9 Safe and Reliable SUVs Perfect for Families in 2025
Safety matters most when you’re driving your family. These 9 SUVs for 2025 combine top crash test ratings, advanced safety features, and spacious interiors, giving you peace of mind on every trip. Built for comfort and protection, they’re ideal choices for parents who prioritize safety without compromising style or performance.
Kia Telluride
Man, the Kia Telluride… you start with this beast ’cause it’s like the family SUV king right now, honestly crushing those IIHS Top Safety Pick+ ratings and NHTSA 5-stars across the board. Three rows, seats up to eight, all the driver aids like auto braking that actually works day or night, and it feels plush inside without being too fancy. Not gonna lie, for around $38K starting, it’s a steal compared to luxury stuff roomy cargo, quiet ride, perfect for hauling kids and gear without stressing about crashes. I mean, experts keep saying it’s the benchmark, and yeah, I’d trust it with my own crew any day.
Hyundai Palisade
Okay, Palisade Kia’s cousin, basically, but with its own swanky vibe, snagging Top Safety Pick from IIHS and full 5-stars from NHTSA. Similar setup, eight seats, massive space behind the third row, and those adaptive cruise things that make highway drives less of a headache. Uhm, around $38-40K new, feels premium like Genesis but cheaper, and honestly, the safety tech’s so good it watches for pedestrians even at night. Compared to Telluride, maybe a tad more upscale inside? Side thought, why choose when both are this safe?
Genesis GV80
Whoa, step up to luxury with the GV80 Top Safety Pick+ all the way, 5-star NHTSA, seats seven comfy, and it’s got that massaging seats option if you’re feeling extra. Around $58K, yeah pricey, but the build quality? Insane crash protection, blind-spot cams everywhere, feels like a tank but drives smooth. Not gonna lie, if money’s no object, this over the Kia ones ’cause it ages fancy. Random observation park it next to a basic SUV, nobody knows it’s safer inside.
Honda CR-V
CR-V, dude classic family hauler, IIHS Top Safety Pick+, 5-stars overall, super reliable with Honda Sensing saving your butt daily. Two rows but tons of cargo, hybrid option too, starts at like $30Kish. You know, it’s not flashy, but handles family chaos better than most—quiet, peppy, fewer repair headaches long-term. Sometimes I think, like, why complicate with three rows when this just works? Perfect for smaller crews.
Mazda CX-50
Alright, CX-50 kinda the fun one, Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, five-star NHTSA, rugged looks but family-friendly inside with good space. Around $35K, drives like a sports car almost, AWD standard, safety suite that’s intuitive not annoying. Compared to CR-V, sportier, less bland honestly, if you wanna enjoy the drive with kids screaming, this. Tiny joke: it’s safe enough you might actually hear the radio.
Hyundai Tucson
Tucson, yeah another Hyundai win, five-star NHTSA, IIHS Top Safety Pick, compact but roomy for families, hybrid available too. Starts low 30s, loaded with tech like highway driving assist, feels modern without glitches. Not gonna lie, better value than Toyota sometimes, and safety ratings prove it protects better in sides. Uhm, grabs groceries easy, tows light stuff solid all-rounder, you know?
Honda HR-V
HR-V, small but mighty IIHS Top Safety Pick+, perfect for young families, around $25-30K, surprisingly roomy with magic seats folding every way. Honda safety tech shines, five-stars expected, zippy in city traffic. Like, compared to bigger ones, easier park, cheaper insure sometimes changes my mind on needing massive SUVs. Great starter family ride, honestly.
Mazda CX-30
CX-30, whoa premium small SUV feel, Top Safety Pick+, starts about $26K, zippy handling, safety eyes everywhere including rear. Comfy for four-five peeps, upscale interior punches above price. You know, Mazda’s thing is fun-to-drive safe, not boring appliance beats some crossovers easy. Random thought: if HR-V’s too basic, this levels up without cost jump.
Volvo XC90
And XC90 Volvo’s rep ain’t hype, Top Safety Pick+ if pre-Dec ’24 build, five-stars, three rows, around $57K but safety legend status. Insanely advanced aids, pilot assist semi-autonomous, built like a vault. Not gonna lie, priciest here but for ultimate peace? Worth it, especially long trips. Like, Swedes know crashes—trust that over flashier stuff.
