Family Game Day Essentials: 5 SUVs Perfect for Sports Gear

From the Ford Expedition to the Jeep Wagoneer, these five large SUVs are perfect for parents of avid student-athletes.

For proud parents, carting gear to practices and games is a worthwhile trade-off for knowing their kids are getting outside, staying active, and keeping themselves out of trouble. Former athletes also find that it offers opportunities for intergenerational connection.

With that in mind, no family driver wants to add hassles and headaches to their routine. That means they need an easy and reliable way to get athletes and their gear to practices and games. The Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, GMC Yukon, and Jeep Wagoneer are all perfect SUVs to get the job done.

1. Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevrolet Suburban is arguably the quintessential full-size SUV. With seating for eight and up to 145 cu ft of cargo space, it can accommodate even large families with several proud student-athletes.

What’s nice about the Suburban is that though it’s large and in charge, it handles remarkably well. This family SUV also offers an optional rear-seat entertainment system with two 12.6-inch screens, which can be a lifesaver for young children’s away games.

2. Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is the largest SUV in this respected American automaker’s lineup. It seats eight and has 63.6 cu ft of cargo space, even with the second-row seats in place. Buyers who want an even roomier cabin with more storage can also check out the Ford Expedition Max.

The Ford Expedition is powered by a twin-turbo V-6, which gives it plenty of power but keeps things under control at the pump. Its body-on-frame construction also offers extra peace of mind and off-road capabilities not found in all full-size SUVs.

3. Nissan Armada

With a quiet cabin and stable handling, the Nissan Armada is a comfortable full-size SUV for any family. Like the Ford Expedition, the Armada features an old-school body-on-frame style. This massive SUV is powered by a 5.6L V-8 that puts out 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque.

The downside of all that power and extra weight is that while the Armada is relatively inexpensive, it costs drivers at the pump. Nissan recommends premium fuel, and it gets an EPA-estimated 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.

4. GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon is large enough to accommodate a family’s kids and sports gear, plus a few other team members. With seating for up to eight and plenty of third-row space, it has capacities similar to those of the Chevy Suburban.

The difference between the Suburban and the Yukon is most noticeable in the cabin. The Yukon is more upscale, offering trim levels with hand-stitched leather upholstery, wood-trimmed dashboards, and power-sliding center consoles for families that like to ride in style.

5. Jeep Wagoneer

The Jeep Wagoneer is a luxury offshoot of the regular brand, and it feels a class above smaller SUVs like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Though its entry-level model isn’t exceptionally well-appointed, the Wagoneer can be outfitted with a plush interior and impressive tech for the right price. Some models also feature 4WD, an air spring suspension system, and other off-road features.

Though the Jeep Wagoneer no longer comes with the 5.7L V-8 Hemi as an available engine option, the 3.0L I-6, now standard on all models, still puts out an impressive 420 hp, which is more than enough for carting kids and sports gear around town.