SUVs continue to dominate the UK sales chart, accounting for seven out of the top 10 best-selling cars so far in 2026. Indeed, the top three in 2025 – the Ford Puma, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai – are all SUVs that have continued to sell strongly this year.
It’s not hard to understand why family SUVs are so popular. They can offer a practical interior, a high driving position and running costs not too dissimilar to a mid-sized hatchback, such as a Volkswagen Golf.
To help you choose the best family SUV for you, we have created a list of our favourites. Our choices are presented in alphabetical order, rather than in order of preference. Given the strength of competition in this important segment, we have included one car to avoid, too.
Note that we have included some electric cars here, along with more traditional petrol and diesel models. Interested in buying an EV? Check out our dedicated Motoring Electric website to have all your questions answered.
BMW iX3
With an officially tested battery range of 500 miles – the longest of any EV currently on sale – the BMW iX3 could slot into your life as easily as a petrol-powered family SUV. The first of BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ range of electric cars, it’s an accomplished all-rounder, with as much cabin space as the larger BMW X5 (although there is no seven-seat option here).
The iX3 is easy to drive, yet engaging enough to keep you interested. Unlike many cars in this category, it offers more than just forgettable A-to-B transport. We particularly like the new Panoramic iDrive display, which means you aren’t always glancing downwards at the touchscreen. BMW’s self-parking technology is genuinely useful, too.
The 469hp 50 xDrive version of the iX3, priced from £58,755, was the first to be launched. This has since been joined by the iX3 40 xDrive with 320hp, which costs from £53,250 and offers a range of up to 395 miles.
We said: ‘Ride comfort is impressive, despite the iX3’s hefty 2,360kg kerb weight and my car’s 22-inch rims (the largest size available). Lord knows, Hampshire contains its fair share of brutal potholes, but the BMW took them in its stride. Unless you switch into Sport mode, it does its best to soothe your stress levels, with sure-footed 4WD traction and well-calibrated driver aids that don’t constantly beep and bong at you.’
Read our review of the BMW iX3
BMW X3
The X3 sits in the middle of an extensive range of BMW SUVs, bookended by the smaller X1 and enormous X7. In many ways, it’s the best of the crop, offering the usability and low running costs of the X1, but quality and comfort to rival 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 powertrains are all available, with the iX3 (listed above) catering for those who want to go fully electric.
Now into its fourth generation, the current ‘G45’ X3 is bigger than before, with angular styling that seems to divide opinion. The sporty X3 M50 is a particular highlight of the range, with a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol straight-six delivering almost 400hp. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes just 4.6 seconds.
We said: ‘Look beyond the fact that the X3 M50 is not a full-fat BMW M-car, and it makes a strong argument for itself. This is a rapid SUV with very few compromises. It may not be the last word in driver engagement, but it delivers considerable cross-country pace, along with a practical interior.’
Read our review of the BMW X3 M50
Chery Tiggo 9 CSH
The number of Chinese car manufacturers fighting to establish themselves here continues to grow, but Chery looks destined to be one of the key players. It has been China’s largest automotive exporter for more than two decades, and is the parent company for the Omoda and Jaecoo brands.
The Tiggo 9 CSH is Chery’s flagship seven-seat SUV, combining plenty of equipment with a starting price around £10,000 less than its established rivals. Even if the driving experience is a little underwhelming, the Tiggo 9 makes sense on value for money alone.
We said: ‘This is one of the best Chinese cars we’ve driven. And if that sounds like a backhanded compliment, it isn’t meant as such. While more familiar alternatives such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Skoda Kodiaq feel better resolved overall, the gap is narrowing.
‘Most of the other cars you might consider are significantly more expensive, too. The Tiggo 9 CSH isn’t perfect, but take its asking price, level of equipment and long warranty into account, and any shortcomings will be easier to overlook.’
Read our review of the Chery Tiggo 9 CSH
Dacia Bigster
From humble Romanian origins, Dacia has blossomed into a genuine automotive success story. It’s now one of the biggest-selling car brands across Europe. And the Bigster could be Dacia’s (ahem) biggest hit to date, tapping into the mid-size ‘C-SUV’ sector that makes up nearly a quarter of Europe’s car market.
Priced from just over £25,000, the Bigster undercuts most other SUVs on sale, offering space for five and a substantial 677-litre boot. Buyers get a choice of two petrol engines, plus a petrol-electric hybrid that achieves up to 60mpg.
