What the Best Vehicle for a Family of 6
The Best Family unit Cars of 2021
Upgrade your "second home" with the help of our annual Parents' Best Family Cars shopping guide featuring the top minivans, SUVs, and sedans on the marketplace for families in 2021.
They're more than than vehicles: Our cars have turned into sanctuaries for 10 minutes of solitude, socially distanced picnic spots for the kids to eat lunch, and the preferred way to travel on vacay. And if you lot're similar us, you may be itching to upgrade after this past year. Enter these winners that make up our Parents' annual best cars list.
Here's how nosotros made our picks: The pandemic required us to become artistic, simply we tested each car thoroughly. After checking safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Constitute for Highway Safety, Abbie Patterson, certified passenger-safety technician and possessor of Super Machine Seat Geek, requested photos and measurements of the seats and safety-restraint systems for the contenders. Parents automotive expert and dad Rob Stumpf and so test-collection 35 semifinalists to assist make our list of winners.
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Set to find your next ride? Scan our winners then keep in mind these tips when information technology comes to how auto shopping has changed during the pandemic:
Contact the dealer for a test-drive date. Depending on where you alive, you may non exist able to walk into a showroom and ask for one. Many examination-drives take place without a salesperson in the automobile with y'all (a silver lining!).
Negotiate from home. When our car-seat adept bought a new minivan last year, she landed on a price after several rounds of back and forth via phone. Too inquire virtually contactless signing; more than than 400 Volkswagen dealerships, for example, take a digital signature program.
Expect at trade-in options. Stumpf sold his car through Carvana. He snapped pics and answered questions to get an offering. They picked it up at his house. CarMax also gives online offers.
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Minivans
The stigma is real, merely so are the perks: sliding doors that won't nick nearby cars, cargo space galore, and kid-friendly tech.
All-time Versatility: Honda Odyssey
$31,790+/19 to 28 mpg
The Honda Odyssey'south 3rd-row seats easily fold down to create a hangout space.
How It Drives
The combo of its V-6 engine and ten-speed transmission give the Odyssey plenty of power. "It glides through highway lanes and on city streets," says Stumpf. "Yous tin can too maneuver the 2½-ton vehicle into compact spaces." New for 2021, some safety features, like automatic braking if a pedestrian walks in forepart, don't cost extra.
Automobile-Seat Fit
With five sets of lower anchors and six tether anchors on the EX and above models ($35,190+), you have the versatility to install any type of seat anywhere in the second or third row. "It's spacious plenty for five to 6 seats," says Patterson.
Wow Factors
The tertiary-row seats fold downwards, leaving you with a roomy space. A built-in vacuum on 2021 models will suck upwards countless crumbs. (Take hold of it while y'all tin—the perk won't be included on 2022 models because of supply issues.)
Best Handling: Chrysler Pacifica
$35,045+/19 to 28 mpg
How It Drives
"Refreshed inside and out for 2021, the Pacifica feels like y'all're driving on a deject," Stumpf says. The all-wheel-drive system ($two,995 extra on some trim levels) gives yous better traction in bad atmospheric condition and helps brand the minivan more stable in terminate-and-go traffic. The brakes are nimble too.
Car-Seat Fit
Y'all can put two kids in the middle row and two in the back. "Since the head restraints in the second row are more adjustable, that's the easiest place to install most forward-facing car seats or loftier-back boosters," Patterson says. Rear-facing seats or backless boosters tin potentially go in whatever spot.
Wow Factors
How nearly optics in the back of your head? The new FamCAM camera on the infotainment system shows you what kids are up to in the back. You can even zoom in on a specific seat. The wizardry is standard on the Pinnacle ($53,390+) and costs extra on the Express edition ($48,390+).
All-time Value: Kia Sedona
$30,400+/18 to 24 mpg
How It Drives
Whether y'all're squeezing into your supermarket'due south curbside parking or navigating a Starbucks drive-through line precaffeinated, the Sedona's cycle is lite and easy to maneuver. Kia's innovative automatic transmission system powers the van's forepart wheels, giving them a proficient grip on the road.
