Need A Bigger Car? These Are Our Favorite 8-Passenger SUVs
Sometimes, you have to kiss a lot of frogs,
Searching for the perfect family car sometimes sounds like a dating profile: “Mom of five seeks reliable, hard-working vehicle for a long-term relationship. Must be good with kids.”
Sifting through all of the potential prospects can feel daunting. With so many options out there, how do you know which one to pick? Which will have enough room for the car seats, room to get by the car seats, and room to get into the 3rd row to help passengers find their seatbelts and buckle in? When you get it right, though, the right SUV can be a smile-inducing experience that’s fun to drive, has features that solve everyday problems and are big enough to pile the whole family inside. And if big SUVs intimidate you, don’t worry — not everything on this list is as huge. (But you can still fit eight passengers inside, which is pretty impressive.)
In no particular order, here are some of our favorite 8-passenger SUVs that you and your family are sure to love.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Confidence and Reliability: Toyota Grand Highlander
Why You’ll Love It: We’re fans of the regular Highlander, too, but if you’re going to go the Highlander route, why not go Grand? The Toyota Grand Highlander gives you more space for your people and your things, and it doesn’t cost all that much more than its non-grand counterpart. It’s large, spacious, tech-filled, and easy to drive. (Did you know that it’s smaller than the Sequoia but roomier on the inside? Mind-blowing.)
Why Your Family Will Be Spoiled: Even the lower-priced models come packed with several family-friendly features, such as voice-activated assistance, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Your family will love the easy-to-access third-row, seven USB ports, third-row air vents, and storage compartments for all their knick-knacks and doo-dads.
What It Costs: The Grand Highlander starts at $41,660 and the top of the line Hybrid Max Platinum trim begins at $59,575 with 10 trims to choose from including a standard gas-powered version, an efficient hybrid and the more powerful Hybrid Max model.
Honda Pilot Is Designed to Do It All
Why You’ll Love It: The Honda Pilot is the perennial favorite for families who go: to school, sports, social activities, trunk or treats, parades, picnics, field trips, road trips—you get the idea. With a 3rd row that seats 3 there’s room for large families or extra passengers when you need it
The best part, though? The center row’s middle seat is removable so you can create captains chairs when you want and a bench when you need it. This is simply the best feature in any 8 passenger SUV, maybe ever. For 2026 the Honda Pilot is getting a facelift with a new look inside and out, but all its best features remain.
Why Your Family Will Be Spoiled: Room for everyone, to start. But again, that removable center seat allows your little princes to ride like royalty in captains chairs when you don’t need the middle seat. Add to that Google Built-in with voice assist, plenty of USB ports, air vents and a Trailsport trim that’s off-road ready, and they’ll always be ready to go.
What It Costs: The sport model starts at $42,195 and the Black Edition tops out at $54,995. AWD is standard on all trims except Sport and E-XL, which can add it for $2,100.
The Sharper, More Capable Chevrolet Traverse
Why You’ll Love It: Chevrolet redesigned the Traverse for 2024 with the goal of making this a be-all, end-all for families, and we can say: mission accomplished. It’s built on the same platform as the GMC Acadia and the Buick Enclave, but the Traverse is the only one that seats 8 passengers. And it’s winner in our book for accommodating kids car seats: The 3rd row is accessible via slide-and-tilt center row seats, unlike the Suburban and Tahoe that require the center seats to fold and flip for 3rd row access.
Then, Chevy added a huge center screen, Google built-in and on the outside, a more Tahoe-like look so while it drives more like a car and has tons of interior space, it carries classic SUV looks.
Why Your Family Will Be Spoiled: There’s ample space throughout the cabin, a surprisingly large cargo space behind the 3rd row and even underfloor storage in the the trunk. Captains chairs reduce seats by 1 but let 3rd row passengers stretch out. And, there’s plenty of space for getting around the cabin but it’s not so large everyone needs a running board to climb in.
What It Costs: The Chevy Traverse starts at $40,800 and tops out at about $51,000 for the Z71 trail-ready model. AWD adds about $2,000 in all but the Z71, which has it standard.
Chevrolet Suburban and It’s Smaller Sister, the Tahoe
Why You’ll Love It: Is there any car that’s more quintessentially family-friendly than the Chevrolet Suburban, and its slightly smaller twin, the Tahoe? Forget fitting eight passengers — with the optional bench in the entry-level model’s first row, you can pack in up to nine people. For the 2025 model, Chevy upgraded the tech, starting with a more expansive multimedia screen and driver information display. In top trims it has a sliding center console that makes room for a handbag and all the goodies, like head up display and Super Cruise hands-free highway driving. As a bonus, the new display is part of a slimmed-down dash that increases visibility. And, of course, the Suburban won’t let you down if you have big trailering plans for those weekend family excursions since it has an 8,200-pound towing capacity.
Why Your Family Will Be Spoiled: Can you say “class-leading cargo volume”? That alone should put the Suburban at or near the top of the list if you’re on the hunt for a good family SUV. Excellent headroom and legroom, safety features galore, built-in WiFi, and an optional rear-seat entertainment package also help the Suburban make a good case for being the next SUV to grace your garage.
What It Costs: The base Tahoe starts at $$63,495, while the top-tier High Country begins at $81,995; 4WD adds $4,500; upgrade to the Suburban for $4,500.
