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When selecting a compact SUV for your family, the most practical features enhance everyday usability, from versatile storage and abundant power outlets to comfortable, configurable seating. Based on the assessment from Cars.com's 2017 Compact SUV Challenge, models like the Honda CR-V, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Chevrolet Equinox stand out with innovative solutions for storage, passenger comfort, and in-car connectivity.
The interior layout is where a family SUV proves its worth. Beyond simple passenger space, the best models offer smart storage, flexible seating, and amenities that keep everyone content on long journeys. The 2017 Honda CR-V, for instance, received high marks for its convertible center storage console. This feature allows parents to create a bespoke storage configuration. You can have a covered bin plus an open tray for devices just above the USB and 12-volt power ports. For larger items, the tray can be dropped to the bottom of the console, opening up enough space to secure a medium handbag or baby supplies. The armrest lid also slides forward and back to accommodate drivers of different sizes, a small but significant ergonomic touch.
For families deeply reliant on technology, the 2017 Chevrolet Equinox LT was a clear winner with a staggering number of power options: six USB ports, three 12-volt power ports, and one 120-volt household outlet. Coupled with available 4G connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot (subscription required after a trial period), this ensures all passengers can stay charged and connected, a critical feature for modern family travel.
The second row is often the children's domain, and its comfort can make or break a trip. Two models excelled in this area: the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SE and the 2017.5 Nissan Rogue SL. Both feature second-row seats that slide forward and back and offer reclining seatbacks. This flexibility is invaluable. Adults can stretch out on long trips, or you can slide the seat far forward to keep a rear-facing infant seat within easy reach. Alternatively, sliding it rearward can help prevent those infamous kicks to the back of the driver's seat.
For families with multiple children in car seats, the Honda CR-V offers a significant advantage: a center LATCH anchor. While most vehicles have two sets of LATCH anchors in the outboard seating positions, the CR-V's additional center anchor makes it safer and easier to secure a child's safety seat in the rear middle seat, which is statistically the safest position in the vehicle.
Several features directly address the practical needs of parents. The Honda CR-V again stands out with a dropdown "conversation mirror" in the front ceiling. This mirror acts as a parent's "eyes in the back of their head," allowing the driver to monitor activity in the backseat without turning around.
For households where multiple people drive the same vehicle, memory seats are a major convenience. The 2017 Jeep Compass Limited, 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue offered memory settings for the driver's seat, allowing for automatic adjustment between different drivers. Furthermore, the Compass, CX-5, Tiguan, and Equinox included height adjustment for the front passenger seat, accommodating passengers of all sizes.
A compact SUV must balance passenger space with cargo capacity. The Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V led the group in maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded. More importantly, they offered sufficient space behind the second row for luggage on a family road trip, eliminating the immediate need for a roof-top cargo box.
Accessibility is another key factor, especially for young children. The Honda CR-V excelled here with a low, kid-friendly step-in height to get into the passenger cabin and the lowest lift-over height in the challenge for loading items into the rear cargo area, making it easier for both kids and parents.
In summary, the most family-friendly compact SUVs prioritize practical innovation over sheer size. When shopping, focus on models that offer:
