Full-Size SUV Showdown: The List of Best SUVs for Families
If you've found this post, you're probably in the market for a new full-size SUV. Three rows and incredible trunk space are calling your name, but there are so many options to choose from, and you need to figure out the differences between the various models.
If you’re new around here - welcome! I’m Kelly the Car Mom and I’ve made it my mission to recommend the best family cars on the market in terms of safety, convenience, and overall features. By the end of this post, you'll have a solid idea of the differences and a better idea of which SUV is best for your family.
Here’s my main takeaway - full-size SUVs are more alike than they are different. If you’re really feeling torn, read this blog post about the minor (or major depending on your opinion) differences between each and then shop for one in your area that has your preferred setup and the best price. For example, I almost always prefer a bench seat to captain’s chairs (SEE WHY HERE).
What Full-Size SUVs Are On The Market?
In today's full-size SUV showdown, I'll compare the top family SUV options on the market, including:
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Suburban
GMC Yukon + Yukon XL
Ford Expedition + Expedition MAX
Cadillac Escalade + Escalade ESV
Lincoln Navigator + Navigator L
Nissan Armada
Infiniti QX80
Toyota Sequoia
With so many full-size SUVs on the market, it can be tricky to figure out where to start. I've tried them all, and I'll help you decide which is right for you!
To avoid being overwhelmed and focus on the most important features for moms, I'm concentrating on:
Child seat setup
Trunk space
Major differences between the full-size SUVs
How much more room will I get in an extended wheelbase?
If you need room for a little more space in the trunk, the extended wheelbase options are where you should start. The Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, Ford Expedition MAX, Lincoln Navigator L, and Cadillac Escalade ESV offer an extra foot or more of trunk space by adding space between the front and rear axles. You'll get 12 inches of additional trunk space in the Ford and Lincoln and 15 inches in GM vehicles.
Here’s what you need to remember - many extended wheelbase models do not fit inside a standard home garage! Make sure you measure before purchasing your vehicle if parking in your garage is a top priority.
Which Standard Full-Size SUVs Do You Recommend?
Chevrolet Tahoe
Specs of the Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevy Tahoe is one of the most popular full-size SUVs, and for good reason. Starting at $56,200, it averages 15 city / 20 highway mpg and can seat eight passengers. If you're a mom who needs a lot of room for storage (and who doesn't!?), the Tahoe offers 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row.
Chevy uses the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) for child restraint seats, with lower anchors and top tethers in all second-row seats and top tethers in all third-row seats.
As you can see in the video above, there is a refresh/redesign coming in 2025 and I really enjoyed some of the new features. I didn’t get a TON of time with the car during my exclusive tour, so I’ll be sure to do a deep dive when I can test drive it myself.
Fun features coming in 2025:
When you approach your trunk, it open automatically! This was so cool!
Super Cruise technology in more trim levels which is Chevy’s version of autonomous driving
Panoromic sunroof AND ceiling vents (even in the 3rd row)
It has one of my favorite features ever - car seat tilt to access the 3rd row!
Pros of the Chevrolet Tahoe
They look incredible. Both the 2021 and 2025 models received gorgeous redesigns.
Incredible infotainment setup - it’s one of my favorites out of all the full-size SUVs
Excellent safety features including: automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and intelligent high beams
Second row can accommodate any three car seats across combination
Second row ceiling vents
Cons of the Chevrolet Tahoe
Second row has a 60/40 bench. I much prefer three independent seats making up a bench.
No sun shades
The base model Tahoe trunk is small.
Although the Tahoe on paper is similar to the Expedition, it just feels smaller in the second and third row
The third-row seats don't have lower anchors, and the middle seat lacks a head restraint. Really disappointing.
Third-row access is a Fold & Flip over a Car Seat Friendly Tilt
Chevrolet Suburban
Specs of the Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevy Suburban is similar to its Tahoe sister, but larger. The Suburban is 15 inches longer than the Tahoe, which you’ll notice mostly in the third row and trunk space. It’s massive!
Fuel economy is not great, but also right where you’d expect for a vehicle of this size. It comes in around 15 miles per gallon combined. If you choose the more powerful V-8 engine, you’re looking to come in at around 20 miles per gallon.
I got a first-time look at the 2025 Suburban with some really awesome upgrades I showcase in the video above. The integrity of the Suburban is the same, so earlier models will have similar pros and cons.
Fun features coming in 2025:
Gorgeous refreshed exterior. Each trim has something unique
Like the Tahoe, the trunk of the Suburban opens automatically!
Updated infotainment system which was definitely needed. It’s excellent!