Machine-Seat Fit
All Sedona trims now concord eight passengers and tin accommodate up to five automobile seats—2 in the back row and up to three in the eye row. Forward-facing seats may exist easiest to put in the middle row behind the driver or the passenger.
Wow Factors
There's a new Sedona design in the works for 2022, but in the meantime, the kids will be thrilled with the bear on screens on the back of the front seats that are function of the rear entertainment bundle ($1,500). They tin play games or stream their favorite shows.
All-time Eco Choice: Toyota Sienna Hybrid
$34,460+/up to 36 mpg
How Information technology Drives
Toyota boldly discontinued its gas-powered Sienna and is making but a hybrid minivan. With upgraded steering, information technology's more than graceful around curves. An enhanced battery warranty covers 150,000 miles or ten years, whichever comes first.
Motorcar-Seat Fit
The Sienna's redesign increased its car-seat compatibility. "There's an extra tether in the back row, and the seats are wider and not equally inclined, making installation in any position easier," Patterson says. You'll fit four to 5 machine seats if you lot opt for the version with bench-style seating rather than captain's chairs.
Wow Factors
Y'all can out-tech your device-happy kids with a congenital-in mic that transmits your voice through the rear speakers and then you won't have to shout, "What's going on dorsum at that place?" The Sienna is route trip–ready with upwardly to 18 cupholders, vii USB ports, and climate controls for each row of passengers.
Three-Row SUVs
They give you loads of space with a sporty design.
Best Luxury Redesign: Acura MDX
$46,900+/nineteen to 26 mpg
How It Drives
Skipping the 2021 model year, the 2022 MDX (out now) sports a 10-speed automatic transmission and larger wheels that crush information technology on winding mountain roads and looping drive-through lines. Its V-6 engine gives you the burst of speed you desire for highway merging without feeling out of control.
Car-Seat Fit
The enlarged Acura holds upwardly to iii seats in the center row and ii in the back. Since in that location are tether anchors in all seating positions, y'all have a lot of options.
Wow Factors
In that location's a genius storage compartment in the flooring of the cargo expanse. When kids are snacking, flip the storage surface area's chapeau from its carpeted side to its plastic side to brand cleanup easier.
Best Redesign: Kia Sorento
$29,390+/24 to 29 mpg
How Information technology Drives
The lowest-priced choice of the bunch got a glow-up with a mod-looking outside, better gas mileage, and a option of engines. The turbocharged version on the EX and SX trims ($34,990+ and $37,990+) gives a smoother, swifter ride than previous generations.
Car-Seat Fit
Opt for a model with helm'due south chairs rather than demote-mode seating if you lot need room for three motorcar seats. Place high-back boosters and rear-facing seats in the 2d row, Patterson advises.
Wow Factors
All Sorentos now include safety tech that helps you stay in your lane and turns on your high beams automatically.
Best For Adventures: Nissan Pathfinder
How Information technology Drives
Skipping over the 2021 model year, the 2022 Pathfinder (out this summer; the price was yet existence adamant at press fourth dimension) has a new nine-speed transmission for a smoother ride. Paired with its 5-6 engine, it offers quick acceleration.
Motorcar-Seat Fit
You may exist able to fit up to 3 car seats or boosters in the 2nd row and two in the third, Patterson notes. If you want to install a forward-facing seat in the third row, do it on the passenger side.
Wow Factors
The Pathfinder can tow upwards to 6,000 pounds, giving you lot a lot of options for hauling a camper on a route trip. Plus, at that place are 14 color options.
Best Value: Volkswagen Atlas
$31,555+/21 to 24 mpg
How Information technology Drives
The Atlas steers and brakes with ease. Heated side mirrors, automated headlights, and other safe features come up standard.
Car-Seat Fit
Y'all can install two seats in the tertiary row and up to 3 in the 2d if you lot opt for the model without captain's chairs. Backless boosters and rear-facing seats fit better than forward-facing ones in the 3rd row, Patterson says.
Wow Factors
Instead of a confusing instrument cluster, a "digital cockpit" behind the bike on the SEL trims ($42,325+) has a high-res screen that displays your speed, navigation, and safe systems such every bit rear photographic camera view. You tin can fifty-fifty customize information technology.
