2022 Honda Odyssey

There's a reason the Honda Odyssey won Kelley Blue Books "Minivan Best Buy" award three years in a row: It's got everything a parent needs to haul around a small tribe of children—and was one of only two minivans in 2021 to earn a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (the other was the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica). Even though the much-loved interior vacuum cleaner is noticeably absent in this year's model (the company supplying the vacuum went out of business due to Coronavirus troubles!), there are still a lot of great reasons to check it out. 

Best Family Friendly Features:

• Seats up to eight, with LATCH accommodations for up to five car seats (it's also the only minivan to earn an IIHS top rating for ease of use of its LATCH child seat attachment hardware)
• The interior camera helps parents keep an eye on the back seats, even in the dark
• Folding 10-inch screen for back seat passengers can stream movies and games
• "Cabin Watch" camera lets you keep an eye on your back seat passengers, even in the dark, while "Cabin Talk" lets you talk to rear passengers  through the speakers and the DVD headphones
• Split-folding third row offers room for strollers (even unfolded ones) and offers hefty storage space when seats aren't folded into the floor 
• Remote start abilities let you warm up or cool down the car before you step inside
• An 8-inch display touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto 
• The optional cellular plan that'll allow you to stream videos directly to your car
• In-car WiFi 
• Wireless charging pad in the front seat as well as front and rear USB ports
• Sunshades for second and third-row passengers 
• Tri-zone climate control
• A hands-free power tailgate lets you open the trunk by kicking your foot under the rear bumper

Safety Features:

• Eight standard airbags, including knee airbags for the front seats and side-impact curtain protection for all three rows 
• All trims include Honda Sensing (which features Collision Mitigation Braking System with Pedestrian Detection; Forward Collision Warning; Road Departure Mitigation, incorporating Lane Departure Warning; Lane Keeping Assist System; traffic sign recognition; and Active cruise control with a forward-collision warning system)
• Automatic emergency braking applies the brakes when the car detects that a frontal collision is unavoidable
• Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist and Road Departure Mitigation all help keep you from veering off the road
• Blind spot information system will alert you if vehicles are detected in your blind spots when you're changing lanes
• The multi-angle rearview camera gives you extra eyes when you're backing up
• Snow Mode recalibrates the car's traction system to give you more control in winter weather
• Rear seat occupant reminder notifies you to check the back seats before you get out

Starting price: $32,290

Online: Honda.com

2022 Kia Carnival

Want minivan conveniences without minivan looks? This redesigned family mobile—which replaces Kia's Sedona minivan—has a distinctly SUV-inspired design and high-end features, both of which helped it beat out its eight-passenger rivals in Cars.com's annual minivan list. It's got a roomy interior (Kelley Blue Book says it has "room for six-footers in every row"), fun family features (like a rear seat camera for watching the kids), and gobs of safety features. Here's what else the Carnival's got going for it:  

Best Family Friendly Features:

• (Optional) In-cabin camera system with a zoom function and night vision allows front-row occupants to keep an eye on back seat passengers
• 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Seating for up to eight
• Passenger talk intercom system and rear passenger-view camera
• "Class-leading" interior and cargo space (according to Kelley Blue Book)
• Dual screen rear entertainment system (in SX models)
• "VIP-lounge" second-row seats (in SX model) make driving around the in-laws (or nursing in the back seat) easy
• 80-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
• Tri-zone automatic climate control for keeping everyone in the car the right amount of comfortable
• The third row can fold flat into the floor
• hands-free sliding doors
• Slide-flex seating (comes with the 8-seater arrangement) lets parents use multiple seating configurations, including a sliding center 2nd-row seat that can also turn into a table 

Safety Features: 

• Reverse emergency braking
• 360-degree camera system
• 12.3-inch LCD driver information cluster w/blind-spot view monitor (in Prestige model)
• 290 horsepower V6 engine gives a peppy pick-up
• Forward-collision avoidance
• Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keeping assistance
• Automatic high beams
• Driver attention monitoring
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear occupant alert
• Safe exit assist keeps a virtual eye out for vehicles that may be a hazard to anyone exiting the car 

Starting price: $32,200

Online: Kia.com

2022 Ford Expedition

2022 Kia Telluride

Scoring the top spot in Consumer Reports ranking of the best midsize three-row SUVs—and named one of the 10 Best Cars & Trucks for 2022 by Car & Driver magazine—the eight-passenger Kia Telluride has the tech finesse to satisfy the kids and the safety and reliability parents want. And, its luxurious cabin and trims also earn rave reviews, with Car & Driver saying, "With a rugged exterior and a rich-looking interior, the Telluride wouldn't appear out of place in a Land Rover showroom."

