Update: ‘2023 Mercedes EQS SUV,’ ‘2023 Mercedes EQB,’ and ‘2023 VinFast VF 9’ updated.
American customers have plenty of options for family SUVs, most of which are gas-powered models. However, the best family SUV in 2023 could be an EV. Several new large electric three-row SUVs are due for debut/launch by 2023, and they might be significantly better in all respects.
What is today reckoned as the hybrid best family SUV models (gas-powered) in the country offer a spacious interior with up to three rows of comfortable seats, plenty of comfort, convenience, and safety features, and a capable powertrain, but many of them are difficult to drive and expensive to refuel. Below are some of the new EVs that you’ll find listed under the best family SUV category in 2023:
2023 Mercedes EQS SUV
The 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV is one of the best family SUV models in the luxury category in the U.S. It competes with the Tesla Model X, which is the benchmark for electric SUVs in the country.
Specifications
The 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV has a long wheelbase of 126.4 inches, exactly three inches longer than that of the GLS SUV (123.4 inches). Up to seven adults should travel in comfort over long distances in this model. The full-size electric SUV offers 40.7 inches of headroom in the first- and second-row seats with a sliding roof and 35.4 inches of headroom in the third-row seats. Mercedes-Benz claims that the shoulder room and elbow room in all the rows are also above average.
There’s plenty of electric adjustment in the flagship Merc. The second-row seats are electrically slidable forward and backward by up to 5 inches, that too as standard. The knee room is at a comfortable level between 32.7 and 37.8 inches. Even the backrests are electrically adjustable, allowing reclining by 14 degrees to the front and 4 degrees to the rear. There’s also an electric inclination function, with which customers can angle them more steeply when they want to store larger objects without folding down the seats.
Space
The EQS SUV pampers the driver and front passenger with massage functions (optional). A heating function is standard for the first-row seats and optional for the second- and third-row seats. Using the standard Easy-Entry function, third-row occupants can move the second-row seats’ backrests up to 11.4 inches forward beyond the usual adjustment range to access their seats.
In the two-row version, there’s 22.7 cu.-ft. of cargo space, expandable to 31 cu. ft. by moving forward the rear seats, or to 74.2 cu. ft. – enough for four golf bags – by folding them down. The three-row version offers generous cargo space as well. 6.8 cu. ft. with of volume is available with all the seats upright, expandable to 28.2 cu. ft. by folding down the second-row seats and further to 71.3 cu. ft. by folding down the second-row seats, too.
Features
With the 12.3-inch third display of the optional MBUX Hyperscreen in the dashboard and the two 11.6-inch displays of the MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment Plus, the first-row passenger and the second-row passengers can immerse themselves in digital entertainment on the go.
Rear-seat occupants can set their own temperature with an optional four-zone THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system. Mercedes-Benz hasn’t forgotten third-row passengers here, offering another optional THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system that allows setting a different (but common) temperature and ventilation intensity for the third row. Another noteworthy optional feature family customers with kids and babies will appreciate is a HEPA filter to keep the cabin air clean (and odor-free).
Safety
On the safety front, Mercedes-Benz has included a wide range of advanced driver assistance systems as standard. These include Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Stop-and-Go Assist, Active Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function, Active Speed Limit Assist with Traffic Sign Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, and Surround View System.
Battery & Motor
The U.S. gets the 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV with a standard 107.8 kWh battery pack in 450+, 450 4MATIC, and 580 4MATIC variants. The 450+ variant has a single motor generating 355 hp and 419 lb.-ft. for the rear wheels. The 450 4MATIC variant uses two motors, one at the front and one at the rear, which generate a total power of 355 hp and a total torque of 590 lb.-ft. The 580 4MATIC variant also sports a twin-motor powertrain, but with 536 hp and 633 lb.-ft. of torque.
Charging
Level charging from 0 to 100% SoC takes 12.5 hours and Level 3 charging from 10 to 80% SoC takes 31 minutes. The EQS SUV delivers an EPA-est. range of 305 miles in the 450+ variant, 285 miles in the 450 4MATIC variant, and 285 miles in the 580 4MATIC variant.
The AIRMATIC air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ is standard in the EQS SUV. Also standard is rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 10 degrees, which reduces the turning circle by 3 feet to 36 feet and makes driving and parking in the city easier and provides more stability when driving at high speeds on highways.
Price
The 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV is now available at U.S. dealers. It costs USD 104,400 onwards in the 450+ variant, USD 107,400 onwards in the 450 4MATIC variant, and USD 125,950 onwards in the 580 4MATIC variant. A standard USD 995 destination charge is extra. Customers get unlimited complimentary 30-minute charging sessions at all Electrify America DC fast-charging stations in the U.S. As of December 20, 2022, there are more than 3,435 Electrify America fast chargers in the U.S.
