Best family SUVs 2022

This one-time Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage rival has been reinvented as a more expensive SUV, so now it’s up against formidable prestige-badged competition such as the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. Fortunately, the latest Tiguan builds on the strengths of the original, offering more space and comfort, and improved efficiency. Unfortunately (for Volkswagen), it has two sister cars that are cheaper to buy and just as capable.

Based on the same underpinnings as BMW's first MPV, the 2 Series Active Tourer, the X1 is a very roomy choice that's available in both front and four-wheel-drive forms. It's classy inside, too, and comes with a brilliant infotainment system, but you do have to put up with a considerable amount of road noise.

The Discovery Sport sits below the full-size Land Rover Discovery in the company's range, but it's still available with seven seats, has a smart and user-friendly interior and holds its value well. Just bear in mind that there are more comfortable and fuel-efficient choices if you don't need a third row of seats.

If interior space is high on your list of priorities you should definitely take a look at the Tucson, because a quartet of tall adults will have plenty of room and the boot is cavernous. Hybrid tech makes the Tucson an efficient choice, too, but it is a bit on the pricey side and there are better handling cars in this class

The Ateca broke new ground for Seat, because the Spanish brand had previously built as many SUVs as it had spaceships. However, it proved well worth the wait, combining a practical interior with best-in-class handling and much more attractive pricing than the closely related Volkswagen Tiguan.

This latest Sportage is an excellent all-rounder that offers a generous amount of space for passengers and luggage, and efficient, hybrid engines. It makes particular sense if you stick with the lower trim levels, and offers a slightly more polished driving experience than its Hyundai Tucson sister car.

Even at the end of its life, the old Qashqai was the best selling family SUV in the UK. However, this new version has made big strides forward in interior quality and rear seat space, while retaining a decent level of comfort. We reckon the middle of the range is where the best value lies.

Like the Ateca, the Karoq offers many of the best bits of the Tiguan for thousands less. And while it's the least sporty of the three to drive, overall it's the best all-rounder, offering a polished ride and clever rear seats that can slide, recline or be removed entirely. It also comes with more standard equipment than the Ateca.

It might well be the Evoque’s looks that first pique your interest, but it’s a sensational car on more objective levels, too. Good to drive, really posh inside and surprisingly practical, it even makes financial sense thanks to incredibly strong resale values and attractive monthly PCP finance costs.

The XC40 may have similar front and rear lights to the company’s other models to ensure a family resemblance, but the rest of the detailing and the overall proportions of the car are quite different. More importantly, though, the XC40 mixes its distinctive style with space, comfort, cutting-edge safety and relative affordability so ably that it's a former What Car? Car of the Year. It's the best family SUV you can buy today.

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