The list of the best family cars for 2024 has arrived and a few new models made the list
Best SUVs for Families in 2024
Kia Telluride
Capacity: Seats 7 across three rows
What the Experts Say: Stylish, roomy, and rugged, Car and Driver magazine ranked it #1 in its list of Best Cars for Families, calling even the base model Telluride “nicely equipped,” with top trims offering “near-luxury environs.” Considered a mid-sized SUV, the interior is spacious, with comfortable seating even in the third row. Edmunds also named the Telluride winner in the Midsize 3-row SUV category, praising its “quiet and upscale cabin, impressive tech, extensive standard features, adult-friendly third-row seating, and a satisfying driving experience.”
Notable Features: A top-tier winner for safety, the Telluride was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick in 2023, with nifty safety features including an aerial view blind spot monitor that gives you a birds-eye perspective on your surroundings: collision avoidance systems that can mitigate crashes before they happen, as well as a 10-inch Heads-Up Display that puts all the information you need for your trip (such as speed and turn-by-turn directions) on the driver’s side dashboard so you can more easily focus on the road.
To keep you cruising in comfort, there are plenty of outlets for every kid to have a fully-charged device. There’s also a “Find My Car” app you use when you’ve, say, lost your car in the sprawling Target parking lot (just saying)—as well as remote start with climate control that lets you get your car nice and toasty (or cooled off) before you even climb inside.
Starting MSRP: $35,990
Online: Kia.com
Honda CR-V/ CR-V Hybrid
Capacity: Seats 5 across two rows
What the Experts Say: Consistently finishing as the best-selling Honda every year since 2017, reviewers call the reasonably priced CR-V “the benchmark small SUV for families,” with Edmunds saying that the 2024 model “pulls off this feat yet again with a smooth ride, helpful tech features and excellent storage space.” The CR-V offers “reliably good performance,” says Car and Driver, which ranked it #1 in its list of Best Compact SUVs, praising its “plenty of usable space” and “friendly driving dynamics.”
Notable Features: Safety features include standard blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver-attention monitoring (to keep you from nodding off in traffic), traffic sign recognition, and a back-seat reminder to help you remember your most precious passengers. If you’re looking to save on gas money, the hybrid model delivers an impressive 40 mpg, which will make up for the slightly higher sticker price. Do you have a lot of baby gear to haul? Edmunds calls the CR-V’s more than 39 cubic feet of cargo space “cavernous” (it’s one of the largest in its class)—meaning you’ll get your groceries and your stroller inside, no problem.
Starting MSRP: $29,500/$33,350 for the hybrid model
Online: Honda.com/cr-v
Subaru Crosstrek
Capacity: Seats 5 across two rows
What the Experts Say: Named the overall Best SUV by Consumer Reports, reviewers praised the rugged and affordable Crosstrek, saying it “delivers an excellent ride, good fuel economy, standard all-wheel drive, and enough ground clearance for mild off-roading all in a reasonably sized and priced package.” It also comes standard with a slew of safety features that’ll make you feel good putting your tribe inside, whether you’re headed to the mountains or the mall.
Notable Features: Besides being a reliable off-roader, Subaru is known for putting safety first, so it’s no surprise that the compact Crsostrek comes with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist/motorcycle detection as well as forward collision and lane departure warning, making it a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for more than a decade. In addition, standard all-wheel drive will keep the car steady in all types of weather and terrain. Got wigglers? The seat belt warning system will audibly alert you (with a progressively louder alarm) if any of your passengers are unbuckled.
Starting MSRP: $25,195
Online: Subaru.com
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Capacity: Seats 8 across three rows (7 if you opt for captain’s chairs in the second row)
What the Experts Say: Ranking #1 in Consumer Reports’ list of Midsize 3-row SUVs, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid has plenty to offer families who want to hit the road in comfort, with the magazine calling it a “smart choice for families looking for a do-it-all vehicle.” Families will appreciate the “abundant standard safety tech,” according to Car & Driver, though larger families might not like the tight third row, which makes for more limited cargo space in the back.
Notable Features: Save money at the gas station! This roomy 6-cylinder hybrid can carry eight people with a turbocharged engine and still get 35 mpg overall. Safety features are what you’d expect of a mainstream family hauler, with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and blind spot monitoring all coming standard. Kids will be all eyes up with the optional panoramic moonroof, which gives a sleek window to the sky. You’ll also stave off the “Are we there yets?” with in-car wifi and five charging ports spread throughout the cabin.
Starting MSRP: $40,720
Online: Toyota.com
BMW X5
Capacity: Seats 5/7 with optional third row
What the Experts Say: In for a splurge when looking for a new family car in 2024? Ranking #1 in Consumer Reports’ list of Luxury Midsized SUVs, reviewers called this sleek family ride a “luxurious, slick, and well-rounded vehicle” that “balances comfort, agility, power delivery, and interior quality.” Car and Driver also raved about the X5, praising it as “swift and swanky, with enough driving enjoyment to entertain on an occasional mountain pass.” That being said, while the car is roomy enough, reviewers say the optional third row is tight, making it a small-kids-only space (and not big enough for a bulky car seat).
