Shopping for the perfect car for your own personality wants is hard enough. But when shopping with the mindset of the best car for family of 5, it becomes an even taller task. Not only does a car for a big family require all the usual necessities and luxuries you might want, it requires additional logistical needs.
Things like seating capacity, safety features, cargo space, fuel efficiency, AWD/4WD and the budget you have set for yourself are all things you’ll need to consider to find the right vehicle.
So if you’re on the hunt for the best car for family of 5, we compiled a list of some of the top contenders for you and your family. Make sure to check out some of our favorite car accessories as well for you and your family.
The Best Car for Family of 5 – 8 Models to Check Out in 2024
- Honda Odyssey
- Subaru Outback
- Kia Telluride
- Honda Pilot
- Toyota Sienna
- Ford Explorer
- Toyota Highlander
- Chevrolet Traverse
To help make your decision easier, we’ve narrowed down a few outstanding models that are highly rated in 2024 that we think are contenders for the best car for family of 5. In this article, we’ll break down all the important features, both pros and cons from consumers and experts, as well as base prices and important things you’ll want to consider.
Although we’ve included base pricing for new cars, you can also buy used ones from Carvana. We’ve been really interested in them lately as they make purchasing a vehicle incredibly easy. So if you’re looking to work on a smaller budget and just want to make process quick and easy, definitely check them out.
Now to our selections for the best car for family of 5.
Honda Odyssey
2024 Pricing: $38,240
The Honda Odyssey is a strong option as the best car for family of 5, offering a blend of comfort, convenience, and versatility. One of the key features is its spacious interior, providing ample room for passengers and cargo. And with three rows of seating, (including a second-row that can accommodate three passengers or two car seats), the Odyssey offers flexibility to meet your family needs.
Another standout feature is the Odyssey’s advanced safety technology, which includes standard features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. These features can provide peace of mind for parents, especially during long trips or in heavy traffic.
In terms of performance, the Odyssey delivers a smooth and comfortable ride, making it well-suited for both city driving and highway cruising. Its V6 engine provides ample power for merging and passing, while its responsive handling makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
Pros:
- Spacious interior with versatile seating arrangements
- Advanced safety features come standard
- Smooth and comfortable ride
- Strong V6 engine for confident performance
Cons:
- Some may find the exterior design less stylish compared to other minivans
- Fuel efficiency is average for its class
- Higher trim levels can get pricey with added features
Overall, the Honda Odyssey is a solid choice for families seeking a reliable and comfortable vehicle with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Its safety features and performance make it a compelling option in the minivan segment. If fuel efficiency and budget are top of mind for you though, it may be best to look elsewhere. But it certainly should be considered as an option for the best car for family of 5.
Subaru Outback
2024 Pricing: $28,895
The Subaru Outback is a popular choice as the best car for family of 5. It has a comfortable interior, making it ideal for long trips or daily errands. The Outback is equipped with Subaru’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which enhances traction and stability, great for adverse weather conditions. This feature makes the Outback well-suited for various terrains, including rough roads and snowy highways.
One of the standout features of the Outback is its safety technology. Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking, comes standard on all trims. This combination of features can help reduce the risk of accidents and provide added peace of mind for drivers with kids. Additionally, the Outback offers great visibility thanks to its large windows and high seating position, making it easier to navigate traffic and parking lots.
For convenient features, the Outback boasts a user-friendly infotainment system with a responsive touchscreen and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Outback also offers generous legroom and headroom for all riders, so that even taller people can ride comfortably in the rear seats.
Despite its many strengths, the Subaru Outback is not without its drawbacks. Some drivers may find its acceleration to be sluggish, especially when fully loaded or when attempting to merge onto highways. Additionally, while the Outback’s off-road capabilities are decent, it may not be as capable as some dedicated off-road vehicles. Finally, some drivers may find the Outback’s fuel economy to be subpar compared to other vehicles in its class.
