Safety and longevity are two pillars that define the best family cars, and choosing the right one can be the difference between years of smooth rides and endless trips to the mechanic. Here’s a list of 19 family cars that keep you safe and on the road for the long haul.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander consistently ranks among the top family SUVs for safety and reliability. Safety-wise, the Highlander boasts advanced features through Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and automatic emergency braking. It consistently earns top ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick+ designation. Its bulletproof engine can easily clock 200,000 miles, making it your long-term partner-in-crime.
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback combines ruggedness with practicality, perfect for families who enjoy the great outdoors. Its base 2.5L engine delivers 182 horsepower with up to 33 MPG on the highway, while an optional 260-horsepower turbocharged engine adds more punch. With a cargo capacity of 32.6 cubic feet (expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with seats folded), it excels in practicality. Renowned for durability, Subaru vehicles often surpass 200,000 miles with routine maintenance, ensuring the Outback remains a reliable companion for years.
Honda CR-V
Honda’s CR-V is basically the valedictorian of compact SUVs. In recent models, powered by a turbocharged 1.5L engine, it balances fuel efficiency (up to 28 MPG city/34 MPG highway) with spirited performance. The CR-V offers spacious seating for five, a class-leading 39.2 cubic feet cargo space, and fold-flat rear seats for added versatility. Its roomy interior also ensures no one fights for elbow space, and advanced safety features like collision mitigation braking make it the responsible adult in the room.
Volvo XC90
Volvo doesn’t play games regarding safety, and the XC90 is no exception. With features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking, it’s practically paranoid in the best way. Inside, it boasts Scandinavian luxury with seating for up to seven, a minimalist design, and cutting-edge tech, including a 9-inch infotainment system and semi-autonomous driving features. Also, longevity is a hallmark, with many models exceeding 200,000 miles. The XC90 is an ideal blend of family-focused safety and timeless sophistication.
Toyota Sienna
Minivans may not scream “cool,” but the Toyota Sienna earns cool points for being a hybrid, offering excellent fuel efficiency. The “Bridge Console” design provides convenient storage, while high-quality materials add a premium feel. It’s the only hybrid-exclusive minivan in its segment, boasting an impressive 36 MPG combined fuel economy. And, with a power-sliding door, kick-activated tailgate, and available all-wheel drive, the Sienna merges innovative design with functionality. It’s proof that minivans can be stylish and practical.
Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride has quickly become a favorite for its affordability and luxurious features. Outside, available 20-inch alloy wheels and a distinctive Telluride badge across the hood amplify its upscale image. Combining form and function, the Telluride also incorporates smart design touches like wide-opening doors for easy passenger access and roof rails for outdoor adventures. A favorite among families, it’s both stylish and practical.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a compact SUV known for blending style and performance. Safety is a hallmark, with features like Smart Brake Support, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring included in its i-Activsense safety suite. The CX-5 also earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, proving its commitment to protecting passengers.
Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is a rolling entertainment center. It features Honda’s Magic Slide second-row seats, which allow flexible configurations for easy access to the third row or added cargo space. The Odyssey is also powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring reliable performance. Add in top-tier safety ratings and Honda reliability, and you’ve got a minivan worth cheering for.
Subaru Forester
The Forester is a family favorite for its practicality and stellar all-wheel-drive system. The Forester boasts a spacious interior with generous cargo space and a comfortable cabin accommodating passengers and their gear. The Forester’s safety features are also noteworthy, including advanced driver-assistance systems like Subaru’s Eyesight, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking. Plus, with top crash-test scores and a roomy interior, it’s the kind of car that feels like an old friend—dependable and unflashy.
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer, a classic SUV, debuted in 1990 and has been turning heads (and corners) ever since. Modern Explorers come packed with tech like SYNC infotainment, driver-assistance features, and seats that practically hug you (especially after a bumpy ride). Also, the Explorer’s infamous stint in the 90s with Firestone tires taught us all the value of proper tire safety—thankfully, it’s come a long way since.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe, a star in the SUV galaxy, is your go-to road trip buddy that makes grocery runs feel adventurous. Inside, it’s luxury meets tech wizardry, with a curved panoramic display and enough USB ports to charge a small army of gadgets. Powertrain options include hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, showing it cares about your wallet and the planet. Also, with advanced safety features like forward collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist, it’s practically your guardian angel on wheels. The bottom line is that Santa Fe has style, smarts, and a hint of swagger.
Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse, the big-boned sibling in Chevy’s lineup, is a midsize SUV that thinks it’s a full-size. Powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower, it delivers a respectable oomph for merging onto highways or fleeing PTA meetings. Front-wheel drive comes standard, but all-wheel drive is optional for when you’re feeling adventurous—or dealing with Midwest winters. Safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist make it a gentle giant. It’s a solid blend of practicality and style for growing families or road-trip enthusiasts.
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a perennial favorite. It boasts a comfy interior and impressive fuel efficiency, and, in hybrid models, it sips fuel so delicately that you might suspect it’s saving for a rainy day. The latest RAV4 (2024) offers a 203-hp 2.5L engine and an all-wheel drive system that practically whispers, “Let’s hit the trails.” And tech? Wireless charging, a touchscreen infotainment system, and enough USB ports to power a small office. Whether city-bound or adventuring off the grid, the RAV4 has your back—stylishly and reliably.
Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan that thinks it’s cooler than it is—and, honestly, it’s pretty cool. Launched in 2017, it replaced the old Town & Country with swagger (yes, a minivan with swagger). It offers seating for up to eight, fold-flat Stow ‘n Go seats for hauling everything from soccer gear to impulse buys, and options like a hybrid powertrain for eco-minded parents who want fewer gas-station stops. It’s practical yet sophisticated—a family hauler that lets you adult responsibly without sacrificing style. A true MVP in the minivan league.
Volkswagen Atlas
The Volkswagen Atlas is VW’s beefy attempt at conquering the family SUV market. Launched in 2017, this midsize SUV offers three rows of seating, making it perfect for carting kids, dogs, and Costco hauls in style. Under the hood, it features either a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (235 horsepower) or a 3.6-liter V6 (276 horsepower). And, despite its size, the Atlas drives with surprising agility—think ballet-dancing hippo.
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is the luxury SUV equivalent of that effortlessly stylish friend who’s always on time. Debuting in 1998, it was the first luxury crossover SUV, blending sedan-like comfort with SUV practicality. Over the years, it’s aged like fine wine, introducing hybrid options as early as 2005—long before hybrids were cool. It’s also quite the looker, with a “spindle grille” design that is so polarizing that it’s practically a conversation starter. Also, critics love its reliability (Lexus is Toyota’s fancy cousin, after all).
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue offers a surprising amount of space and comfort for a compact SUV. Inside, it’s all about comfort with NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seats (yes, space nerds, they’re real) and an intuitive infotainment system. Safety-wise, it’s decked out with Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist, fancy talk for semi-autonomous driving help. It’s perfect for families, road trips, or pretending you’re environmentally conscious because it’s not a gas-guzzler. In short, the Rogue balances utility and style—an SUV for those who want reliability without looking like they’ve given up on fun.
Ford Escape
The Ford Escape is a zippy little SUV that’s been a suburban favorite since its 2001 debut. Tech-savvy? The Escape flaunts a sleek 13.2-inch touchscreen, standard with Ford’s SYNC 4 system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety? Ford thought of everything, bundling features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist in its Co-Pilot360 package. Affordable, stylish, and rugged enough to make you look outdoorsy, the Escape is for the responsible rebel!
Acura MDX
The Acura MDX, Honda’s luxury SUV with a tuxedo, has been charming drivers since 2001. The MDX isn’t just good looks; it flaunts Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) for those “I’m invincible” road moments. The 2024 model also includes a hybrid Type S with 355 horses, adding eco-warrior vibes to its resume. Cargo space? It’s like Mary Poppins’ bag—it fits more than you’d expect. So, whether chauffeuring kids or conquering mountain roads, the MDX is Acura’s love letter to versatility and panache.
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