Your two-door coupe was great fun when you were living single. But trying to load kids and all of their necessities is a daily exercise in frustration. Here are some of our favorite SUVs that are versatile and roomy enough for your whole clan (even the dog). Best of all, these crossover vehicles are so affordable, you might be able to keep your coupe around for Date Nights.
Chevrolet Equinox
Why we love it: Generous space in the back seat can fit up to two child safety seats with room for an older kid in the middle seat. Available hands-free liftgate and underfloor storage in the cargo area make loading a cinch, especially when your hands are full. And if you’ve got a new driver in the family, Chevy’s Teen Driver feature lets you set limits on certain features and provides information to help your student driver build good habits.
What can I expect to pay? A base L trim starts at just under $25k. We think the LT is the best deal with an impressive suite of safety and convenience features for under $29,000.
Hyundai Tucson
Why we love it: Hyundai knows that busy families are often messy families. That’s why they cover their seats in premium YES Essentials cloth that’s durable and resistant to stains and odors. There’s also plenty of cargo room for your everyday necessities, and the Tucson can pull up to 2,000 pounds when you want to take the crew camping. You can also get a ton of safety and driver assistance features without spending a lot of money.
What can I expect to pay? The Hyundai Tucson starts at around $24,000. We like the SEL trim at $26,000 for its more powerful engine and added driver assistance features, including rear cross-traffic collision warning. If you want more luxury features such as heated leather seats, you can get a fully-loaded Tucson Limited for around $29k.
Kia Niro
Why we love it: HELLOOOOOO! A hybrid SUV for under $25k? Who doesn’t love saving money at the dealership AND at the pump? The engine has the power to hustle you onto the freeway and delivers a combined 50 MPG. The Niro doesn’t skimp on comfort and safety either, with a roomy cabin, lots of driver assistance features, and standard dual-zone climate control.
What can I expect to pay? The Kia Niro starts at $24,600, but if you have some wiggle room in your budget, we’re fans of the Touring model at just over $28k. This trim adds some luxury touches, including heated outside mirrors, a power sunroof, and a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat.
Find an SUV Your Family and Budget Will Love
If you’ve been researching family SUVs, you know that there is an overwhelming number of them available. We highlight these three for their versatility and the number of features you can get for under $30k. All of these models come with in-demand safety and tech, including Apple and Android smartphone integration and available all-wheel drive. All three of these SUVs should be on your test drive list.
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