Best For Route Trips: Subaru Ascent
$32,295+/21 to 27 mpg
How It Drives
With a perfectly executed CVT transmission, it adjusts quickly to irresolute terrain. If you need to take unpaved dorsum roads on a weekend getaway, the Rise will come through with flying colors.
Car-Seat Fit
Y'all tin install upwards to 5 seats in the machine—3 narrow ones in the 2nd row and ii in the back. Use the LATCH organisation rather than the seat belt to identify a automobile seat in the second row behind the passenger so kids can easily go to the third row, Patterson says.
Wow Factors
On any trim, you lot'll snag LED headlights that move in the direction you're steering so you tin can run into better around corners at night.
Best Quiet Ride: Honda Pilot
$32,550+/twenty to 27 mpg
How Information technology Drives
The lighter-weight Pilot has the same Five-6 engine as the Odyssey, and so you'll score a faster ride that'south quiet and shine, Stumpf says.
Motorcar-Seat Fit
You'll fit two seats in each of the second and third rows. Forrad-facing seats may work all-time in the second row, Patterson says.
Wow Factors
3 former add-ons now come standard: paddle shifters, to give yous more control over the transmission in rugged terrain; dual-climate command; and an eco-friendly system that shuts down the engine if y'all're waiting in traffic.
Best Luxury Tech: Volvo XC90
$49,000+/21 to xxx mpg
How It Drives
Information technology's got game heading uphill cheers to twin-charged engines. Opt for all-wheel drive ($51,500+), and it'll exist easier to handle in bad conditions.
Motorcar-Seat Fit
You can install upward to four motorcar seats or boosters. If you need a forrad-facing car seat in the third row, install it on the passenger side using the tether, Patterson says.
Wow Factors
You'll score a wireless phone-charging plate in the console between the front seats, and sensors to assist y'all park.
Best Braking: Mazda CX-9
$34,160+/22 to 28 mph
How It Drives
"The brake pedal is soft at slow speeds and firm when it needs to be, easily modulating just how much power you need to stop," Stumpf says. Its 4-cylinder engine supplies ample power and saves gas.
Car-Seat Fit
4 seats is typically the max for the Mazda; you can fit ii each in the heart and dorsum rows. If yous need to install a forward-facing car seat in the back row, put information technology on the passenger side.
Wow Factors
Refreshed final year, the interior with santos rosewood inlays and quilting on the starting time- and second-row seats feels shmancy. And a sensor that gauges the corporeality of rainfall on the windshield, turning wipers on and off automatically, is the flop.
Two-Row SUVs
These models can fit two kids and all their stuff.
Best Steering System: Chevrolet Equinox
$23,800+/26 to 31 mpg
How It Drives
The Equinox's engine steps up for the times you demand to advance quickly. Information technology steers well, leaving you feeling in control.
Car-Seat Fit
You won't have to search for the lower anchors and tethers—they're more than obvious on the Equinox than on many other vehicles. Install a backless booster behind the driver or passenger side rather than in the centre, Patterson suggests.
Wow Factors
The "post-obit distance indicator" displays the gap in time betwixt your car and the one in front of you lot.
Best Hybrid: Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
$35,345+/up to 90 MPGe
How Information technology Drives
Easy steering and shine braking brand this hybrid fun to bulldoze. Information technology has a range of up to 480 miles using both the electric- and gas-powered engines.
Car-Seat Fit
If you need to squeeze in two car seats and a booster, putting two narrow car seats behind the driver and in the middle seat volition make information technology easier to buckle and unbuckle the seat belt for the booster, Patterson says.
Wow Factors
"When you're using cruise control, the Crosstrek kicks in a lane-centering arrangement that's incredibly accurate," Stumpf says.
Best Redesign: Nissan Rogue
$26,650+/27 to 35 mpg
How It Drives
The Rogue has upped its game, increasing the horsepower of its engine and its gas mileage. The handling also improved over the previous gen thanks to an updated platform and chassis.
Motorcar-Seat Fit
If you need iii car seats in the back, opt for narrow ones and install each with a seat belt to maximize space.
Wow Factors
The rear doors open to virtually 90 degrees for easier access—sweet when you're installing automobile seats or when the grandparents are along for the ride.
