With the family growing, perhaps you’re considering selling that Mercedes-Benz or Honda car you have and replace it with a bigger vehicle like an SUV. Although some say that SUVs are gas-guzzling, having one for a larger family is still practical since it can accommodate everyone comfortably. Plus, if you plan to bring gears and cargo along, there’s nothing to worry about the space for SUVs are known to provide spacious seating capacity.

But you might ask, “What is the best SUV for me?” The answer actually lies on your own preferences and it depends mainly on your needs. And since there are lots of options available, you might get confused as to which one will really provide you the best features possible. Consider looking at these popular SUV options for your growing family:

1. Dodge Nitro

2. Dodge Journey

3. Ford Edge

4. Ford Escape

5. Honda CR-V

6. Hyundai Tucson

7. Hyundai Santa Fe

8. Jeep Compass

9. Jeep Patriot

10. Jeep Liberty

11. Jeep Wrangler

12. Kia Rondo

13. Kia Sorrento

14. Land Rover LR2

15. Mazda Tribute

16. Mercedes-Benz GLK 350

17. Mitsubishi Outlander

18. Nissan Rogue

19. Saturn Vue

20. Subaru Forester

21. Suzuki Grand Vitara

22. Toyota Rav-4

23. Volkswagen Touareg

24. Volvo XC60

The list could actually go on and on. But since this is your first buy, you should choose only from the popular options available. At least with this list, you can start from here.

Out of the twelve small SUVs evaluated in the new roof-strength test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, only four of these got “good” safety test ratings. These include the Volkswagen Tiguan, followed by the Subaru Forester (in descending order), the Honda element, and the Jeep Patriot. While the rest were given acceptable, marginal, and poor ratings.

If you happen to own any of these four SUVs, you’ll feel more secured about its strong roofs. However, some safety researchers debated whether a stronger roof really means a safer SUV. That is why IIHS made sure that the standards set on this test are far more demanding than the minimum standard set by the federal government.

Here are the SUVs that receive only acceptable ratings: Suzuki Grand Vitara, Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent, Toyota Rav4, Nissan Rogue, and Mitsubishi Outlander. And those which got really poor ratings were Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

If you are considering buying an SUV in the coming months, you may want to check out this new model from Chevrolet - the Captiva Ikon.

On sale now at £15,995, this model has a lot of exciting features to offer such as electrically-adjustable mirrors, steering wheel-mounted controls, electric windows, air conditioning, and a glass flip tailgate. It also comes with side steps, privacy glass, chrome tailpipe, and 20-inch alloys.

According to Chevrolet, the Captiva Ikon is ideal for families looking for replacement for their hatchback or for those who are looking for larger SUVs but want to cut on costs.

However, the company stated, “To catch your dream Ikon, you need to hurry - it won’t be around forever.”

Tired of searching for a diesel SUV that is clean, efficient, and quiet? No need to look further because Mercedes-Benz introduces the 2009 ML320 BlueTec. Equipped with a solution that zaps emissions - AdBlue - this five-passenger SUV meets the strict emissions requirements of the 50 states including California and Vermont.

The Mercedes-Benz AdBlue technology is actually a new exhaust treatment  which turns polluting exhaust gases into water and urea. Urea is then converted to ammonia, which breaks down the harmful nitrogen oxide gases into harmless substances. This results to reduced exhaust emissions, which is basically the main reason why Mercedes is able to sell this diesel SUV in 50 states.

But what else makes this Mercedes-Benz model a must-have diesel vehicle? It’s no other than its 210-hp 3-liter V-6 turbo diesel engine, which generates 398 pound-feet of torque at a very low 1600 through 2400 rpm. This vehicle has a trailering rating of 7,200 pounds, making it ideal for towing, may it be a boat, caravan, or any other form of trailer.

As for the the new-for-2009 features, the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec is equipped with a COMAND system, which comes with a 6.5 inch color display screen. This system is very helpful if you want to make quick glances as you look at the navigation map,  read the names of road, get read-out data on MP3, and see what’s behind on the rearview back-up camera. But aside from the COMAND system, there is also the Pre-Safe system, which plays a vital part in anticipating accidents, thus preparing the vehicle and the driver and its passengers for safety.

Now, it’s time to hit the showroom and check out this diesel SUV from Mercedes-Benz.

Topping the Kia Sorrento, the Kia Borrego is now considered the largest in the South Korean automaker’s SUV line, as it accommodates 7 passengers, with three rows of seats standard. At 192.1 inches long, it is very roomy, with really generous headroom and legroom among the rows which can also be adjusted as needed. And since it is built on a platform with an overall length of 192.1 inches, overall width of 75.4 inches, and a wheelbase of 114.0 inches, it would fall into the midsize SUV category in U.S. terms.

Although some would think that the Kia Borrego is simply a stretched Sorrento, it is actually not because it rides on a unique body-on-frame chassis with a double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link arrangement in the rear. It might also be mistaken for a Ford Explorer or a Nissan Pathfinder from a distance. But if you take a closer look, the Borrego exhibits some unique details and looks almost graceful, lighter, and less thick or massive than a Pathfinder.

Now, for the engine, here is the big news: the Borrego is the first Kia to have a V8 engine. The said optional 4.6-liter/337-hp V8 generates around 320 lb.-ft. of torque and can tow a whopping 7,500 pounds. But if you don’t need a V8, you can always choose the base Borrego which has a 278-hp 3.8-liter V6 with 267 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a five-speed automatic. However, it can only tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Inside, the Borrego offers plentiful features such as a sliding second row for easy access to the third row, an in-dash, six-disc CD changer powered by a 600-watt Infinity audio system, and a GPS navigation system with a color LCD touchscreen monitor. And in terms of safety, various add-ons and systems are included such as advanced two-stage airbags, full-length side curtain airbags for all three rows, optional driver’s knee airbag, brake assist system (BAS), four-wheel disc brakes with an antilock brake system (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control (TCS), and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). There is also a standard backup warning system and an optional rearview camera.

For this mid-size Kia SUV, two trim levels will be offered – the LX and EX, each available with either engine, and with rear- or four-wheel drive.