Redesigned center console with both USB and USBC ports and wireless charging
Pros of the Chevrolet Suburban
The Suburban is the biggest full-size SUV you can purchase on the market
Trunk space is incredible
Second and third row ceiling vents
Spacious aisle with captain’s chairs which allows for great third row access
The 22’ has an outlet in the second row
Tether anchors in all five seats (in the second & third row) and lower anchors in the second row
Cons of the Chevrolet Suburban
Gas mileage is not great
Center console has just okay depth. Nothing really impressive.
No sun shades
No lower anchors in the third row
No middle head restraint in the third row
Third-row access is a Fold & Flip over a Car Seat Friendly Tilt
Ford Expedition - My Personal Favorite!
I have to say, if I was picking a car for my family off of this list, it would be the Ford Expedition. This is the largest full-size SUV on the market! It’s about 15 inches LONGER than the Chevy Tahoe.
Specs of the Ford Expedition
As the most affordable of the full-size SUVs, the Ford Expedition starts at $55,525, with seating for up to eight and averaging 17 city / 23 highway mpg. Ford comes in with the least amount of storage space, offering between 19.3 and 20.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row, depending on seating positions.
While all the SUVs on this list are great options for families, the Expedition is my number one choice because it has three sets of lower anchors and tethers in the middle row and two sets of lower anchors and three sets of top anchors in the third row— a lifesaver for families!
Pros of the Ford Expedition
Giant center console. I’ve had both lunches and zoom calls comfortably on it
More tether and lower anchors than any other full-size SUV, making Ford is the best choice for car seats.
Car-seat friendly tilt to access third-row seats
Bench seat is made of independent seats, allowing for better three car seats across combinations
Seat headrests in all middle positions for required safety (crazy how so many SUVs don’t have this)
Ceiling vents in the second row for kids in car seats
Cons of the Ford Expedition
No sun shades! This drives me crazy because it’s so needed. However, you can always get a window tint for a similar effect.
Climate controls in the higher-end infotainment system are so frustrating to use. This is an upgrade you pay for and I don’t recommend it.
In my personal vehicle, the screen would glitch on occasion which is a huge bummer.
GMC Yukon
Specs of the GMC Yukon
The GMC Yukon is a little more expensive, starting at $58,200, but you get an extra seat for the cost, with seating for up to 9. The SUV averages 16 city / 20 highway mpg and matches the Chevy Tahoe with 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
All seats in the second and third rows have tether anchors, and the captain chairs or second-row bench seats also have lower anchors.
Pros of the GMC Yukon
I am obsessed with the look and feel of this car! Exterior wise, the Yukon takes the cake!
Not a pro or con, but the interior design and technology are more simple than other models. Some people love that about this car.
Great 2nd row leg room
Cons of the GMC Yukon
The third-row seats lack lower anchors, and the bench seats have no middle seat head restraint.
It has a higher MSRP than other full-size vehicles.
Overall, just not my favorite for the price.
What are my favorite luxury full-size SUVs?
Cadillac Escalade
Specs of the Cadillac Escalade
Starting at $81,895, the Cadillac Escalade can seat seven passengers, features 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, and averages 14 city/ 18 highway mpg.
You'll find tether anchors on all five rear seats with lower anchors on both outboard seats.
Pros of the Cadillac Escalade
Have you looked at this SUV? It's like a chic school bus in the BEST way. Aside from the dreamy exterior, the Escalade offers excellent clearance in all seating positions. Sexiest car on the road, for sure.
It’s a luxury car so of course it has ALL the bells and whistles from a safety, technology and infotainment perspective. The screens are large and lux!
Sunroof AND ceiling vents - need I say more?
Cons of the Cadillac Escalade
The third row of the Escalade isn't equipped with lower anchors, and there is no headrest on the middle seat. It's also a little tricky to access the third row without a car seat-friendly tilt option.
Lincoln Navigator
Essentially, the Navigator is the luxury version of the Expedition.
Specs of the Lincoln Navigator
As the most expensive luxury SUV by just a hair, the Lincoln Navigator starts at $82,765 with seating for up to eight passengers. Like the Ford Expedition, the Navigator has only 19.3 and 20.9 cubic feet of room behind the rear row.
When the SUV is equipped with bench seating, you'll find six tethers and five sets of lower anchors.
Pros of the Lincoln Navigator
I love that the Navigator offers lower anchors on two of the seats in the third row for plenty of car seat versatility and head restraints on the middle seat position in both rows. Like the Ford Expedition, the Navigator's independent second-row bench seating gives me more flexibility all around.
The 2022 I toured in the video above had massage seats and they were so comfortable. If I was on a road trip, these are the seats I would want!
