Best Family Road Trip Vehicles for 2025
The smartest family SUVs and EVs for long journeys
Choosing the best family car today means balancing comfort, tech, cargo, and efficiency. We tested five of the strongest contenders: the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9, Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, and Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, and Jeep Wagoneer S , to see which road trip vehicles rise above the rest. These models showcase how family SUVs are evolving in a world of EV range debates, hybrid fuel economy wins, and cargo space obsessions.
Why does this matter right now?
Family vehicles are the heart of the U.S. car market, driving demand across the three-row SUV, hybrid SUV, and electric SUV segments. With tariffs increasing costs, EV tax credit rules expiring in September 2025, and crossover sales hitting new highs, families are under pressure to choose vehicles that deliver value and practicality. The best cars for dogs already show how lifestyle choices influence purchases, and family road trip needs push those priorities further.
The auto industry knows road trip appeal is key. EVs like the Hyundai IONIQ 9 offer up to 335 miles of range (RWD), while the Grand Highlander Hybrid delivers 36 mpg combined. Add charging speeds of 10 to 80 percent in 24 minutes for Hyundai’s flagship SUV, and it’s clear that efficiency isn’t a luxury anymore, it’s the baseline.
How does it compare to rivals?
The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid plays the reliability card while stretching legroom. The Hyundai IONIQ 9 brings EV architecture benefits like flat-floor third-row access, while Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz delivers sliding doors and a roomy cabin that scream “family friendly.” The Wagoneer S and Santa Fe Hybrid may be two-row SUVs, but both bring deep cargo holds and low leftovers, family essentials for strollers, coolers, and crates.
Compared to rivals like the non-hybrid Honda Pilot or traditional Highlander, these vehicles simply drink less fuel. Tesla’s Model X offers showy doors but at a steep cost, while competitors like the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade remain hard to get due to supply chain delays.
Who is this for, and who should skip it?
Big families who need maximum space and minimal compromise should lean toward the Grand Highlander Hybrid. It delivers legroom, mpg, and an infotainment system that works without a PhD in menu navigation. Families leaning into EV elegance will appreciate the Hyundai IONIQ 9’s quiet cabin and fast-charging capability. The ID. Buzz is made for kids and pets, with charm and utility that rivals can’t match.
If you’re after a two-row solution, the Santa Fe Hybrid is a practical pick with excellent car seat anchor visibility, while the Wagoneer S brings premium urban EV energy without wasting cargo potential. Those wanting prestige more than pragmatism might skip this list and consider luxury SUVs like the 2025 Audi Q5 or Lexus GX 550 Overtrail. But for road trips, the five here balance real-world needs with future-focused tech.
What is the long-term significance?
These vehicles show where the market is heading. Hybrids like the Grand Highlander and Santa Fe demonstrate that hybrid fuel economy remains the most cost-effective option for families who drive long distances. Meanwhile, EVs like the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and Jeep Wagoneer S prove that electric SUVs are becoming increasingly competitive with their range, charging speed, and cabin refinement.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz adds lifestyle appeal, showing how nostalgia and practicality can merge into a compelling family car buying guide. Together, they highlight how family SUV design is moving beyond sheer size and into lifestyle integration. According to Bloomberg, the crossover and SUV segment dominates U.S. sales, and these five models demonstrate why the trend isn’t slowing. From infotainment technology to cargo versatility, they represent the blueprint for the next generation of family-friendly vehicles.
As EV tax credits shift, tariffs complicate imports, and consumer preferences evolve, these models show how automakers are adapting. Expect more long-range EVs, more hybrids with clever packaging, and more vehicles marketed directly at family lifestyles. The future of the family car is smarter, roomier, and increasingly electrified, with fewer compromises than ever before.
