Best SUVs for Moms for 2024
These are the best SUVs for moms (and dads) based on iSeeCars' analysis of each vehicle’s pricing, safety, and reliability.
The best small and compact SUV for moms is the Honda CR-V ($2,626.73 annual lifespan cost), with the Mazda CX-9 being the best midsize SUV for moms ($3,844.08 annual lifespan cost). The Ford Expedition ranks #1 for the best large SUVs for moms ($7,543.84 annual lifespan cost).
The best crossover SUV for moms is the Honda CR-V ($2,626.73 annual lifespan cost), with the Toyota RAV4 being the best three-row SUV for moms ($2,721.58 annual lifespan cost). The Ford Escape Hybrid ranks #1 for the best hybrid SUVs for moms ($3,927.87 annual lifespan cost).
SUVs are popular family cars due to their practicality and elevated ride height, which enhances visibility and improves the overall driving experience. With plenty of space for passengers and car seats in the first and second-row seats, and an easily accessible cargo area due to their hatchback design, SUVs make excellent family vehicles. The best SUVs for moms (and dads) also feature intuitive infotainment systems, fuel efficient powertrains, advanced safety features, and excellent value for the money.
iSeeCars took all of these factors into consideration when identifying the best SUVs for mom. Broken out by size and price categories, and then ranked by their annual lifespan cost (which rewards the longest-lasting SUVs), the vehicles below all have strong safety and reliability scores, which shoppers can compare while also reading about each SUV’s used and new car pricing, mpg ratings, and cargo capacity.
While two-row compact SUVs like the Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan provide an excellent blend of cargo space and fuel economy, larger families may want to step up to a 3-row SUV such as the Honda Pilot, or even a full-size SUV like the Chevy Suburban. All of these SUVs include high-resolution touchscreen displays, roomy rear seats, and available all-wheel drive, which gives them an advantage over minivans that may offer a third-row seat but rarely include all-wheel drive as either standard or optional equipment.
Parents will want to pay particular attention to the safety features. Standard items on nearly every modern SUV include automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, but more advanced features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist may cost extra. These features are also listed for each vehicle below.
How We Rank These Cars
The Best Cars for Moms rank vehicles by iSeeCars' analysis of each vehicle’s average lifespan and annual lifespan cost.
Only vehicles with a NHTSA safety rating of 5 or an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, along with key family-friendly features like seating, are included and ranked. For each vehicle, we also display an iSeeCars Score.
iSeeCars Score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
