People-haulers for kids – and their stuff

For last-gasp summer vacations and the start of back-to-school, there’s a whole lot of hauling going on. Consumer Reports lists seven choices for hauling your kids – and their gear.

Best All-Around

If an SUV is more your style than a minivan, there’s no better choice than Consumer Reports’ top-rated Toyota Highlander. Family-friendly and spacious, the Highlander offers a comfortable and quiet ride, with seating for up to eight, and a third row that’s roomy enough for three small kids. You can choose a bench seat or captain’s chairs in the second row. Controls feature big knobs and large displays. The tested V-6 version was smooth and powerful, and returned 20 mpg overall. A 25-mpg hybrid is also available. Reliability has consistently been stellar. Seats 8.

Van-tastic!

If room for gear is more important, the Toyota Sienna wins. It shares its smooth, punchy V-6 with the Highlander. It also has available all-wheel drive. Innovative and versatile interior packaging allows for room for lots of stuff. The second-row center seat stows in the back when it’s not needed. A recent freshening made the Sienna quieter. Seats 8.

Weekend Warrior

The seven-passenger Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the most-pleasant and well-rounded three-row SUVs on the market. It’s functional yet stylish, without being so big that it’s too bulky. The comfortable ride and quiet interior make it a welcome family road-trip companion. The limolike middle-row seats are a bonus, but the third row is cramped and hard to get to. Fuel economy from the standard V-6 engine is impressive. Consumer Reports measured 20 mpg overall in its testing – 1 to 2 mpg better than most competitors. Seats 7.

A Super SUV

Forget everything you might think about Kia being a cut-rate brand. The midsized Kia Sorento’s 2016 redesign transformed it into a vastly improved SUV. The cabin is quiet and well-equipped for the money, and ride comfort has improved. Handling is responsive and secure. Fuel economy is an impressive 21 mpg overall. Available safety gear includes forward-collision warning, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as a surround-view monitor. Good crash-test results are a plus. Seats 7.

New Kid on the Block

Long a top-scorer in Consumer Reports’ tests, the Honda Pilot has always been a family-friendly choice. A redesigned Pilot has just landed, and the borrowed model has testers thinking that the new version has a lot of potential. They like the smooth, punchy powertrain and the spacious, quiet and airy cabin. Clever second-row seats fold away at the push of a button for easier third-row access, and big windows offer much better visibility than most modern SUVs. Consumer Reports will know more once testing is complete. Seats 8.

The Mother of all Minivans

Nothing beats the space you’ll find in a minivan. A perennial high-scorer and one of Consumer Reports’ favorites, the Honda Odyssey combines average reliability, impressive fuel economy and surprisingly responsive handling for a vehicle its size. The versatile cabin fits up to eight occupants, with lots of storage bins and cubbies. Big sliding doors make for easy access. When you’re carting the gridiron gang’s shoulder pads, the third row folds into the floor and the second-row seats can be removed entirely. An optional built-in vacuum can suck up wayward Cheerios. Seats 8.

Have Board, Will Travel

If you’re looking for luxury comfort with trucklike capability, the Dodge Durango might be your best bet. It has serious towing capacity for boats or campers, yet it is roomy and quiet inside. Comfortable seats and a steady ride make it feel premium. The optional Uconnect 8.4-inch infotainment system is one of the best – it’s easy to use and offers Wi-Fi to keep the kids occupied. Owner satisfaction is high in Consumer Reports’ surveys. Seats 7.

2015 Consumers Union Inc.