For many families, the quest for the right vehicle is more than just a purchase—it’s about finding a reliable partner for daily life. From school runs and grocery hauls to weekend adventures, family cars are indispensable. The decision to buy a family car in 2024 is met with a landscape richer and more complex than ever before. With evolving safety standards, particularly around car seat guidelines, the automotive industry has responded with a surge in spacious SUVs and innovative designs. Yet, this abundance of choice, including a growing selection of electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models, can be overwhelming.
To navigate this intricate market, we’ve turned to a panel of seasoned car industry experts—who are also parents themselves. Their collective expertise and hands-on experience have culminated in the prestigious 2024 Best Family Cars Awards, guiding you to the vehicles that truly stand out.
Meet Our Esteemed Panel of Expert Judges
Our selection process benefited immensely from the insights of leading automotive experts, each bringing a unique perspective as both industry professionals and parents.
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Christina Branman
Founder, Mobile Mama Reviews
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Omar Rana
Founder, Omar Drives
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Paul Waatti
Director of Industry Analysis, Auto Pacific
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Teia Collier
Founder, Modern Family Driver
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Kelly Stumpe
Founder, The Car Mom
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Scotty Reiss
Founder, A Girls Guide to Cars
What’s Trending in 2024 Family Cars
The automotive landscape in 2024 is significantly shaped by advancements in technology. A standout trend is the integration of seamless connectivity features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are becoming standard, offering effortless smartphone integration for navigation, entertainment, and communication. Voice-activated assistants, akin to smart home devices, are also increasingly common, enhancing convenience and hands-free control. Furthermore, multimedia systems have seen comprehensive redesigns, prioritizing user-friendliness and intuitive interfaces.
Safety and driver assistance technologies are no longer premium add-ons but essential features in most new vehicles. Blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist are now widely available, providing enhanced safety and peace of mind for families.
Conversely, certain features are becoming less prevalent. Fuel-inefficient family cars and SUVs with MPG below 22 are diminishing as manufacturers focus on improved fuel economy and eco-conscious designs. Rear-seat entertainment systems are also on the decline, with carmakers recognizing the preference for personal devices, which also contributes to reduced vehicle costs and environmental impact.
Equipped with the latest insights, are you ready to discover the ideal new car for your family? Here are the distinguished winners of the Parents’ 2024 Best Family Cars Awards, showcasing the top choices across various categories.
Best Minivan for Families: Chrysler Pacifica
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Courtesy of Chrysler
Price and specs: Starting at $39,000; Powered by a 287 horsepower V6 engine with an estimated 22 MPG.
Key Details: The Chrysler Pacifica excels as a versatile minivan, offering front or all-wheel drive, gas or plug-in hybrid powertrains, and a spectrum of trims to suit diverse family needs and budgets. Even the top-tier Pinnacle trim, boasting luxurious pinstriped leather seating and premium features, remains competitively priced under $60,000.
Family Friendliness: The Pacifica stands out with its family-centric technology, incorporating Chrysler’s innovative Fam Cam rear cabin view system, advanced rear-seat entertainment options, and even a built-in vacuum cleaner for easy cleanup.
Wow Factor: Setting a new standard for minivan aesthetics, the Pacifica combines style and functionality, fitting seamlessly into both everyday family life and more upscale settings.
Best Full-size 3-row SUV for Families: Ford Expedition
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Courtesy of Ford
Price and specs: Starting at $55,000; Equipped with a 380 horsepower V6 engine, achieving an estimated 23 MPG.
Key Details: Built upon the robust Ford F-150 platform, the Ford Expedition delivers exceptional versatility. It’s engineered for off-road adventures while providing ample space for passengers and cargo, making it ideal for large families.
Family Friendliness: The Expedition boasts the most adaptable seating in its class, featuring independently adjustable center row seats and an optional bench that accommodates three car seats comfortably. An extended version is available, offering 36 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row for families needing extra room.
Wow Factor: The Ford Expedition empowers families to go further, offering a towing capacity of up to 9,200 lbs. and incorporating Ford’s Blue Cruise, a hands-free highway driving system, for enhanced driving ease and safety.
Best Mid-size 3-row SUV for Families: Honda Pilot
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Courtesy of Honda
Price and specs: Starting at $37,000; Houses a 285 horsepower V6 engine with an estimated 22 MPG.
