenance costs

• Limited warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty: Ten years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance: Three years or 36,000 miles
• Average annual maintenance costs: N/A
• Average ten-year maintenance costs: $8,816 (CarEdge)
• Reliability score: 84/100 (J.D. Power)

While the Palisade has entered a new generation, it is still very mechanically similar to the outgoing model. For example, the same sturdy V-6 sits under the hood. This means that while we’re yet to see exactly how well it holds up, the new model’s dependability should be pretty consistent.

Pros

• Forward-thinking exterior styling
• Plush interior
• Packed with standard tech features

Cons

• Third row could be bigger
• Average power
• Not particularly engaging to drive

2026 Subaru Ascent

Starting MSRP: $40,795

If you and your family are on the adventurous side, the Subaru Ascent is a fairly appealing three-row option. Subaru’s reputation for off-road capability definitely carries through here. It does come at a cost, though, as the Ascent’s engine is noisy and it isn’t as powerful as its rivals.

Reliability and maintenance costs

• Limited warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance: None
• Average annual maintenance costs: N/A
• Average ten-year maintenance costs: $8,778 (CarEdge)
• Reliability score: 84/100 (J.D. Power)

Subaru has quietly become one of the most reliable new brands that you can buy, with Consumer Reports even ranking them above Toyota and Lexus. The Ascent lives up to this reputation with a high quality and reliability score and a long list of satisfied owners with few issues to report.

Pros

• Even the base model comes well-equipped
• All-wheel drive is standard
• Loaded suite of driver assists

Cons

• Less spacious than rivals
• Engine sounds unruly under pressure
• Throttle is touchy at low speeds

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Starting MSRP: $41,360

Toyota introduced the Grand Highlander pretty recently as an extended wheelbase version of the regular Highlander. In just about every way it feels like a better, more well-rounded vehicle. It even comes with a lower starting price than the Highlander thanks to a budget-friendly entry-level model.

Reliability and maintenance costs

• Limited warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance: Two years or 25,000 miles
• Average annual maintenance costs: $489 (RepairPal)
• Average ten-year maintenance costs: $6,299 (CarEdge)
• Reliability score: 82/100 (J.D. Power)

Toyota has one of the best long-standing reputations for reliability. The Grand Highlander may be new, but it shares most of its components with existing Toyota products, including the regular Highlander, which is how we can judge its overall reliability. Another benefit of going with a Toyota is relatively low long-term maintenance costs.

Pros

• Very spacious
• Well laid out cabin
• Tons of cargo space

Cons

• Engine sounds a little coarse
• Pricier than its rivals
• Some rivals features better equipped entry-level models