We all love a good sports car when we’re single, or even dating. But the thought of a family, and hapless babies sends us running to the car dealership, in search of a safe and secure vehicle to raise a family in. Thus come in the family haulers. As in SUVs and crossovers that can double up an adventure vehicle but keep the family safe during travels, and travails on the road.
Of course, your choice can differ, depending on budget, size of the family hauler, and the bargains you can score. Your needs may also be different, depending on whether your driving is more urban or rural. This is why we bring you a list of 10 family haulers, all well priced and conforming to every kind of need there is. Some of these are off-road whizzes, others are perfect for the urbanscape. But all these used cars are incredible family haulers we’d buy in a jiffy.
10 Jeep Cherokee XJ: Off-Roading Family Hauler
The Wrangler is undoubtedly an iconic off-roader of all time but it’s the XJ-gen Cherokee that has a very special place in the Jeep’s history. This family hauler was built from 1984 to 2001 and around three million of them were sold.
The Cherokee XJ came brilliantly designed and offered terrific all-terrain competence together with flawless on-road manners. And the design was simple, boxy, and muscular. Today, well-maintained XJ Cherokees can be great bargains. Here’s one available for around $20,000 with less than 73,000 miles on it.
9 Third-Generation Chevrolet Tahoe: Massive Family SUV
Manufactured between 2007 and 2014, these three-row Tahoes were armed with massive V8 powerplants and could easily house eight in its standard setup. And if you wanted nine people to fit in, there was an option of a first-row bench seat.
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Despite its massive size the Tahoe is pretty maneuverable and returns respectable fuel efficiency. The third-gen Tahoe’s reliability ratings are not very impressive. Nevertheless, the 2010 model year is considered the best of the lot. A 320-horsepower V8-wearing Tahoe for under $20,000 is a steal.
8 Third-Generation Ford Expedition: Reliable & Powerful
The Ford Expedition started its journey in the mid-90s and remains on sale today. If you are looking for traits like off-road capability, towing capacity, and space, this full-size SUV fits the bill. Plus it has enough brawn to haul big trailers at the same time.
The Ford Expedition is an incredible family hauler and used ones can be good deals these days, especially the third-gen examples. Spanning from 2007 until 2017, the third-gen Expeditions came with outstanding dependability and reliability ratings. A 2011 example for under $15,000 and wearing around 64,000 miles is a giveaway.
7 Fourth-Generation Subaru Outback: Wagon-Like Family Hauler
In 2010, this wagon-like hauler won MotorTrend’s SUV of the year award and that’s how the fourth generation began for the Outback. Unlike the other brawny SUVs, it offers a more car-like driving experience with an SUV’s prowess. All models featured AWD and could easily match the cargo space of the rivals.
Built until 2014, the fourth-gen Outback is considered extremely reliable and can be a huge bargain in today’s used-car bazaar. A 2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited with around 75,000 miles on it for under $17,000 is one such incredible family hauler deal.
6 Second-Generation Toyota Highlander: The Go-Anywhere SUV
In the world of SUVs, this sleek family hauler reigns supreme. This crossover SUV is a perfect blend of safety, value, longevity, and comfort for which it scored a perfect five out of five reliability ratings. Known as a versatile family crossover SUV it can house up to eight with ease and was offered with two gas engines and a hybrid powertrain.
A stronger 3.5-liter V6 with 270 hp and 248 lb-ft. would be the best bet if you want this family-friendly SUV. A 2013 V6 AWD model with less than 50,000 miles is a great bargain for around $23,000.
5 Land Rover Discovery 3: Big, Bold & Brash SUV
This legendary SUV is a highly capable tow truck and can go anywhere and haul almost anything without a fuss. And it’s a great family car because it has got seven proper seats, massive boot space, and a deft four-wheel drive.
The all-rounder Discovery 3 was in production from 2004 till 2010 and it looked big and bold. It was offered in a few V6 and V8 powertrains but the 4.4-liter V8 gasoline engine would be the best bet anytime. A 2008 300-Horsepower V8 Disco could cost under $20,000 with just around 60,000 miles on it, making it an incredible family hauler bargain.
4 First-Generation Lincoln Aviator: Luxurious Family Hauler
Back in the early 2000s, Lincoln took the plunge into the large three-row SUV bazaar. Apart from being a luxury SUV, the Lincoln Aviator came with a host of other perks that made it a perfect family hauler. Armed with Ford’s 302-Horsepower 4.6-liter DOHC Modular V8 gas powerplant, the first-gen Aviator was in production for close to two years between 2003 and 2005.
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The all-wheel-drive Aviator is the best option if you love to hit rough terrains. A 2005 luxurious Aviator with 61,000 miles on the odometer would cost around $13,000 and make for a dependable buy.
3 Third-Generation Cadillac Escalade: Celebrity Choice
It’s big, brash, and comes with an unshakable character. This big beast of an SUV has been in production for more than two decades and it charms new buyers even today. The third-gen Escalades were 2007-2014 model years and most of them carried a tough 6.2-liter V-8 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
A spanking new 2021 Escalade starts at around $75,000 but a fully-loaded third-gen Escalade is a huge bargain in the used-car market these days. A 2008 403-horsepower V8 example with just 66,000 miles on it is a great deal for a family hauler, for just $14,000.
2 Second-Generation Hyundai Santa Fe: Asian Panache
The Hyundai Santa Fe isn’t that glamorous but it does offer a rich mix of features and comfort for its affordable price tag. The family-oriented three-row Sante Fe is ideal for large families’ commute within the urban and suburban traffic.
It’s a powerful versatile SUV that’s suitable for road trips where you need to lug loads of stuff too. The all-wheel-drive 3.5-liter V6 mill can easily deliver all these duties. A mint condition 2011 276-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 AWD model with less than 50,000 miles for around $12,000 is an awesome deal for a family hauler, that looks rather cool too.
1 Third-Generation Nissan Pathfinder: Off-Roading Whiz
This three-row SUV comes with a seating capacity of 7 and is a spacious family hauler. It’s a true pathfinder and a capable off-roader as only the toughest of terrains or hurricanes can stop it from going further ahead.
The third-gen Pathfinders lasted for eight years from 2005 till 2012 and were offered in various engine configurations with two V6s, one V8, and an inline-four. The 5.6L V8 will get you the most bang for your buck as it makes 317 horses and is also an excellent deal for under $16,000 for a 2011 model.
Sources: Carfax, CarGurus, TrueCar