Key Details: Redesigned in 2023, the Honda Pilot offers enhanced interior storage, including under-floor cargo space, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power slide-and-tilt center seats, and a modernized multimedia system.
Family Friendliness: Honda has innovatively included a removable middle seat in the second row, allowing families to choose between captain’s chairs or a bench setup. Slide-and-tilt seats ensure easy third-row access, even with forward-facing car seats installed using LATCH.
Wow Factor: The introduction of the off-road-focused TrailSport trim broadens the Pilot’s appeal, offering 4-wheel drive capability with all-terrain tires and skid plates for adventurous families.
Best Mid-size 5-passenger SUV for Families: Toyota RAV4
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Courtesy of Toyota
Price and specs: Starting at $29,000; Features a 203 horsepower 4-cylinder engine with an estimated 27 MPG.
Key Details: The Toyota RAV4’s popularity as the best-selling SUV is well-deserved. Its reputation for reliability, combined with a spacious and comfortable cabin, fuel-efficient options, and comprehensive safety technology, makes it a top family choice.
Family Friendliness: The RAV4’s roomy interior comfortably accommodates passengers of all sizes. Updated technology, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Toyota’s voice-activated “Hey Toyota” assistant enhance convenience for all occupants.
Wow Factor: The RAV4 lineup offers diverse options, from basic models to luxury trims, rugged off-road versions like the TRD Off-Road, and the adventure-ready Woodland Edition, catering to varied family lifestyles.
Best Luxury Full-size 3-row SUV for Families: Cadillac Escalade
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Courtesy of Cadillac
Price and specs: Starting at $82,000; Boasts a 420 horsepower V8 engine, achieving an estimated 16 MPG.
Key Details: The Cadillac Escalade redefines full-size luxury SUVs. Its signature leather interior, expansive glass multimedia system, panoramic sunroof, premium sound, and automatic running boards provide an unparalleled luxury experience.
Family Friendliness: The Escalade’s spaciousness ensures comfort for all passengers, with power-folding third-row seats for added convenience. However, center seats that flip and fold for third-row access may require consideration when configuring car seats.
Wow Factor: The Escalade incorporates Cadillac’s most advanced technology, including a high-performance 682 horsepower V-powered model and Super Cruise, a leading hands-free driving assist system, blending luxury with innovation.
Best Luxury Mid-size 3-row SUV for Families: Lexus TX
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Courtesy of Lexus
Price and specs: Starting at $55,000; Equipped with a 275 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engine, achieving an estimated 23 MPG.
Key Details: The Lexus TX, a new model, fills a crucial spot in Lexus’s lineup, offering a spacious cabin and a more accessible third row compared to the larger LX SUV, packaged in a mid-size frame. It combines Lexus luxury with family practicality.
Family Friendliness: Featuring a large 14-inch center screen, a new voice-activated multimedia system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enhanced driver assistance features, and a top-tier head-up display, the TX is tech-forward. It also provides ample cargo space, flexible seating, and numerous USB-C ports and storage cubbies.
Wow Factor: A standout feature is the power-folding third-row seats, controllable from the front seat, adding a layer of convenience for busy families.
Best Luxury Mid-size 5-passenger SUV for Families: Genesis GV80
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Courtesy of Genesis
Price and specs: Starting at $58,000; Powered by a 300 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engine, achieving an estimated 22 MPG.
Key Details: The Genesis GV80 has made a significant impact with its debut, becoming instantly recognized for its elegant design and luxurious features. Available in five or seven-passenger configurations, it emphasizes luxury with quilted leather seating, premium audio, and a dual panoramic sunroof.
Family Friendliness: Rear passengers enjoy amenities such as USB ports, household outlets, vanity mirrors, and window shades, enhancing comfort and convenience on family trips.
Wow Factor: Rear passengers can adjust the front passenger seat using controls on the seat’s side, offering enhanced control and comfort for back-seat occupants.
Best Electric 3-row SUV for Families: Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90
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Courtesy of Kia and Volvo
Price and specs: Kia EV9: Starting at $55,000+; 76kWh battery, 215+ horsepower, 230+ miles range. Volvo EX90: Starting at $77,000+; 111 kWh battery, 402+ horsepower, 300 miles estimated range.
Key Details: The Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90 share the title for best electric 3-row SUV, both being new entrants with promising features. The EV9, an electric counterpart to the Telluride, and the EX90, evolving from the Volvo XC90, prioritize family needs with innovative designs, advanced driver assistance, and multimedia technology.
