The modern luxury SUV has evolved into the ultimate family vehicle, one that blends space, comfort, and cutting-edge technology with unmistakable style. Gone are the days when practicality meant compromising on elegance or driving enjoyment. Today’s premium SUVs cater to families who demand both substance and sophistication, wrapping functional three-row layouts and advanced safety features in sculpted bodywork and meticulously crafted interiors.
From Scandinavian minimalism to American grandeur, every automaker now brings its own design philosophy to the family luxury segment. Whether it’s the serene refinement of the Volvo XC90, the confident power of the Cadillac Escalade, or the modern craftsmanship of the Genesis GV80, these SUVs prove that family life can be every bit as stylish as it is comfortable. Each of the following models balances everyday usability, ample cargo space, flexible seating, and driver-assist tech with the polish and prestige expected from a true luxury badge. For families seeking the perfect blend of practicality and panache, these ten SUVs redefine what it means to travel in style.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources.
Volvo XC90
Horsepower Rating: 247
- Base Trim Engine
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2L Drive-E I4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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247 HP @5500 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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258 lb.-ft. @ 1800 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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23/30/26 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Volvo
- Model
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XC90
Volvo’s XC90 has long been the archetype for Scandinavian luxury – an edge-of-minimalism aesthetic wrapped around a fundamentally family-first package. At roughly 250 horsepower in its mainstream configurations, the XC90 is never about raw performance; instead, it prioritizes calm, composed power delivery and an exquisitely detailed cabin. The three-row layout is intelligently packaged: second-row seats slide and fold easily for access, and the available integrated booster seats and clever storage nooks show the brand’s focus on real-world family needs.
The build quality is superb, showing that Volvo’s still got it. Doors close shut with a satisfying clunk, and once cocooned inside, the XC90 is vault quiet.
Safety remains Volvo’s calling card, with a suite of driver aids tuned to reduce stress on long drives and city commutes alike. Inside, clean lines, open wood trim, and tactile switchgear create an environment that’s both serene and unmistakably premium — perfect for parents who want their daily hauler to feel like an oasis.
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Infiniti QX60
Horsepower Rating: 268
- Base Trim Engine
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2.0-liter turbo inline-4
- Base Trim Transmission
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9-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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268 hp @ 5,600 rpm
- Base Trim Torque
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286 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
- Make
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Infiniti
- Model
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QX60
- Segment
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Midsize Luxury SUV
The QX60 has quietly matured into a refined, value-oriented luxury hauler that punches above its price when it comes to style and comfort. With about 268 horsepower, the QX60 blends smooth power with a cushioned, composed ride that feels ideal for school runs and weekend getaways. Infiniti’s design language gives the cabin a more emotive flair than some of its competitors: swooping surfaces, layered lighting, and tasteful accents help it feel special without being ostentatious.
Beautiful leather seats include diamond quilting and subtle contrast stitching that looks handcrafted but not fussy. It reminds you that design matters not because it impresses other people, but because it makes you feel good every time you get behind the wheel.
– Nicole Wakelin, TopSpeed journalist
Practical touches are plentiful roomy second-row captain’s chairs, a practical third row for children or occasional adults, and infotainment controls that have grown more intuitive. For families who want something less ubiquitous than a German badge but still stylish and comfortable, the QX60 is a compelling compromise.
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Lexus TX 350
Horsepower Rating: 275
- Base Trim Engine
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2.5L I4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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275 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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317 lb-ft
Lexus takes a fanatical approach to perceived quality, and the TX 350 is proof that Toyota’s luxury arm knows how to dress family functionality in silk. At 275 horsepower, the TX 350 delivers confident, composed performance with Lexus’ trademark quietness. The cabin is where it shines: sumptuous materials, perfect fit-and-finish, and an ergonomic layout that prioritizes the driver without neglecting rear-seat comfort.
Lexus usually avoids flashy displays for the sake of longevity and legibility, ideal if your SUV must resist toddler fingerprints and years of use. The TX’s third row is usable, and the second row often slides and reclines in ways that make long trips surprisingly pleasant. For buyers who prize restraint, longevity, and an interior that still reads as boutique-level craftsmanship, the TX 350 is hard to beat.
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Genesis GV80
Horsepower Rating: 300
- Base Trim Engine
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2.5L I-4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Other
- Base Trim Horsepower
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300 HP @5800 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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311 lb.-ft. @ 1650 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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20/26/22 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Genesis
- Model
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GV80
Genesis entered the luxury market with a clear mandate: build cars that steal attention through design and detail while delivering strong value. The GV80, with around 300 horsepower in many trims, delivers a near-perfect blend of theater and substance. Its exterior is sculptural, sporting a bold crest grille and carefully composed light signatures that give the family hauler an almost couture aesthetic.
Inside, Genesis leans into tactile richness, layered leather, metal accents, and a calm, thoughtfully lit cabin that feels more boutique than corporate. The GV80 also understands the practicalities of family life: second-row comfort is excellent, tech is generous, and driver aids are both comprehensive and unobtrusive. For families who want to arrive in something that looks as considered as their home decor, the GV80 is a compelling choice.
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Buick Enclave
Horsepower Rating: 328
- Base Trim Engine
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2.5L I4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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328 HP @5500 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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326 lb.-ft. @ 3500 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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19/24/21 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Buick
- Model
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Enclave
Buick’s Enclave offers an American interpretation of luxury that blends warmth and utility with an approachable price premium. With 328 horsepower, the Enclave moves with reassuring strength, enough to carry a loaded family and weekend gear without working hard. Buick’s interior design philosophy favors roomy accommodations and a soothing aesthetic, soft leathers, generous armrests, and a cabin architecture that prioritizes passenger space.