We said: ‘Dacia’s SUV rivals – and there are many of them – should be worried. By adding a dash of style and desirability to a well-proven formula of sensible motoring at affordable prices, the Bigster looks like a winner.
‘Are you really willing to pay £10,000+ more for a comparable car without a “budget” badge? As with the all-conquering Dacia Sandero, we suspect many Europeans will reject brand snobbery and vote with their wallets.’
Read our review of the Dacia Bigster
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
This one is a bit of a wildcard. It looks like a hot hatchback in pictures, but in reality the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is very much SUV-sized. With two electric motors developing a total of 650hp, plus a price tag of around £65,000, it’s hardly the most sensible family holdall on sale. However, if your heart says ‘sports car’ and your head (or your accountant, perhaps) says ‘electric SUV’, the Ioniq 5 N is a brilliant way to tick both boxes. It was the most surprising car we drove last year.
How so? Primarily because of Hyundai’s N e-Shift system, which does a remarkably good impression of a feisty four-cylinder engine linked to a modern dual-clutch auto transmission. The ‘engine’ spins to 8,000rpm in each of the eight ‘gears’, then you change up with the thud of a clutch engaging – or feel the car bounce off its artificial rev limiter. It serves no practical purpose apart from being laugh-out-loud fun: a digital simulation of an analogue driving experience. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it; the Ioniq 5 N might change the way you think about electric cars.
We said: ‘Factor in the simulated sounds of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine – complete with raspy rev-matched downshifts – and the result is far more convincing than I’d expected. Shut your eyes (actually, don’t) and you could almost be driving a Toyota GR Yaris or the now-departed Hyundai i20 N.’
Read our review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Hyundai Tucson
We’re at the more sensible end of the Hyundai range now, although the Tucson is one of the most distinctive family SUVs on sale. You might not love its bold styling, but you can’t accuse the adventurous Hyundai of playing it safe. Your neighbours will definitely know you’ve bought a new car.
It’s not the bargain family SUV it was previously, with prices from £30,985. However, the Tucson comes with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty and a generous level of standard equipment. The entry-level Advance gets 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a 12.3-inch touchscreen media system with sat-nav, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and front/rear parking sensors.
Upgrading to Premium trim adds more equipment, while Ultimate spec nudges the Tucson into luxury territory. Look out for the N Line and N Line S, with styling inspired by Hyundai’s N performance models. A 1.6-litre petrol engine is available in a choice of outputs, and with mild-hybrid or full hybrid technology.
For even lower running costs, check out the plug-in hybrid Tucson, which offers up to 43 miles of electric range – if you remember to plug it in.
Kia EV3
The Kia EV3 is one of the finest electric SUVs on sale – and the winner of the UK Car of the Year 2025 title. All versions use a single 204hp motor to drive their front wheels, with a choice of 58kWh or 81kWh battery sizes. These offer a range of 270 and 375 miles, respectively.
Those are impressive figures, especially for an SUV that costs £31,055 in base trim (including the £1,500 Electric Car Grant). The flagship GT-Line S with an 81kWh battery is just shy of £44,000. All models come with Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, backed up by an excellent reputation for reliability.
We said: ‘The Kia EV3 is an accessible and thoroughly well-rounded car that could slot effortlessly into family life. And as such vehicles are now increasingly SUV-shaped, it has become the electric benchmark to beat. It is capable, competent and easy to drive, with a smooth and comfortable ride.’
Read our review of the Kia EV3
Kia EV9
The Kia EV9 propels this once-budget Korean brand upwards into premium territory. Indeed, the seven-seat electric SUV is the largest Kia ever sold in the UK.
As you’d hope, the Kia EV9 offers a substantial amount of space for both passengers and luggage. Its huge 99.8kWh battery is mounted beneath the floor, providing an officially tested range of up to 349 miles when fully charged.
Build quality is solid, there is plenty of standard equipment, and Kia’s seven-year warranty remains a key selling point. It all makes for an impressive full-size electric SUV.
We said: ‘This is a cleverly designed and hugely practical family holdall. Easy to drive and live with, with a decent range and adequate/ample performance (delete according to the model chosen) it stays true to Kia’s core values while elevating it into a more premium sphere. Prices from around £66,500 only seem steep until you look at the competition.’
Read our review of the Kia EV9
Mercedes-Benz GLB
No other car manufacturer offers such a bewildering array of SUVs as Mercedes-Benz. Walk into a dealership and it could feel like information overload. Top tip: the GLB is one of the most practical and family-friendly SUVs in the range. It also offers better value than the pricier Mercedes-Benz GLC, with prices starting from £46,100.
