We feel for you. Trying to figure out, sort through and distill down what are the Best Family Road Trip Vehicles can be a daunting task. With hundreds of new models coming onto the market in 2018, we thought we’d throw our hat into the ring and showcase a few family friendly SUVs and minivans we discovered at this year’s auto show.
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Not only will these vehicles haul you safely to the campsite, but most of these minivans and SUVs are blown out with features we could only dream of a few years ago. After seeing what’s out there, the one tip that we can give: Do the research on the features most important to you before you head to the dealership – it’ll help you cut to the chase and land in your next family vehicle.
Good luck!
2018 Minivans Built For Family Road Trips
Model: Odyssey
Style: Minivan
Price Range: LX : $29,990 – Elite : $46,670
MPG: 19 city / 28 highway
Seats: 7-8
3rd Row: Yes
Drive: Front Wheel Drive
Editors Note: Honda has completely redesigned the Odyssey for 2018, cramming in a monster list of family-friendly technology, an easy to use infotainment system topped with good handling and strong acceleration.
Model: Pacifica
Style: Minivan
Price Range: L : $26,995 – Limited FWD : $43,795
MPG: 18 city / 28 highway
Seats: 7
3rd Row: Yes
Drive: Front Wheel Drive
Editors Note: While the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica isn’t a redesign, they have added new standard features as well as boasting one of the most comfortable rides out of all 2018 Minivan models on the market.
Model: Sienna
Style: Minivan
Price Range: L FWD 7-pass: $30,750 – Limited Premium AWD : $48,615
MPG: 19 city / 27 highway
Seats: 7-8
3rd Row: Yes
Drive: Front Wheel Drive / AWD
Editors Note: Right out of the box, the 2018 Toyota Sienna comes standard with 5 USB ports, smartphone integrations, and navigation. Topped off with the only minivan model to offer all-wheel drive, and an expansive interior cabin.
Model: Sedona
Style: Minivan
Price Range: L FWD : $27,000 – SX-L : $42,000
MPG: 18 city / 24 highway
Seats: 7-8
3rd Row: Yes
Drive: Front Wheel Drive
Editors Note: While the Kia Sedona doesn’t offer all the bells and whistles of many of its competitors, it scores incredibly high in the safety department – which is a feature often overlooked in family road trip vehicles.
2018 SUV’s Built For Family Road Trips
Model: Yukon
Style: Large SUV
Price Range: SLE 2WD : $49,100 – Yukon XL 4WD Denali : $71,900
MPG: 14-16 city / 21-23 highway
Seats: 7-9
3rd Row: Yes
Drive: Front Wheel Drive / AWD
Editors Note: If you’re interested in road tripping in style, the 2018 GMC Yukon has you covered. A classy, well equipped cabin is that you’ll never want to leave – especially considering how well the Yukon rides with its upgraded suspension.
Model: Edge
Style: Midsize SUV
Price Range: SE FWD : $29,315 – Sport AWD : $40,770
MPG: 17-21 city / 23-29 highway
Seats: 5
3rd Row: No
Drive: Front Wheel Drive / AWD
Editors Note: The 2018 Ford Edge offers a spacious cabin for its midsize class. Great gas mileage, and handles almost like a car – especially important to those who are stepping up from a smaller vehicle.
Model: Traverse
Style: Midsize SUV
Price Range: FWD L : $29,930 – High Country AWD : $49,970
MPG: 17-20 city / 25-27 highway
Seats: 7-8
3rd Row: Yes
Drive: Front Wheel Drive / AWD
Editors Note: The Chevrolet Traverse has been completely redesigned for 2018 – and comes standard with enough technology to make every member of the family happy. If you’re looking for some extra leg room in a midsize SUV, you might want to check out the Traverse.
Model: CRV
Style: Compact SUV
Price Range: LX 2WD : $24,150 – Touring AWD : $34,050
MPG: 25-28 city / 31-34 highway
Seats: 5
3rd Row: No
Drive: Front Wheel Drive / AWD
Editors Note: Although the Honda CRV is a compact SUV, it makes a great road tripping vehicle for the smaller family. Great crash test scores combined with a well-built cabin will make it easy to hit the cruise control and keep going.
Model: Expedition
Style: Large SUV
Price Range: XLT 2WD : $51,790 – Expedition Max Platinum 4×4 : $78,865
MPG: 16-17 city / 21-24 highway
Seats: 8
3rd Row: Yes
Drive: Rear Wheel Drive / 4WD
Editors Note: The 2018 Ford Expedition has been redesigned from the ground-up. A premium cabin with three spacious rows of seats will let you take your family, pets and gear to wherever your heart drives you.