Be The Envy Of The PTA With These Phenomenal SUVs

There is no denying that a crossover or sport-utility vehicle makes for a great family car, with loads of space in the cabin and trunk, but they can be more than just practical, as luxury SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X3, and Volvo XC40 prove. These stylish high-riders manage to blend everything positive about this body style with the head-turning good looks of premium cruisers.

However, not everything that glitters is gold. Just because a top-of-the-range crossover looks irresistible, that doesn’t mean you should give in to temptation. A high price tag does not guarantee value. Luckily, those in the know have taken each model for a test drive to help separate the wheat from the chaff. So, if you’re shopping for a new family car in the USA, here are some of the top picks.

1. Mercedes-Benz GLA

The smallest of the luxurious crossovers from the German automaker, the GLA is arguably the most attractive of its brethren. It’s actually a bit smaller than it once was, but the inside is more modern and spacious than ever. That said, the larger back-seat and cargo space are still not class-leading. There is enough room for the kids and their school bags, though, and probably some left over for some shopping on the way home.

Thanks to the addition of standard steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and distance alerts, it’s one of the safest small SUVs on the road. There is more to the tech than just safety, though, with a choice between two seven-inch or 10.25-inch infotainment displays, automatic climate control, and power heated front seats.

Of course, once you’ve dropped the kids off at school, you can have a little fun on the way home, courtesy of the lively turbocharged four-cylinder engine and engaging driving dynamics. It’s not as quick as the competition, but you shouldn’t be speeding around the suburbs anyway. But swinging around the odd corner shouldn’t cause any harm.

2. Audi e-tron

One of the new breed of electric vehicles to hit the market, the e-tron is available in a variety of configurations, including a high-performance S model, and a very sexy Sportback. Naturally, it offers excellent fuel economy, thanks to the lack of a standard combustion engine. Instead, a pair of electric motors provide it with 355 horsepower and 414 lb-ft of torque. This can be kicked up to 402 hp and 490 lb-ft with Boost engaged. At best, it manages 78 MPGe with a total range of 222 miles.

That is far from amazing considering it goes up against the likes of the Tesla Model X, but if you’re sticking around town and charging each night, there is no need to worry. But where it does shine, is inside the cabin. Quality materials and loads of tech are just the start. It also looks and feels amazing, with excellent ride comfort and absolutely no engine noise intruding on your drive. 

To top it all of, 28.5 cubic feet of cargo space makes it one of the more capacious of the electric crossovers. Add to this the spacious rear seats and you have a recipe for a great family hauler. However, if you opt for one of the Sportback models, you’ll not want to put any gangly teens back there for longer drives.

3. Cadillac Escalade

This US-made brute stands apart not only for its gargantuan size, but also for its almost ludicrous MSRP. If you’re after the best of the best, you can expect to spend more than $100,000. Luckily, you don’t have to take out a third mortgage just to get behind the wheel of this hardy Caddy, just a second one. The base model gets the same potent V8 but you’ll need to opt for the four-wheel drivetrain if you live in areas prone to snow and mud.

Inside, the newest Escalade boasts better quality than Cadillac fans have come to expect. This is part of the automaker’s quest to compete on equal footing with European rivals like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi. This includes the addition of a whopping 38 inches of LCD displays, and an available 36-speaker setup from AKG Studio Reference. Naturally, smartphone integration is standard, along with SiriusXM and HD radio.

Safety-wise, it gets everything the most neurotic parent could ever hope for. This includes front and rear parking sensors, an HD surround-view camera, and rear pedestrian detection. Even without guarantees from the IIHS, the NHTSA rates it at four out of five stars, which is acceptable as a secure family hauler, and the kids will be so happy with all the gadgets on offer, especially if you spec on the optional rear-seat entertainment package.