Visit any new car showroom in 2024 and you’ll almost certainly find an SUV of some description. From the Nissan Juke to the Lamborghini Urus, British buyers can’t get enough of these high-riding vehicles.
SUVs also hit the sweet-spot as family cars. Their virtues include a high driving position, practical interiors and running costs that should be on a par with a family hatchback. Whatever your budget, you should be able to find a family SUV that suits your needs.
We’ve pulled together a list of the best family SUVs to buy in 2024, from the premium Audi Q5 and Volvo XC40, to the more affordable Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. Our choices are presented in alphabetical order.
Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 isn’t the cheapest family SUV you can buy, but it’s possibly the best all-rounder. There are three core models: the standard Q5, a sporty SQ5 and the TFSI e plug-in hybrid, which offers an electric range of up to 26 miles.
Few family SUVs provide such a compelling blend of quality and technology. Even the entry-level Q5 Sport features LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav, a 12.3-inch ‘Virtual Cockpit driver display, three-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control and a reversing camera.
We said: ‘The Audi Q5 is one the UK’s best-loved SUVs, cementing a reputation for a high-quality interior, the latest tech and a strong image. Even the SQ5 lacks much sense of driver engagement, but as a comfortable and refined cruiser, the Q5 is hard to beat.’
BMW X3
The BMW X3 sits in the middle of an extensive SUV range bookended by the X1 and the X7. In some ways, it’s the best of the crop, offering the usability and low running costs of the X1, but the quality and comfort of the X5 and X7. Prices are roughly in line with the Audi Q5, so the choice comes down to badge and driver appeal. If you enjoy driving, there’s a clear winner: the X3.
On the move, the X3 feels like a high-riding BMW 3 Series. Petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions are available, with the latter offering up to 29 miles of electric range. Plus there’s also the new iX3 if you want to go fully electric.
The entry-level SE model features 18-inch alloy wheels, BMW Navigation with traffic information, leather upholstery, adaptive LED headlights, an electric tailgate, three-zone climate control and a reversing camera.
We said: ‘The BMW X3 stands out in a crowded sector thanks to how it drives. Handling is class-leading, while all engines offer strong pace and fuel economy.’
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is one of the most distinctive family SUVs on sale. You might not like the bold styling, but you can’t accuse the newly adventurous Hyundai of playing it safe. Make no mistake, your neighbours will know you’ve bought a new car.
It’s not the bargain family SUV it was previously, but it comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and a generous level of standard equipment. The SE Connect gets 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a 10.25-inch touchscreen media system with sat-nav, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and front and rear parking sensors.
Upgrading to Premium trim adds more kit, while the Ultimate nudges the Tucson into luxurious territory. A 1.6-litre petrol engine is available in a choice of outputs, and with mild-hybrid or full hybrid technology. A plug-in hybrid Tucson has been launched recently, too. It offers 38 miles of pure electric range and hefty tax savings, particularly for company car drivers.
Read our review of the old Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
The outgoing Kia Sportage was regularly among the UK’s top 10 best-selling cars, so a lot rides on this new model. It’s certainly no wallflower, with a full-width grille and angular LED lights providing plenty of road presence. Digital dials and a large 12.3-inch touchscreen – standard on all except the entry-level ‘2’ version – give the roomy interior some wow-factor, too.
All Sportages come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control and a rear-view camera. Niceties on the plush ‘4’ version include a panoramic sunroof, a panoramic sunroof and a Harman Kardon audio system.
Most buyers will choose the 150hp 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine, which is optionally available with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. The 230hp hybrid is our pick of the range if your budget stretches that far – and a 265hp plug-in hybrid is due soon. Despite its name, the Sportage doesn’t inject the ‘Sport’ into ‘Sports Utility Vehicle’. But all versions are comfortable and easy to drive.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Few family SUVs venture off-road, but the Land Rover Discovery Sport is the best choice for getting your boots dirty. It also comes with seven seats as standard, so you have the option of a cavernous boot or a pair of occasional seats that are ideal for children. The entry-level Sport lacks some desirable equipment, but a front-wheel-drive version is available if you’re prepared to trade off-road ability for lower running costs.
The Discovery Sport P300e combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver a total output of 309hp. Crucially, it provides up to 34 miles of electric range and an official 135mpg. You just have to remember to plug it in when you go to bed. Standard petrol engines offer around 30mpg, while the diesel engines should achieve 42.4mpg.
We said: ‘The 2.0-litre petrol engine is the most refined, but the 2.0 diesel delivers more oomph and is the best choice for towing. The P300e plug-in hybrid is tax-efficient, but expensive to buy. As an all-rounder, the Discovery Sport is superb, especially when the going gets tough.’
Read our Land Rover Discovery Sport review
Mercedes-Benz GLB
No other car manufacturer offers as many SUVs as Mercedes-Benz, so it might be tricky to choose the right one. We’ll cut to the chase: the GLB is one of the most practical and family-friendly SUVs in the range. In fact, it offers better value for money than the more expensive Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Squint and it looks a little like the chunky Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which helps the GLB stand out in a crowded market. It’s actually shorter and narrower than the GLC, but its lofty stance creates an interior that’s spacious enough for five adults. You even get a pair of extra seats in the third row. Quality isn’t quite up to the high standards of the GLC, but the price reflects this.
Upgrade from the base model and you’re treated to a pair of 10.25-inch screens, which blend together to create one seamless display across the dashboard. Take into account the fact that the entry-level version undercuts the basic GLC by around £6,000, and you’ll see why we consider it excellent value.
Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot 3008 is proof that you don’t need to pay a premium price to get a premium experience. This is one of the most individual SUVs you can buy, with bold exterior styling matched by an interior that oozes quality and sophistication. A facelift announced at the end of 2020 means the 3008 is better than ever.
Petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions are offered, with the latter available with a choice of powertrains. The front-wheel-drive Hybrid 225 delivers 32 to 39 miles of electric range, while the four-wheel-drive Hybrid4 300 could achieve up to 40 miles from a full charge. A range of trim levels are available, including lavish GT models.
We said: ‘The multi-award-winning Peugeot 3008 is one of the best family SUVs on sale. Only an underwhelming driving experience, cramped rear seats and high prices at the top of the range prevent the 3008 from getting a full five stars.’
Read our review of the Peugeot 3008
Skoda Kodiaq
We could mount a strong case for the Skoda Kodiaq being the best family SUV you can buy. Most versions come with seven seats, although the entry-level SE gives you the option of five or seven seats. It costs around £800 for the third row, but a seven-seat Kodiaq is likely to be worth more on the used car market.
It shares a platform with the Volkswagen Tiguan, and although the level of finish isn’t up to the standards of the VW, you’ll get more equipment for your money. Prices start from a little under £34,000, while the flagship L&K model costs a premium-car-troubling £43,000. There’s also a sporty Kodiaq vRS with a 245hp diesel engine.
We said: ‘In SE L Executive trim, the Kodiaq is arguably all the SUV you could ever need, with bags of space in the back, a cavernous boot and a host of standard equipment. It’s also refreshingly simple to drive and likely to offer a stress-free ownership experience.’
Read our review of the Skoda Kodiaq
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the most popular family SUVs in Europe, with many buyers prepared to pay a small premium for the badge and a noticeable uplift in quality. It feels a class above its mainstream rivals, but can’t quite reach the high standards set by the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
Don’t be fooled by the attractive price of the entry-level Tiguan as it lacks the kind of creature comforts you’ll want over a three-year PCP deal. The Life trim is more appealing, while the Elegance adds more luxury to the mix. There’s also a Tiguan R-Line, which features more aggressive styling and lowered suspension. For seven seats, you’ll need to upgrade to the verstile Tiguan Allspace.
We said: ‘The Tiguan has one of the nicest cabins in its class and a huge range of efficient and punchy engines. Little wonder it’s so popular.’
Read our review of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Volvo XC40
Few family SUVs are as appealing as the Volvo XC40. It might be the smallest SUV in the Volvo range, but it’s arguably the most charming and attractive of the three. Its chunky styling sets it apart from premium rivals, while the interior exudes sophisticated Swedish cool.
Diesel versions were axed in 2020, so you’re left with a choice of petrol, plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains. The XC40 Recharge P8 can deliver up to 258 miles of electric range from a full charge, while the Recharge T4 and T5 plug-in hybrids can achieve 28 miles of range.
We said: ‘The Volvo XC40 has deservedly won a string of awards and a legion of admirers. It looks blockier than most compact SUVs, with hardly a line out of place.’
Read our review of the Volvo XC40.
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