Notable Features: Safety features include BMW’s Active Protection System, which detects imminent accidents and prepares by automatically pretensioning safety belts, closing windows and moonroof, and activating post-crash braking. There’s also a heads-up display on the front windshield to keep your eyes facing forward. Those who think of their cars as their sanctuaries will appreciate the X5’s gorgeous interior, which will make you think twice about allowing your little crumb-droppers to bring snacks of any kind inside (Good luck with that, by the way.). Elegant touches include a panoramic LED moon roof with embedded lights that create beautiful patterns in the dark, as well as a sleek (and huge!) curved digital display to show you the car’s stats in style.
Starting MSRP $65,200 (for the base trim sDrive40i model)
Online Bmwusa.com
Chevrolet Tahoe
Capacity: Seats 8 across three rows
What the Experts Say: If you’ve got a big family—and maybe a dog or three—this impressive SUV should be at the top of your list. With roomy seating across three rows, Car and Driver said the interior “feels like acres of space compared with smaller, mid-size SUVs.” That, and its “quiet interior” and “meaningful options” earned the cavernous SUV a number one spot in C&D’s list of Best Large SUVs, with reviewers calling it “as faithful a companion as a golden retriever.”
Notable Features: Top safety features include standard forward collision alerts and front pedestrian braking; lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and HD surround vision. Heading to the mountains? The Tahoe’s rugged V-8 engine can handle the drive: It’s got standard all-wheel drive and 20-inch wheels wrapped with all-terrain tires (and has a towing capacity of 8400 pounds, nearly as much as some full-size pickup trucks). Kids will love the available rear-seat entertainment system, which includes two 12.6-inch displays mounted behind the front seats. There are also power steps to help get people in and out of the vehicle—a helpful hack for, say, the in-laws or newly-toddling toddlers.
Starting MSRP: $56,200
Online: Chevrolet.com
Related: 24 Games You Can Play in the Car on Your Next Road Trip
Best Minivans for Families
Toyota Sienna
Capacity: 7 or 8, depending on the configuration, across three rows
What the Experts Say: Like it or not, the minivan is the most practical family-mover around (once you get one, you’ll get it), with the Toyota Sienna ranking number one in both Car and Driver and Kelly Blue Book’s lists of Best Minivans for 2024. KBB reviewers called the Sienna “quiet, and easy to drive” while praising its “outstanding fuel economy,” “robust suite of active safety features,” and “swoopy, sweptback look with supple body creases and modern lighting elements.”
Notable Features: While the Sienna is slightly more expensive than some of its rivals, you’ll save in the long run when it comes to gas since all models come standard with a hybrid engine that delivers up to 36 mpg, Made with families in mind, all trims come with power-sliding side doors, easy-stowing third-row seats, built-in side-window sunshades, and tri-zone climate control. A rear-seat entertainment system is optional—though plenty of outlets and USB ports are spread throughout the cabin to satisfy most tiny techies. Need to talk to your passengers in the third row? The car has its own intercom system to make en-route lectures with your littles a bit easier. And, of course, safety features abound, including available all-wheel drive, radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detecting, and lane-keeping assist.
Starting MSRP: $37,185
Online: Toyota.com
Kia Carnival
Capacity: 7 or 8, depending on the trim, across three rows
What the Experts Say: Nervous about joining Team Minivan? The Carnival may make it a little easier with its luxurious interior and boxy aesthetic that does its best to make it appear less minivan-ish (though maybe not as much as the yet-to-be-released 2025 Carnival). Car and Driver praised its “handsome, SUV-inspired look that helps van-averse drivers avoid the cringe,” while US News and World Report called it a “well-rounded, upscale and value-packed minivan with lots to offer,” adding that “while it isn’t flawless, the Carnival lives up to its name as a fun and flashy people hauler that stands out from the pack.” It also scored the Number 1 spot in Consumer Reports Best Minivans category, with reviewers calling it “roomy, comfortable, and refined.”
Notable Features: Climb inside this roomy set of wheels and you may forget all about that SUV you once wanted. The Carnival’s interior feels like a higher-end luxury car, with an optional leather trim and a sprawling infotainment system that stretches across the dashboard (the 8-inch screen comes standard; the 12.3-inch dual screen is optional). A huge middle console lets you stash all your road trip goodies where the kids can’t see them, and 9 USB ports spread across the vehicle will keep everyone plugged in for the ride.
