(iSeeCars) – iSeeCars has identified the best family cars across the sedan, SUV, truck, minivan, and electric vehicle categories. The vehicles are ranked by their Family Car Score, which prioritizes safety and reliability and then considers which family-friendly features are available on each model. Additional vehicle information is provided in the ranking lists, including fuel economy ratings, advanced tech features, and connectivity options. Available safety features, like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist, are also identified, along with new and used pricing.
Choosing the best family car means matching your family’s needs to the vehicle that most effectively meets them. Beyond the standard traits any car buyer should consider, including cost, fuel efficiency, and practicality, family cars need to easily accommodate car seats for young families or provide adequate rear seat space for teens and young adults. Larger families will likely need a third-row of seating capacity, suggesting either a minivan or three-row SUV as the best option. And buyers in colder climates should seriously consider all-wheel-drive models to improve confidence and safety.
When primary requirements like cost, size, seating capacity, and mpg are finalized a shopper should look at secondary items like interior design and standard features. Most new cars include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on even the base trims, but items like heated front seats and the largest infotainment display require a mid-grade or higher (meaning more expensive) trim. The best SUVs for families, such as the Kia Telluride, include a large touchscreen, plenty of USB ports, climate controls for the second-row seats, and adaptive cruise control as standard equipment.
Finally, family shoppers should remember that minivans like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna remain the most effective vehicles for family transportation. Their large sliding doors, low step-in height, and boxy shape make them easy to get in and out of while providing more interior space than even a 3-row SUV. And while their driving experience isn’t exactly sports car-like, they are surprisingly quick and nimble, making them the ideal family road trip vehicle – regardless of driving route.
The following features were used to rank family-friendly vehicles:
- Comfort/Convenience Features – such as heated/ventilated seats, Rear climate controls, rear sunshades, and a powered liftgate
- Connectivity Features – such as Apple Carplay, Android Auto, USB ports, Wi-Fi hotspot, and an A/C power outlet
- Safety Features – such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control
- Storage Features – such as fold-flat or removable seats and hidden storage areas,
Best Family SUVs by Category
Best Family Subcompact SUVs
Family Car Score
- Chevrolet Trailblazer: 9.3 / 10
- Chevrolet Trax: 8.0 / 10
- Hyundai KONA: 7.9 / 10
- Honda HR-V: 7.8 / 10
- Subaru Crosstrek: 7.3 / 10
Best Family Luxury Subcompact SUVs
Family Car Score
- BMW X1: 8.6 / 10
- Buick Encore: 8.6 / 10
- Audi Q3: 8.4 / 10
- Mercedes-Benz GLA
- Jaguar E-PACE
Best Family Small SUVs
Family Car Score
- Honda CR-V: 9.5 / 10
- Subaru Outback: 9.4 / 10
- Ford Escape: 9.2 / 10
- Chevrolet Equinox: 8.9 / 10
- Subaru Forester: 8.8 / 10
Best Family Luxury Small SUVs
Family Car Score
- Acura RDX: 9.3 / 10
- BMW X3: 9.1 / 10
- Volvo XC60: 8.9 / 10
- INFINITI QX50: 8.5 / 10
- Audi Q5: 8.4 / 10
For the complete list across all categories, visit the iSeeCars complete list of Best Family Cars.
More from iSeeCars.com:
About iSeeCars.com
iSeeCars.com is a data-driven car search and research company that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, including the iSeeCars VIN Check report and Best Cars Rankings. iSeeCars has saved users over $410 million so far by applying big data analytics powered by over 25 billion (and growing) data points and using proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of new cars and used cars.