Mercedes-Benz launched a new second-generation GLB for 2026, with revamped styling and a focus on battery-electric powertrains. All models in the UK come with seven seats, demonstrating the level of space and practicality on offer. Compared to some contemporary Benzes, we think the styling is less ‘challenging’, too.
There are five trim levels: Sport, Sport Executive, AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus. All come with a pair of 14-inch screens, which blend together to create one seamless display across the dashboard. There is even an integrated selfie camera. Yes, really.
Renault Scenic E-Tech
The Renault Scenic is back, but not as we know it. Gone are the modest petrol and diesel engines you might remember from your youth – ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ – the current Scenic E-Tech uses a 220hp electric powertrain. It has an 87kWh battery and can travel up to 381 miles between charges, making it well suited to long-distance road trips.
Thanks to the Scenic’s flat floor, its interior feels incredibly spacious, with enough room for five adults to sit in comfort. There is also 545 litres of luggage space, which is better than many of its rivals. Just don’t expect the removable seats of the original Scenic MPV.
It’s a talented electric SUV, but don’t just take our word for it: the Scenic E-Tech also won the European Car of the Year award in 2024, before the new Renault 5 E-Tech stole its crown in 2025.
We said: ‘As a family SUV, making the Scenic E-Tech a practical proposition has clearly been near the top of Renault’s list. The car boasts a genuinely spacious cabin, plus a healthy boot capacity. This is matched with comfortable seats that feature plenty of adjustment, allowing for drivers of all sizes to be accommodated.’
Read our review of the Renault Scenic E-Tech
Skoda Kodiaq
We could mount a strong case for the Skoda Kodiaq being the best family SUV you can buy. Available with a choice of five or seven seats, even the most basic version comes with a long list of standard equipment.
It shares a platform with the Volkswagen Tiguan, and while its interior doesn’t feel as polished as the VW, you get more goodies for your money. Prices start from around £39,000, while the flagship vRS with a 265hp 2.0-litre petrol engine costs £54,655.
Don’t be fooled by the evolutionary styling, because the latest Kodiaq is a major upgrade compared to the old model (which also happened to be one of our favourite SUVs). It’s bigger and more practical, and you will notice a significant step up in terms of quality.
There are five versions to choose from: SE, SE L, SportLine, L&K and vRS. Skoda has also added a special Edition X for 2026, celebrating 10 years of the Kodiaq. As for powertrains, the pick of the bunch is the plug-in hybrid, which offers an impressive 71 miles of electric range.
Volvo XC40
Not many family SUVs are as appealing as the XC40. It might be the smallest SUV in the Volvo range, but it’s arguably the most charming and attractive of the three. Chunky styling sets it apart from premium-badged rivals, while its interior exudes sophisticated Swedish cool.
Despite being on sale since 2017, the XC40 still has plenty going for it. Buyers can pick from mild-hybrid petrol versions with up to 197hp, along with a fully electric EX40 model. The latter offers a potential battery range of 355 miles.
Perhaps the biggest challenge for the XC40 and electric EX40 comes from within. Volvo’s smaller EX30 has proven very popular since it was launched. And having run one for an extended, long-term test, we can understand the appeal.
We said: ‘The Volvo XC40 has deservedly won a string of awards and a legion of admirers. It looks the absolute business, in our opinion, and the interior is brilliantly Swedish. It’s not quite as plush as the XC60 and XC90, but it still feels premium and interesting in a “definitely not German” kind of way.’
Read our review of the Volvo XC40
One to avoid: Jaecoo 7 SHS
The Jaecoo 7 has been riding high in the UK’s new vehicle registration charts, with more than 50,000 sold here since it arrived in September 2025. A recently upgraded seven-year warranty, five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and plenty of good, old-fashioned value for money have all played a part in its success.
This is a hugely competitive market, however, and the experience of driving a Jaecoo 7 falls short of most other family SUVs. Its infotainment system is also a lesson in frustration, with a central touchscreen used to control almost every function.
Given the speed at which Jaecoo and its parent company Chery are making progress in the UK, it surely won’t be long until some of the 7’s faults are ironed out. For now, though, this is not a car we can recommend.
We said: ‘Rather less smooth is the car’s ride – tuned for European customers at Jaecoo’s European R&D centre in Frankfurt – which feels quite abrupt for a family SUV. Throttle response is also poorly calibrated, leading to jerky progress in stop-start traffic. And when you reach faster, more undulating roads, the car quickly runs out of grip and enthusiasm.’
Read our review of the Jaecoo 7
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