Best Midsize SUVs for Families in 2024

Choosing the right family vehicle is about more than just seat count. You need a daily driver that handles carpool lines, weekend road trips, and grocery runs with equal ease. In 2024, the midsize SUV segment is incredibly competitive. Automakers are packing these vehicles with advanced safety tech and clever storage solutions. Whether you prioritize the sheer value of the Kia Telluride or the versatile interior of the Honda Pilot, this guide breaks down the top contenders based on safety, space, and real-world utility.

The Benchmark: 2024 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride remains the vehicle to beat in this category. Since its debut, it has consistently offered a near-luxury experience at a mainstream price point. For 2024, Kia has maintained the winning formula while adding rugged styling cues in the X-Line and X-Pro trims.

Why it wins for families:

  • Value: With a starting price around $36,190, it undercuts many competitors while offering more standard features.
  • Interior Quality: Even base LX models feature SynTex seat trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Higher trims like the SX Prestige rival luxury SUVs costing twice as much.
  • Technology: A massive 12.3-inch touchscreen display with navigation is standard across all trims.
  • Safety: The Telluride consistently earns high marks, including the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. Standard safety tech includes Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.

The 3.8-liter V6 engine produces 291 horsepower, providing ample power for highway merging even when fully loaded. The ride is smooth and quiet, which is essential for keeping children asleep on long drives.

The Versatility King: 2024 Honda Pilot

Honda completely redesigned the Pilot recently, and the 2024 model capitalizes on that fresh platform. The Pilot is targeted directly at families who need maximum flexibility. While the exterior looks boxier and more rugged, the interior is pure minivan-level utility without the sliding doors.

Key Family Features:

  • The Magic Seat: Available on Touring and Elite trims, the second-row middle seat can be removed and stored in a specialized compartment in the cargo floor. This allows you to switch between a 7-seat captain’s chair layout and an 8-seat bench layout on the fly.
  • Space: It offers up to 111.8 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded, one of the best in the class.
  • Cup Holders: Honda engineers included 14 cup holders, eight of which can hold large 32-ounce water bottles.

The Pilot runs on a 3.5-liter V6 making 285 horsepower. It feels sturdy and planted. The Trailsport trim adds all-terrain tires and skid plates if your family adventures take you off pavement, though this does slightly increase road noise.

The Space Giant: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

If the standard Highlander feels a bit too tight in the third row, the 2024 Grand Highlander is the solution. Toyota launched this model specifically to address complaints about rear legroom. It is significantly larger than the standard Highlander and competes directly with the Volkswagen Atlas and Chevrolet Traverse.

Standout Specifications:

  • Third-Row Comfort: The Grand Highlander offers 33.5 inches of legroom in the third row. Adults can actually sit back there comfortably for extended periods.
  • Hybrid Options: Unlike many competitors that only offer gas guzzlers, the Grand Highlander offers two hybrid powertrains. The Hybrid MAX powertrain delivers 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque while still maintaining decent fuel economy.
  • Cargo: Even with the third row in use, you still have 20.6 cubic feet of space behind the seats. That is enough for seven carry-on suitcases.

Pricing starts higher than the Kia or Honda, coming in around $43,320, but the extra space and hybrid efficiency can justify the cost for high-mileage drivers.

The Premium Choice: 2024 Hyundai Palisade

Mechanically, the Hyundai Palisade is the corporate cousin to the Kia Telluride. They share the same powertrain and platform. However, Hyundai positions the Palisade as the more upscale, urban option.

Why consider the Palisade:

  • Ergo-Motion Seat: The driver’s seat in top trims uses air cells to massage the driver to reduce fatigue during long trips.
  • Convenience: The third-row seats are power-folding and unfolding on higher trims, saving you from wrestling with straps and levers while holding groceries.
  • Safety Tech: Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist 2 is one of the best semi-autonomous systems on the market, making highway cruising much less stressful.

The Calligraphy Night Edition, new for 2024, adds a blacked-out aesthetic that appeals to parents who want to avoid the “soccer parent” look. Pricing is very similar to the Telluride, starting near $36,650.

The Driver’s Pick: 2024 Mazda CX-90

If you are transitioning from a sports sedan and dread the idea of driving a “bus,” the Mazda CX-90 is your best option. Replacing the CX-9, this all-new SUV moves Mazda upmarket with a rear-wheel-drive bias platform and an inline-six engine.

Performance and Style:

  • Powertrain: The base 3.3-liter Turbo engine offers 280 horsepower, while the high-output version pushes 340 horsepower. There is also a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) option that allows for roughly 26 miles of electric-only driving.
  • Interior: The cabin materials in the Premium Plus trims feature Nappa leather and hanging stitch detailing that look pulled from a Volvo or Audi.

The trade-off for this style and performance is space. The third row is tighter than the Pilot or Grand Highlander, and cargo space is limited to 75.2 cubic feet with seats folded. This is a car for families with smaller children who prioritize driving dynamics over maximum hauling capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which midsize SUV has the most cargo space? The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse and the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander are at the top of the class. The Traverse offers a massive 98 cubic feet of max cargo volume, while the Grand Highlander provides substantial space behind the third row for luggage.

Are third-row seats safe for children? Yes, but placement matters. Most modern midsize SUVs include side-curtain airbags that extend to the third row. However, the third row is closest to the rear impact zone. It is generally recommended to place older children in booster seats in the third row and keep rear-facing infants or younger toddlers in the second row.

Do all these SUVs have ISOFIX/LATCH for car seats? Yes, all vehicles listed have LATCH systems. The Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride are particularly praised for having easily accessible anchors. The Pilot features LATCH anchors in all three second-row seats (in bench configuration), allowing you to fit three car seats across the middle row.

What is the best fuel-efficient family SUV? The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is the efficiency leader here. It can achieve up to 36 mpg combined, which is impressive for a vehicle of its size. The standard V6 engines in the Pilot and Telluride typically average between 20 and 22 mpg combined.