Best Cars For Families: Everything You Need To Know About Choosing Your Family Car
So…you’re in the market for a new family car…where do you even start?!
If you’re new here- I’m Kelly the Car Mom and helping families find the best car for their needs is my thing. I’m a Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST), mom of three, and if there is one thing I know better than anything else - it’s family cars. I want to help you narrow down everything you need to consider when deciding on a vehicle.
Choosing the best car for your family is no small task- there are a ton of factors to consider.
How much space do you actually need?
Do I need a minivan?
What’s a car seat tilt and why should I care about it?
Today on the blog, I will be answering all these questions (and way more)! So without further ado- let’s dive in.
First things first - can you make it work with your current car?
Here’s the truth - your current car could very well be the perfect family car if it meets two crucial criteria: accommodating your family's needs and staying within your budget. While a new car may be tempting, especially when you have one or two kids, your current car (even a sedan) might be the best fit for your family during this particular stage of life. I'm not one to advocate for going into debt or making substantial purchases for minor luxuries or to simply keep up with appearances. If you've already reached the decision that you're ready for a new car that's where I come in in to help you find the ideal vehicle that aligns with your family's needs, preferences, and, most importantly, your budget!
Minivan vs. SUV…What I’d recommend after driving both.
Ah yes, the great debate on which vehicle is the better choice for your family. Choosing between a minivan and SUV is where I like to start when narrowing down your car selection options.
To start off, there are 4 minivans currently available on the market:
To see an in-depth review on how each minivan stacks up next to each other, check out my Minivan Showdown here! For a quick summary, here are the pros and cons I’ve noted over the years when considering either option:
Minivan Pros:
You truly cannot beat the convenience of sliding doors
They are full of family-friendly features like Stow & Go seating
Spacious interiors make it very easy to reach and help your kids in and out of car seats i
They are typically more affordable than SUVs
Minivan Cons:
Not the best option if towing or all weather seasons are in your daily commute
Let’s be real - they lack the “cool” factor
SUV Pros:
Towing and all weather conditions are much easier to drive with
Typically, trunk space is wider which makes loading and unloading a breeze
SUVs are usually the more aesthetically pleasing car to look at (this is all personal preference though!)
SUV Cons:
They are more expensive than minivans
Trunk space can be on the smaller size
Three car seats across isn’t always possible (safely)
Still not sure which vehicle choice is the best car for your family? I’ve broken down the great Minivan vs. SUV Debate even further here!
What Size SUV Is Right For My Family?
So, you’ve decided on an SUV over a minivan… now what? You need to decide how many seats you’’ll need now and in the future. Although this may sound simple, I HIGHLY recommend looking at my Family Forecasting Guide to help you navigate all the potential life changes that require more cubic feet within your car.
If you plan on keeping your car for the next several years, you cannot overlook family forecasting. While buying a five seat SUV fits your family now, if your family grows, will you be able to fit everyone? Trading in your five seat SUV could cost you more than if you had just bought a larger car initially. This will all depend on your specific situation, but it’s definitely something to think about!
Once you have a bit more of a baseline as to what kind of space you need, it’s time to start narrowing down your options. The three types of SUVs are: mid-size, third row, and full-size. Although I’ve toured just about every type of car on the market, SUVs are kind of my thing. Here’s how I like to break them down:
Family Car Features -Here’s what I’m looking for in a family car:
Overall look and feel of the car
Driver luxuries like infotainment, storage, and cupholders
Second row space and versatility for passengers and car seats
Placement of anchors for car seat installation
Third row access
Third row space + leg room
Trunk space
Gas mileage
Overall value
Availability (some cars are harder to find than others)
Small SUVs
Out of the three options available, small SUVs are by far the most popular choice for first-time families when buying a car. Although they seem really practical (and absolutely are in the right scenario), I’ve heard countless stories of families who underestimate the space they need and outgrow a five-seater too quickly.