For kids who want to ride like the VIPs they are, the second-row captain’s seats have an optional one-touch relaxation mode that offers a full recline, raised power footrests, heating, and ventilation—with available rear screen displays so second-row passengers can stream their favorite media while cruising. There’s also a ton of space, with Car and Driver reviewers reporting they fit 14 carry-on suitcases behind the third row of seats and a whopping 48 in total with the seats folded down.
As for safety, the Kia has a slew of standard features, including lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlamps, and blind-spot monitoring. The available Passenger View with Night Vision display on the touch screen lets you peek in on passengers in the 2nd- and 3rd-rows, even at night. There’s also a two-way intercom system from the front seats to the back, so your kids can’t act like they can’t hear you—even in the third row.
Starting MSRP: $33,200
Online: Kia.com
Honda Odyssey
Capacity: 8 across three rows
What the Experts Say: You can’t talk about minivans without mentioning the Honda Odyssey, which has been the best-selling minivan in the US for more than a decade. The quintessential Mom Car snagged the #1 spot in both Motor Trend and US News and World Reports’ list of Best Minivans (though it ranked third for Motor Trend and Consumer Reports), with the former saying the car’s “surprisingly stable, nimble, amply powerful driving experience will reassure buyers who were dreading minivan ownership.” Motor Trend also lauded its “clever family features” and “surprisingly pleasant driving experience,” while US News praised its “spacious and comfortable cabin,” “long list of standard features,” and “peppy engine.”
Notable Features: Who says a minivan can’t have some pep in its step? With one of the most powerful engines in the class (according to this review, anyway), the Odyssey pushes 280 horsepower to its front wheels through its “refined “10-speed automatic transmission, making for a smooth ride in both school zones and mountain passes (even without four-wheel drive). Safety features include all of Honda’s standard Sensing safety features, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Like the Carnival, the Odyssey has a Cabin Watch and Cabin Talk system that lets you see your second and third-row passengers and talk through an intercom to get their attention.
Got squabbling siblings? The Magic Slide second-row seats allow you to separate (at least two of) your kids by sliding the seats apart in the second row. Or, to keep kids distracted, the available 10.2-inch video screen can play DVDs or streaming media—or play the “How Much Farther” app, which lets kids track their trip by watching an animated screen. If all that didn’t have you dreaming in minivan, Honda’s in-car vacuum might put you over the edge. Car crumbs be gone!
Starting MSRP: $37,840
Online: Honda.com
Related: Mystery Road Trips Are Perfect for All Kinds of Families—Even Yours
Best Family Sedans in 2024
Honda Accord
Capacity: 5 across two rows
What the Experts Say: If you’ve got a small family and don’t plan on taking the kids, the dog, and the gear anywhere anytime soon, the Accord offers an affordable, reliable ride with more space than you’d expect. Autoweek called it “exceptionally spacious inside,” with ” more trunk space than most people will ever need.” The Accord ranked #1 in Car and Driver’s list of Best Midsize Family Sedans, offering “two roomy rows of seats, a generously sized trunk, and all the infotainment tech expected from a modern car,” plus “refined road manners” that make it fun and easy to drive.
Notable Features: If you’re looking to save money on gas, opt for the hybrid model, which gets 51 mpg city and 44 mpg highway (even the non-hybrid is impressive, at 29 mpg city and 37 mpg highway). The available 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity is a nice addition, and safety features include standard automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, road departure mitigation (which adjusts the steering wheel if you cross lanes without signaling), blind spot indicators, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. As for space, you can get three car seats in the second row, according to Kelly Bluebook, and the trunk space is spacious enough for your stroller and a load of groceries.
Starting MSRP: $27,895
Online: Automobiles.honda.com
Toyota Camry Hybrid
What the Experts Say: There’s a reason the Camry has been the bestselling sedan in the US for more than 20 years, even now: “In a world awash in SUVs,” said Car and Driver, “the Camry continues to offer the old-school alternative of a competent, comfortable, dependable, economical, low-key midsize family sedan.” Ranked #1 on Consumer Reports’ list of Best Midsize Sedans, reviewers praised the car’s stellar fuel economy, intuitive controls, and standard advanced safety systems, making it a “competent, well-rounded and pleasant family sedan. While the price point for the hybrid model is a bit higher, we think it’s worth the extra expense for the Earth-impressing 47 mpg you’ll get on your drive.
Notable Features: The peppy sedan is touted for its smooth and quiet ride, in addition to its standard Safety Sense-2.5+, which includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, plus lane departure warning with steering assist. Blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are available as options. While it’s no SUV, the Camry has a good amount of space—it will fit two car seats (forward-facing and/or rear-facing) comfortably in the back row but don’t expect to squeeze a third one in, according to this review. In addition, its 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space can fit a standard stroller with room to spare (See this reviewer’s “Luggage Test” to see how big it is.)
Starting MSRP: $26,420
Online: Toyota.com/camry
All images courtesy of retailers
