Family car buyers are a significant force in the automotive market, and it’s easy to understand why. For many parents, a vehicle is indispensable for the daily routine of school runs, grocery shopping trips, and doctor’s appointments. Beyond the necessities, cars are also key to family adventures and creating lasting memories. Choosing the right car for your family, however, is a decision that’s become increasingly complex, especially in 2024. The market is brimming with options, from traditional gasoline vehicles to a growing selection of electric cars, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. To help you navigate this vast landscape, we’ve gathered a panel of automotive industry experts and parents to share their insights and vote on the top contenders. Welcome to the 2024 Best Family Cars Awards, your guide to finding the perfect vehicle to suit your family’s unique needs.
Meet Our Expert Panel of Judges
Our selection process relies on the expertise of seasoned automotive professionals who are also parents. These judges bring a unique blend of industry knowledge and personal experience to identify the best family cars of the year.
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Christina Branman
Founder of Mobile Mama Reviews, providing expert car reviews for families.
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Omar Rana
Founder of Omar Drives, a platform for automotive reviews and insights.
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Paul Waatti
Director of Industry Analysis at Auto Pacific, specializing in automotive market trends.
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Teia Collier
Founder of Modern Family Driver, offering car reviews tailored for modern families.
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Kelly Stumpe
Founder of The Car Mom, a resource for car buying advice for mothers.
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Scotty Reiss
Founder of A Girls Guide to Cars, a leading automotive platform for women.
What’s New in Family Cars for 2024?
The 2024 automotive landscape is marked by significant advancements in technology aimed at enhancing both driver and passenger experiences. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are becoming standard features in most new vehicles, offering seamless smartphone integration. Voice-activated assistants, similar to Amazon Alexa, are also increasingly common, adding a layer of convenience and hands-free control. Furthermore, multimedia systems have been widely redesigned in recent years to be more intuitive and user-friendly. Safety is also paramount, with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and safety features now standard across almost all car models. Features like blind spot monitoring are no longer luxury upgrades but expected safety essentials in the best family cars.
Interestingly, there’s a shift in certain trends. The era of family cars and SUVs with poor fuel economy (under 22 MPG) is fading. Manufacturers are prioritizing fuel efficiency, with most new models showing improvements in MPG. Another notable change is the decline of built-in rear seat entertainment systems. Car manufacturers are recognizing that families often prefer to use their own devices, leading to cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint for vehicles.
Equipped with the latest insights, are you ready to discover the top picks for your family? Here are the winners of the Parents’ 2024 Best Family Cars Awards, highlighting the best options across various categories to help you find your ideal family vehicle.
Best Minivan for Families: Chrysler Pacifica
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Courtesy of Chrysler
Price and Specs: Starting at $39,000; 287 horsepower V6 engine with an estimated 22 MPG.
Key Details: The Chrysler Pacifica stands out as the minivan that truly offers it all. Families can choose between front-wheel or all-wheel drive, gas or plug-in hybrid powertrains, and a wide range of trims to suit various budgets and preferences. Even the top-tier Pinnacle trim, boasting pinstriped leather seating and premium features, remains relatively affordable at around $60,000.
Family Friendliness: The Pacifica is equipped with some of the most family-friendly technology available, including Chrysler’s innovative Fam Cam rear cabin view system, excellent rear seat entertainment options, and even a built-in vacuum cleaner for easy cleanup.
Wow Factor: This minivan redefines style in its segment. The Chrysler Pacifica’s design and feel make it equally suitable for school drop-offs and upscale events, offering a blend of practicality and sophistication that’s hard to beat in a family vehicle.
Best Full-size 3-row SUV for Families: Ford Expedition
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Courtesy of Ford
Price and Specs: Starting at $55,000; 380 horsepower V6 engine with an estimated 23 MPG.
Key Details: Built on the robust platform of the Ford F-150, the Ford Expedition is a highly versatile full-size SUV. It combines off-road capability with ample passenger and cargo space, making it ready for any family adventure.
Family Friendliness: The Expedition boasts the most flexible seating in its class. Each seat in the center row can be adjusted independently, and the bench easily accommodates three car seats. The spacious interior ensures comfortable maneuvering for families. For those needing even more room, an extended version offers a generous 36 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, ideal for larger families or extensive gear.