2023 Mercedes EQB
The 2023 Mercedes EQB is not a proper three-row model, with a compromised third-row because of its compact body. It has a wheelbase of 111.3 inches and up to seven seats, with the third-row seats best suitable for small children, not for grown-up teenagers or adults. There’s just 23 cu. ft. of trunk capacity, which admittedly is not a lot.
In both five- and seven-seat versions, the second-row seats offer multi-stage inclination adjustment for the backrest, and it’s possible to move the second-row seats 5.5 inches longitudinally. In the seven-seat version, there’s an Easy-Entry function for making entry for third-row passengers easy. With a generous headroom of 41 inches in the front, the EQB doesn’t disappoint tall drivers.
Features
Mercedes-Benz offers the EQB in the U.S. with standard features like LED headlamps, LED front and rear light bands, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, and Active Brake Assist. Passive keyless entry, wireless smartphone charging, Burmester sound system, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera system, and more premium features are available.
Specifications
In addition to the carried over 300 4MATIC and 350 4MATIC, the 2023 EQB SUV is available in a new 250+ FWD variant. While the AWD variants share a 66.5 kWh battery pack, the FWD variant has a 70.5 kWh battery pack. It uses only one motor, which produces 188 hp and 284 lb.-ft. of torque.
The EPA-est. range of the 2023 EQB 250+ is 245 miles. The EPA-est. range of the other 2023 EQB 300 4MATIC and 2023 EQB 350 4MATIC aren’t out. However, we expect them to be the same as the previous model’s range (243 miles and 227 miles, respectively). So, the new base variant probably doesn’t offer a big range advantage despite its bigger battery pack and lower-end powertrain.
The EQB 300’s powertrain produces 225 hp and 288 lb.-ft. of torque, while the EQB 350’s powertrain develops the same amount of power but 384 lb.-ft. of torque. Level 2 charging from 10 to 100% SoC takes 7.75 hours and Level 3 charging from 10 to 80% SoC takes 32 minutes.
Price
An online listing on Mercedes-Benz of Alexandria suggests the base 2023 Mercedes EQB costs USD 52,750 (excl. USD 1,150 destination charge). Mercedes-Benz is sweetening the deal with two years of free unlimited 30-minute charging sessions at all Electrify America charging stations across the continental United States.
Kia EV9
The Kia EV9 could be one of the most crucial launches in the three-row family SUV space in America in the near future. It would be one of the first dedicated electric models in this segment.
Features & Specifications
Previewed by the Kia Concept EV9 at the 2021 LA Auto Show, the Kia EV9 will be a conventional-bodied boxy American SUV but with futuristic design elements such as camera-based virtual mirrors (digital mirrors), aero wheels, and more. Based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), it would have double the normal operating voltage – 800 volts. This would make it more advanced than the Tesla Model X and Mercedes EQS SUV on the charging front, as it would be compatible with ultra-fast 800-volt chargers.
A 100 kWh battery pack that delivers an EPA-est. range of up to 300 miles could be standard. Kia may offer single-and dual-motor powertrains, with the latter generating 308 hp.
V2L
The Kia EV6 allows charging at up to 240 kW, and the EV9 could accept direct current at even higher power. Charging from 10 to 80% SoC with a 350 kW charger could take just 20-30 minutes. V2L would make adventure trips with families fun. It would allow customers to barbecue on an electric grille, play music on party speakers and movies through projectors, brew fresh coffee, and do much more using the power stored in the vehicle’s battery pack.
Space & Comfort
The EV9 would be more spacious than the Telluride. Like the Concept EV9, it could have a 122.0-inch wheelbase, 7.8 inches longer than that of the Telluride (114.2 in.). Second- and third-row passengers could feel more comfortable in the electric model. While the Telluride comes in seven- and eight-seat versions, the EV9 may come in six- and seven-seat versions.
Price
The Kia EV9 will go on sale in the U.S. in the second half of 2023. Prices could start at around USD 50,000.
Hyundai Ioniq 7
Another new attractive family SUV in the U.S. in 2023 could be the Hyundai Ioniq 7. This model will be the production version of the Hyundai Seven Concept from the 2021 LA Auto Show.
