Best two-row SUVs for families in 2025: Kelley Blue Book's top picks
The term "best" is subjective, but some car, truck and SUV models offer more value than their competitors in terms of affordability, reliability, comfort and performance. Kelley Blue Book, an American vehicle valuation and automotive research company, recently compiled a list of its 12 best family cars of 2025.
The company's methodology for compiling the list includes comparing Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing scores, driving experience notes from expert reviews, cargo capability, and many other factors.
So, which two-row family SUVs does Kelley Blue Book consider to be the best of 2025, and are the SUVs worth their high KBB rankings?
These are the best two-row SUVs for families in 2025, according to Kelley Blue Book
The best two-row SUVs for families in 2025, according to Kelley Blue Book, are:
Each model listed has its own appealing characteristics, each distinct enough to grant drivers plenty of variety.
The 2025 Honda CR-V is a top dog in its segment
The CR-V frequently competes against best-selling models in its segment like the Toyota RAV4. It's best known for its smooth ride quality and practical interior.
The 2025 Honda CR-V starts at $30,100. It uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to produce 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. The small SUV achieves 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway.
2025 Honda CR-V standard features
The CR-V features a suite of standard driver assistance and safety features that make driving safer and more convenient. "Honda reliability means years of trouble-free driving," said Kelley Blue Book Executive Editor Brian Moody.
Hyundai's Ioniq 5 SUV is a strong contender for best electric SUV
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an affordable and futuristic small electric SUV that challenges the best in its class. It has won multiple awards for its innovative design and overall value.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 starts at $42,600. It produces 168 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range base model has 245 miles of driving range.
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 standard features
Hyundai's small electric SUV comes standard with plenty of innovative technology. "For those wanting an electric option, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is about the best you can get in its segment," Moody said. It would be remiss not to mention the Tesla Model Y in the small electric SUV segment, but the Ioniq 5 provides enough value to justify its position on KBB's list.
The Subaru Outback boasts reliability and capability
The 2025 Subaru Outback is an affordable midsize SUV with off-roading capability. Additionally, Subaru recently earned the title of most reliable new car brand from Consumer Reports.
The 2025 Subaru Outback starts at $29,995. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to make 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The Outback achieves 26 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.
2025 Subaru Outback standard features
Moody says the Outback "can handle some pretty aggressive off-roading, but it functions perfectly around town as a family car". The Outback's capability and versatility are well-documented and its placement of the list of best two-row SUVs for 2025 is justified.
The two-row SUVs mentioned on KBB's list of 12 best family cars for 2025 are fair picks based on reviews, value proposition, and overall appeal.
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Sage Silver Matte joins the exterior color palette, and availability of Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl, previously available only on the Ioniq 5 XRT trims, has been expanded to the entire Ioniq 5 lineup. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is expected to start around $43,000 and go up to $58,000 depending on the trim and options. SE $43,000 (est) SEL $52,000 (est) Limited $56,000 (est) XRT $58,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k We suggest the rear-wheel-drive SEL trim for its estimated 318 miles of range and 225 horsepower. It also includes features including faux-leather upholstery, wireless phone charging, rear air vents, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, among other upgrades. 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Range, Charging, and Battery Life C/D Range Tests: 210 miles (Dual Motor), 200 miles (Dual Motor XRT) 210 miles (Dual Motor), 200 miles (Dual Motor XRT) EPA EV Range: 245-318 miles The EPA says the standard-range 63.0-kWh battery will provide 245 miles of range. The larger 84.0-kWh pack is estimated to provide 318 miles with the single-motor rear-wheel-drive powertrain and between 259 and 290 miles of range with dual-motor versions. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive Ioniq 5 we tested on our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, went 210 miles on a single charge; the XRT model managed 200 miles in the same test. Hyundai says the larger battery can be replenished from 10 to 80 percent in around 20 minutes when plugged into a DC fast-charger. The company also claims it can add 68 miles in about five minutes, a claim we tested and confirmed. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe EPA City Rating(s): 103-131 MPGe 103-131 MPGe EPA Highway Ratings: 85-101 MPGe The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Ioniq 5 yet, but the 2025 rear-wheel-drive model with the standard-range battery pack earned ratings of 131 MPGe city, 101 MPGe highway, and 115 MPGe combined. The least efficient, unsurprisingly, is the rugged-looking XRT model, which is rated for 103 MPGe city and 85 MPGe highway. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency. For more information on the Ioniq 5's fuel economy, visit the EPA website. In Comparison: The single-motor Kia EV6 is EPA-estimated at 117 MPGe and the dual-motor version at 109 MPGe, beating the Ioniq 5 slightly. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo First Row: Interior space is more than ample for a vehicle in this class. 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View Interior Photos Michael Simari | Car and Driver Infotainment and Connectivity Infotainment: 12.3-inch touchscreen 12.3-inch touchscreen Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Audio System: 6-speaker stereo (standard), 8-speaker Bose premium stereo (optional) The Ioniq 5's array of infotainment and connectivity features is found in the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Wireless smartphone charging is standard on all but the base SE trim. The are also five USB ports, two 12-volt power ports, and voice-recognition software. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features A suite of driver-assistance technology is standard on every model, including an adaptive cruise control system with a lane-centering feature. For more information about the Ioniq 5's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. · Standard Safety Features: adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, Optional Safety Features: Blind-spot monitoring, blind-spot collision assist, surround-view monitor Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Hyundai provides one of the best warranty plans in the industry. The Ioniq 5 also comes with an impressive amount of complimentary scheduled maintenance. Limited Warranty: four years or 60,000 miles four years or 60,000 miles Powertrain Warranty: four years or 70,000 miles four years or 70,000 miles Complimentary Maintenance: three years or 45,000 miles C/D Test Results and Specs Each year, we put hundreds of vehicles through our rigorous instrumented testing regimen. If the data in the chart below is for an older model, that's because this vehicle hasn't changed from when we last tested it, and the test results remain accurate. Specifications Specifications 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $56,975/$58,200 Options: Atlas White Matte paint, $1000; carpeted floor mats, $225 POWERTRAIN Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 99 hp Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 221 hp Combined Power: 320 hp Combined Torque: 446 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 84.0 kWh Onboard Charger: 10.9 kW Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 350 kW Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink Brakes, F/R: 12.8-in vented disc/12.8-in disc Tires: Continental CrossContact ATR 235/60R-18 107T M+S DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 118.1 in Length: 183.3 in Width: 74.4 in Height: 64.0 in Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/51 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 59/26 ft3 Curb Weight: 4673 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 4.5 sec 100 mph: 13.1 sec 1/4-Mile: 13.3 sec @ 101 mph Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.7 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.0 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.9 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 117 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 188 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 416 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING Observed: 74 MPGe 75-mph Highway Range: 200 mi Average DC Fast-Charge Rate, 10–90%: 141 kW DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 30 min EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 94/103/85 MPGe Range: 259 mi C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs
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2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Review, Pricing, and Specs
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What's New for 2026? For its second model year, the Ioniq 5 N sees a handful of updates. Chief among them is a switch to the Tesla-style NACS charging port; adapters for Level 2 and fast-charging come with it, and the included charge cable can now handle Level 2 in addition to Level 1 juicing. The N Drift Optimizer now offers 10 selectable stages instead of the original single mode. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is expected to start around $68,000. Ioniq 5 N $68,000 (est) 0 $25k $50k $75k $100k $125k The Ioniq 5 N is offered in a single trim and with few options. Really, the only choice to make here is a color. Might we suggest Hyundai's Performance Blue? EV Motor, Power, and Performance EV Motors: 641-hp dual motor 641-hp dual motor Drivetrain: all-wheel-drive The Ioniq 5 N comes with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration that makes 601 horsepower—most of the time. 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During our initial test drive, which was conducted solely on a racing circuit in South Korea, we found that the 5 N does a commendable job of tracking straight during all-out launches and under hard ABS engagement on mixed-traction surfaces. Handling is balanced and controllable when you want it to be, but the drift mode allows you to hang the tail out when it's time for more fun. On the road, the Ioniq 5 N can be as comfortable as a standard Ioniq 5 or, dialed up to its sportiest settings, transformed into a corner-conquering hero. 0–60-MPH Times C/D 60-mph Test: 3.0 seconds In Comparison: The related Kia EV6 GT needs 3.2 seconds to complete the same acceleration run, even though it now boasts the same output as its Hyundai cousin. View Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Range, Charging, and Battery Life C/D Range Test: 190 miles The Ioniq 5 N comes with an 84.0-kWh battery pack that can charge on a DC connection at up to 238 kW. The EPA estimates the Ioniq 5 N's range at 221 miles of mixed driving per charge. On our highway fuel-economy test route, we managed a decent 190 miles before the battery depleted. Hyundai says the Ioniq 5 N can complete two laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife before losing any of its performance. The company also claims that in Endurance mode, it can complete twenty minutes of track time, recharge in another 20 minutes on a DC connection, and then complete another 20 minutes of track time. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe EPA City Rating: 84 MPGe 84 MPGe EPA Highway Rating: 72 MPGe The EPA hasn't released any fuel-economy information for the 2026 Ioniq 5 N yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 84 MPGe city, 72 MPGe highway, and 78 MPGe combined. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency. In our testing, a 2025 5 N averaged just 69 MPGe, but that's not a huge surprise in an EV that begs to be driven all out. For more information about the Ioniq 5 N's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo First Row: Those who've been inside the regular Ioniq 5 will find the N's interior familiar, but Hyundai has added several performance-oriented features to heighten the experience. A set of aggressively bolstered front seats helps hold you in place during high-speed cornering, and a unique steering wheel features buttons to access the SUV's drive modes, regenerative braking levels, and the N Grin Boost feature. Second Row: The N's rear seats are mostly standard-issue Ioniq 5, but with faux-suede inserts to match the fronts. A flat floor provides an open feeling, and legroom is pretty good for something this size. Cargo Capacity: We expect to see an identical amount of passenger and cargo space as the standard Ioniq 5, which held a maximum of 20 carry-on suitcases inside with the rear seats folded during our testing. View Photos Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Infotainment and Connectivity Infotainment: 12.3-inch touchscreen 12.3-inch touchscreen Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Audio System: 8-speaker Bose stereo A pair of 12.3-inch screens greets Ioniq 5 N drivers—one for the customizable gauges and the other to control the infotainment system. There are five USB-C ports available, three in front and two in the rear. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features The Ioniq 5 N comes with a wide array of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. Everything offered is included; there are no optional safety systems. Standard Safety Features: adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist For information about the Ioniq 5 N's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Hyundai provides one of the best warranty plans in the industry. Likewise, it comes with an impressive amount of complimentary scheduled maintenance. Limited Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles five years or 60,000 miles Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles 10 years or 100,000 miles Battery Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles 10 years or 100,000 miles Complimentary Maintenance: three years or 36,000 miles C/D Test Results and Specs We test every vehicle we can. Data in the chart below may be for a different model year if the model remained unchanged from when we last tested it. Specifications Specifications 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $67,475/$68,685 Options: Performance Blue matte paint, $1000; carpeted floor mats, $210 POWERTRAIN Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 235 hp, 273 lb-ft Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 406 hp, 295 lb-ft Combined Power: 641 hp Combined Torque: 568 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 84.0 kWh Onboard Charger: 10.9 kW Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 238 kW Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink Brakes, F/R: 15.7-in vented disc/14.2-in vented disc Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Elect 275/35ZR-21 103Y PNCS HN DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 118.1 in Length: 185.6 in Width: 76.4 in Height: 62.4 in Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/52 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 59/26 ft3 Curb Weight: 4849 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 3.0 sec 100 mph: 6.9 sec 1/4-Mile: 11.1 sec @ 123 mph 130 mph: 12.9 sec 150 mph: 21.2 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.3 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.5 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 1.8 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 163 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 153 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 304 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.96 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING Observed: 69 MPGe 75-mph Highway Range: 190 mi Average DC Fast-Charge Rate, 10–90%: 129 kW DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 35 min EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 78/84/72 MPGe Range: 221 mi C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs
Business Insider