Best Family Friendly Features:

• Seating for up to eight (with room in the third row to comfortably fit an adult)
• Available heated and ventilated front and second-row seats
• In-car intercom to talk to rear passengers
• Available reclining dual captain's chairs that slide forward with the push of a button for easy access to the third row
• Dual rear sunroofs
• "Quiet mode" will shut off all rear speakers (so as not to wake little nappers) and play audio up front at a low level
• USB ports for all passengers plus available wireless charging
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to easily connect your music and apps
• Remote climate feature that lets you use your phone to warm up or cool down your car before you get inside
• Find My Car system helps you locate your car in a crowded parking lot
• One-touch sliding and folding second and third-row seats
• 10.25-inch infotainment display with a split-screen function 

Safety Features:

• Blind spot view monitor shows a live feed of your right rear blind spots and stops you if you try to change lanes while an object is detected in the blind spot
• The rear occupant alert system can tell if you left your car with someone in the back seat—and alerts you accordingly
• Standard Safe Exit Assist helps you get off the freeway without worry
• The Head Up display gives you important driving information (speed and road turns) on the front dash so you don't have to look down at your console while driving
• Smart cruise control keeps your car a safe distance from the car in front of you and stops your car if needed
• Emergency braking and warning system will warn you if you're approaching a stopped object and will apply brakes if needed
• Lane-keeping technology keeps you from straying out of your lane
• Eight inches of ground clearance keeps the bottom of your car safe from bumps and off-road obstacles

Starting price: $32,790

Online: Kia.com

2022 Toyota Highlander

This three-row family-hauler won second place in the Consumer Reports list of mid-size, three-row SUVs (behind the Telluride). Consumer Reports calls it "a smart choice for families looking for a do-it-all vehicle." It's also an economical choice, with Car & Driver magazine saying that if you opt for one of the higher trims, you'll  "enjoy a more luxurious environment that just about matches the offerings of a Lexus-branded SUV." Here are a few other things to consider:  

Best Family Friendly Features:

• Seating for up to eight depending on the model
• Available hybrid option teaches kids about environmental stewardship (and saves you money on gas!)
• The infotainment system offers Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Alexa integration
• The seat belt reminder system will alert you and show you exactly which passenger (via a map on the dashboard) has unbuckled during a drive
• The 8-inch infotainment system comes standard, but a 12.3-inch touchscreen display is available on higher trims 
• Wireless charging ports in the front row
• Available heated front and second-row seats
• Panoramic moonroof
• Wifi connectivity with 5 USB ports throughout the car

Safety Features:

• V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission helps the car easily climb hills and accelerate on the highway (Consumer Reports called its drive "smooth and punchy.")
• Standard forward-collision warning with emergency braking
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keeping assistance
• Front and rear parking assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind spot warning (standard on the Hybrid)
• Standard LED headlights with standard auto high beams
• Available all-wheel drive 
• Multi-Terrain Select (available on all-wheel-drive models) lets you choose between four modes (Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, Snow and Normal) for enhanced traction
• Toyota’s Safety and Remote Connect service (free for one year) offers remote engine starting, location tracking, and locking/unlocking 
• Free 3-year subscription to Toyota’s Safety Connect, which enables the emergency crash notification and calls for help when the airbags are deployed 
• Digital rearview mirror (for when the stroller and other things are blocking your rearview)
• Road Sign Assist is designed to detect speed limit signs, stop signs, Do Not Enter signs and yield signs, and display them on the Multi-Information Display

Starting price: $35,205

Online: Toyota.com 

2022 Toyota Rav4

Named Kelley Blue Book's Best Compact SUVs for 2021 and historically one of the top-selling cars in the US, the new Rav4 (which goes on sale mid-December) is already receiving praise. This year's most notable update is the introduction of the new hybrid model plus a few tech and interior updates to keep the car both sporty and safe. 

