When you need a vehicle that can carry up to eight passengers, your choices might seem limited. Only a big van or a full-size SUV can carry that many people safely. The trouble is that vans are really basic, and you probably want a vehicle that will be more comfortable and convenient for the times you’re not carrying the entire family or the basketball team.
Luckily, there are many great options when it comes to eight-passenger or even nine-passenger SUVs. We’ve picked out 10 great options from 10 different brands to show you the best of the market this year. These SUVs come in at different price points and offer different features, but every one will carry eight people in comfort.
2020 Honda Pilot
The 2020 Honda Pilot is as useful as it is affordable. With a starting MSRP of just $31,550, this SUV gives you all the carrying capacity and style you could want without breaking your budget. It starts with Honda’s proven 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower, and a six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive. Then you get Honda’s legendary reliability as standard equipment.
The Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features is also standard on all Pilot models, and that gives you next-generation tech like LED headlights, a multi-angle rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, and a road departure mitigation system. Even the least expensive Pilot includes eight-passenger seating and up to 109 cubic feet of total cargo space.
2020 Subaru Ascent
The 2020 Subaru Ascent is the biggest vehicle Subaru has ever produced, and it has seats for eight people along with 19 cup and bottle holders. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, paired with an advanced Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and Subaru’s famous symmetrical all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment.
Every Ascent model will tow at least 2,000 pounds, and most trims will pull up to 5,000 pounds, so you can take the whole Scout pack camping. Subaru also equips every new Ascent with its advanced EyeSight safety system. This includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-departure and sway warnings, and lane-keeping assistance. When you’re not hauling the whole crew, the Ascent offers up to 86.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2020 Subaru Ascent starts at $31,995.
2020 Cadillac Escalade
If your taste and your budget want something more luxurious, it’s hard to beat the 2020 Cadillac Escalade, starting at $76,490. This eight-passenger SUV could be your limousine. A 6.2-liter V8 engine rated at 420 horsepower, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, makes the Escalade as fast as it is pretty.
Even the most basic Escalade trim is well-appointed, with features like magnetic ride control, active noise cancellation, wireless device charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 16-speaker Bose centerpoint audio system. Safety is on the list, too. Most Escalade trims come with a driver awareness package featuring low-speed forward automatic braking, a forward collision alert, lane-keep assist with a lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, a lane change alert with side blind zone and rear cross-traffic alerts, and a vibrating safety alert driver’s seat. One thing to remember: If you want even more space in the back, ask about the extended-length Escalade ESV.
2020 Lexus LX 570
Another great luxury SUV option with room for eight is the 2020 Lexus LX 570. The largest Lexus SUV comes with a 5.7-liter V8 engine making 383 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. This SUV will tow up to 7,000 pounds, and it will go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. No matter where the road may take you, and even when the road ends entirely, the LX is a capable off-road vehicle with a locking center differential and active height control suspension. Lexus also provides a multi-terrain select feature to optimize the 4WD system for any surface.
Luxury is not forgotten, however, as Lexus outfits the LX with artisanal wood trim and top semi-aniline leather upholstery. The LX comes with four-zone climate control and heated seats in the first two rows. The Lexus Safety System+ protects your family with a pre-collision braking system, a lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams, all starting at $90,380.
2020 Hyundai Palisade
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade is all-new and the largest vehicle Hyundai has ever offered in America. With a starting MSRP of just $31,500, the Palisade is well within reach of most families. All trim levels seat eight passengers, and the Hyundai offers 86.4 cubic feet of total cargo capacity.
Hyundai provides a 3.8-liter V6 engine rated at 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive as standard equipment on all trims. Standard advanced safety gear includes a rear parking distance warning, a rear seat occupant alert, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, a driver attention warning, and trailer sway control. The eight-passenger Palisade can tow up to 5,000 pounds. While you’re considering the Palisade, be sure to check out the closely related 2020 Kia Telluride as well.
2019 Ford Expedition
The full-size 2019 Ford Expedition covers the middle ground between the all-out luxury models and the economy brands, with a starting MSRP of $52,130. The Expedition is award-winning, receiving a Best Buy Award from Kelley Blue Book as well as being J.D. Power’s highest-ranked SUV in initial quality for 2018.
The Expedition comes with a standard EcoBoost 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is optional. The standard Expedition offers 104.6 cubic feet of cargo space and seating for eight, but if you need more than that, consider the Expedition Max. This extended-wheelbase edition adds 11.9 inches to the overall length of the vehicle, with more rear legroom and 121.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
2020 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse is a mid-size crossover SUV with seating for eight, but this vehicle is no lightweight. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive.
With the standard front-wheel drive, the Traverse returns EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. In that same configuration, the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Standard safety equipment on all models includes a rear seat reminder, backup camera, LED daytime running lights, and GM’s OnStar emergency communications system. Like all GM products, the Traverse can create a Wi-Fi hotspot inside the vehicle when the onboard 4G/LTE data system is activated. The 2020 Chevrolet Traverse carries a starting MSRP of $30,995.
2019 Nissan Armada
The 2019 Nissan Armada is the top of the line from one of Japan’s leading automakers. This full-size body-on-frame SUV can carry eight passengers and tow up to 8,500 pounds. Nissan equips the Armada with a 5.6-liter V8 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can choose rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, depending on how they plan to use the Armada.
The base MSRP for an Armada with two-wheel drive is $47,100. For that price, you’ll get features like adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, an intelligent forward collision warning, and active brake limited slip technology for traction control. Inside, the Armada features a comfortable interior at any trim level. An 8-inch touchscreen display is standard, with GPS navigation and voice recognition.
2020 Toyota Sequoia
Another SUV that bridges the gap between economy and luxury is the 2020 Toyota Sequoia. This vehicle starts at $49,905 and offers a long list of standard features, plus Toyota’s reputation for high quality and durability. First, the base price includes a 5.7-liter V8 engine rated at 381 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard, with your choice of rear-wheel or multi-mode four-wheel drive.
You can load up to 120.1 cubic feet of cargo into a Sequoia, or up to eight passengers. The SUV will tow up to 7,400 pounds when ordered with rear-wheel drive. Toyota’s safety list includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alerts, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts.
2020 GMC Yukon
The 2020 GMC Yukon and the related 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe are among the best-selling eight-passenger SUVs on the market. GMC offers more luxury than the Chevy version, and if you buy the Yukon in the SLE trim with a front bench seat, this SUV will actually seat up to nine passengers.
GMC equips the most basic Yukon with a 5.3-liter V8 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is available, as is a larger 6.2-liter V8 engine with a 10-speed transmission. In the base configuration, the Yukon will tow up to 8,500 pounds. Available advanced safety gear includes adaptive cruise control, a forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking assist, a lane-change alert with blind-spot monitoring, and a vibrating safety alert driver’s seat. The 2020 GMC Yukon’s starting MSRP is $65,725.
