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Looking for a Family Car? Shop Our Top Five Picks for Families

· 6 min read
A silver 2023 Chevy Equinox is shown from the front at an angle after leaving a dealer that has used cars for sale.

Is your family vehicle due for an upgrade? Finding the best vehicle for your family is often time-consuming and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Our selection of used cars for sale is exceptional. Every model is hand-selected and vetted to ensure it matches our quality standards. You deserve to shop for the best options in one convenient location, and we’re here to deliver by making the process easier and more rewarding. 

Our inventory is constantly cycling to welcome new pre-owned models. Because of this, you’ll find family-friendly used cars from the world’s leading automakers. Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular finds with high safety ratings, affordable price tags, and plenty of features your family will love.

An Award-Winning Three-Row SUV: The Kia Telluride

Kia sent the world into a tailspin when it debuted the midsize Telluride in 2019. The three-row SUV instantly garnered acclaim for its sophisticated styling and exceptional packaging, with Kia outfitting the model with an upscale cabin and innovative technologies designed to transform every experience in the driver’s seat. As a result, the Telluride became the most-awarded SUV in Kia history. 

From 2020 to 2022, the Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with 2023 and 2024 models earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating. For our customers looking for more advanced technologies, shop for a newer Telluride after the mid-cycle refresh in 2022. The updated SUV features a larger 12.3-inch instrument panel, with Kia also expanding the Telluride family with rugged trims like the X-Line and X-Pro.

A blue 2023 Kia Telluride is shown from the front at an angle.

An Agile, Family-Friendly Road Warrior: The Chevy Equinox 

Riding the tailwind of the Silverado, the Equinox is Chevrolet’s second best-selling vehicle. Debuting in 2005, the Equinox is an excellent option for smaller families who don’t want or need the expansiveness of a three-row SUV. Instead, the Equinox strikes an outstanding balance as a two-row option with a stylish design and many customization options with packages like the Midnight Edition, Sport Edition, and Redline Edition. 

The Equinox showcases what Chevrolet does best by giving drivers tangible value. For example, models like the 2021 Equinox feature the Chevrolet infotainment system with a seven-inch or eight-inch display and navigation. You’ll also find an outstanding suite of safety tools via the Chevy Safety Assist suite, which includes a Following Distance Indicator, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, and Intellibeam headlights. These technologies and the Equinox’s remarkable build earned the SUV a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS in 2020 and 2021, making these models top finds for families.

A Family Adventurer: The Toyota 4Runner 

Toyota has an outstanding reputation for building long-lasting, adventure-ready vehicles. Families looking for an SUV that does double duty are sure to fall in love with the 4Runner. Toyota’s iconic SUV has been in production since the 1980s and has proven its competency on and off the pavement. It’s the perfect everyday road warrior to haul the kids to school and activities, but it can also seamlessly transition into adventure mode and venture down the trail. 

Toyota models like the 4Runner are slow to depreciate, making your investment even more worthwhile. With Toyota recently introducing the sixth-generation 4Runner in 2024, shopping for a late fifth-generation model is ideal. Toyota made several updates to the 4Runner in 2021, including a new Trail Special Edition. Trims like the TRD Pro also introduced a retuned suspension, adding to its off-road capability and complementing other performance-oriented elements like its FOX shocks, coil springs, and cat-back exhaust for a throaty growl from the engine.

A Value-Packed and Versatile SUV: The Ford Explorer 

Ford is an American automotive pioneer revered for putting the world on wheels. SUVs like the Explorer continue that legacy and give families a well-rounded, versatile option with many standard features and outstanding safety ratings. Debuting in the early 1990s as the successor to the Bronco II, the Explorer has evolved from a compact SUV to a midsize crossover with two and three-row options and a configurable cabin with a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs.

The Explorer’s long tenure in the Ford lineup proves its reputation and long history as a best-seller. More importantly, Ford frequently updates the model to introduce new design elements and features. Families looking for the latest generation should start their search for a 2020 Explorer. Redesigned from the ground up, the sixth-generation Explorer boasts a sophisticated style and an outstanding engine lineup, including a hybrid powertrain and a performance-oriented EcoBoost that produces 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque on the ST trim. 

Satiating your need for speed and accommodating your family is easy with an Explorer ST, but that doesn’t come at the cost of safety or comfort. Instead, the Explorer has a long history of high safety scores, with Top Safety Pick+ ratings in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Add the Explorer’s Terrain Management System with selectable drive modes and the intuitive SYNC infotainment system, and it’s easy to see why the Explorer is a family favorite.

Affordable Luxury: The Mazda CX-5

If you’re ready to treat your family to luxury, look no further than the Mazda CX-5. Debuting in 2013, the CX-5 has been Mazda’s best-selling model worldwide since 2014. What makes it so attractive? It’s the perfect blend of luxury and innovation, especially as a used model that promises to keep more money in your wallet. 

The CX-5’s 2013 debut means the SUV is still relatively young to the Mazda lineup. The automaker introduced its second generation in 2018, with several significant upgrades since then that make these newer models more appealing on the used lot. For example, the 2019 CX-5 is the first to offer the turbocharged SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine, while the 2020 CX-5 introduced a larger eight-inch infotainment display. 