RELATED: Chevrolet Suburban High Country Made Me Love It So Much I Miss It
Hyundai Palisade
Why You’ll Love It: Hyundai is on a roll with its flagship SUV, the Palisade. This family-friendly SUV has quickly become a best-seller, breaking sales records year after year. What buyers love most are the upgrades that come at a minimal cost; for just about $50K you can get a car that feels twice as expensive, from the white leather interior to the sleek exterior lighting. The redesign of the 2025 model takes this idea to new heights, with a modern lounge design inside, a dash-spanning multimedia screen and “Hey Hyundai” voice assistance. The XRT model offers more off-road capability and the Palisade hybrid delivers an enviable 34 MPG and 329 HP, an upgrade of 42 HP and $2,200 in price. AWD can be added for about $2,000.
Why Your Family Will Be Spoiled: Three words: heated third row. There are very few SUVs out there that offer this option, much less at this price point. Add to that Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system and their “America’s Best Warranty,” and you’ll be wondering how you ever lived without this thing.
What It Costs: The base model starts at $37,200, while the luxury-loaded Calligraphy Night starts at $51,000; the hybrid model carries a $2,200 premium,
RELATED: Why I Bought a Hyundai Palisade 3-Row SUV
Kia Telluride
Why You’ll Love It: If this one is on your list, you have some choices to make: the newly redesigned 2027 model, which carries much of the modern design of Kia’s newest models but still has that “baby Rover” appeal, will be out in just a few months. On the other hand, if you’re all about the bargain, grabbing one of the outgoing models could save some cash. Just like its Hyundai Palisade cousin, the Kia Telluride is a crowd-pleaser for all it delivers for the money, from a great flat-screen multimedia system and “hey Kia” voice assistance to even more off-road capability. How it manages to pack in so many luxuries and driver-assistance features into an 8-passenger SUV at such a relatively low cost is anyone’s guess, but we applaud Kia for pulling it off.
With seating for up to eight passengers, the Telluride is surprisingly roomy in that third row, which is another remarkable and inexplicable feat given that it’s much smaller than, say, a Suburban — and it gets better gas mileage, too.
Why Your Family Will Be Spoiled: The interior feels much more upscale than the price suggests. A large touch screen, excellent audio, a passenger intercom, and features like adaptive cruise control help this midsize SUV consistently rank near the top of the pack. It even keeps up with some of the bigger boys. Also, optional heated and ventilated second-row seats and heated 3rd row seats will make your kids feel like royalty — and that’s a feature many high-end luxury vehicles don’t even offer.
What It Costs: Kia is offering up two powertrains: A standard gas-powered model and a hybrid. Pricing for 2027 starts at $39,190 for the entry level model and the uber-capable X-Pro trim will land at $55,670; pricing for the hybrid models has yet to be disclosed but our guess is it’ll carry about a $2,000 premium. And if you’re able to snag a 2025 model? You should save about $2,500 over the price of the new model.
The Ford Expedition Wants To Be Everything To Everyone, and It Just Could
Why You’ll Love It: For 2025 Ford put a ton of thought into how to improve the Expedition while preserving what people love about it. The result is one of the most versatile and flexible SUVs on the road: All 2nd and 3rd row seats are movable and foldable; second row seats slide and tilt to move with a car seat installed; there’s ample room for rear-facing car seats, gear, and cargo; there are plenty of USB ports, cup holders and storage cubbies. Instead of a rear seat entertainment system there are clever solutions for holding a tablet or phone at any seat. There’s a sliding front center console that opens up to hold a handbag—and closes to conceal it. The lift gate and roof rails have embedded work lights for setting up camp in the dark.
Add to that a simplified trim level, the option of Blue Cruise hands-free highway driving, up to 9,600 lbs. of tow capacity and a new Tremor edition that’s outfitted for rugged off-roading, and there’s practically no place this thing can’t go.
Why Your Family Will Be Spoiled: Every seat is comfortable, there’s great storage and you can say yes to extra guests and extra gear. The tablet holders are quite good, allowing everyone to tune into their own shows. And ‘hey Ford’ voice assistance means they can ask for what they want while you’re driving—rather than bugging you.
What It Costs: The 2025 Ford Expedition starts at $62,400 for the Activ model and tops out at $84,060 for the King Ranch edition. Add $3,000 to upgrade to the Max edition and 12″ additional inches of cargo space and $3,000 to add 4WD.
The Nissan Armada May Be Your Best Defense Against Boredom
Why You’ll Love It: Another newly redesigned 3-row SUV for 2025 is the Nissan Armada. It’s large, it’s capable and it’s incredibly intelligent. Nissan outfitted it with the company’s new hands-free driving system and will improve the system over time. On the outside it’s incredibly sharp with an all-new look, but inside it’s comfortable and elegant. There’s a large new screen, an open and airy front cabin and flexible rear seating. Ambient lighting, leather or leatherette and beautiful accents add to the elegance.
The 6-cylinder turbo engine delivers 425 HP, a nice amount of power for an SUV this size. and the Pro-4X is fortified for the off-road trail and features an ‘invisible hood’ that lets you see under the car as you drive at slow speeds.
Why Your Family Will Be Spoiled: Yes, the Armada is large, but with running boards and high seating everyone has great visibility. And, the 3rd row is comfortable with USB ports, air vents and places to put your stuff.
What It Costs: The Armada starts at $58,840 and tops out at about $77,550 for the Platinum Reserve. Add 4WD for $3,000.
The bottom line is a nice one: An 8-passenger SUVs that is stylish, tech-filled and easy-breezy for busy lives are plentiful. And with all the redesigned models on the market, there are even more choices. Happy shopping!
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