Wow Factor: The Ford Expedition empowers families to go further. It offers a towing capacity of up to 9,200 lbs, making it perfect for trailers and boats. Additionally, Ford’s Blue Cruise hands-free highway driving system reduces driving stress, especially on long family trips.
Best Mid-size 3-row SUV for Families: Honda Pilot
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Courtesy of Honda
Price and Specs: Starting at $37,000; 285 horsepower V6 engine with an estimated 22 MPG.
Key Details: Redesigned for 2023, the Honda Pilot offers enhanced interior storage, including under-floor cargo space. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power slide-and-tilt center seats, and a redesigned multimedia system for improved user experience.
Family Friendliness: Honda has thoughtfully designed the Pilot with families in mind. A removable middle seat in the center row allows for customization between captain’s chairs and a bench seat. The slide-and-tilt seats ensure easy third-row access, even with a forward-facing car seat installed using LATCH.
Wow Factor: The addition of the off-road capable TrailSport trim brings a new dimension to the Honda Pilot. This version offers 4-wheel drive capability along with features like all-terrain tires and skid plates, appealing to families with an adventurous spirit.
Best Mid-size 5-passenger SUV for Families: Toyota RAV4
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Courtesy of Toyota
Price and Specs: Starting at $29,000; 203 horsepower 4-cylinder engine with an estimated 27 MPG.
Key Details: The Toyota RAV4’s popularity as the best-selling SUV in the country is well-deserved. Expert judge Rana highlights its “rock-solid reliability” and its ability to “tick all the boxes for families,” including a spacious and comfortable cabin, fuel-efficient options, and extensive safety technology.
Family Friendliness: The RAV4’s roomy cabin comfortably accommodates passengers of all sizes. Updated technology includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Toyota’s latest multimedia system with voice-activated “Hey Toyota” assistance enhances convenience for all occupants.
Wow Factor: The Toyota RAV4 offers a diverse lineup to cater to various family needs and lifestyles. From basic models to luxury trims, and from rugged, off-road capable versions like the TRD Off-Road to the adventure-ready Woodland Edition, there’s a RAV4 for every family.
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; 420 horsepower V8 engine with an estimated 16 MPG.
Key Details: The Cadillac Escalade sets the standard for full-size luxury SUVs. Beyond Cadillac’s signature leather interior, the Escalade impresses with a dash-spanning glass multimedia system, panoramic sunroof, premium sound system, and automatic running boards that add a touch of elegance and convenience.
Family Friendliness: The Escalade’s spaciousness ensures comfort for everyone. Third-row seats can be easily raised or lowered with a button on the front console. While the center seats flip and fold for third-row access, families with car seats should consider configuration needs.
Wow Factor: The Escalade showcases Cadillac’s most innovative technology. This includes a high-performance 682 horsepower V-powered model designed for exhilarating performance, and Super Cruise, a highly acclaimed hands-free driving assist system, making it a top choice for families seeking luxury and advanced features.
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; 275 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engine with an estimated 23 MPG.
Key Details: The Lexus TX is a brand-new model designed to fill a specific niche in Lexus’s luxury SUV lineup. It offers a full-size cabin and a more spacious third row compared to smaller Lexus SUVs, in a package that’s more manageable than the larger LX SUV. Judge Collier noted it’s distinctively Lexus, but specifically “made for the family,” praising its “price points and generosity of space.”
Family Friendliness: Lexus has loaded the TX with family-friendly features, including a large 14-inch center screen, a new voice-activated multimedia system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, upgraded driver assistance features, and a top-tier head-up display. It also provides ample cargo space, flexible seating with slide and tilt center seats, USB-C ports, and large storage cubbies for every passenger.
Wow Factor: A standout feature of the Lexus TX is the power-folding third-row seats, which can be raised or lowered by the driver from the front seat with the push of a button, adding a significant convenience factor 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; 300 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engine with an estimated 22 MPG.
Key Details: The Genesis GV80 made a striking debut, instantly becoming a head-turner in the luxury SUV market. Available in five or seven-passenger configurations (though the five-passenger is more popular), the GV80 offers a pampering experience with quilted leather seating, a premium audio system, and a dual panoramic sunroof.