It has one of my favorite features ever - car seat tilt to access the 3rd row!
Middle seat head restraint in the 3rd row which is a vital safety features for passengers not in a car seat.
Ceiling vents in the 2nd AND 3rd row!
Cons of the Lincoln Navigator
I find this strange, but there is no rear view camera. This is a feature I love and use each time I drive. For a luxury SUV, I’m just surprised they don’t have it.
Again, no sun shades.
The high cost of the Navigator is cost-prohibitive for many, and I wish it could match the GM SUVs with trunk space.
Jeep Wagoneer (& Grand Wagoneer)
The Wagoneer is super stylish and stands out on the road, for sure. It has those curved windows that aren’t exactly my style, but they make for unique look.
Specs of the Jeep Wagoneer
Let’s cut to the chase - this is a luxury car with an MSRP of around $73,000 for the Series II I toured. It’s not as pricey as an Escalade, but it’s significantly more than other full-size SUVs which is something to consider. It has a fuel economy of 17 / 24 mpg
Let’s chat about the Grand Wagoneer:
The Grand Wagoneer is nearly same car as the Wagoneer, but with two major differences - a different engine (v6 vs v8) and a TON of interior upgrades. It’s not larger on the inside and allows for the exact same car seat setup. The interior and exterior is just stunning. I don’t know what else to say besides WOW! The details are everything from an aesthetic perspective.
Features I love in the Grand Wagoneer:
It has 75 inches of screens in the front dash which all felt intuitive and easy to use. You can control almost everything in the car from the dashboard - even things like folding down a specific headrest can be done with 2 screen button clicks
It has heated (or venitlated) massage seats which is a fun upgrade!
Equipped with auto-hold (which the Wagoneer did not have) which will hold the break when you come to a complete stop. Love this feature!
It has FAM CAM which allows you to see the whole car visually from the dash.
It has a rear-view camera. This feature is so important to me, personally!
It has a refrigerated middle console.
Last but not least…SUN SHADES!!
Pros of the Jeep Wagoneer
It has a great digital display on dashboard and I love that you can control the air on the screen or with manual buttons directly underneath. The center console is HUGE and equipped with a USB and USBC which we love to see.
The specific model I reviewed in my tour had a bench seat which made my heart sing. You KNOW how much I love a bench seat because I just don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to lose a seat and flexibility with my car seat setup.
The second row is very spacious. With two car seats installed, I had plenty of room to sit in the middle without being squished. This car is a great option if you want to have three car seats in the second row.
Even with the bench, all seats are separate which is great for car seat installation
It has 4 lower anchors (all seats in the second row and on the driver’s side of the 3rd row).
It also has SIX tether anchors!
Three seats in the 3rd row WITH a middle head restraint!!
Three words: CAR SEAT TILT!! You can access the 3rd row with the touch of a button - super convenient for adults.
I thought the 3rd row had plenty of space. I was very comfortable!
Overall, great trunk space! Especially with the 3rd row down.
Cons of the Jeep Wagoneer
No sun shades - such a bummer.
No ceiling vents in the second row. The vents are more to the side which is fine for passengers, but no ideal for kids in rear-facing car seats.
It’s missing cup holders in the second row. I just personally like to see them in second rows of large vehicles for yesterday’s coffee, obviously.
The button to access the third row is at the top of the seat, making it difficult for a child to get in the back seat independently.
It has truly terrible ventilation in the third row. They are some of the smallest vents I’ve ever seen in a car.
Which full-size SUVs didn't make the cut?
I've told you about the best; now let's talk about the rest. The Nissan Armada, Infiniti QX80, and Toyota Sequoia are full-size SUVs that, in short, are really frustrating. In fact, you can watch my video about why I am disappointed in the 2024 Toyota Sequoia here.
These four cars have similar functionality, with the Infiniti QX80 being the luxury version of the Armada. As family cars, they just don't make the cut. Here's why:
The second row isn't on tracks, limiting legroom for the third row
The trunk space is practically non-existent
They don't offer extended wheelbase options
They are gas guzzlers
They don't provide car seat setups
Need I say more?
So - which one would you choose?!
Choosing a reliable SUV as a mom is difficult! I hope this full-size SUV breakdown made your choice just a tad bit easier. If you drive one of the SUVs above, let us know in the comments and share your favorite features!
Still shopping? The Minivan Showdown can help you discover the most reliable minivans on the market right now! Ready to buy? My course, How To Save At The Dealership will give you a run down of absolutely everything you need to know to enter the dealership with confidence. Best of all, I have a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t save at least the cost of the course on your next car purchase!
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