When it comes to family road trips, the right vehicle can make all the difference. You need a spacious, reliable, and comfortable SUV that can accommodate your family and all your gear without breaking the bank. Fortunately, the market is full of budget-friendly options that don’t compromise on performance, features, or safety.
In this post, we’ll highlight some of the best budget-friendly SUVs that are perfect for family road trips, offering ample passenger space, cargo room, great fuel efficiency, and all the essential features. Whether you’re looking for a new or slightly used SUV, there’s something here to fit every need and budget.
1. Honda CR-V
Price Range: $26,000 – $35,000
Fuel Economy: 28-34 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
The Honda CR-V has been a family favorite for years, and for good reason. It’s one of the most popular compact SUVs in the U.S., known for its reliability, great fuel economy, and well-rounded performance. The CR-V has a spacious interior, with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. It also boasts a generous 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats down—perfect for all your luggage and road trip essentials.
The CR-V’s reputation for reliability is unmatched, making it a great long-term investment. It comes with a range of standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Honda Sensing suite of safety features (such as forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control), and more.
For families on a budget, the CR-V offers a hybrid option with even better fuel efficiency. Whether you’re tackling long highway stretches or navigating city streets, the Honda CR-V is an excellent and affordable choice for your next road trip.
2. Toyota RAV4
Price Range: $28,000 – $35,000
Fuel Economy: 27-35 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
Another top contender in the compact SUV category is the Toyota RAV4. Known for its excellent reputation for reliability and resale value, the RAV4 is an ideal choice for families who want a vehicle that will last for many years. It has a spacious cabin and 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 69.8 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. The comfortable seats and smooth ride make it a great option for long road trips.
One of the biggest selling points of the RAV4 is its fuel efficiency. The standard gasoline engine gets up to 35 MPG on the highway, while the hybrid variant offers an impressive 41 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. The RAV4 comes standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver assistance features, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection.
If you’re planning to drive through varying weather conditions or rough terrain, the RAV4 offers an available all-wheel-drive system for added peace of mind. For those looking for even better fuel efficiency, the RAV4 Hybrid is an excellent option, blending practicality and eco-friendliness.
3. Kia Sportage
Price Range: $25,000 – $35,000
Fuel Economy: 25-32 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
The Kia Sportage is a fantastic choice for families who want an affordable yet feature-rich SUV. The Sportage is known for its stylish design, comfort, and excellent warranty coverage. It has a well-appointed interior, with plenty of space for both passengers and cargo. With 30.7 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, the Sportage can carry a significant amount of gear, making it perfect for longer trips.
The Sportage offers a smooth ride, responsive handling, and great fuel economy. The base model gets 25 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway, while the more powerful turbocharged version offers a good balance of performance and efficiency. Additionally, it comes with a wide array of standard features, including a user-friendly 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a suite of advanced safety features.
Kia also offers a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which gives you added peace of mind during long road trips. If you’re looking for an affordable SUV that doesn’t skimp on features, the Kia Sportage is an excellent choice.
4. Mazda CX-5
Price Range: $27,000 – $38,000
Fuel Economy: 25-31 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
The Mazda CX-5 is a compact SUV that stands out for its sporty handling, upscale interior, and stylish design. While it might be a bit pricier than some other options on this list, the CX-5 offers great value for the price. It has a comfortable cabin with high-quality materials, a smooth ride, and intuitive technology.
The CX-5 provides plenty of space for passengers, with 30.9 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row, which expands to 59.6 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. This makes it a practical choice for family road trips, whether you’re traveling with kids, pets, or a lot of luggage.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Mazda CX-5 delivers an impressive 31 MPG on the highway with its base engine. If you prefer a little more power, the turbocharged version offers a fun-to-drive experience with excellent acceleration and strong performance on long highway stretches.
The CX-5 also comes with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring, making it a safe and comfortable vehicle for family road trips.
5. Hyundai Tucson
Price Range: $25,000 – $35,000
Fuel Economy: 26-33 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
The Hyundai Tucson is a versatile and budget-friendly compact SUV that has garnered praise for its well-rounded performance, sleek design, and generous list of features. The Tucson offers a comfortable ride, and its cabin is spacious, with high-quality materials that give it a more premium feel. It provides 38.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 74.8 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down—ideal for loading up on road trip gear.
One of the highlights of the Tucson is its excellent warranty, which includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. This makes it a fantastic long-term option for families who plan to put a lot of miles on the vehicle. It also delivers impressive fuel economy, with the standard model achieving 33 MPG on the highway.
The Tucson comes equipped with plenty of modern tech, including a user-friendly 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and advanced driver assistance features like forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Whether you’re driving on highways or city streets, the Tucson is a solid choice for families on a budget.
6. Subaru Forester
Price Range: $26,000 – $35,000
Fuel Economy: 26-33 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
If you’re looking for an SUV that can handle all types of weather and terrain, the Subaru Forester is a great option. With its standard all-wheel-drive system, the Forester is ready to take on both city streets and more rugged terrain, making it a solid choice for road trips, especially if you plan to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations.
The Forester’s interior is spacious, with 31.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and a generous 70.9 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. The cabin is well-designed, with easy-to-use technology and a high level of comfort.
Fuel efficiency is another strong suit of the Subaru Forester, offering 33 MPG on the highway. The Forester also comes with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking, ensuring peace of mind on long road trips.
7. Ford Escape
Price Range: $26,000 – $38,000
Fuel Economy: 28-44 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
The Ford Escape is another fantastic option for families seeking a budget-friendly SUV with plenty of features. It offers a comfortable ride, plenty of technology, and great fuel economy, especially with the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. The Escape’s fuel economy is particularly impressive in hybrid form, with the hybrid achieving up to 44 MPG in the city.
With a cargo capacity of 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats down, the Escape has ample room for luggage and gear. It also offers a smooth ride, responsive handling, and available all-wheel drive for those planning on driving in inclement weather or on rougher terrain.
The Escape’s safety features are robust, with standard equipment including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Choosing the best SUV for a family road trip on a budget comes down to a few key factors: space, comfort, fuel efficiency, reliability, and safety. Each of the SUVs listed above offers something special, whether it’s exceptional fuel economy, a comfortable interior, or advanced safety features.
Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your family’s specific needs—whether you prioritize technology, off-road capability, or cargo space. However, you can’t go wrong with any of these budget-friendly SUVs that are sure to provide a smooth and enjoyable ride for your next family adventure.