Best Family Friendly Features:

• Roomy seating for five (Kelley Bluebook says "it's hard to believe the 2022 RAV4 is a compact crossover when sitting in the cabin")
• Panoramic glass roof
• Heated front and rear seats (with ventilated front seats), heated steering wheel 
• Ambient lighting
• Hands-free power liftgate
• 5 USB charging ports and wireless phone charging in the front seat
• 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa integration
• In-Car WiFi
• Hybrid model easier on the environment (and your commute costs)

Safety Features:

• Retuned suspension and eight inches of ground clearance for off-road capability
• Multi-Terrain Select (available on all-wheel-drive models) lets you choose between four modes (Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, Snow and Normal) for enhanced traction
• Digital rearview mirror for when your actual rear view is blocked
• Connected Services lets you remotely unlock/lock the car, get directions from a live agent, call for help in case of an accident, or turn your Rav4 into a hotspot
• Toyota Remote Connect lets you remotely start your vehicle (to warm it up in the winter, for instance), lock or unlock the doors, or locate your vehicle
• Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
• Front and rear parking assist
• Available all-wheel drive
• Forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection
• Lane departure alert with steering assistance
• Road sign recognition
• Radar-based adaptive cruise control that works at a full range of speeds
• rain-sensing wipers and wiper de-icer.

Starting price: The 2021 was $26,350 ($28,900 for hybrid); it is estimated the 2022 model when it is released, will be slightly above this.

Online: Toyota.com

2022 Subaru Forester

Consumer Reports rated the 2022 Forester the top compact SUV of the year, describing it as "a smart, well-executed small SUV that boasts a roomy interior, great fuel economy, and plenty of standard safety equipment." Here's why it's a great pick for families:

Best Family Friendly Features:

• Roomy seating for five
• Compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Power liftgate
• Heated front (and rear, in higher trims) seats; ventilated front seats
• Optional moonroof
• 11.6-inch vertical touch screen in the center console
• Two USB ports in front; two optional in the rear.
• Built-in WiFi hotspot connectivity
• Remote engine start lets you warm up or cool down your car from your smartphone

Safety Features:

• "Top Safety Pick Plus" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic pre-collision braking
• Lane departure warning will notify you if you stray out of your lane
• Blind spot detection system notifies you if it detects vehicles in your blind spots
• Rear cross-traffic warning alerts you to oncoming cars while you're backing up (super-helpful when backing out of your driveway or a parking spot)
• Reverse automatic braking will first give a visual and audible warning—then apply the brakes and stop the car—if there is an object in the rear bumper zone that the vehicle may hit
• Automatic emergency steering (optional)
• Standard all-wheel drive
• Subaru Starlink will alert an operator if your car is involved in a crash and get you roadside help at the push of a button
• EyeSight with advanced safety keeps you a safe distance from the car in front of you; it also detects objects in front of you that you're likely to hit and reduces power to the engine to help minimize the force and impact of a collision
• Front and rear camera views keep you from missing anything on the road in front or behind you
• Up to 9.2-inches of ground clearance makes off-road (or on-road) bumps no problem
• Standard rear seatbelt reminder will tell you which seat is unbuckled
• My Subaru app lets you set speed limits and boundaries to alert you if your (teenage) driver is speeding or going somewhere they're not supposed to go

Starting price: $25,195

Online: Subaru.com

2022 Lincoln Navigator (available early 2022)

Called "posh and powerful by US News & World Report, the Navigator tops the magazine's list of luxury SUVs for its roomy interior and polished features. With three spacious rows, It can easily fit a large family, with room in the back for all the gear (especially if you opt fo the extended L model. Some other family-friendly features include:

Best Family Friendly Features:

