I Used to Think the Toyota Highlander Was the Ultimate Family Car, But These 11 Options Are Better

I have been taking my family around town and on road trips across the country in our Toyota Highlander for many years. To me, this was the ultimate family car. It's spacious and powerful, and it did pretty well with fuel efficiency. When our family continued to grow, and we started to look for something new, it didn't take long to discover that the world of SUVs had a lot more to offer than I realized, and we found some better options.

While we decide on what SUV to purchase next, we'd like to tell you about some of the Highlander alternatives on the market. From the luxury of the Lexus TX to the power of the Kia Telluride, there's a lot out there to love. Here is a list of some of the best models and some tips for finding the perfect vehicle for your family.

It's not hard to imagine why many families choose the Toyota Highlander when they're looking for the ultimate family car. After all, it has a lot to offer. The Highlander has excellent fuel efficiency and it's very practical for getting families from point A to B with as little hassle as possible. This is a vehicle that's also great for growing families. It has a spacious interior with plenty of seats and a lot of storage space. Plus, it's pretty sleek to look at, too. It's no wonder why the Highlander continues to be so popular.

If you're looking for a vehicle like the Highlander, then find an SUV with all of the safety bells and whistles. Safety is a priority in the automobile industry these days, so you're likely to find plenty of sensors, mirrors, and airbags on any newer SUV that you find. Still, it's important to do your research so you can ensure that your family will be safe while on the road. Some of the newest perks include drowsy driver sensors and lane departure alerts.

You're likely in the market for a good SUV because you have a growing family and need room for your kids and their stuff. When you're shopping for a vehicle like a Highlander, take the time to ask about the interior. Look for an SUV that has spacious third rows and room in the back for athletic equipment. Some SUVs have seats that bend forward and offer flexibility so you can pack everything inside with ease.

Finally, take the time to research potential SUVs and look at their fuel efficiency. This is especially important if you plan to drive a lot. When you're looking online, look at the MPG Rating. The last thing you want is a gas guzzler that will cost a fortune. This may also be a time to think about a hybrid or electric SUV. There's a bit of a learning curve when you go electric, but you can save a lot of money if you go that route.

If you want to find the ultimate family car that's similar to the Highlander but you want to stick with the Toyota family, then consider the 4Runner. This vehicle offers a lot of space with two rows of seats and a ton of cargo space. The 4Runner is good on any terrain, but it's especially great if your family goes camping or on a lot of off-road adventures.

Another great vehicle in the Toyota family that can rival the Highlander is the Sequoia. It's a higher priced SUV, but in many cases, the price is justified. The Sequoia has a huge interior cabin with several rows of seating and a lot of hidden storage. It also has fairly good gas mileage. Best of all, the Sequoia is loaded with safety features so you can be confident when you get behind the wheel.

For a bit of sophistication, check out the Lexus TX. Unlike similar models, the TX has a third row of seating that is perfect for growing families. It also has tons of cargo space for all of that sports equipment. The TX also navigates and handles really well so you can get through traffic without hassle. Like other Lexus models, the TX is loaded with safety features.

Many people who want a bit more than Toyota can offer will look into a Ford Explorer. The 2024 model is impressing a lot of people. It has a powerful four-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower, which is great for towing, especially if you love to go camping. The Explorer is very refined with a spacious interior and a robust dashboard infotainment system.

In addition to being a great competitor to the Highlander, the Subaru Ascent is also very affordable, which is good for new and growing families. Plus, the Ascent is loaded with all of the newest safety bells and whistles. It has a robust engine, solid handling, and an intuitive infotainment system. It can also seat eight people.

Like the Toyota Highlander, the Honda Pilot offers a lot of interior space for big families. It has seating for up to eight family members, and there's a lot of cargo space. It's also a pretty quick vehicle with fast acceleration. Don't worry. It's also loaded with safety features, from sensors to lane departure alerts.

Have a large family and need three rows of seating? Then try a Hyundai Santa Fe. It's one of the most spacious SUVs on the market today, which gives it a step up above the Highlander. The Sante Fe also has a great infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, a large 12-inch screen, and more. The gas milage is also solid, so it's a good vehicle.

Sticking with Hyundai, we also have the Palisade, which is a good contender for the ultimate family car. The Palisade outpaces the Highlander on several metrics, including horsepower and the size of the interior. It's also an affordable vehicle that will make monthly payments more manageable.

Another affordable option to rival the Highlander is the Kia Telluride. Kia is doing some great things these days, and its SUVs are top-notch. The Telluride has a quiet yet powerful engine, a much more spacious interior, and plenty of storage space. Plus, the Telluride has a longer warranty, so you can have peace of mind. It's a pretty sharp looking SUV as well.

Many people turn to a vehicle like the Grand Cherokee, and they have become Jeep fans for life. There is a lot to love. The newer models have three rows of seating, vast cargo capacity, various technical bells and whistles, and more. It also has a plethora of safety features, including night vision and drowsy driver detection.

Finally, we have the Chevrolet Traverse, which is another fine contender for the ultimate family car. It's a quick and powerful SUV with a V-6 engine that will get you where you need to go quickly. The interior is very spacious, and it has all of the safety features that a family vehicle needs.