If you’re certain a small SUV is right for you, here are my top contenders:
Chevy Trax Activ (Love how affordable this one is!)
Third Row SUVs
So you’ve decided the third row is a game changer for your family. As a mom of three, I personally love the extra space! I’ve seen all types of third rows, some great and some really disappointing.
In my opinion, here are the top picks for third row family SUVs:
Full-Size SUVs - What My Family Drives!
When it comes to full-size SUVs on the market, the options available are more similar than different. Roughly, you’re getting the same vehicle on the inside (minus a few changes that make each manufacturer unique). If you’re unsure on which full-size SUV is the clear winner, consider what’s currently available and the price point each one totals in at.
Here are the available options on the market for full-size SUVS:
Key Vehicle Features To Consider
You may be thinking: is there anything left to consider when shopping for a family vehicle? Yes! Once you’ve considered the type of car you’re interested in, this is where your unique priorities become even more important.
Two vs. Three Rows
Besides a minivan vs. SUV, this may be the greatest debate when it comes to family car shopping. I cannot stress this enough- plan accordingly for the space you think you’ll need not just today and tomorrow, but years from now. I love a two row SUV, really I do, but my heart breaks for families that buy a 5-passenger vehicle too quickly and outgrow it within a few years.
I get it, the gas mileage and overall larger vehicle is not always the ideal choice. If you’re not sure if you can get on board with three rows, just give it a test drive. I’m just putting it out there, but I think the latest ones on the market will impress you more than you think.
Third Row Access
If you thought I was done on the third row talk- not quite yet. If you’ve always wanted a third row (or I’ve swayed you into considering one), now we have to discuss accessing it in a way that both you and your kids can do easily. When shopping, the car seat tilt, or magic slide, is an absolute game changer to getting third row access that is quick and painless. To see an updated list of 2023 vehicles with car seat tilt, click here.
Types of Third Row Access:
Car Seat Tilt
Magic Slide
Fold & Flip
Car Seat Compatibility
Car seat compatibility is one of the most difficult aspects of car buying to shop for. Why? Well, it all circles back to family planning. If your family consists of 1-2 children, you’re almost guaranteed car seat compatibility in the vehicle of your choosing. On the other hand, if you’re like my family and have three children in all different types of car seats, things become a little more complicated.
Three car seats across is not a simple task, but I’ve done my fair share of testing to help make this process as easy as possible. First, I recommend browsing from my list of slimmest car seats for family vehicles. Then, I recommend checking out my list of the best vehicles for three car seats across. If you’re still not sure which car seat to purchase, I highly recommend the Graco SlimFit 3LX. I test this car seat out in all of my tours to check three across compatibility and it never disappoints.
Once you’ve narrowed it down, go to the dealership and test it out! A test drive is not just around the block, get in that second and third row and use it like you would at home.
Trunk Space
Trunk space is where the uniqueness of your family becomes really important. Do you need room for a single or double stroller? Are you hauling around sports equipment all the time? Or, is space for the weekly grocery trip most important?
Sit down and really think about how you utilize trunk space to make your life more convenient. Although we all love to have unlimited room available, this can be a place where families either overestimate or underestimate what they actually need from a trunk.
To see a complete list of vehicles with the most trunk space, click here.
What’s The Best Car For Your Family? Kelly’s Take
There is no one car I can recommend that will be a perfect one-size-fits-all vehicle for every family. The most important thing to consider is how your family will grow in the years to come, then make sure to prioritize essentials on your daily drives in terms of both experience and comfortability. Above all, do your research and only start the negotiation process when you are 100% sold on the perfect make and model for your family.
If you’re ready to take that next step, check out my Car Buying Course! I break down every aspect of the purchase process, from negotiations to dealership prep, in an easy-to-understand way that prioritizes your success. With my 100% money back guarantee, it’s a win-win for you to give it a try!
What are your top priorities when shopping for a family vehicle? Please let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest car buying tips, check out my latest posts:
