Best Cars for Families That Need More Space

A reasonably priced sedan is great for two adults and a child. When the family grows to four, five, or six, you need a bit more transportation support. Between the family members, sports gear, backpacks, and groceries, you need an upgrade.

Shopping for the best family cars means you need up to 7 or 8 safety belts. You need infotainment as much as you do legroom for the teens way in the back. You need cargo space that is versatile enough for a full family barbecue trip and helping your oldest move out to college all in one vehicle.

The exact model you choose should balance trim style, mileage, accident history, and large-family accommodation. Here is a quick overview of some of the best cars for families that are larger or on their way to it.

Why Big Families Need More Than Seven Seats

Vehicle safety depends on seat belts. Seat belt laws vary by state, and you can explore them with this simple calculator, but the golden rule is to have one for each passenger.

A typical three-row vehicle can fit up to seven people. That doesn’t mean with plenty of arm room. If you stick a child seat in the car, you will likely run out of space. That’s a big reason many families avoid minivans. There isn’t enough legroom, and wagons often don’t have enough headroom. You have to think about space based on your safety needs, but also the “clearance” of your children and other passengers.

What Should You Compare in a Used Family Car?

All that being said, family cars come in all shapes and sizes. What works for your family of 5 may not be the best for your neighbor’s family of 7. Start with the basics. That should include:

LATCH Positions: If you have a younger passenger, make sure you have the right safety restraints and car seat configuration.
Cargo: You need enough room for all passengers and some luggage. You don’t want a family trip to the farmers market to end with no way of getting all the fresh veggies home.
Fuel Economy: Families are likely to operate on a stricter budget. Good fuel economy (MPG) helps you avoid extra fueling trips. For example, a Toyota Sienna hybrid gets around 35-36 mpg combined.
Safety: The last crucial aspect of the best family cars for your growing crew is safety. Make sure you’re looking at features like braking, airbags, and alerts so you can ride without stress while the family argues over where to grab dinner.

Other details, like infotainment screens or whether there will be enough cup holders for the kids in the back, or how easy car shipping would be given the car’s weight and dimensions are just icing on the cake. Stick to the basics for your family cars, and you’ll find a quality solution for getting around town or taking a long road trip.

Best Cars for Families That Are Growing

Toyota Sienna: Best Fuel Economy Choice

When you’re looking for a used Sienna, go with the fourth generation. It’s a 2021 model year, offering decent mileage and a hybrid powertrain. You can go with the 2022 if you want the Front Wheel Drive. That will get you about 36 mph and AWD if you live somewhere with heavy rain or snow.

The 2022-2024 Siennas were frequently ranked at the top for a used minivan family vehicle. The downside is market demand. This is a very popular vehicle, so it will be harder to find at a bargain price because so many families already know it’s a good fit.

Honda Odyssey: Best Car Seat Friendliness

When you have a tiny human being in your family crew, try the Honda Odyssey. It’s much easier to get those complex seats in and out of the SUV. The fifth-generation Odyssey received the 2021 industry updates, including Honda Sensing driver assistance technology. It also performed well in IIHS testing and earned a Top Safety Pick+ award and Good+ rating from LATCH.

A nice benefit of the Odyssey is the sliding doors. They really make a difference when you don’t have much room between parking spaces or are dealing with crowded areas, large grocery bags, and school pickups.

Kia Telluride: Best for Third-Row SUV

Car and Driver reports the 2022 to 2024 Tellurides as the leading used SUV for families. It has plenty of interior space, supportive equipment and features, and holds its value for years when you need to resell as people leave the nest.

The Telluride has three rows, but without the massive footprint of a full-size SUV. You can test the third row by visiting a local dealer or exploring online VR tours via Carvana or CarMax. Depending on the model year you choose, you can expect an EPA-rated fuel economy in the low 20s mpg.

Hyundai Palisade: Best for Comfort

The Hyundai Palisade is not a full-size vehicle. What makes it one of the best family cars is its smaller footprint and optimal comfort zones. It is similar to the Telluride and also offers a three-row option, but it has earned many Car and Driver recognitions for its spacious cabin and comfort.

You can expect about 21-22 mpg, and the pricing is often better than the Telluride if you’re on a budget. Just pay close attention to the exact model you get. You can find some with captain’s chairs that make the third row easier to access if you prefer to have teens in the middle of the vehicle.

Chevrolet Suburban: Best for Cargo

You cannot have a list of the best family cars for larger families without mentioning the Chevy Suburban. This is the gold standard. Not because it is better than all the rest, but more because you know you’ll get plenty of room. The 2022 Suburban offers up to 144.7 cubic feet of cargo with the second and third rows folded down.

The biggest cargo interest is for crews who go camping or need to haul gear from farms, backyard setups, and multi-sporting event activities. What you lose is gas mileage. The larger vehicle size cuts down on your efficient mpg, so adjust your ongoing monthly budget accordingly.

Minivan or SUV: Which Works Better for a Big Family?

While you may be looking at the best cars for families in terms of wagons or SUVs, you shouldn’t immediately rule out minivans. Yes, they carry some stigma, but rent one for a day, take the family to a water park, and you’ll quickly notice the difference.

Many minivans now come with broader specs. That might include AWD/4WD, separate captain’s seats, or infotainment that would make your local movie theater a little jealous. If you go with the minivan route over an SUV, make sure it can handle your seasonal weather, local roads, and fuel-efficiency needs.

Buying the Right Used Family Car Out of State

Another trick of the trade to buying used family cars is to shop outside your state. The local dealership may only have a certain number of particular models in colors, trims, or odometer readings that don’t make for a good deal.

Shop around online for the right specific large vehicle you need. If you’re worried about flying out to a remote location to drive the vehicle back, save yourself the hassle and hire a car transport company. They will load your newly acquired used vehicle on a truck and safely ship it to your doorstep.

Make the Final Decision Around Your Actual Family

Never buy a used family vehicle just because the online ranking fits your internal narrative. Do a bit of research on your own first so you better understand all the safety features, fuel economy notes, infotainment options, and cargo space. You want something that fits your current and future family size.

If you’re way ahead of the game and only have one kiddo right now, use their stroller and other gear to “test” how everything fits into the best cars for families. Then all you need to do is multiply those visuals by the number of family members you expect will come later. Take your time and happy shopping.