Family Friendliness: The GV80 prioritizes passenger comfort and convenience. Rear seat passengers enjoy USB ports, a household outlet, vanity mirrors, and window shades, creating a pleasant and adaptable environment for children and adults alike.
Wow Factor: A unique feature for rear passengers is the ability to control the front passenger seat position using buttons on the side of their seat, eliminating the need to ask the front passenger for adjustments and enhancing rear passenger comfort and control.
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 judges faced a tough decision in this category, resulting in a tie between the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90. Both are new and promising entrants in the electric SUV market. The Kia EV9, seen as an electric version of the popular Telluride, is designed with families in mind. The Volvo EX90 evolves the beloved Volvo XC90 into an all-electric model. Both vehicles represent a fresh approach to interior design and incorporate advanced driver assist and multimedia technology.
Family Friendliness: With spacious, usable third rows and center row captain’s chairs, both the EV9 and EX90 are designed to accommodate families comfortably, making them ideal choices for eco-conscious families needing space and practicality.
Wow Factor: Both SUVs feature interiors focused on sustainability and modern design. Volvo emphasizes reclaimed and renewable materials, including leatherette upholstery and unique trims. Kia similarly focuses on sustainable materials, including reclaimed ocean plastics, in what is considered their most elegant vehicle design to date.
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: Introduced in 2022, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is recognized for its “futuristic styling, EV powertrain, and spacious cabin,” making it an excellent choice for smaller families, according to judge Waatti. It offers fast charging capabilities and impressive range, reaching up to 300 miles in top models. Buyers can also select between rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations.
Family Friendliness: The IONIQ 5’s rear seat is exceptionally spacious, thanks to the under-floor battery pack, providing ample legroom and ease of maneuvering car seats and toddlers. The center console’s sliding feature adds further flexibility to the cabin space.
Wow Factor: A standout feature of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is its “vehicle to load” adapter. This allows the car to function as a mobile power source, capable of powering appliances during outages or on camping trips, showcasing its versatility beyond just 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 turbocharged plug-in hybrid engine, estimated 26 MPG.
Key Details: The Volvo XC90 Recharge offers a powerful plug-in hybrid engine designed for enhanced performance, improved fuel economy, and reduced emissions, all while maintaining seven-passenger capacity and Volvo’s signature luxury and comfort. Judge Rana describes it as “an icon of Scandinavian family luxury,” noting its “minimalistic exterior and interior design” that sets it apart in the family SUV category.
Family Friendliness: Without compromising on space or style, the Volvo XC90 Recharge accommodates two to three child car seats in the center row. It upholds Volvo’s legacy of safety, featuring robust safety technologies like crash mitigation and blind spot detection, along with a reinforced steel structure.
Wow Factor: Volvo’s commitment to customer care is a significant “wow factor”. Volvo Care provides a lifetime warranty on parts and components, including roadside assistance, demonstrating a long-term investment in customer satisfaction and vehicle reliability, making it a dependable choice for families.
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 hailed as the PHEV the industry has been anticipating, offering a substantial all-electric driving range combined with a luxurious and elegant interior. It represents a significant step forward in combining eco-consciousness with luxury in a family vehicle.
Family Friendliness: The PHEV version of the TX is exclusively available in the top-of-the-line, most powerful configuration, ensuring families enjoy the utmost luxury. Features include leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium sound system, creating an exceptional environment for family road trips and daily commutes.
Wow Factor: Drivers of the Lexus TX PHEV can select between “EV” and “Hold” modes, providing control over whether to prioritize all-electric driving or hybrid operation. This flexibility allows families to optimize fuel efficiency and driving experience based on their needs and preferences.
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 marked its return to the market following strong demand from enthusiasts who valued its heritage and off-road prowess. Famously known as Queen Elizabeth’s preferred vehicle, it’s engineered for off-road adventures while providing the comfort and features families need for everyday use.
Family Friendliness: The Defender’s adventure-ready features translate seamlessly into family-friendliness. All-weather floor mats, durable seating materials, and abundant storage compartments and charging ports make it ideal for handling the wear and tear of family life, keeping both passengers and devices organized and ready for any journey. A 3-row 130 model is also available for larger families needing more space.