Best Electric: Ford Mustang Mach-Eastward
$42,895+/94 to 108 MPGe
How It Drives
Ford'southward all-electric SUV is a home run, accelerating near twice every bit fast as some bulky SUVs, and gives a smooth, repose ride. It goes for 211 to 305 miles without a charge, depending on the model.
Automobile-Seat Fit
You lot'll likely exist able to get three seats in the back, which is broad with lots of headroom. Put the narrowest seat in the center.
Wow Factors
Instead of an engine, a space the size of a 36-gallon cooler is built into the front torso (aka the frunk). Fill up it with ice and head to the park for the coolest picnic.
All-time For Road Trips: Subaru Forester
$24,795+/26 to 33 mpg
How Information technology Drives
Symmetrical all-bicycle drive comes standard so you don't have to worry about the weather tripping up your weekend getaway. Bumpy terrain is no match for its loftier ground clearance.
Car-Seat Fit
You can fit two seats—put them behind the driver and passenger sides. Install a rear-facing seat on the side of the person who's typically shorter.
Wow Factors
Score raised roof track for kayaks and other gear on the premium trim ($27,795+).
Best Quiet Ride: Buick Envision
$31,800+/22 to 29 mpg
How Information technology Drives
The powerful engine and ix-speed automatic transmission pair up for enough of acceleration in this refreshed model. The suspension system adjusts shock absorbers to evangelize a smoother ride.
Machine-Seat Fit
You can install iii car seats in the dorsum—woo-hoo! Avoid placing a backless booster in the center seat, Patterson says.
Wow Factors
Sound-arresting insulation, an acoustic laminated windshield, and, on some models, special mics reduce outside noise.
Best Eco Tech: Toyota Venza
$32,470+/37 to 40 mpg
How It Drives
Three electric motors supplement a four-cylinder engine, making the Venza seem peppy in around-the-town driving. Toyota also improved the pause for a smoother, softer ride.
Car-Seat Fit
You can hands install seats behind the passenger and driver cheers to two sets of lower anchors.
Wow Factors
To prevent the backseat from getting too hot, you lot tin can switch the panoramic sunroof over the front and back seats from transparent mode (the usual) to frosted.
Family unit Sedans
For smaller families or urban center dwellers, or as second cars, these roomy sedans are skilful buys.
All-time Sports Hybrid: Toyota Camry Hybrid
$27,270+
A fun second automobile that's roomy plenty to haul two kids on the weekend, the Toyota Camry Hybrid ($27,270+) packs more ability than many similar sedans.
All-time Luxury Car: Lexus ES350
$twoscore,000+
With an first-class suspension arrangement and a plush interior, the Lexus ES350 ($xl,000+) gives families of 3 or four a smooth ride. Onboard Wi-Fi comes standard on all trims.
Best Sporty Car: Nissan Maxima
$36,990+
Need a stylin' car to offset your minivan? Enter the four-door Nissan Maxima ($36,990+), which supplies plenty of legroom even when you have two rear-facing seats installed in the back.
All-time Value Hybrid: Honda Accord Hybrid
$26,570+
This zippy Honda Accordance Hybrid ($26,570+) is an eco-friendly alternative to an SUV if yous usually chauffeur around one or two kids. Packed with safety features, information technology's also a great car to teach teens to drive. (Programme alee; it goes fast!)
Best All-Atmospheric condition: Subaru Legacy
$22,895+
Strong marks for steering plus symmetrical all-wheel bulldoze brand the Subaru Legacy ($22,895+) a good pick for small families who live in rainy or snowy climates. You can even fit three auto seats in the back if needed.
Cars With a Tax Advantage
Buying a plug-in hybrid or electric car may authorize you for a federal revenue enhancement credit of several thousand dollars. Search fueleconomy.gov for a list of eligible makes and models (including some of our winners).
Browse More Best Automobile Winners
Credit: Fine art: Jillian Sellers.
Want more buying options? Check out our 2021 winners for teens learning to drive and our favorite luxury motorcar picks for the whole family. Browse the All-time Cars for Teen Drivers
Source: https://www.parents.com/parenting/money/car-buying/best-family-cars/
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