A family car must have space for the kids, the dog, luggage, groceries, and that random potted plant you picked up at the nursery. It has to be comfortable for long road trips, efficient for daily commutes, safe enough to make you feel invincible, and tech-savvy enough to make everyone’s life easier. Here’s a list of 21 family cars that’ll leave you wondering if they’re secretly wearing capes.
Toyota Highlander
Introduced in 2000, the Toyota Highlander was one of the first crossover SUVs to combine car-like handling with the practicality of an SUV. Powered by a range of engines, including a fuel-efficient hybrid option, the Highlander offers up to 36 mpg combined (hybrid) and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds in its gas-powered models. Plus, it’s reliable enough to feel like your family’s favorite sweater: dependable and long-lasting.
Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is practically a daycare on wheels. The Odyssey’s Magic Slide® second-row seats enhance cabin flexibility, allowing easier access to the third row or customizable seating configurations. Advanced safety features, including Honda Sensing® technologies, provide adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and collision mitigation braking. Add in the CabinTalk feature, which lets you address backseat brawls via a speaker system, and you’ll wonder why you ever drove anything else.
Subaru Outback
For families that dream of weekend hikes and camping trips, the Subaru Outback is a no-brainer. Under the hood, the Outback offers two engine options: a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine (182 hp, 176 lb.-ft torque) and an optional 2.4L turbocharged engine (260 hp, 277 lb.-ft torque). Paired with a CVT, it also delivers impressive fuel efficiency, ranging from 26–33 mpg. Also, its 75.6 cubic feet of cargo space, X-Mode for off-road terrain, and EyeSight safety suite, including adaptive cruise control and lane centering, enhance its functionality. Plus, it’s safe, earning top marks from crash tests.
Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride has taken the family SUV world by storm with its luxurious interior, ample space, and a price tag that doesn’t require a second mortgage. An available AWD system with selectable terrain modes bolsters off-road capability. The fuel economy averages 20-26 mpg (city/highway), which is commendable for its size. Further, the Telluride’s bold exterior, featuring a wide grille and signature LED headlights, reflects its rugged yet upscale personality. Also, regularly earning accolades, including MotorTrend’s SUV of the Year, the Telluride offers luxury-level features without the hefty price tag.
Chrysler Pacifica
The Pacifica is the cool kid among minivans. Launched in 2017 as a replacement for the Town & Country, it boasts sleek styling, a spacious interior, and advanced safety features. The Pacifica delivers strong performance and efficiency with a 3.6L V6 engine or a plug-in hybrid powertrain, with the hybrid achieving an EPA-estimated 82 MPEGs. Plus, Stow ‘n Go seats? Check. Tons of storage compartments? Double-check. It even has an app for kids to play games on long trips.
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer blends the ruggedness of an off-road SUV with the sophistication of a luxury car. Powertrains include a standard 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged inline-4 (300 hp), a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (400 hp in the ST trim), and a 3.3L V6 hybrid variant for efficiency-focused buyers. Towing capacity peaks at 5,600 pounds. With seven seats, strong towing capacity, and intelligent 4WD, it’s perfect for everything from soccer practice to weekend adventures.
Volvo XC90
If safety had a mascot, it’d be the Volvo XC90. Safety, a Volvo hallmark, is integrated through advanced driver-assistance systems like Pilot Assist and City Safety. Plus, aerodynamic refinements and sustainability feature prominently, with eco-friendly materials and electrified powertrains, including the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid. Add a minimalist, luxurious interior; it feels more like a Scandinavian retreat than a family hauler.
Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade is a close sibling to the Kia Telluride but with its distinct flair. The front fascia features a prominent cascading grille flanked by vertically stacked LED headlights, exuding confidence and modernity. Its sharp character lines and muscular fenders enhance its robust appeal, while chrome accents and optional 20-inch alloy wheels add a touch of luxury. Plus, the kids will love the dual sunroof, and you’ll love the price.
Toyota Sienna
Minivans don’t have to guzzle gas; the Toyota Sienna proves it. Introduced in 1997, it was Toyota’s answer to the growing minivan market, replacing the Previa. The Sienna has evolved through five generations, with the current one (launched in 2020) adopting a sleek, SUV-inspired look. It is designed on the TNGA-K platform and boasts a lower stance, bold grille, and angular lines that enhance aerodynamics and road presence. It also features an available all-wheel-drive option, making it perfect for families in snowy regions.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y combines family-friendly practicality with cutting-edge technology. It comes in several versions, including the Long-Range AWD and Performance, with ranges varying from around 330 to 350 miles per charge, depending on the variant. With rapid acceleration (0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds for the Performance model) and cutting-edge tech like Autopilot and Full Self-Driving options, it has become a favorite among electric vehicle enthusiasts. Bonus: Kids love the giant touchscreen.
Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 proves that family cars can still be fun to drive. Launched in 2006, it features a three-row seating layout, accommodating up to seven passengers. Powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, the CX-9 delivers 227 horsepower (or 250 with premium fuel), paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available.
Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is like that friend who insists on bringing the entire party along—comfortably seating up to eight passengers with a best-in-class 98 cubic feet of cargo space. Safety features like automatic emergency brakes and lane keep assist are standard because even the best drivers can use a helpful nudge now and then. With trims ranging from the practical LT to the adventurous Z71, the Traverse is ready to tackle carpool lanes and off-road trails with equal enthusiasm. In short, it’s —versatile, reliable, and always ready for the next adventure.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The Grand Cherokee L adds a third row to Jeep’s legendary off-road capabilities. It’s a three-row SUV that says, “Why settle for just two rows when you can bring the whole crew and the dog?” Boasting seating for up to seven, it’s perfect for hauling kids, gear, and the occasional IKEA haul that was supposed to fit “just fine.” Safety features? It has adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and even night vision on higher trims. Plus, it’s rugged enough to go off-road yet polished enough to valet, making it the SUV equivalent of a tuxedo-clad cowboy.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder has been redesigned to offer more style, better tech, and improved off-road capabilities. Its Intelligent 4×4 system and seven driving modes mean it can conquer everything from mud pits to Costco parking lots. Inside, it’s all about comfort and tech, with seating for up to eight, tri-zone climate control, and a dashboard that looks like it belongs on a spaceship. Fuel efficiency? It’s decent at 21–27 mpg.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a fantastic option if you don’t need three rows but still want a family-friendly ride. It’s a tech lover’s dream with features like smart headlights, a head-up display, parking assist, and 360-degree cameras. Driving one is akin to driving an iPad Pro on wheels. Just be prepared for a symphony of beeps and alerts that might have you longing for simpler times. Plus, the hybrid version gives you even better mileage.
Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen’s Atlas is a spacious SUV that feels like it was designed by someone who’s had to juggle car seats, strollers, and groceries. With available all-wheel drive, it’s confident on snowy roads but isn’t pretending to be a rugged off-roader. Tech-wise, it offers a digital cockpit, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, ensuring even your arguments over directions are high-tech. Add in its five-year/60,000-mile warranty, and it’s as practical as spacious.
BMW X7
For families who want luxury without sacrificing practicality, the BMW X7 delivers. This full-size SUV offers seating for seven, ensuring you can ferry your entire entourage in style. Under the hood, the xDrive40i model boasts a 375-horsepower turbocharged inline-six engine, while the M60i flexes a 523-horsepower twin-turbo V8, capable of launching this behemoth from 0 to 60 mph in a swift 4.5 seconds.
Toyota 4Runner
The Toyota 4Runner is built for families that live for adventure. Inside, it’s more utilitarian than luxury – think “function over form,” though recent models add some creature comforts. The 4Runner also boasts legendary durability; it’s not uncommon to see one with miles that could circle the Earth… twice. Sure, it’s not the most fuel-efficient, but if you’re craving adventure, this SUV is your ultimate sidekick.
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango has been flexing its muscles since 1997. This mid-sized SUV boasts a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds, perfect for hauling your “World’s Best Dad” mug collection. Under the hood, the Durango offers a range of HEMI® V8 engines, including a supercharged 6.2L variant that propels this beast to a top speed of 180 mph—ideal for running fashionably late. In short, the Durango SUV skips leg day but never misses a chance to show off its horsepower.
Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport is smaller than the regular Bronco but still packs a punch. Introduced in 2020, it’s an SUV designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want to parallel park without breaking a sweat. It boasts a rugged design with five trims, including the aptly named “Badlands” trim, which seems to say, “Yes, I camp, but I also brunch.” And, with solid tech features like an 8-inch touchscreen and Ford Co-Pilot360, it’s like an off-road buddy that knows the way home.
Mercedes-Benz GLS
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is the ultimate family SUV if money’s no object. Under the hood, you’ll find options like a turbocharged inline-6 or a beastly V8 in the AMG GLS 63 variant. Need more exclusivity? The Maybach GLS is dripping in opulence with its champagne flute holders. The tech arsenal includes a supersized MBUX infotainment system with AI that is so intuitive it might judge your playlist. E-Active Body Control ensures this luxury yacht doesn’t just float—it glides over potholes like mere suggestions.
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