Families, like automobiles, come in all sizes. U.S. News & World Report searched for the best family vehicles in 21 segments, from upscale small cars such as the top-ranked Mercedes-Benz C-Class to large SUVs such as the class-leading GMC Yukon.
The 2016 model beat out the Ford Expedition and its corporate cousin, the Chevrolet Tahoe, to be named the Best Large SUV for Families. U.S. News & World Report evaluated all vehicles based upon the collective opinions of “professional automotive writers, passenger and cargo space, … safety and reliability data, and available family-friendly features.”
Although the Yukon was knocked for its third-row seating space for adults and lack of cargo room relative to its competitors, its first and second rows were given high marks for their comfort.
The site found the Yukon to have above-average reliability and top frontal and side crash ratings. The rollover score could’ve been higher, though.
In terms of family-friendly features, the Yukon won praise from Jamie Page Deaton, managing editor for U.S. News Best Cars, for its Apple CarPlay and on-board Wi-Fi – great for keeping little ones entertained with YouTube videos on a tablet.
U.S. News & World Report also deemed the Yukon the #1 affordable large SUV – a quality that all families can use.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