Space & Features
Also based on E-GMP, the Hyundai Ioniq 7 is likely to be much more spacious than the Hyundai Palisade and even the Kia EV9. The Seven Concept has the longest wheelbase for any Hyundai model to date – 3.2 m (126.0 in.), and we expect the same for the Ioniq 7. For reference, the Palisade has the same wheelbase as Kia’s Telluride – 114.2 in. While the Palisade is available in seven- and eight-seat versions, the Ioniq 7 would come in six- and seven-seat versions, Hyundai revealed during a media briefing in May 2021 (via InsideEVs).
Specifications
The Hyundai Ioniq 7 may come in the same power-electric configurations as the Kia EV9. Expect a standard 100 kWh battery pack that can return an EPA-est. range of up to 300 miles. During the aforementioned media briefing, Hyundai did say that it will offer RWD and AWD variants with powertrains producing up to 308 hp. Moreover, the company revealed that Level 3 autonomous driving and wireless vehicle charging will also be among its capabilities.
Price & Release date
The Hyundai Ioniq 7’s prices in the U.S. may also start at around USD 50,000. Officially, Hyundai plans to introduce the Ioniq 7 in 2024. On July 25, 2022, The Korean Car Blog reported that the company has advanced the launch and would unveil it in early 2023. Like Kia’s EV9, could the Ioniq 7 go on sale in the U.S. in the second half of 2023?
2023 VinFast VF 9
The 2023 VinFast VF 9 is among the Vietnamese automaker’s first models in the U.S. The new electric SUV has traditional SUV proportions mixed with modern design cues, because of which it looks quite like a proper American SUV, although we cannot say the same about its minimalist, car-like interior.
Space & Features
The VF 9 measures 201.6 inches in length, 78.7 inches in width, and 67.8 inches in height. It’s half an inch shorter than the 2023 Toyota Sequoia (208.1 in.), and yet, it has a two-inch longer wheelbase of 124 inches (2023 Toyota Sequoia: 122 inches). This means that it probably has a more spacious cabin than the Japanese full-size SUV.
As standard, the 2023 VinFast VF 9 has a 2+3+2 seating layout. Customers who want more comfort instead of seven seats can optionally choose a 2+2+2 seating layout that includes 8-way powered, heated, and ventilated individual seats in the second row.
Safety
VinFast is expecting a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. It equips the VF 9 with 11 airbags and a slew of ADAS features, including Traffic Jam Assist, Highway Assist, Auto Lane-Changing Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Centering Control, Traffic Sign Assist, and Forward Collision Warning as standard. There are many parking aids also in this list, such as front and rear parking sensors, backup camera, surround view monitor, Summon mode, remote parking, and Fully Automated Parking Assistance.
Specifications
VinFast offers the VF 9 in two variants: Standard Range and Enhanced Range. Both variants have two motors, one unit spinning the front wheels and one unit pushing forward the rear wheels. These motors generate 402 hp of combined power and 457 lb-ft of combined torque in both variants. The company is targeting a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 6.3 seconds in both variants.
The Standard Range variant has a 92 kWh battery pack, which may deliver a range of up to 272 miles. The Enhanced Range variant has a 123 kWh battery pack, which should return a range of up to 369 miles. Both the range figures are the official estimates as per WLTP. The EPA-est. range figures tend to be usually quite lower than the WLTP numbers.
VinFast expects 10-70% DC fast-charging in the VF 9 Standard Range to take approx. 26 minutes. As for the VF 9 Enhanced Range’s 10-70% DC fast-charging time, the company mentions approximately 35 minutes in the specification sheet (pdf).
Price
VinFast only offers the VF 9 on a subscription model, with two battery subscription plans: Flexible and Fixed. In addition to the vehicle prices mentioned in the table below, customers need to pay a subscription of USD 44/month under the Flexible plan or USD 110/month under the Fixed plan. The Flexible plan includes 310 miles of travel per month, and for usage beyond that, the customer has to pay USD 0.15 per mile. The Fixed plan, on the other hand, allows unlimited range.
| Configuration | 2023 VinFast VF 9 Vehicle Price |
| VF 9 Eco Standard Range | USD 55,500 |
| VF 9 Eco Enhanced Range | USD 56,000 |
| VF 9 Plus Standard Range | USD 60,500 |
| VF 9 Plus Enhanced Range | USD 61,000 |
Release Date
In an announcement on November 25, 2022, VinFast said deliveries of the VF 9 in Vietnam and international markets will start in Q1 2023. In the same announcement, the company revealed it has shipped the first 999 vehicles to the U.S., all of which are VF 8s. On December 18, 2022, it revealed on social media that the first batch of the U.S.-bound VF 8 has arrived in San Francisco.
Featured Image Source: Volkswagen
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.