Family Friendliness: Both models offer spacious and functional third rows and center-row captain’s chairs, making them well-suited for family use.
Wow Factor: Their interiors prioritize sustainability and modern aesthetics. Volvo emphasizes reclaimed and renewable materials, while Kia focuses on ocean plastics and post-consumer materials, resulting in exceptionally stylish and eco-conscious cabins.
Best Electric 5 Passenger SUV for Families: Hyundai IONIQ 5
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Courtesy of Hyundai
Price and specs: Starting at $42,000; 58+ kWh battery, 168+ horsepower, 220 miles range.
Key Details: The Hyundai IONIQ 5, introduced in 2022, is recognized for its futuristic styling, EV powertrain, and spacious cabin, making it an excellent choice for smaller families. It features fast charging and a long range, up to 300 miles in top models, with rear and all-wheel drive options.
Family Friendliness: The IONIQ 5 offers an exceptionally roomy rear seat, thanks to its under-floor battery pack, providing ample legroom and space for car seats and children. A sliding center console adds further flexibility.
Wow Factor: The “vehicle to load” adapter enables the IONIQ 5 to function as a mobile power source, capable of powering household appliances during outages, highlighting its utility beyond transportation.
Best Hybrid SUV for Families: Volvo XC90 Recharge
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Courtesy of Volvo
Price and specs: Starting at $72,000; 455 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo charged plug-in hybrid engine, estimated 26 MPG.
Key Details: The Volvo XC90 Recharge enhances the XC90’s legacy with a hybrid engine focused on increased power, improved fuel economy, and reduced emissions, all while maintaining its seven-passenger capacity, luxury, and comfort. Its Scandinavian design aesthetic sets it apart in the family SUV segment.
Family Friendliness: The XC90 Recharge accommodates two to three child car seats in the center row without sacrificing space or style, upholding Volvo’s commitment to safety with advanced features and robust construction.
Wow Factor: Volvo’s lifetime warranty on parts and components under Volvo Care, including roadside assistance, demonstrates a long-term commitment to vehicle reliability and customer support.
Best Plug-in Hybrid SUV for Families: Lexus TX
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Courtesy of Lexus
Price and specs: Starting at $55,000; 404 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo plug-in hybrid engine, 33 miles electric range, 29 MPG.
Key Details: The Lexus TX plug-in hybrid is a highly anticipated model, delivering a substantial all-electric driving range combined with a luxurious and refined interior. It represents a significant advancement in plug-in hybrid technology for family SUVs.
Family Friendliness: Offered in a top-tier trim, the TX PHEV is equipped with premium features for seven passengers, including leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and a high-end sound system, ideal for family journeys.
Wow Factor: Drivers can select between “EV” and “Hold” modes, offering control over electric-only or hybrid operation, enhancing efficiency and driving experience.
Best Adventure SUV for Families: Land Rover Defender 110
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Courtesy of Land Rover
Price and specs: Starting at $61,000; 296 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engine, estimated 19 MPG.
Key Details: The Land Rover Defender 110’s return has been celebrated for its heritage, off-road prowess, and blend of adventure capability with family-friendly comfort. Originally favored by Queen Elizabeth, it combines ruggedness with refinement.
Family Friendliness: Its adventure-ready features, such as all-weather floor mats, durable seating materials, and ample storage, are perfectly suited for active families. The Defender also offers a 3-row 130 model for larger families, though without center-row captain’s chairs.
Wow Factor The Defender’s distinctive design, particularly its “Safari windows” in the ceiling corners, offers unique sky views and sets it apart in the SUV market, influencing a trend towards boxier SUV designs.
Best Value SUV for Families: Honda CR-V
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Courtesy of Honda
Price and specs: Starting at $30,000; 190 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engine, estimated 30 MPG.
Key Details: The Honda CR-V, fully redesigned for 2024, enhances its reputation for utility and reliability with a sharp, modern design inside and out. The hybrid engine option remains accessible, starting around $32,000, and standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with wireless phone charger upgrade.
Family Friendliness: Honda prioritized family needs by increasing rear seat space in the CR-V, offering more legroom, reclining seats, and expanded cargo capacity.
Wow Factor: The hybrid model incorporates regenerative paddles, typically found in electric vehicles, allowing drivers to enhance efficiency by redirecting energy back to the hybrid battery during deceleration.
