Five Family-Friendly Compact SUVs You’ll Actually Look Forward to Driving

Let’s face it: hauling kids, gear, groceries—and sometimes your sanity—across Los Angeles is a daily adventure. For families, the right compact SUV can make all the difference between a smooth ride and a rolling circus. I spent the last few months bouncing between school drop-offs, Trader Joe’s runs, and weekend beach escapes in five of 2025’s most buzzed-about compact SUVs. Here’s what stood out, what fell short, and which ones might actually make you look forward to that Monday morning commute.

2025 Honda CR-V: The Goldilocks of Practicality

The CR-V has always been the safe bet, but the 2025 model feels like Honda finally let its hair down—just a bit. Under the hood, you get a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder good for 190 horsepower. There’s also a hybrid option with 204 combined horsepower if you want to sip fuel instead of guzzle it (Honda claims up to 40 mpg combined for the hybrid).

Inside, it’s all clean lines and soft-touch plastics. Honda has mastered that just-right feel for buttons and switches—the climate dials click with a satisfying resistance, and there’s real heft to the steering wheel that feels reassuring in city traffic. The cabin is roomy; two car seats fit side by side without elbow wars in the back seat. Cargo space is best-in-class at over 39 cubic feet behind the second row.

On the road, the CR-V doesn’t inspire much excitement, but it never lets you down either. The ride is supple over LA’s battered pavement, and wind noise is impressively muted—quieter than last year’s RAV4 at highway speeds. If I had to nitpick, the infotainment system still lags behind Hyundai’s in both looks and responsiveness, but wireless CarPlay helps. Honda Sensing safety tech comes standard across the lineup.

Family Factor: Easy-going to live with. Lacks the flash of some rivals, but there’s no arguing with its usability or comfort.

Toyota RAV4: Still a Crowd-Pleaser with a Grown-Up Feel

Toyota hasn’t rocked the boat with its 2025 RAV4 update, but why mess with success? The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 203 horsepower—enough for merging onto the 405 without white-knuckling it. The RAV4 Hybrid (219 hp) remains one of the most fuel-efficient picks at up to 41 mpg combined.

The RAV4 feels solidly built inside—think more business casual than playful chic—with just enough soft surfaces to keep things from feeling utilitarian. Rear-seat legroom is generous (even for taller teens), and I found loading up strollers or surfboards surprisingly easy thanks to a low cargo floor.

Toyota’s infotainment finally catches up with rivals this year: large screens (up to 10.5 inches), quick responses, sharp graphics. One gripe? The abundance of piano black trim collects fingerprints like my toddler collects pebbles at Malibu Lagoon.

Driving-wise, the RAV4 won’t thrill you—it’s tuned for predictability and comfort rather than fun—but body roll is nicely controlled and steering is precise enough to dodge errant scooters on Venice Boulevard.

Family Factor: Unfussy reliability with excellent efficiency options; not as plush as Mazda CX-50 but easier on gas (and nerves).

Mazda CX-50: Where Style Meets Suburban Duty

If you crave a little soul in your daily drive—something that tugs at you on canyon roads—the Mazda CX-50 is worth a close look. Mazda gives you two engine choices: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four (187 hp) or a turbocharged version pumping out up to 256 horses on premium fuel. AWD comes standard; no front-drive here.

The interior has a designer vibe—stitched leatherette in all the right places, tactile knobs that feel expensive under your fingers, and seats that hug you through corners like an old friend. The ride leans firm but never harsh; you feel connected rather than coddled as you zigzag through Topanga or squeeze into tight parking spots downtown.

Cargo space trails Honda and Toyota by a few cubic feet (31.4 cubes behind row two), but clever storage nooks help offset this. The infotainment dial takes some learning if you’re coming from touch screens; after two weeks I found it less distracting than expected.

Family Factor: Sharp handling sets it apart from appliance-like rivals; slightly less cargo room might matter if your weekends involve lots of gear or Costco runs.

Hyundai Tucson: Tech-Savvy Value Champion

The Tucson has quietly become one of LA’s favorite family rides—and after living with one for two weeks, I get why. For starters, Hyundai offers more powertrain variety than anyone else here: standard 187-hp four-cylinder, hybrid (226 hp), plug-in hybrid (261 hp) with up to 33 miles electric range.

The cabin looks straight out of a tech startup—sleek screens everywhere (10.25-inch digital gauge cluster on top trims), haptic climate controls that click softly under your fingers, ambient lighting that bathes everything in a calming blue glow after dark. Materials feel upscale for the price point; rear seats are spacious even for lanky high schoolers.

The Tucson soaks up potholes with surprising poise for a compact SUV, though steering feedback is pretty light—don’t expect Mazda-like engagement here. Road noise creeps in on rougher freeways but never gets intrusive. Standard safety kit is generous: adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, blind spot monitors—even base models get most of it. Family Factor: Best-in-class tech and hybrid options for budget-conscious buyers; interior finish feels more upscale than its price tag lets on.

Subaru Forester: Adventure-Ready with Everyday Charm

The Forester’s boxy shape isn’t trying to win any beauty pageants, but it pays off in visibility and cargo utility—two things families value when wrangling bikes or backpacks after soccer practice. Power comes from Subaru’s familiar 2.5-liter boxer four (182 hp), paired exclusively with AWD for added confidence in rain or weekend snow trips. Inside feels airy thanks to big windows and an upright seating position—the kind where you can see over traffic without feeling like you’re driving a bus. Cargo space is impressive (just over 28 cubic feet behind row two), though not quite CR-V big. The Forester rides softer than most competitors—think gentle rocking rather than jittery bouncing—which made marathon carpool lines feel less punishing. Infotainment is straightforward if basic; screen sizes top out at 8 inches unless Subaru rolls out changes later in the model year (not confirmed as of writing). Safety remains top-notch: EyeSight driver assist comes standard. Family Factor: Go-anywhere attitude mixed with easygoing comfort; not flashy but reliably practical. 

The Short List: What Stands Out—and What Falls Flat

If you’re chasing style points or sharp handling, Mazda CX-50 makes every drive feel special—even errands have their moments of joy behind that wheel. For pure family practicality? Honda CR-V edges out rivals thanks to its blend of space and serenity. The RAV4 still nails the basics but starts to feel conservative next to Hyundai’s feature-rich Tucson or Mazda’s athleticism. Hyundai Tucson wins on value and technology hands down—you get more features per dollar than almost anywhere else—and its plug-in hybrid makes sense for short LA commutes. Subaru Forester remains unbeaten for outdoor families who crave visibility and go-anywhere traction. 

Your Family’s Next Ride?

No single SUV dominates every category—it really comes down to what your crew values most: space? style? tech? All five contenders shine in their own ways. As someone who’s spent plenty of mornings fighting LA traffic—and just as many afternoons hunting parking near Griffith Park—I can say each of these compact SUVs offers something genuine beyond spec sheets or showroom gloss. If I had to choose? My heart leans Mazda CX-50 for those rare solo drives down Mulholland after drop-off duty—but my head says Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson would make daily life easiest for most families. Whichever way you lean, these five prove family cars don’t have to be boring—and sometimes they might even surprise you.