2023's Ultimate Guide to Family SUVs: Top Picks for Your Next Family Road Trip

Welcome to Phil Long Dealerships' official blog, where we keep you updated on all the latest, most exciting developments in the world of automobiles. Today, we're taking a detour from our usual content to bring you something special - a post dedicated to all the families planning to embark on a road trip adventure. We're diving deep into the heart of family-friendly SUVs - vehicles designed with space, safety, comfort, and, most importantly, family in mind.

This blog post will explore three of the best 2023 models: the Toyota Venza, Ford Edge, and Hyundai Santa Fe. We're focusing on these three because they stand out from the pack when it comes to those all-important road trip features: ample cargo space for all your luggage, advanced safety features to keep your family secure, comfortable seating for those long drives, and fuel efficiency to keep your road trip budget under control.

So buckle up and join us on this virtual journey as we unveil the Best Family SUVs for a Family Road Trip in 2023. We'll compare features, analyze benefits, and provide you with all the necessary information to make your next vehicle purchase an informed one. Ready to hit the road? Let's go!

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2023 Toyota Venza

The 2023 Toyota Venza Hybrid is a superb choice for family road trips, offering a blend of stylish design and impressive fuel efficiency. It has four unique trim levels to cater to your needs and budget, including the newly introduced Nightshade edition. As a hybrid vehicle, the 2023 Venza stands out in its class with a fuel economy of 40/37 mpg across all trims.

Interior and Infotainment

The Venza's well-appointed interior resembles the popular RAV4 and comfortably seats five passengers, perfect for a family getaway. Further enhancing your road trip experience, it features an 8" touchscreen infotainment system that supports Wi-Fi, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It also boasts ample cargo space of up to 54.9 cubic feet, with the rear seats folded down, ensuring you can fit all your travel essentials.

Power and Performance

In terms of performance, the Venza Hybrid is equipped with a 2.5L four-cylinder gas engine paired with three electric motors to deliver 219 horsepower. It comes with an all-wheel drive as standard, offering smooth and confident driving on various terrains. Plus, you can bring your family's recreational equipment with a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

Safety and Reviews

Safety is paramount in the Venza Hybrid, named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It has advanced safety features like a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. Car and Driver aptly sum up Venza's appeal: "The Venza is a RAV4 Hybrid in a designer suit," encapsulating its perfect balance of style, efficiency, and practicality for your family road trip.

2023 Ford Edge

The 2023 Ford Edge is a fantastic SUV option for family road trips, balancing comfort, utility, and power. Available in five distinct trims with a starting price below $40,000, there is an Edge to suit every family's needs and budget. The Edge's larger size than the Escape ensures more interior room, comfortably seating five people across two rows.

Interior and Infotainment

For long journeys, the Edge's infotainment suite, complete with a 12" touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker audio system, keep the entire family entertained. It offers substantial cargo space of 39.2 cubic feet, which expands to a whopping 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, perfect for packing all your road trip necessities.

Power and Performance

Under the hood, you'll find a potent turbo-four engine, standard across all trims, which generates 250 horsepower, offering enough grunt for most driving situations. However, thrill-seekers might opt for the more powerful twin-turbocharged V6 engine on the ST trim, boasting 335 horsepower.

Moreover, the Edge is well equipped to tackle any terrain, thanks to the standard all-wheel-drive across all trims. Despite its size and power, it manages a commendable fuel economy of 21/28 mpg. Its towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds adds another layer of utility for adventurous families.

Safety and Reviews

Regarding safety, the Edge has been recognized as an IIHS Top Safety Pick, owing to features like the standard MyKey system, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and a slew of advanced driver aids. In conclusion, the 2023 Ford Edge, described by Car and Driver, offers a comfortable, compliant ride with adequate performance, making it an excellent choice for family road trips.

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is an exceptional SUV for a family road trip, offering a comfortable and feature-rich ride for a price starting at just about $30,000. With a range of trims, you're bound to find one that suits your family's needs and budget.

Interior and Infotainment

The Santa Fe offers ample interior space with comfortable seating for five. The infotainment system, featuring an 8" touchscreen display, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, will keep everyone entertained throughout the journey. Its substantial cargo capacity of 36.4 cubic feet, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, provides ample room for all your travel necessities.

Power and Performance

Under the hood, the Santa Fe comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 191 horsepower. A 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is also available for those seeking more power, which bumps the power output to 281 horsepower. The Santa Fe scores an impressive 25/28 mpg with the standard engine for fuel efficiency and offers even better fuel economy with the hybrid and PHEV configurations.

Safety and Reviews

When it comes to utility, Santa Fe does not disappoint. The more robust engine can tow up to 3,500 pounds, making it perfect for family camping trips. Safety-wise, the Santa Fe comes loaded with features like forward collision emergency braking, rearview camera, and adaptive cruise control. It's been recognized as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, making it a reliable choice for your family. As Car and Driver aptly puts it, "The Hyundai Santa Fe is a good value boasting popular features as well as myriad powertrain options."

Buy Your Next Family Vehicle from Phil Long


Road trips are often a much-anticipated event, but they can also be stressful, especially when you have a family to keep safe, comfortable, and entertained. Luckily, modern SUVs have all that covered, making them the ideal road trip companions. This comprehensive look into three of the best family SUVs - the 2023 Toyota Venza Hybrid, the 2023 Ford Edge, and the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe paints a picture of what your family can enjoy on your next road trip adventure. We are proud to offer these vehicles at Phil Long Dealerships and would love to help your family find the perfect fit. Please stop by our dealership today, and let's make your next road trip the best one yet.