Best Compact SUV for Families: Subaru Crosstrek
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Courtesy of Subaru
Price and specs: Starting at $25,000; 152 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, estimated 29 MPG.
Key Details: The Subaru Crosstrek, completely redesigned for 2024, features an updated interior with a tablet-style multimedia system, improved driver assist technologies, and a refined overall feel. The new Wilderness trim enhances its off-road capability, including a robust roof rack.
Family Friendliness: Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist system, known for its effectiveness, is a key safety feature. While rear legroom may be snug for taller front-seat occupants, rear passengers benefit from available USB ports.
Wow Factor: Standard all-wheel drive distinguishes the Crosstrek, providing enhanced capability in diverse weather conditions and terrains, making it a favorite for adventurous families.
Best Road Trip SUV for Families: Toyota Grand Highlander
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Courtesy of Toyota
Price and specs: Starting at $43,000; 265 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engine, estimated 24 MPG.
Key Details: The Toyota Grand Highlander, a new 3-row crossover for 2024, has been well-received for combining family-friendly features with a more manageable crossover size compared to the Sequoia. It offers бенч or captain’s chairs, leather or leatherette seating, and hybrid and gas powertrains.
Family Friendliness: The Grand Highlander includes Toyota’s advanced safety and driver assist systems, a 12-inch multimedia touchscreen, rear window shades, and USB ports for every seat as standard features, enhancing comfort and convenience for all passengers.
Wow Factor: The Hybrid Max model boosts performance to 362 horsepower while maintaining 26 MPG, ideal for fully loaded trips and towing up to 5,000 lbs, making it perfect for family road trips.
Best Family Sedan: Honda Accord
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Courtesy of Honda
Price and specs: Starting at $28,000; 192 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engine, estimated 32 MPG.
Key Details: The Honda Accord, redesigned for 2024, features refined details like an enhanced multimedia system and a unique honeycomb grille design, while retaining its classic sedan elegance. It offers both gas and hybrid models.
Family Friendliness: The Accord provides a spacious and comfortable rear seat suitable for families. It accommodates child seats effectively and includes rear USB ports and air vents (Touring trim), ensuring passenger comfort and connectivity.
Wow Factor: The Sport trim upgrade offers a slightly more powerful 204 horsepower engine, combining sporty driving dynamics with the practicality and fuel efficiency of the Accord sedan.
Best Sports Sedan: Cadillac CT5/V/Blackwing
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Courtesy of Cadillac
Price and specs: Starting at $51,000; 237 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engine, estimated 27 MPG.
Key Details: The Cadillac CT5 stands out as a top sports sedan that also serves surprisingly well as a family sedan, appealing to those seeking an alternative to SUVs. Its elegant exterior and updated interior, featuring a wide touchscreen, position it as a competitor to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class.
Family Friendliness: The CT5’s rear seats have been expanded for improved legroom and include rear air vents, armrest cup holders, and USB ports, enhancing passenger comfort.
Wow Factor: The CT5 range includes three models: the well-rounded CT5, the more potent V series, and the Blackwing, Cadillac’s most powerful sedan designed for track performance, offering a spectrum of driving experiences.
Best In-Car Multimedia System: Mercedes-Benz MBUX (Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 3-row SUV)
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Courtesy of Mercedes Benz
Price and specs (for the vehicle): Starting at $63,000; 255 horsepower 6-cylinder turbo engine, estimated 20 MPG.
Key Details: The Mercedes-Benz MBUX system continues to impress with its advanced voice-activated assistant and customizable features. Integrating with driver and head-up displays, MBUX allows extensive cabin personalization, from ambient lighting to curated sensory experiences.
Family Friendliness: The system is accessible to all occupants, enabling rear passengers to control functions like radio and navigation, with clear displays for easy viewing throughout the cabin.
Wow Factor: The voice assistant’s ability to tell jokes adds an unexpected element of entertainment, showcasing the system’s sophisticated and user-friendly nature.
Best Family Technology: Chrysler/Jeep Rear Seat Monitoring Camera System (Jeep Grand Cherokee L 3-row SUV)
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Courtesy of Jeep
Price and specs (for the vehicle): Starting at $43,000; 293 horsepower 6-cylinder turbo engine, estimated 22 MPG.