• Seating for up to seven
• Available heated and ventilated front and second-row seats and tri-zone climate control for all
• In-car intercom to talk to rear passengers
• Two 10-inch screens equipped with Fire TV available for second-row passengers 
• 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Available 30-way-adjustable massaging front seats (available in the second row, too!) with customizable positions 
• Elegant chimes recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra used for interior alerts (new for 2022)
• USB ports for all passengers plus a wireless charging pad in the front seat
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in Alexa come standard 
• Wifi-enabled
• New Revel Ultima 3D audio system uses 28 speakers to deliver crisp surround sound and custom listening modes 
• Available panoramic vista roof
• Quiet cabin, thanks to sound-dampening technology and acoustic laminate glass

Safety Features:

• Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 comes with adaptive cruise control and stop-and-go pedestrian detection
• Intersection Assist can alert a driver attempting to turn left by applying the brakes when the camera and radar technology detects oncoming traffic
• Active Park Assist 2.0 has side-sensing capability so drivers can confidently navigate out of a spot when someone is parked too close
• Self-parking feature for parallel and perpendicular spaces (which helps, given this car's humongous size)
• The adaptive suspension system uses the car's front camera to monitor the road ahead of you; if a bump in the road is suspected, the system will prepare the suspension to lessen the impact on the vehicle and keep riders comfortable
• Forward collision warning and post-collision braking
• Adaptive LED headlamps turn the high beams on and off when needed
• Built-in navigation
• Available all-wheel drive
• The 360-degree camera comes standard
• New ActiveGlide technology allows drivers to operate the car hands-free (compatible on prequalified sections of divided highways, called Hands-Free Blue Zones, across the US)
• Emergency braking and warning system will warn you if you're approaching a stopped object and will apply brakes if needed
• Lane-keeping technology keeps you from straying out of your lane

Starting price: $76,710 

Online: Lincoln.com

2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Jeep's recent revival of its favorite family-hauler has gotten rave reviews, with US News & World Report ranking it number two (behind the Navigator) on its list of best luxury SUVs, and Car & Driver praising its "gorgeous and gigantic interior," and its "dazzling array of upscale features and tech." 

Best Family Friendly Features:

• Seating for up to eight, with award-winning second and third-row legroom
• Available heated and ventilated front seats plus a four-zone climate control
• 24-way power front seats with massage and power-adjustable head restraints
• USB ports for all passengers plus wireless charging in front
• Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Alexa-enabled so you can easily connect your music and apps
• Premium audio system featuring 23 speakers, including a 12-inch subwoofer with 3D Surround System,
• Most cargo volume in its class behind the third row
• Power-folding seats in both back rows
• Up to 75 inches of total screen display, including a 10 and 12-inch center stack touchscreen and two 10-inch touchscreens (with built-in Amazon Fire) available for second-row passengers
• Large panoramic sunroof that opens over the front and second-row seats; fixed window panel over the third-row seats also available
• A rear-seat monitoring system that displays a video feed onto the central touchscreen

Safety Features:

• Standard all-wheel drive and suspension is built for rugged terrain
• Selec-Terrain Traction Management System has various settings for different terrain and weather, including Rock, Sand/Mud, Snow, and Sport—all of which help the car handle all weather conditions
• Available digital rearview mirror (for when car seats or gear in the back is blocking your rear window view)
• Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking will warn—and then stop the car—to avoid a frontal collision
• Blind spot warning
• Adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance
• Rear cross-traffic warning, as well as rear park assist sensors that will stop the vehicle if needed
• Available 360-degree Surround View and night vision with pedestrian, cyclist and animal detection camera
• Hands-Free Active Driving Assist allows for hands-free driving on an approved road 
• Intersection assist will warn drivers in intersections if a car is approaching from the right or left and apply brakes if needed
• Available Drowsy Driver Detection will detect driver fatigue and monitor steering wheel behavior; if it detects an issue, it will warn you with an alert
• An automatic parking system can park the car for you

Starting price: $87,845 (for Grand Wagoneer); $69,440 (for the standard Jeep Wagoneer)

Online: Jeep.com

2022 Honda Accord

Sure, sedans represent only a quarter of all new car sales—with many families opting for SUVs or minivans to haul their broods—but there's no denying that smaller vehicles such as the Honda Accord can offer a better driving experience and better fuel economy, with a significantly lower price point. In 2021, U.S. News & World Reports named the accord one of the "Best Cars for Families"—and there haven't been any significant changes in this year's model. It's still got a roomy interior, good tech options and a ton of safety features.   