2 hours ago
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Hyundai built its newest factory around AI-powered technology like robotics and digital twins
At America's largest car manufacturing plant, nearly everything is powered by AI. Drones buzz and scan stacked pallets to inventory parts. Robotic arms swivel through their programmed arcs. Cameras direct sanding tools to paint blemishes. Uncrewed taxis move vehicles and parts to their next manufacturing destination. A four-legged Boston Dynamics AI dog named Spot walks through the facility and scans components to ensure they're snapped into place. The facility, called Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, is roughly equivalent to 278 football fields and comes with a nearly $7.6 billion price tag, according to the company. The HMGMA facility, which celebrated its grand opening in March, puts Hyundai in a unique position compared to other automakers. While most US automakers are retrofitting decade-old plants with AI and robotics, Hyundai built HMGMA from the ground up with AI, Nvidia chips, and robotics at its core. Each vehicle built in the plant — including cars in all three of Hyundai Motor Group's brands — runs through at least 23 AI-based or robotic systems before it's finalized, according to Hyundai. Industry analysts told Business Insider that Hyundai's AI-first approach could be a boon for navigating policy changes and customer trends that impact the carmaker's bottom line. The technology can help improve quality control measures and reduce manufacturing costs in ways that traditional manufacturing can't match. "Hyundai's integration of humanoid robots and such sets a new benchmark for smart manufacturing," Erin Keating, an executive analyst at Cox Automotive, told Business Insider. "Potentially, there are cost savings, and it likely offers the ability for Hyundai and others to respond faster to any industrial disruption." AI isn't replacing Hyundai's workforce At the center of Hyundai's Georgia operation is an integrated digital command hub that acts as a digital twin, or a computer simulation that mirrors the physical plant in real time, said Miles Johnson, Hyundai's communications representative for its electric-powered Ioniq-brand vehicles and tech. Sensors collect data from across the production floor, then an AI algorithm creates a virtual replica of each step in the real-life manufacturing process. "AI can play a significant role in predicting optimized outcomes and identifying root causes of production issues," Johnson told Business Insider. "If a quality issue arises in production, the AI system can search past data it has been trained on to identify the likely cause and suggest a corrective action plan." Keating said that Hyundai's AI can help "detect defects in real time, analyze root causes, and suggest corrective actions that can significantly reduce rework, scrap, and warranty claims." The brand's two retro-modern electric vehicles, the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 SUVs, are built with these highly technical processes. The plant will eventually serve Hyundai's other brands as well; Kia production is set to begin in 2026, with Genesis vehicles planned for an unspecified future date. In a press release, Hyundai said that the AI and robotics systems will assist humans, who will remain in charge of on-the-ground robotics maintenance, data analysis, and parts installation. Hundreds of roles now involve programming the factory's 850 robots, troubleshooting AI, or interpreting production data rather than performing repetitive physical tasks. The company aims to hire 8,500 employees at HMGMA by 2031 and has dubbed the project the largest single business investment in Georgia's history. In March, Hyundai said it had already hired 1,000 full-time staff members at the plant. The company also built a nearby Hyundai Mobility Training Center of Georgia, where it plans to train a pipeline of college-level talent for the plant. The program, which is in coordination with three local technical colleges, is expected to open this year. AI could help carmakers with cost management and supply-chain disruptions Hyundai's massive AI investment faces significant challenges in the current automotive market. Both the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 were positioned to benefit from the then-President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. The cars are both eligible for the $7,500 tax credits for EVs assembled in American plants. But Americans' uptake of EVs has underperformed analysts' predictions since Hyundai broke ground on HMGMA in October 2022. Now, EV adoption is facing more federal pushback as subsidies for EVs are set to end in September. Hyundai is now betting that its EVs, including the three-row Ioniq 9, which launched in May 2025, will attract buyers without the need for tax incentives. However, some industry analysts say that Hyundai's AI-powered manufacturing can still work, even if it currently relies on EV sales. AI's advantages — like real-time quality control and faster problem solving — could prove crucial as automakers face pressure from increasingly cheap Chinese vehicles and ongoing supply chain volatility. Morningstar analyst David Whiston said that companies adopting AI for manufacturing and logistics are better positioned to manage costs and respond to disruptions. "Automakers leveraging AI for smart factories, autonomous logistics, and predictive analytics will be better positioned to scale production efficiently and meet regulatory and consumer demands faster," Keating said. "AI and robotics are becoming non-negotiable for competitiveness."