Key Details: Expanding on Chrysler’s Fam Cam, Stellantis’s rear seat monitoring system in vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee L offers enhanced visibility and communication with rear passengers via camera and microphone/speaker system.
Family Friendliness: This system provides a significant improvement over traditional mirrors for monitoring children, especially in rear-facing car seats, and facilitates clear communication between front and rear seats, even in low light conditions.
Wow Factor: The availability of this family-focused technology in SUVs, not just minivans, highlights Stellantis’s commitment to family convenience across vehicle types.
Best New Driver Technology: GM Teen Driver System (Chevrolet Trax)
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Courtesy of GM
Price and specs (for the vehicle): Starting at $21,000; 137 horsepower 3-cylinder engine, estimated 30 MPG.
Key Details: GM’s Teen Driver System in vehicles like the Chevrolet Trax enhances safety for new drivers with customizable driving restrictions and monitoring features via a specific key fob.
Family Friendliness: The system allows parents to set speed and volume limits, activate buckle-to-drive features, and receive driving report cards, aiding in coaching new drivers and providing parental peace of mind.
Wow Factor: Accessible through multimedia settings or a user app, the system offers a modern and integrated approach to teen driver safety management.
Best Rear Seat Entertainment: Jeep Wagoneer
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Courtesy of Jeep
Price and specs: Starting at $63,000; 420 horsepower 6-cylinder turbo engine, estimated 20 MPG.
Key Details: The Jeep Wagoneer (and Grand Wagoneer) offers an exceptional rear-seat entertainment experience, building upon systems like that in the Chrysler Pacifica with added features and screen-based controls.
Family Friendliness: Beyond available rear climate control screens, 10-inch seatback screens in the Wagoneer can stream from devices or use built-in Amazon Fire programming, with wireless headset compatibility and front-seat control.
Wow Factor: The Wagoneer extends entertainment to the front passenger with a dashboard-integrated screen for streaming and rear-seat system control, ensuring comprehensive entertainment for all occupants.
Best SUV for Car Seat Configuration: Ford Expedition
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Courtesy of Ford
Price and specs: Starting at $55,000; 380 horsepower V6 engine, estimated 23 MPG.
Key Details: The Ford Expedition excels in car seat accommodation, fitting three seats across the center row bench, each adjustable independently for various car seat types, including three rear-facing seats.
Family Friendliness: Flexible center row seating allows for customized spacing, and outboard seats slide and tilt for third-row access even with forward-facing LATCH-installed seats.
Wow Factor: With ample headroom and legroom, the Expedition offers car seat compatibility even in the third row, highlighted by its adoption by car seat expert Kelly Stumpe (@The_Car_Mom) for her own family’s needs.
How We Selected Our Winners
Our comprehensive selection process involved rigorous comparisons across over 140 cars and SUVs in 22 categories. Our expert panel evaluated vehicles based on family-centric features like versatile seating, rear USB ports, and climate control systems. We considered various powertrains—gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric—and lifestyle-oriented designs, from rugged adventure SUVs to city-friendly sedans.
Safety features and technology were critically assessed, with preference given to standard inclusions over optional upgrades. Car seat compatibility was a significant criterion, examining LATCH systems and the ease of car seat installation.
Car Seat Safety: 9 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid
Explore our recommended car seats for children here.
More About Our Judges
Our judges bring extensive expertise as both parents and automotive authorities, understanding family needs and the current car market. Their knowledge spans safety features, car seat configurations, technical specifications, and hands-on vehicle testing.
- Christina Branman (@Mobile_Mama_Reviews) focuses on family-friendly car features, drawing from her experience as a mom of young children.
- Teia Collier (Modern Family Driver) balances car reviewing with her roles in education and the Texas Auto Writers Association, offering insights as a parent of three, including a child with special needs.
- Omar Rana (Omar Drives) transitioned from a corporate career to full-time automotive content creation, providing reviews of family, sports, and luxury vehicles as a father of two.
- Scotty Reiss (A Girls Guide to Cars) leads a top automotive content platform for women and contributes to the World Car Awards, bringing a broad perspective on car selection.
- Kelly Stumpe (@The_Car_Mom), with a background in family car dealerships, offers car-buying advice and family-focused car tips.
- Paul Waatti (Auto Pacific) conducts industry analysis and vehicle testing, applying his professional expertise and family experiences as a father of two in Detroit.
