Top 10 Best Family Cars – The Short List

Whether you’re taking your family across town or on a longer road trip, making sure your vehicle is family-friendly is a must. Learn which vehicles are the best family cars to own now. 

One in four Canadians plans to buy or lease a car in the next two years. If you’re one of them, part of your buying decision may center on how family-friendly a vehicle is. You may be concerned with buying a car that’s safe while also offering the features your family wants and needs, such as plenty of legroom and storage or an in-car infotainment system. To help you narrow down the field, we’ve done the research for you to find the 10 best family cars to buy now.

• Honda Accord
• Nissan Rogue
• Honda CR-V
• Chevrolet Traverse
• Subaru Ascent
• Toyota Highlander
• Hyundai Sonata
• Honda Odyssey
• Chevrolet Malibu
• Volvo V9

1. Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is great for anyone looking for a stylish midsize sedan, including families. Parents will appreciate how driveable the Accord is and it’s got a roomy feel for kids. Something else to like is the range of safety features included with Honda Sensing, such as a collision mitigation braking system and adaptive cruise control. Those features are standard on all models. Price-wise, the LX starts at $23,720, with two hybrids and a sport model also available.

2. Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover vehicle equipped with Nissan Intelligent Mobility. The 2019 model has seating for five and safety features like intelligent lane intervention and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available and the Rogue gets a combined fuel economy of 29 miles per gallon. The S FWD model starts at $25,020, making it a price-friendly option for family budgets.

3. Honda CR-V

The 2019 Honda CR-V is a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy with a starting price of $24,450 for LX models. It’s rugged enough for a weekend camping trip with the kids and reliable enough to get the entire crew to school and work on schedule. Like the Accord, it has Honda Sensing safety features built in and it has a 26/32 mpg city and highway fuel economy. The Touring model, which starts at $32,850, comes with other family-friendly perks like a hands-free access power tailgate and satellite-linked navigation system.

4. Chevrolet Traverse

Families interested in a midsized SUV might consider the Chevrolet Traverse. The 2020 model offers plenty of cargo space with seating for up to eight people, which is great if you have a larger family or you need extra room for your kids’ sports equipment. The Traverse has a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and comes with added convenience touches like smart slide seating and a power liftgate. Pricing starts at $29,000 for the base model but a fully loaded version could cost you closer to $52,000.

5. Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent is billed as the biggest Subaru ever, with 153.5 cubic feet of passenger volume. Some of the best features include standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, a 5,000-pound towing capacity for hauling along your camper or a boat for weekends on the lake, Wifi connectivity and USB charging, 19 cup and bottle holders and seating for up to eight people. The base Ascent mode has an MSRP or $31,995 while the Ascent Premium starts at $34,394.

6. Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is another top-rated SUV option for safety, which is appealing for families. Inside, this vehicle offers space for up to eight people, along with five USB charging ports, expansive cargo space, a panoramic moonroof and an overall quiet ride. The Highlander is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense to help protect your family while you’re on the open road or just backing out of the driveway. Driver Easy Speak and three-zone automatic climate control add to its list of desirable features. 2019 LE models start at $31,830, while at the high end Hybrid Limited models start at $46,060.

7. Hyundai Sonata

The 2019 Hyundai Sonata offers affordability for families, along with a great design and plenty of features. SE models starting at $19,900, which is good if you’re looking for a new car for under $20,000. All models come with blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert standard and you can unlock even more features by upgrading to a Tech or Ultimate package. The SE model gets a combined fuel economy of 29 mpg, which makes it the most fuel-efficient of all the 2019 Sonatas.

8. Honda Odyssey

If you’re in the market for a family minivan, the 2020 Honda Odyssey is deserving of consideration. Starter pricing ranges from $30,690 for LX models, up to $44,960 for Touring models. The Odyssey offers seating for up to eight, with an easily accessible third row and a cargo space you can configure to fit your needs. Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free link are standard on all models, as are USB charging ports.

9. Chevrolet Malibu

The Chevy Malibu is another midsize sedan that’s suited to busy families who spend a lot of time on the road. The 2020 model gets 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway and features a spacious, comfortable interior. The Malibu doesn’t skimp on safety features and both automatic parking assist and automatic emergency braking are available. The infotainment system features Teen Driver technology to help parents with teaching kids how to drive. Pricing starts at $22,095 for the 2020 Malibu L models.

10. Volvo V90

Minivans and SUVs are attention-getters but families looking for a wagon should check out the Volvo V90. It’s practical and built to last but offers a luxury feel that other wagons lack. The V90 has ample space for loading up groceries and its advanced powertrain technology makes it exceptionally fuel-efficient. Seating for five means everyone in the family can travel in comfort. The suggested MSRP for 2020 models is $51,450.

If you’re thinking of buying a car from a family member, there are ways you can save money on the transaction. One of these ways is gifting a vehicle. Instead of buying from a family member, they can “gift” you the vehicle and you won’t have to pay certain taxes. Learn more about gifting a vehicle in Manitoba.

At Birchwood Credit Solutions we work with customers from a variety of credit backgrounds to secure car financing. We offer competitive rates and a wide inventory of vehicles to choose from. Connect our knowledgeable finance team today to learn more about how to get pre-approved for a car loan as you begin your car-buying search.