The Enclave’s third row is genuinely comfortable for kids and useful for adults on shorter trips, and the cargo area behind it is serviceable for strollers and sports kits. Buick also leans into practical tech that’s simple to use, a boon when you don’t want to wrestle with interfaces while navigating a carpool. If you want spacious comfort and classic American styling cues without extremes, the Enclave delivers.
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Mercedes-Benz GLS
Horsepower Rating: 375
- Base Trim Engine
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3L I6
- Base Trim Transmission
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9-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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375 HP @5500 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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369 lb.-ft. @ 1600 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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19/24/21 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Mercedes-Benz
- Model
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GLS-Class SUV
Mercedes-Benz packages modern luxury and sophistication into the GLS in a way that feels aspirational yet purposeful. The GLS 450’s 375 horsepower and silky powertrain give it an effortless freeway demeanour, while its cabin reads as an exercise in restrained opulence: high-quality leathers, expansive screens, and a design language that balances clean geometry with sumptuous detail.
The GLS is also a masterclass in family ergonomics. Second-row seats can be spec’d as captain’s chairs, third-row access is straightforward, and there are multiple creature comforts like heated/ventilated seats, sunshades, and individual climate zones that make everyone’s day easier. Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment is feature-rich and continually evolves, and when paired with the GLS’s quiet ride and premium materials, the package feels like a moving first-class cabin for a family.
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BMW X7
Horsepower Rating: 375
- Base Trim Engine
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3L I6 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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375 HP @5200 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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398 lb.-ft. @ 1850 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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20/24/22 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lithium ion battery
- Make
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BMW
- Model
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X7
BMW’s X7 brings the brand’s sporting DNA to the three-row luxury segment without abandoning family-focused practicality. The xDrive40i, with 375 horsepower in its broader family, offers the kind of chassis tuning that rewards an engaged driver while still delivering the calm demeanour families need.
Comfort in each of those seats is first-rate, too. They are also suitably bolstered for proper support when the X7’s athleticism is given center stage.
– Lyndon Conrad Bell, TopSpeed journalist
The X7 stands out visually with a bolder, more muscular presence that signals capability and prestige. Inside, BMW combines driver-focused ergonomics with a roomy second row and a useful third row; materials are upscale, and switchgear has a tactile satisfaction that feels durable. The X7’s driving dynamics set it apart on this list — it’s one of the few true “driver’s” SUVs that still comfortably satisfy family life, making it ideal for households that want style, performance, and practical day-to-day usability.
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Land Rover Range Rover
Horsepower Rating: 395
- Base Trim Engine
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3L I-6 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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ZF 8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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395 HP @5500 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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406 lb.-ft. @ 2000 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
19/24/21 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Land Rover
- Model
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Range Rover
The Range Rover represents the apex of British luxury SUV heritage: stately, composed, and intensely curated. With about 395 horsepower in common configurations, it has the on-road poise and off-road capability that few rivals can match. But for families, the Range Rover’s appeal is as much about presence and interior artistry as it is capability.
The cabin is a study in luxury materials — handcrafted leathers, open-pore woods, and an attention to detail that elevates every touchpoint. Rear-seat accommodations are often configured to offer executive-level comfort, and optional features like massaging seats and bespoke trim packages make long drives feel indulgent. While it’s an expensive proposition, the Range Rover is for families who value timelessness and an SUV that doubles as a status statement while remaining eminently usable.
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Lincoln Aviator
Horsepower Rating: 400
- Base Trim Engine
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3L EcoBoost V6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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400 HP @5500 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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415 lb.-ft. @ 2750 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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18/25/21 MPG
- Make
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Lincoln
- Model
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Aviator
- Segment
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Midsize Luxury SUV
Lincoln has found a modern voice for American luxury with the Aviator, where a 400-horsepower configuration emphasizes smooth, effortless acceleration paired with a supremely comfortable cabin. The Aviator’s interior styling leans into a relaxed, lounge-like atmosphere with wide seats, elegant stitching, and an emphasis on ambient lighting and materials that soothe.
Practicality isn’t sacrificed: the second row slides for easier third-row access, and the Aviator’s cargo flexibility is well-thought-out for family gear. Lincoln’s design language is quietly distinctive; it avoids flash but communicates exclusivity through proportion and finish. For families who want a serene, luxurious environment that’s friendly to children and adults alike and who prefer understated American elegance over overt European sportiness, the Aviator fits neatly into that niche.
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Cadillac Escalade
Horsepower Rating: 420
- Base Trim Engine
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6.2L EcoTec3 V8 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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420 HP @5600 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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460 lb.-ft. @ 4100 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
15/19/17 MPG
- Make
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Cadillac
- Model
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Escalade
- Segment
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Full-Size Luxury SUV
The Escalade is the statement pick on this list: an unapologetic show of American luxury, and in many ways the definitive large family hauler for those who want maximum presence. With 420 horsepower, it moves like a heavyweight with authority, and its cavernous interior is designed to hold people and possessions in effortless style.
Cadillac’s modern approach layers advanced infotainment and premium materials over classic big-SUV proportions; second-row captain’s chairs are sumptuous, and the third row is truly usable, making the Escalade ideal for multigenerational families. It’s also a vehicle that revels in technology — large screens, premium audio, and options that turn long trips into near-luxury retreats. The trade-offs are obvious: size, fuel consumption (maxing out at 17 combined MPG), and price. But if your priority is a commanding, stylistically bold family flagship that turns heads wherever it goes, the Escalade remains hard to beat.
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