Wow Factor: The Defender’s distinctive design has sparked a new trend in SUV aesthetics, inspiring boxier makeovers across the industry. Unique “Safari windows” set into the roof corners provide exceptional sky views, offering a memorable experience for passengers, especially on scenic drives or adventures.
Explore the Land Rover Defender 110
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, long appreciated for its practicality and reliability, received a comprehensive redesign for the 2024 model year, enhancing its appeal. The new design presents a modern and refined look both inside and out. Even the hybrid engine option remains accessible at around $32,000, offering excellent value. Standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which become wireless with the addition of a wireless phone charger.
Family Friendliness: Honda specifically enhanced rear seat space in the CR-V to better accommodate families. Increased legroom, reclining seats, and expanded cargo space ensure comfort and convenience for all family members and their belongings.
Wow Factor: The hybrid model of the Honda CR-V includes regenerative paddles, a feature more commonly found in electric vehicles. These paddles allow drivers to decelerate the car and convert kinetic energy back into battery power, increasing fuel efficiency and offering a unique, engaging driving experience, especially for eco-conscious families.
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: Completely redesigned for 2024, the Subaru Crosstrek features an updated interior with a large, tablet-style multimedia system, improved driver assist technologies, and a more refined overall feel. The new Wilderness trim enhances off-road capability, including a reinforced roof capable of supporting up to 700 lbs, appealing to active families.
Family Friendliness: Subaru’s renowned EyeSight driver assist and safety system is a highlight of the Crosstrek. Utilizing dual cameras, it provides advanced road and traffic monitoring. While rear legroom is adequate, it may be snug for taller front seat occupants. Rear passengers benefit from available USB ports for device charging.
Wow Factor: The standard all-wheel-drive system is a major draw for the Subaru Crosstrek, providing enhanced traction and stability in various weather conditions and terrains. This makes it a favorite among families living in challenging climates or those who enjoy outdoor adventures, ensuring safety and confidence on every journey.
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: Toyota introduced the Grand Highlander as a much-needed 3-row crossover for 2024, and it has been enthusiastically received by both buyers and automotive critics. It combines the beloved family-friendly features of the Toyota Sequoia in a more manageable, crossover-style body, ideal for families who need space without sacrificing drivability. Buyers can customize their Grand Highlander with a center row bench or captain’s chairs, leather or leatherette seating, and choose between a fuel-efficient hybrid or a conventional gas engine.
Family Friendliness: The Grand Highlander comes standard with a comprehensive suite of family-oriented features. This includes Toyota’s most advanced driver assist and safety technologies, the new 12-inch multimedia touchscreen, rear window shades, and USB ports for every seat, ensuring comfort, entertainment, and connectivity for all passengers on long journeys.
Wow Factor: The Hybrid Max model of the Grand Highlander elevates performance to 362 horsepower while still achieving 26 MPG. This combination of power and efficiency makes it exceptionally well-suited for carrying full passenger loads, extensive luggage, and even towing up to 5,000 lbs, making it the ultimate road trip vehicle for families.
Explore the Toyota Grand Highlander
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: Honda redesigned the Accord for 2024, adding stylish updates such as an enhanced multimedia system and a unique honeycomb grille design that subtly integrates the air vents across the dashboard, all while preserving the classic elegance of this sedan. Buyers can select between a conventional gas-powered model or a fuel-efficient hybrid version, catering to different preferences and needs.
Family Friendliness: The Honda Accord offers a spacious and comfortable rear seat, making it a practical sedan choice for families. It comfortably accommodates children and car seats without compromise. Rear seat passengers benefit from USB ports and air vents (Touring edition only), enhancing comfort and convenience on family trips.
Wow Factor: For families desiring a sportier driving experience in a sedan, the Accord Sport model offers an upgraded 204 horsepower engine. Combining the Sport trim with the hybrid option delivers both enhanced performance and fuel savings, making the Accord a fun-to-drive yet practical family vehicle.
