Family-Friendly Alternatives to the Minivan
By Cherise Threewitt and Rachel Shuster
Updated: September 16, 2024
Minivans are undeniably practical family vehicles. They provide ample seating and cargo space, making them a popular choice for many families. However, the market offers a growing number of excellent alternatives in the form of wagons, SUVs, and crossovers. These options provide versatility and accommodate diverse needs, sometimes even exceeding the cargo capacity of a traditional minivan. This article looks at some of the best alternatives to a minivan for those seeking versatility and space.
2025 Subaru Outback
- Price: $28,895
- U.S. News Overall Score: 9.0/10
The Subaru Outback leads our wagon rankings; though, its competitors are primarily luxury models. While you may need to upgrade the infotainment system and engine to address some of the Outback’s weaknesses, you’ll still find a comfortable and practical vehicle. The Outback boasts impressive cargo capacity, even exceeding some small SUVs. Its cargo area offers 32.6 cubic feet of space behind the liftgate. With the rear seats folded down, that expands to 75.6 cubic feet, thanks to its wide opening and low floor.
2024 Kia Telluride
- Price: $36,190
- U.S. News Overall Score: 9.4/10
The Kia Telluride consistently ranks among the best vehicles in its price range, topping the lists for midsize SUVs, crossover SUVs, and three-row SUVs. It has earned a solid reputation, winning awards like our 2024 Best 3-Row SUV for the Money and 2024 Best 3-Row SUV for Families awards. With its stylish interior and seating for up to eight passengers, the Telluride provides an excellent alternative to a minivan.
The Telluride also offers impressive cargo capacity. You’ll find 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the second row folded down, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet behind the first row.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
- Price: $33,950
- U.S. News Overall Score: 9.3/10
The Hyundai Santa Fe received a full redesign for the 2024 model year, resulting in a more spacious and comfortable vehicle than ever before. The Santa Fe provides a suitable alternative for minivan shoppers, with standard three-row seating for up to seven occupants. Its cargo capacity exceeds that of other midsize SUVs, with 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 40.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 79.6 cubic feet with the back rows folded. A hands-free power liftgate comes standard.
2024 Mazda CX-90
- Price: $37,845
- U.S. News Overall Score: 9.1/10
The Mazda CX-90 is new for 2024. This three-row crossover is upscale, well-equipped, and fun to drive, with great engine options, including a plug-in hybrid version. The CX-90 is available in configurations featuring either three rows or two rows of seating, accommodating up to eight passengers total. Cargo space varies slightly depending on the third-row configuration, ranging from 15.9 to 75.2 cubic feet.
2024 Audi A6 Allroad
- Price: $69,300
- U.S. News Overall Score: 9.3/10
The Audi A6 Allroad secures a spot in the top half of our wagon rankings. This stylish, upscale wagon offers a smooth and comfortable driving experience with an interior that is luxurious. While it is on the more expensive side, exceeding the expected price range for a minivan, it is equipped with many features and offers considerable power. The A6 Allroad is equipped with a standard power liftgate and offers 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Although the maximum cargo capacity has not been officially published, the rear seats can be folded down for more space.
2025 Rivian R1S
- Price: $75,900
- U.S. News Overall Score: 9.1/10
The 2025 model year introduces the second generation of the Rivian R1S, featuring improved powertrain technology, suspension tuning, and an updated trim lineup. It leads our luxury electric SUV rankings. The R1S is a great choice for those who need a lot of cargo space. With the third row folded, the cargo area offers 46.7 cubic feet. With all the seats folded, the cabin provides a total of 88.2 cubic feet. There is also a frunk that has 11 cubic feet of space, plus an additional compartment providing a bit of extra room.
2025 Genesis GV80
- Price: $57,700
- U.S. News Overall Score: 9.0/10
The Genesis GV80 is a luxury midsize crossover that can provide great value compared to many other luxury brands. It’s a lot more upscale than a minivan and priced accordingly, but it’s a terrific vehicle for carrying passengers, with a lot to offer. The GV80 has supportive seating and comes with many standard tech, safety, and infotainment features. It is also available with a third row of seating to boost total capacity to seven, though like most vehicles this size, adults won’t be particularly comfortable in the rearmost seats.
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Price: $41,800
- U.S. News Overall Score: 8.9/10
While the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has less interior space than a minivan, it’s a strong contender if you need two rows of seating. This Hyundai won both Best Electric SUV for the Money and Best Electric SUV for Families awards in 2024. It offers a lot of space and comfortable seating, great tech features, and powertrain options.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Price: $36,800
- U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10
Minivans often appeal to families with their six or more seats and plentiful cargo space. However, some have yet to consider a pickup truck as an option. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 provides this solution. The Crew Cab configuration has space for six passengers, and the Silverado now comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are several powertrain options to pick from.
2024 Kia EV9
- Price: $54,900
- U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10
Kia’s EV9, released for the 2024 model year, quickly secured a top spot in our electric SUV rankings. This car stands out because it is one of the first fully electric three-row vehicles on the market. It is a solid minivan replacement for families looking to go electric. The EV9 has a stylish design, comes well-equipped, and can seat up to seven passengers. Though more expensive than most minivans, the Kia EV9 is priced fairly for a large EV. The cargo hold measures 20.2 cubic feet and opens up to 81.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows of seats folded down. There is also a frunk that measures 3.2 cubic feet for front-wheel-drive models and 1.8 cubic feet for all-wheel-drive models.
2025 Subaru Forester
- Price: $29,695
- U.S. News Overall Score: 8.6/10
If you don’t require a minivan’s three rows of seating, the Subaru Forester may be a dependable choice for your family. It’s smaller than most vehicles listed, but it offers a boxy design that maximizes interior space. This Subaru has been fully redesigned for the 2025 model year and includes more safety features than ever before, plus standard all-wheel drive. Standard cargo capacity checks in at 29.6 cubic feet, and there’s an impressive 74.4 cubes with the second row folded down.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
- Price: $40,035
- U.S. News Overall Score: 8.9/10
Do you wish your minivan could handle trails or go off-road? The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is a strong contender for those needs. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has served families well for decades, and the Grand Cherokee L builds on its practicality with extra interior space. This Jeep seats up to seven passengers and can go off-road as well as its smaller siblings. Cargo space is 17.2 cubic feet behind the third-row seats extending to 84.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.
