8 Family SUVs That Are Better and Cheaper than the Suburban

Once you start having kids, it’s often time to switch to a larger vehicle. The Suburban is one of the most popular family SUVs, but it’s not the only one out there that’s perfect for families. In fact, many family SUVs are better and cheaper than the Suburban.

The cost for a new Chevy Suburban starts at around $61,200 for the base LS trim, with higher trims costing significantly more, but many family SUVs are a better value than this vehicle. If you’re searching for the right vehicle for your growing family, check out these SUVs that are best for families.

This post was updated in November 2025 to include updated information about some of the most affordable family SUVs.

The Ford Expedition is similar in cost to the Chevy Suburban, but there are many differences between them. The Expedition is going to offer better gas mileage and a more comfortable ride. The newest Ford Expedition remains one of the best family SUVs for adventure-seeking families.

The cost of the Ford Expedition starts at around $56,000 for the base XL STX trim, with higher trims costing more. If you plan on taking the family camping, you’ll love that the Ford Expedition can tow an impressive 9,300 pounds. Some of the Expedition models allow you to hold up to eight passengers, but there’s also a base model available if you only need five seats.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Suburban but still want to purchase a Chevrolet, the Chevy Tahoe may be the right fit for you. The 2025 Chevy Tahoe has been rated one of the best SUVs for 2024 and 2025.

The cost of the Chevy Tahoe starts at around $58,200 for the base LS trim. The starting price for the Chevy Tahoe is slightly less than the Suburban, although they have many similar features. The Suburban is larger than the Tahoe, but both are spacious on the inside, and the Tahoe has plenty of cargo room for the family.

The Jeep Wagoneer is a spacious SUV built to endure all kinds of terrain. The strong engine on this vehicle allows for a larger towing capacity than many of the other SUVs on this list. The technology features are one of the perks of the Wagoneer, and it also comes with 140 safety and security features.

The cost of the Jeep Wagoneer starts at around $62,945. Jeep started producing this model again in 2022, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for a family SUV. The Wagoneer has room for eight passengers, and for those who plan on traveling in the family vehicle, it can tow 10,000 pounds.

The Toyota Grand Highlander is an attractive SUV built for adventures. The Grand Highlander can hold seven or eight passengers, and the starting price of the Grand Highlander is significantly less than the Suburban.

The cost of the Toyota Grand Highlander starts at around $44,465. This vehicle is known for its spacious and comfortable interior. The Grand Highlander has a much more spacious interior than the Highlander, with a roomier third row of seats. The second-row bench seat option allows you to hold up to eight passengers.

The Nissan Armada is a full-size family SUV that has room for eight passengers. With plenty of room inside for both passengers and cargo, this vehicle is an excellent choice for larger families or families that spend a lot of time outdoors.

The cost of the Nissan Armada starts at around $57,730. Considering the width of the Chevy Suburban, the Armada makes it a little bit easier to navigate smaller or crowded spaces. The Nissan Armada is a great pick for the family that plans on towing heavy loads since the Armada has more horsepower than the Suburban.

The Chevy Traverse is another family SUV made by Chevrolet that’s a good alternative to the Suburban. Although they have many similar features, the starting cost of the Traverse is more than $20,000 less than that of the Suburban.

The cost of a Chevrolet Traverse starts at around $39,000. The Traverse holds only seven passengers compared to the eight passengers the Suburban can hold, but it still has a lot of room for cargo and is a great size even for larger families.

The starting cost of a Toyota Land Cruiser is about $6,000 less than the Suburban, even though the Land Cruiser is a fully equipped SUV. If you’re planning on going off-roading with your vehicle, the Land Cruiser has a better off-road capability than the Suburban.

The cost of a Toyota Land Cruiser starts at around $55,000. When it comes to gas mileage, the Land Cruiser gets about 25 miles per gallon on the highway compared to the 20 miles per gallon of the Suburban. The Toyota Land Cruiser also has more horsepower than the Suburban and has some features, such as adaptive cruise control, that the Suburban doesn’t have.

Even though the Chevy Suburban is more spacious than the Honda Pilot, the Pilot is still a spacious SUV that works well for families. The Honda Pilot is significantly more affordable than the Suburban and gets better gas mileage as well.

The cost of a Honda Pilot starts at around $38,500. This full-size family SUV is a durable option for any family. It seats up to 8 people and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The all-wheel drive system, along with the seven different driving modes, makes it easy for your family to drive in any terrain.