A summer road trip is one of the best ways to create lasting memories with your family. But whether you’re heading to the mountains, the beach, or a campground a few hours away, the success of the journey often starts with choosing the right vehicle. Comfort, cargo space, passenger room, safety, entertainment, fuel efficiency, and towing capability all play a key role when selecting the ideal SUV for your family getaway. At AutoPark Brampton, we know how important it is to find a used SUV that checks all the boxes, and the good news is that many pre-owned models do just that. Here’s a closer look at some of the best spacious used SUVs for your summer adventures.
The Chevrolet Traverse is a favourite among larger families who want three rows of seating and generous cargo room. With seating for up to eight passengers and one of the largest cargo areas in its class, the Traverse handles both people and gear with ease. Models from recent years also offer rear-seat reminders, tri-zone climate control, and smart storage solutions throughout the cabin.
Equipped with a strong V6 engine, the Traverse offers respectable towing capability—often up to 5,000 pounds—making it suitable for towing small trailers or boats. With available all-wheel drive and a smooth ride, it’s built for long highway hauls or scenic detours off the beaten path. It’s an ideal road trip SUV for families who value space without stepping into full-size territory.
The Honda Pilot offers a smart balance between size and efficiency. With seating for up to eight, a flat-folding third row, and an easy-to-access second row, the Pilot has long been a go-to for families. Cabin materials are durable and kid-friendly, and upper trims offer amenities like rear entertainment systems and integrated navigation to keep everyone comfortable and informed on long drives.
Most models include Honda’s suite of safety features, and the available all-wheel drive ensures the Pilot is ready for changing road conditions. With a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, the Pilot can handle lightweight trailers or campers while still delivering smooth highway cruising and solid fuel efficiency.
A used Ford Explorer is another excellent family road trip companion, offering three rows of seating and a versatile cabin layout. More recent models (from 2020 onward) ride on a rear-wheel-drive-based platform, giving the Explorer improved towing capacity—up to 5,600 pounds with the turbocharged V6—and better weight distribution for towing stability.
Inside, the Explorer offers plenty of space for adults in the first two rows and a usable third row for kids or shorter trips. Features like wireless Apple CarPlay, a digital driver display, and optional second-row captain’s chairs add to its long-distance comfort. Whether you’re towing a camper or just need room for everyone and their gear, the Explorer delivers performance and practicality.
The Toyota Highlander has a reputation for reliability and long-term value, but it’s also a great choice for road trips. With three-row seating for seven or eight passengers and a quiet, comfortable interior, the Highlander is designed to reduce fatigue on long drives. Available hybrid models add excellent fuel economy to the mix, making them an efficient option for summer travel.
For families with towing needs, the gas-powered Highlander offers up to 5,000 pounds of capacity, and even the hybrid can manage light-duty towing up to 3,500 pounds. Add in a suite of advanced safety features and intuitive infotainment systems, and the Highlander becomes a well-rounded and dependable travel partner.
A pre-owned Hyundai Palisade is one of the most refined and spacious options in the midsize three-row SUV segment. It’s especially appealing to families seeking an upscale feel without the premium badge. With seating for up to eight, quilted leather on higher trims, and available ventilated second-row seats, it delivers luxury-level comfort at an accessible price point.
Towing capacity reaches up to 5,000 pounds, and there’s ample storage behind the third row—more than many rivals. Tech-savvy families will appreciate USB ports for all three rows, an intercom system to speak to rear passengers, and available navigation with real-time traffic updates. It’s a top-tier option for road trips where comfort and connectivity matter just as much as space.
If maximum interior volume is what you’re after, a used Volkswagen Atlas delivers in spades. One of the roomiest SUVs in the three-row category, the Atlas offers adult-friendly space in all rows and a large cargo area that rivals some full-size SUVs. The sliding second-row seats provide easy access to the third row, making it a breeze to load kids, car seats, or gear.
Most Atlas models are powered by either a turbocharged four-cylinder or a V6 engine, with towing capabilities of up to 5,000 pounds. Available all-wheel drive and features like adaptive cruise control and a digital cockpit make it well-suited for long highway journeys. Its boxy shape also ensures plenty of visibility and helps with packing everything you need for the trip.
For smaller families or couples planning a summer getaway, a used Ford Escape offers a flexible interior with great fuel efficiency. Though it's more compact than other models on this list, the Escape still delivers up to 1,500 to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity depending on the engine and configuration—enough for small trailers, bikes, or extra cargo.
With its comfortable seats, large rear cargo hold for the segment, and available all-wheel drive, the Escape proves itself to be more than capable on long drives. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants are also available, providing even better efficiency for fuel-conscious road trippers.
A used Ford Edge gives families the space they need without stepping into a three-row model. With a roomy second row and one of the largest cargo areas in the two-row midsize SUV class, the Edge offers plenty of room for gear, luggage, or even a cooler full of snacks and drinks. It's a great choice for families that don’t need third-row seating but still want a capable, comfortable road trip vehicle.
Engine options include efficient four-cylinders and more powerful V6s, with towing capacities reaching up to 3,500 pounds. With available features like Ford’s Co-Pilot360 safety suite, a panoramic sunroof, and a quiet ride, the Edge is well-suited for long drives across a variety of road conditions.
Ideal for young families or solo travellers looking for a small yet surprisingly roomy SUV, the used Hyundai Kona packs impressive versatility into a compact footprint. Despite its size, the Kona offers a comfortable rear seat for two adults or children, along with a cargo hold that's useful for road trip essentials.
The Kona’s lively driving dynamics and efficient engines make it enjoyable on winding roads and economical on the highway. With available all-wheel drive, smartphone integration, and intuitive controls, the Kona is a great entry-level SUV for summer getaways where space is important, but parking ease and agility also matter.
A pre-owned Hyundai Tucson blends practicality with everyday comfort. It offers generous interior space for a compact SUV, especially with the rear seats folded down, making it a strong choice for small families. Rear-seat passengers enjoy good legroom, and parents will appreciate the easy installation of child seats thanks to wide door openings and clear anchor points.
The Tucson also stands out with its available hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, giving families the option of improved fuel economy without sacrificing capability. It’s a quiet and comfortable cruiser, with ample safety features and an interior designed to reduce fatigue on long drives.
The Toyota RAV4 has long been one of the most popular SUVs on the road, and for good reason. It strikes a solid balance between space, efficiency, and all-weather performance. A used RAV4 offers enough interior room to handle passengers and cargo for weekend getaways or week-long excursions, and newer models include an available hybrid system for excellent fuel economy on long drives.
Families will find the RAV4’s mix of reliability, comfort, and advanced safety appealing, especially when paired with its towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds in the Trail trim. It’s a go-anywhere SUV that feels just as at home in the city as it does pulling up to a lakeside cabin.
Finding the right SUV for your family summer road trip doesn’t mean compromising between space, comfort, and versatility. Whether you’re hauling a camper, packing up for a beach vacation, or heading out on a cross-province adventure, these pre-owned SUVs offer a wide range of solutions to meet your needs. From three-row giants like the Chevrolet Traverse and Kia Telluride, to surprisingly roomy compacts like the Hyundai Kona and Toyota RAV4, AutoPark Brampton has a selection designed to help you enjoy every kilometre of the journey ahead.
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