The modern SUV comes in all shapes and sizes, but for families, certain characteristics are non-negotiable. Safety, spaciousness, and style are essential for a family vehicle that needs to transport both kids and cargo. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best family SUVs that balance all three.

The Toyota Highlander has long been a top choice for families looking for a safe, reliable SUV. The Highlander earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, the highest available. With a hybrid powertrain option, the Highlander delivers solid fuel economy. Three rows of seats mean enough space for up to eight passengers. For 2020, the Highlander gets a bold new look and updated technology features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and Wi-Fi hotspot.

For maximum passenger space, the Chevrolet Suburban is hard to beat. This full-size SUV can seat up to nine people with an optional front bench seat. The Suburban also has a cavernous 144.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. A long list of standard advanced safety features like forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring help give you confidence behind the wheel of this large vehicle. Fuel economy is unsurprisingly low, but for some families, the space is worth the trade-off.

Style and luxury come together in the Lincoln Navigator. This plush full-size SUV is filled with high-end materials and technology. The Navigator can seat up to eight people over three rows. Twin-turbocharged V6 engine puts out an impressive 450 horsepower while maintaining a respectable 18 mpg combined. The Navigator is also available with Lincoln’s new phone-as-a-key technology that allows you to start and unlock your vehicle with an app on your smartphone.

For families on a budget, the Kia Sorento is an appealing option. The Sorento has a solid reputation for reliability and value. Seating for up to five or seven passengers is available. The base four-cylinder gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined. An available V6 engine provides more power for towing. The Sorento includes advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and driver attention warning as standard equipment. Kia’s outstanding 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty provides peace of mind for years to come.

The Hyundai Palisade is another smart choice for families looking for an affordable three-row SUV. Sharing a platform with the Kia Telluride, the Palisade offers comparable space, power, and value. The Palisade’s interior is one of the nicest in its class, with high-quality materials and lots of technology like a 10.25-inch touchscreen, multi-zone climate control, and a long list of advanced driver assistance features. The Palisade’s 291-hp V6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission provide smooth power and respectable fuel economy.

For carpooling and hauling kids to activities, a family SUV needs to handle well in tight spaces. The Mazda CX-9 signature stands out with its nimble, car-like handling. The CX-9 can seat up to seven passengers. A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission provides plenty of power and gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined. The CX-9 includes an 8-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, USB ports in all three rows, and active driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist. Mazda’s premium styling and high-quality interiors make this three-row SUV feel like a luxury vehicle at an affordable price.

With so many excellent options, finding the right family SUV comes down to determining what factors are most important to you. Do you need maximum passenger and cargo space or something more compact? What level of fuel efficiency or performance are you looking for? How much are you willing to spend for the latest advanced safety technologies and luxury features? By weighing all these variables, you can find an SUV that checks all the boxes for your family’s needs.