Best family-friendly features:

• U.S. News calls the interior "cavernous," with comfortable seating for five and room for three car seats/boosters in the back row
• 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space makes for one of the biggest in its class, says Edmunds.
• Passenger seats have tons of pockets and bins for all your kids' books and small items
• Available heated and ventilated seats
• Dual-zone climate control keeps everyone happy and warm (or cool)
• Drawer inside the trunk for storing smaller items that may roll around while you're driving
• Cargo hook for hanging grocery bags in the trunk
• Wireless phone charger
• Apple Car Play and Android Auto for connecting your phone's apps and music to the car
• WiFi hotspot connectivity
• Impressive fuel efficiency at 30 city/38 highway mpg for the standard model; 48/47 mpg for the hybrid model

Safety features:

• Collision mitigation braking system will automatically apply brakes when the car detects a collision is unavoidable
• Road departure mitigation system detects if you're straying from your lane and will help correct you or apply brakes if needed
• Available Head Up display shows important driving information—speed, directions and incoming calls—in the driver's line of sight. 
• Remotely lock your car or see fuel status from your phone
• Blind spot information system
• A multi-angle rearview camera with available cross-traffic monitor
• Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto-lock lets you lock and unlock your car without taking out your keys
• Rear occupant seat reminder makes sure you don't forget anyone in the back when you exit the car

Starting price: $25,470

Online: Honda.com

2022 Lexus ES

Sure, you may only be driving to a kid's soccer game, but who says you need a Mom Car just because you're a parent? The Lexus ES has all the safety and tech to keep the kids protected and entertained plus the looks and luxury of a high-end vehicle. It won the top spot on Kelley Blue Book's list of the "Best Safety-Rated Sedans of 2022," with KBB calling it "a winner on many levels" and "undeniably luxurious." Some other things to note: 

Best family-friendly features: 

• Available heated and ventilated seats, plus a heated steering wheel.
• Dual-zone climate control keeps everyone happy, and "Lexus Climate Concierge" automatically adjusts the temperature and seat heater settings based on the outside and cabin temperature 
• Quiet cabin, with Kelley Bluebook calling it an "oasis of calm" 
• Available wireless phone charging
• Standard 8-inch (or optional 12.3-inch) touchscreen infotainment center comes with a navigation system
• Apple Car Play and Android Auto for connecting your phone's apps and music to the car—plus built-in Alexa integration 
• 4G WiFi connectivity
• Six USB ports (four in front; two in back) so everyone stays charged on the road
• Hybrid model easier on the environment (and your wallet), running about 42 miles per gallon
• The trunk can open and close with a kick under the rear bumper 
• Available all-wheel-drive
• Lower LATCH anchors are easy to access with pop-off covers, though the car won't likely fit three car seats

Safety features:

• Blind spot warning
• Panoramic View Monitor uses four high-resolution cameras mounted on the front, sides and rear of the vehicle to give drivers a bird's-eye view of the immediate area
• Rear cross-traffic warning will alert you if someone is approaching as you are backing out
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection will automatically apply brakes when the car detects a collision is unavoidable
• "Sway warning" will give an audible alert if the vehicle is straying from its lane 
• Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist
• Intersection Turning Assist warns drivers of any oncoming vehicles when turning left across an intersection; it also looks for pedestrians on left and right turns 
• Automatic high beams
• Optional front and rear parking sensors
• Siri Eyes Free and Google Assistant are supported with a paired phone.
• 3.5-liter V6 engine gets you from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds (great for easily merging into highway traffic)
• Rear seat belt reminder will alert you—and get increasingly louder—if someone unbuckles while you're driving

Starting price: $40,800

Online: Lexus.com