Families looking for technologies comparable to the newest CX-5 should check out the 2021 CX-5. Mazda updated the CX-5’s standard infotainment system with the Mazda Connect Software and added an expansive 10.25-inch display. You’ll also find more safety and driver-assist tools that reflect the CX-5’s Top Safety Pick+ ratings in 2021 and 2022. 

A white 2022 Mazda CX-5 is shown parked in front of a building.

Shopping Tips and Tricks for Families 

Models like the Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-5, Chevy Equinox, Ford Explorer, and Toyota 4Runner are outstanding options with distinct styling, capabilities, and features. How do you determine the right SUV for your family? We encourage our customers to take a hands-on approach. 

The real test of how a vehicle handles and performs starts by climbing into the driver’s seat for a test drive. Why not take the same approach with your family? As you narrow your options with a few test drives, see how your family fits in the vehicle. If your child is still in a car seat, let’s install it and see how it fits in the space. Does it give your other children enough room or compromise their comfort? With everyone seated, is there enough room for cargo? Even with an outstanding selection of SUVs on our lot, these questions and considerations are essential when shopping for a vehicle that answers your family’s needs. 

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Size Up Your Driving Life: the 2026 GMC Acadia vs 2026 GMC Terrain

If you're shopping for an SUV around Tupelo, there's a good chance you've come across both the GMC Acadia and the GMC Terrain. At first glance, they seem pretty similar—both offer modern styling, solid technology, and the kind of versatility you expect from a GMC SUV. more But once you start digging a little deeper, it becomes clear they're built for two very different types of drivers. So if you're currently searching for a GMC Acadia for sale near Tupelo, this comparison isn't necessarily just about specs—it's about figuring out which SUV actually fits your day-to-day life. Size Matters More Than You Think Around Tupelo One of the biggest differences between the Acadia and Terrain is something you'll notice immediately: size. The Terrain sits in the compact SUV category, which makes it easier to maneuver and ideal for drivers who don't need a ton of space. The Acadia, on the other hand, is a midsize SUV with three rows of seating—and that extra size changes how you use it. Around Tupelo, you're not just dealing with tight parking lots or short city drives. There's a lot of in-between—commutes, weekend plans, trips out of town, and everything that comes with daily life in a smaller city. That's where the Acadia starts to make more sense. With more room to work with, you're not constantly thinking about space—you just live your life. Whether it's groceries, luggage, or you just like having a little extra breathing room, the Acadia gives you the flexibility the Terrain simply can't match. And that's really the key difference. The Terrain works well if you want something smaller and more contained. The Acadia works better if you want something that can handle more without feeling like you're pushing its limits. Interior Space & Comfort for Daily Life That size difference we spoke about really shows itself once you step inside the cabin. The Acadia offers seating for up to eight passengers, which immediately puts it in a different category when it comes to versatility. Whether you've got family, friends, or just want the option to bring more people along when needed, having that third row changes how useful your SUV can be. Even when you're not using every seat, the extra space makes a difference. There's more room to stretch out, more flexibility for passengers, and an overall sense that the vehicle isn't cramped. Of course, cargo space is a large draw, too, with the 2026 Acadia offering at least 23 cu.ft. of space when every seat is in use. Not only are you getting more cargo space than any sedan, but you're also traveling with up to eight people, which no sedan—or even compact SUV—can help you with. Folding down the 2026 Acadia's third row may reduce that passenger capacity, but it has a stark effect on cargo space, more than doubling the available amount to 57.3 cu.ft. Folding the second row, while virtually removing any possibility of traveling with passengers, increases cargo space to an impressive 97.5 cu.ft. The Terrain, by comparison, sticks to a two-row setup. For some drivers, that's completely fine—especially if you're mostly driving solo or with one passenger. But if your situation changes, or if you occasionally need more space, it can start to feel limiting. Real Life Application Think about real-life use. Carpooling, road trips, family outings—these are the moments where the Acadia really stands out. You're not trying to make space work; you already have it. The 2026 Terrain's 29.8 cu.ft. of cargo space is respectable with all seats in place, and it expands to 63.5 cu.ft. with the second row folded. But the Acadia gives you 57.3 cu.ft. with its third row folded alone, meaning with five passenger capacity, you're working with roughly 92% more cargo room. However, it's not all about numbers—comfort also plays a role here. With more room throughout the cabin, the Acadia tends to feel more relaxed over longer drives. Passengers aren't competing for space, and everything feels a bit more open and accommodating. For many buyers, that alone is enough to justify stepping up. There's Nothing Quite Like the Right Size At the end of the day, this decision comes down to how you live and what you expect from your SUV. The Terrain makes sense if you want something smaller, easier to maneuver, and built for lighter day-to-day use—in that regard, it's a solid option for drivers who don't need extra space and prefer a more compact feel. The Acadia, on the other hand, is the right size for many and is built for pure flexibility. If you need room for passengers, want something that handles longer drives more comfortably, or simply don't want to outgrow your vehicle in a year or two, the Acadia is the stronger choice. It gives you more to work with from the start, which makes it easier to adapt as your needs change. For many drivers near Tupelo, that added versatility ends up being the deciding factor.

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