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: Judge Waatti praises the Cadillac CT5 as “one of the best sports sedans on the market” and “a surprisingly great family sedan for those looking to buck the SUV trend.” With its elegant exterior and updated interior, the CT5 offers a compelling alternative to competitors like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class. The interior is highlighted by a wide touchscreen spanning the dashboard, providing a modern and tech-forward feel.
Family Friendliness: The rear seats of the CT5 have been expanded to offer more legroom, enhancing passenger comfort. While it may feel a bit snug behind taller front occupants, rear passengers are provided with air vents, armrest cup holders, and USB ports, catering to family needs on the go.
Wow Factor: The Cadillac CT5 lineup offers a range of models to suit different driving desires. From the enjoyable base CT5 to the more powerful V-Series, and the ultimate Blackwing, Cadillac’s most potent sedan designed for track performance, there’s a CT5 for families who appreciate performance and style.
Explore the Cadillac CT5/V/Blackwing
Best In-Car Multimedia System: Mercedes-Benz MBUX (as seen in Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 3-row SUV)
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Courtesy of Mercedes Benz
Price and Specs (for vehicle): Starting at $63,000+; 255 horsepower 6-cylinder turbo engine, estimated 20 MPG.
Key Details: The Mercedes-Benz MBUX multimedia system continues to impress. Mercedes-Benz pioneered voice-activated assistants in vehicles, and MBUX keeps evolving with enhanced capabilities. Integrated with the driver display screen and head-up display, MBUX offers extensive customization options, from ambient lighting to personalized cabin experiences with light, music, and fragrance.
Family Friendliness: The MBUX system is designed for usability by all passengers, even from the rear seats. By simply saying “Hey Mercedes,” occupants can control various car functions, including radio, navigation, and seat massage features. The crisp and clear displays ensure that even rear passengers can easily follow navigation and trip information.
Wow Factor: A fun and unique “wow factor” of the MBUX system is its ability to tell jokes! This playful feature adds an unexpected element of entertainment and delight, especially for families on long drives, showcasing the system’s advanced and user-friendly nature.
Best Family Technology: Chrysler/Jeep Rear Seat Monitoring Camera System (as seen in Jeep Grand Cherokee L 3-row SUV)
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Courtesy of Jeep
Price and Specs (for vehicle): Starting at $43,000+; 293 horsepower 6-cylinder turbo engine, estimated 22 MPG.
Key Details: Building on Chrysler’s Fam Cam system, Stellantis has expanded this technology to other family vehicles, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer. This rear seat monitoring system allows front seat occupants to view and communicate with passengers in the center and third rows via a camera and microphone/speaker system.
Family Friendliness: This system provides a significant advantage over traditional mirrors for monitoring children in car seats. It includes a low-light function for nighttime visibility, making it easier to check on sleeping children. The speaker and microphone system also improves communication with children in rear-facing seats or the third row, ensuring everyone feels connected and heard.
Wow Factor: The availability of this advanced family-friendly technology beyond minivans is a major “wow factor.” Stellantis’s recognition of the value of this feature in SUVs and other family cars demonstrates a commitment to practical family needs, offering convenience and peace of mind to parents.
Explore Jeep Grand Cherokee Technology
Best New Driver Technology: GM Teen Driver System (as found on Chevrolet Trax)
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Courtesy of GM
Price and Specs (for vehicle): Starting at $21,000+; 137 horsepower 3-cylinder engine, estimated 30 MPG.
Key Details: GM’s Teen Driver System emphasizes safety for new drivers. It allows parents to set driving restrictions, such as speed limits and radio volume, linked to a specific key fob. The system can also be set to “buckle-to-drive,” preventing the car from being driven until seatbelts are fastened, adding an extra layer of safety and responsibility.
Family Friendliness: This technology is a valuable tool for coaching teen drivers and fostering safe driving habits. It provides parents with a “report card” after each drive, detailing driving statistics like maximum speed and overspeed warnings, offering insights into driving behavior and areas for improvement. It provides peace of mind for parents of new drivers.
Wow Factor: The Teen Driver System’s accessibility through multimedia settings or a user app enhances its convenience and usability. This integration makes it easy for parents to manage settings and monitor driving habits, promoting safer driving practices for teens and offering valuable feedback for both parent and child.
