Best family cars for 2024

(iSeeCars) – 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 Small Cars

1. Toyota Corolla: 9.3 / 10
2. Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback: 9.1 / 10
3. Volkswagen Jetta: 9.1 / 10

Best Family Luxury Small Cars

1. Lexus IS 350: 9.5 / 10
2. Lexus IS 300: 9.3 / 10
3. BMW 3 Series: 9.2 / 10

Best Family Midsize Cars

1. Honda Accord: 9.6 / 10
2. Nissan Altima: 9.2 / 10
3. Hyundai Sonata: 9.0 / 10

Best Family Luxury Midsize Cars

1. Lexus ES 250: 9.6 / 10
2. Audi A6: 9.1 / 10
3. Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 9.1 / 10

Best Family Large Cars

1. Nissan Maxima: 9.3 / 10
2. Dodge Charger: 9.0 / 10

Best Family Luxury Wagons

1. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (wagon): 9.3 / 10
2. Volvo V60 Cross Country: 8.5 / 10

Best Family Hatchbacks

1. Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback: 9.1 / 10
2. Honda Civic (hatchback): 8.7 / 10
3. Volkswagen Golf GTI: 8.6 / 10

Best Family Compact Cars

1. Toyota Corolla: 9.3 / 10
2. Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback: 9.1 / 10
3. Volkswagen Jetta: 9.1 / 10

Best Family Luxury Compact Cars

1. Lexus IS 350: 9.5 / 10
2. Lexus IS 300: 9.3 / 10
3. BMW 3 Series: 9.2 / 10

Best Family Subcompact SUVs

1. Chevrolet Trax: 8.0 / 10
2. Hyundai Kona: 7.9 / 10
3. Honda HR-V: 7.8 / 10

Best Family Luxury Subcompact SUVs

1. Audi Q3: 8.4 / 10
2. Volvo XC40
3. Cadillac XT4

Best Family Small SUVs

1. Ford Escape: 9.1 / 10
2. Honda CR-V: 9.0 / 10
3. GMC Terrain: 9.0 / 10

Best Family Luxury Small SUVs

1. BMW X3: 9.2 / 10
2. Acura RDX: 8.7 / 10
3. Volvo XC60: 8.6 / 10

Best Family Crossover SUVs

1. Chevrolet Blazer: 9.4 / 10
2. Honda Passport: 9.3 / 10
3. Hyundai Santa Fe: 9.3 / 10

Best Family Luxury Crossover SUVs

1. Acura MDX: 9.7 / 10
2. Lincoln Aviator: 9.3 / 10
3. BMW X3: 9.2 / 10

Best Family Midsize SUVs

1. Chevrolet Blazer: 9.4 / 10
2. Honda Passport: 9.3 / 10
3. Hyundai Santa Fe: 9.3 / 10

Best Family Luxury Midsize SUVs

1. Acura MDX: 9.7 / 10
2. Audi Q7: 8.6 / 10
3. Mercedes-Benz GLE: 8.6 / 10

Best Family Large SUVs

1. Ford Expedition: 9.5 / 10
2. Chevrolet Traverse Limited
3. Jeep Grand Wagoneer L

Best Family Luxury Large SUVs

1. Lincoln Navigator: 9.6 / 10
2. Lincoln Navigator L: 9.5 / 10
3. Lincoln Aviator: 9.3 / 10

Best Family SUVs with 3 Rows

1. Ford Expedition: 9.5 / 10
2. Hyundai Santa Fe: 9.3 / 10
3. Nissan Pathfinder: 9.3 / 10

Best Family Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows

1. Acura MDX: 9.7 / 10
2. Lincoln Navigator: 9.6 / 10
3. Lincoln Navigator L: 9.5 / 10

Best Family 5-seater SUVs

1. Ford Expedition: 9.5 / 10
2. Chevrolet Blazer: 9.4 / 10
3. Honda Passport: 9.3 / 10

Best Family Luxury 5-seater SUVs

1. BMW X3: 9.2 / 10
2. Acura RDX: 8.7 / 10
3. Volvo XC60: 8.6 / 10

Best Family 6-seater SUVs

1. Hyundai Santa Fe: 9.3 / 10
2. Mazda CX-9: 9.3 / 10
3. Mazda CX-90

Best Family Luxury 6-seater SUVs

1. Lincoln Aviator: 9.3 / 10
2. Volvo XC90: 8.8 / 10
3. INFINITI QX60: 8.2 / 10

Best Family 7-Seater SUVs

1. Hyundai Santa Fe: 9.3 / 10
2. Nissan Pathfinder: 9.3 / 10
3. Mazda CX-9: 9.3 / 10

Best Family Luxury 7-Seater SUVs

1. Acura MDX: 9.7 / 10
2. Lincoln Navigator: 9.6 / 10
3. Lincoln Navigator L: 9.5 / 10

Best Family 8-seater SUVs

1. Ford Expedition: 9.5 / 10
2. Nissan Pathfinder: 9.3 / 10
3. Honda Pilot: 9.1 / 10

Best Family Midsize Trucks

1. Honda Ridgeline: 9.6 / 10
2. Jeep Gladiator
3. Toyota Tacoma

For the complete list across all categories, visit the iSeeCars complete list of Best Family Cars.

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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.

This article, Best Family Cars, originally appeared on iSeeCars.com.