Planning a summer family road trip? These 5 SUVs are perfect for the job

Tyler, an automotive journalist at How-To Geek, profiles five SUVs ideal for a summer family road trip and ranks them by starting MSRP to help readers compare value. The data comes from manufacturer sites and the EPA, ensuring a consistent baseline for price and efficiency. Among the options, the 2026 Subaru Outback starts at $34,995, reflecting its update from rugged wagon to a versatile SUV mashup. The Outback is described as comfortable, practical, and capable for long trips, with ample cargo space and refined highway manners. For trips mixing tarmac and dirt, it’s highlighted as a strong option.

Beyond the Outback, the selection includes rugged adventurers, quiet three-row cruisers, and efficient electric options designed to ease long drives. The article stresses comfort, cargo space, ride quality, and refinement as key measures alongside price, with the MSRP used for ranking. Using manufacturer sites and the EPA as sources, the piece presents a practical, numbers-driven overview of how these SUVs perform on mixed-road trips. In sum, the five picks aim to offer reliable, family-friendly solutions that reduce travel stress without sacrificing versatility.