Explore GM Teen Driver Technology
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 models are considered the ultimate in family luxury, largely due to their extensive array of screens and screen-based controls. Expanding on the rear seat entertainment system pioneered in the Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep has added even more features to pamper rear passengers, making long trips more enjoyable for everyone.
Family Friendliness: Beyond the available climate control screen in the center row, the Wagoneer offers 10-inch seatback screens that can stream content from phones, gaming consoles, or built-in Amazon Fire programming. Wireless headsets allow personalized audio, and the entire system can be controlled from the front seat, giving parents oversight while allowing for passenger enjoyment.
Wow Factor: While the rear seat entertainment system is exceptional, the front passenger also benefits from a dashboard-integrated screen. This screen enables streaming and control of the rear seat system, ensuring that front passengers are also part of the entertainment and control experience, making the Wagoneer a truly family-centric vehicle in terms of technology and entertainment.
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 stands out as the ultimate SUV for families with multiple child car seats. It can fit three car seats across the center bench, each adjustable independently for forward or rear-facing setups. Impressively, three rear-facing car seats can be installed side-by-side in the center row bench, accommodating even large families with young children.
Family Friendliness: The flexible center row seating allows parents to position seats to create “no touch” zones between children or to easily reach infants from the front. Outboard seats slide and tilt, providing access to the third row even with forward-facing LATCH-installed car seats, making transitions and access easier for families.
Wow Factor: The Expedition offers ample space for car seats even in the third row, with generous headroom and legroom throughout the vehicle. Adding to its “wow factor,” expert judge Stumpe chose the Ford Expedition for her own family when needing to accommodate three rear-facing car seats, highlighting its real-world practicality and suitability for large families with young children.
How We Selected Our Best Family Car Winners
Choosing the best family cars involved rigorous comparisons. Our expert panel evaluated over 140 cars and SUVs across 22 categories, focusing on features crucial for families, such as flexible seating, rear USB ports, and advanced climate control systems. We considered a range of powertrains—from traditional gasoline to hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric, and fully electric—and acknowledged the diverse lifestyles these vehicles cater to, from adventure-ready SUVs to city-friendly sedans.
Safety and technology were paramount in our evaluations. We prioritized standard safety equipment and technology, recognizing brands that include these features as standard rather than optional upgrades. Car seat compatibility was also a critical factor, assessing the number of LATCH systems and the ease of car seat installation in each vehicle, ensuring they truly are the best family cars.
Learn about Car Seat Safety: 9 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Discover Our Favorite Car Seats for Children Here.
Meet Our Expert Judges
Our judges are not only automotive authorities but also parents, bringing a wealth of both professional and personal experience to the selection process. They possess deep knowledge of family needs and the current automotive market. They are experts in safety features, car seat configurations, and technical specifications, and they have hands-on experience test-driving many of the vehicles considered. Get to know our panel of experts:
- Christina Branman (@Mobile_Mama_Reviews): Mom to infant and toddler girls, Christina specializes in family-friendly cars, focusing on features beneficial for mothers.
- Teia Collier (Modern Family Driver): Mother of three, including a child with special needs. Teia is also on the board of the Mesquite, Texas school board and president of the Texas Auto Writers Association, bringing diverse perspectives to her car reviews.
- Omar Rana (Omar Drives): Father of two girls, Omar transitioned from a corporate career to full-time automotive content creation, reviewing family, sports, and luxury cars with passion and expertise.
- Scotty Reiss (A Girls Guide to Cars): Mom of two daughters and founder of the leading automotive content brand for women. Scotty is also the vice-chair of the World Car Awards, contributing to global automotive excellence recognition.
- Kelly Stumpe (@The_Car_Mom): Mother of three, Kelly grew up in a car dealership family and offers family-focused car buying tips and advice on her popular channels.
- Paul Waatti (Auto Pacific): Detroit native and father of two, Paul is an industry analysis director, producing forecasts and competitive analyses and rigorously testing cars for real-world family use.
Choosing the best family car is a significant decision. We hope that the Parents’ 2024 Best Family Cars Awards provide valuable guidance and insights to help you find the perfect vehicle for your family’s journey.
