Almost 8, 5 and 2-year-old twins; that’s one big SUV filled with kids. As a mother and someone who enjoys the finer things in life, searching for a vehicle to fit my husband and I’s family is never easy. Just over a month ago I spent a long weekend driving every luxury SUV in the 2016 lineup to figure out which one was coming home to live in my garage and carry my sweet babies around from school to practice to activities to games…to their grandparents so we can have a date night (because, four kids).
I’m limited with four kids to an SUV with three rows and ample space; and I am an expert in which SUVs are the most luxurious, the best and the safest for families – both big and small since I didn’t always have four kids. From my garage to yours, I’m bringing you the top 5 luxury SUVs for moms, from a mom who has driven them all and knows firsthand (all are rated very high in terms of safety, so I’m just telling you what I love most about each one).
GMC Acadia Denali – $48,000+
You have to go with the Denali trim here if you want the luxury classification. It’s what I drive, and it’s by far the best in the crossover 3rd row SUV category. Leather, double sunroofs, reclining back seats, a rear entertainment system, radio controls in the trunk so that we can control the music while we tailgate and two sets of wireless headphones for the DVD player, and we have everything we’ve ever needed. A great tow package for the boat, a touchscreen operation system including navigation, and the all-important push to start make it the best of the best. It also helps that GMC allows me to download their app to my phone and control my door locks, turning the car on and off and checking to see my oil life, mileage and tire pressure with just the touch of a figure.
Lincoln MKX – $38,000+
When I was pregnant with our first daughter, this is what I bought. If I could get four kids in here, I’d buy it again. This is a luxury SUV that has it all, including the wonderful Sync system that allows you to monitor and control the speed of the vehicle from home when your children are old enough to drive. The digital keypad doors are also exceptionally helpful when you cannot find your keys inside your diaper bag or with your hands full thanks to your kids being unable to carry all (read – any) of their stuff without your assistance. With Bluetooth, a rear entertainment package and rear-climate control, it makes driving kids around much more enjoyable.
Cadillac Escalade ESV – $75,000+
The Escalade is the epitome of luxury, but it’s only useful for moms if you buy the ESV so you have trunk space. The regular length simply does not work for parents with more than three kids who need the third row. If you have two, you can put those back seats down and actually have trunk space; otherwise, you need the ESV. With every upgrade imaginable, you won’t miss anything in this vehicle. It has DVD players, leather, sunroofs, space, plugs, USB ports, rear climate control and it’s big enough that you feel pretty safe driving it down the road. It’s durable, and for a big SUV, it’s really very simple to park – and it turns on a dime. What’s more important to a parent than front row parking with a massive SUV that doesn’t feel dangerous?
Mercedes Benz GLE400 4MATIC – $61,000+
We have one reason this luxury SUV makes the list for moms; rear seating space. The head and leg room is more than a little impressive, which means everyone is comfortable in the back of this luxury ride. Additionally, you can tow up to 6600-pounds, which is a nicely sized deck boat for family fun weekends. Our second favorite reason for moms to get this car applies to those with teens about to, or already, driving. This SUV comes with memory seating for three drivers in the driver’s seat, and you know if you’ve ever had someone else drive your car and adjust your seats just how imperative this really is.
As a mom with kids, you definitely want a vehicle that gets great gas mileage simply because you don’t have time to stop and fill up all the time. This SUV is fuel-efficient, and it’s got all-wheel drive so it doesn’t matter where you live. It’s got everything you want to make your family happy, and you can get the smaller version for a smaller family, or the large version with a third row. What I loved particularly about this SUV is that it drove more like a car than an SUV and it had more cupholders than any vehicle could possibly need, even though it’ll never be enough with kids.
BMW X5 – $67,000+
It’s not the biggest SUV on the market, but it would be one I’d drive with fewer kids. What we love most about this particular SUV is that it comes with real time traffic updates so you never find yourself stuck in traffic with a newly potty trained two-year-old who has to go potty right now. You’ll have updates before traffic is an issue so you can make detour decisions on the fly. Additionally, the speed sensitive volume control makes for much more pleasant rides with kids that love loud music and movies. If you have a new baby, it’s the sun sensors that keep the car cool and dark when necessary that really make this the cream of the crop in terms of SUVs for moms.
