Best Subaru for Families

The best Subaru for families depends on how many seats you fill. The three-row Ascent is the top pick for larger families, the Outback and Forester fit most families of four or five, the Crosstrek suits smaller households, and the Solterra serves families ready to go electric. Every one of them comes standard with all-wheel drive and EyeSight Driver Assist Technology.

Best Subaru for Large Families: 2027 Subaru Ascent

The 2027 Subaru Ascent is Subaru’s three-row SUV, available with seating for seven or eight. It earned a 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and has received TOP SAFETY PICK recognition for nine consecutive years.

Family-friendly details run throughout the cabin: 19 cupholders, USB-A and USB-C ports in every row, and a power rear gate for loading groceries with full hands. Limited trims and above add Cabin Connect, which projects the driver’s voice to the back rows, and Touring trims swap the bench for second-row captain’s chairs. A turbocharged 260-horsepower engine and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capability mean the Ascent can pull a camper to a weekend campsite too.

Best Subaru for Most Families: Subaru Outback

The Outback balances family space with outdoor capability. Every Outback includes a 12.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, a power rear gate, and raised roof rails for bikes or a cargo box. Water-repellent StarTex upholstery on the Premium trim stands up to spilled snacks and sandy beach days, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning comes standard.

With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Outback handles the dirt road to a Santa Cruz Mountains trailhead as easily as the school drop-off line.

Best Compact Family SUV: 2027 Subaru Forester

The 2027 Subaru Forester packs family practicality into a compact footprint that’s easy to park downtown. Even the base model includes dual-zone automatic climate control and raised roof rails, and the Premium adds a panoramic moonroof and heated front seats.

Families who drive long distances should look at the Forester Hybrid, which delivers up to 597 miles of range on a single tank. That’s useful for road trips well beyond Santa Cruz County, with fewer stops along the way.

Best Subaru for Small Families: 2027 Subaru Crosstrek

The 2027 Subaru Crosstrek is the most affordable SUV in this group and a smart fit for couples or families with one or two young kids. It seats five, offers up to 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and opens to roughly 50 cubic feet with the 60/40-split rear seat folded.

Its compact size makes daily errands easy, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance keeps weekend adventures on the table.

Best Electric Subaru for Families: 2027 Subaru Solterra

The 2027 Subaru Solterra brings all-wheel drive to an all-electric SUV, with up to 288 miles of estimated range. An 11 kW onboard charger speeds up overnight charging at home, and the NACS charging port opens access to more than 25,000 charging stations across North America.

Inside, the Solterra offers up to 63.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and Limited trims add heated rear seats for kids on cold mornings.

What Every Family Gets With a Subaru

Whichever model fits your household, every Subaru in this guide comes standard with all-wheel drive and EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. That combination gives families extra confidence on wet commutes over Highway 17 and on the winding roads that run through the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Find Your Family’s Subaru at Santa Cruz Subaru

Santa Cruz Subaru is an authorized Subaru retailer at 4100 Auto Plaza Dr in Capitola, serving families across Santa Cruz County. Bring the whole family to test the seating, check the cargo space, and find the right fit.