5 SUVs Mechanics Recommend for Families -- and 4 That Don't Make the Cut
Buying a new family SUV is a big decision. Like most people, you probably want a ride that's safe, reliable and comfortable, without breaking your budget.
Mechanics know cars better than anyone other than their designers, however, so to assist with your research, we asked two mechanics which SUVs they'd recommend for families and which they'd avoid.
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SUVs To Consider Buying
Toyota Highlander
2026 Starting MSRP: $45,270
Alan Gelfand, owner at German Car Depot in Hollywood, Florida, said the Toyota Highlander is his favorite SUV to recommend and also one of the most reliable family cars on the market.
"The drivetrain has been proven to work, while it receives excellent safety ratings and is one of the few vehicles that maintains its value throughout time," he said. "The Highlanders we see show more than 200,000 miles regularly, while continuing to function as a safe daily transportation when owners perform the scheduled maintenances."
Honda Pilot
2026 Starting MSRP: $42,195
Great for families, Gelfand said the Honda Pilot delivers stable performance without burdening owners with unexpected issues. Despite having what he referred to as a "basic mechanical design," he praised the SUV's interior space and comfort features.
"The Pilot offers simple ownership, because its components can be easily found in the market and most independent repair facilities understand how to work on these cars," he said.
Lexus RX
2026 Starting MSRP: $51,175
"The Lexus RX, a close cousin of the Toyota SUVs, provides a sophisticated option for customers who want a more upscale vehicle without giving up any of the reliability," Gelfand said. "The vehicle has comfort standard to Toyota models, while upholding their reputation for dependability."
In his experience as a mechanic, he said the Lexus RX is one of the simplest vehicles to maintain. While maintenance costs exceed that of a Toyota, expenses throughout its lifespan are lower than other many luxury SUVs, he said.
Kia — Kia Sorento and Kia Telluride
Both the Kia Sorento and the Kia Telluride are recommended by Chris Pyle, a certified mechanic and auto expert at JustAnswer. This is due to a variety of factors, including the safety features, the Kia industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty — though he said you'll often never need it —and a competitive base price that makes added amenities more affordable.
4 SUVs That Don't Make the Cut
General Motors — Chevy Blazer and GMC Terrain
Owners of both Chevy Blazers and GMC Terrains constantly complain of seemingly never-ending issues, Pyle said.
"I often diagnose and fix one issue, then next week the car comes back with an unrelated new failure," he said.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee Starting MSRP: $37,095
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an attractive SUV that might operate smoothly in the beginning, but in time, Gelfand said maintenance costs tend to rise, while reliability heavily deteriorates. He specifically cited many problems with this SUVs electrical systems and poorly made suspension components.
Notably, Pyle also recommended against buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee, citing premature failure of expensive components, poor built quality and cheaply made parts.
Volkswagen Atlas
2026 Volkswagen Atlas Starting MSRP: $39,310
"These are great SUVs while they are under warranty, but most of our customers that keep the car outside of warranty are forced to buy extended warranties, because of how many issues they face with electrical gremlins and oil consumption issues," Gelfand said.
Ultimately, the Atlas' performance fails to meet expectations, he said.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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