Kia Telluride
2024 Pricing: $36,190
Kia’s newer entry in to the market, the Telluride, is a fantastic option as the best car for family of 5. Sleek, spacious and comfortable, this SUV has three rows of seating, and the interior is made with premium materials. The Telluride was made for family driving.
One of the standout features of the Telluride is its generous standard and available amenities. Even the base model comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone integration, multiple USB ports, and a suite of advanced safety features. Higher trims offer even more luxurious touches, such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen, premium audio system, heated and ventilated seats, and a wireless phone charger.
In terms of performance, the Telluride delivers a smooth and composed ride, thanks to its responsive handling and well-tuned suspension. It is powered by a capable V6 engine that provides ample power for merging onto highways or towing light trailers. The Telluride also offers all-wheel drive as an option, enhancing its versatility in various driving conditions.
Pros of the Kia Telluride include its spacious and comfortable interior, wealth of standard and available features, and strong safety ratings. However, some cons to consider are its fuel economy, which may be lower than some competitors, and its large size, which can make it challenging to maneuver in tight spaces. Overall, the Kia Telluride is a solid choice for families looking for a reliable, well-equipped, and spacious SUV.
Honda Pilot
2024 Pricing: $39,900
We think Honda is one of the most family-friendly brands out there, and the Pilot is at the forefront of SUVs as the best car for family of 5.
One of the Pilot’s key strengths is its array of advanced safety features, including Honda Sensing®. These features, such as collision mitigation braking and adaptive cruise control, offer added reassurance to parents, particularly when driving with children.
The Pilot delivers a smooth and composed ride, with good handling and optional all-wheel drive for improved traction in rough conditions. The V6 engine provides ample power for everyday driving and highway cruising, all while maintaining respectable fuel efficiency.
The Pilot does have its drawbacks. The third-row seating might feel cramped for taller passengers, especially during longer trips. Additionally, some may find the infotainment system’s interface to be a bit outdated compared to competitors.
Toyota Sienna
2024 Pricing: $37,685
The Toyota Sienna is often thought to be the leader in the minivan space. And as a candidate for the best car for family of 5, it’s hard to disagree. It’s certainly made in mind for large families, such as the sliding rear doors providing easy access to the back seats. Which is especially convenient when trying to wrangle young children or install car seats.
Every Sienna comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. These features can help give families peace of mind on the road.
The Sienna offers a user-friendly infotainment system with a sleek, responsive touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. This allows passengers to easily connect their smartphones and access their favorite apps and music on the go. The Sienna also offers an available rear-seat entertainment system, which can help keep kids entertained during long drives.
However, there are some drawbacks to the Sienna as well. One of the biggest complaints from reviewers is the lackluster performance from its standard V6 engine. While it provides adequate power for everyday driving, it can feel sluggish when fully loaded with passengers and cargo. Additionally, some reviewers have noted that the Sienna’s ride quality can be somewhat harsh over rough roads, which may not be ideal for families looking for a smoother driving experience.
The Toyota Sienna should be at the top of the list for your consideration for the best car for family of 5.
Ford Explorer
2024 Pricing: $35,860
The Ford Explorer is yet again a great option as the best car for family of 5. The Explorer boasts a spacious interior, three rows of seating with accessibility to the third row, and has beautiful color schemes for the interior and exterior.
The Explorer offers two engine options that cater to different preferences. The turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine provides a balance of power and efficiency, while the turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine delivers impressive performance for those seeking a more dynamic driving experience. Both engines are paired with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring responsive and efficient power delivery.
Despite its many strengths, the Ford Explorer does have some drawbacks to consider. One is the limited comfort in the third row for taller passengers due to its proximity to the floor. Additionally, while the Explorer’s cargo space is decent with all seats in place, it may be slightly less spacious compared to some rivals in the mid-size SUV segment. Finally, although the Explorer comes well-equipped with safety features, some advanced driver-assistance technologies are available only as optional upgrades, which could add to the overall cost of ownership.
Toyota Highlander
2024 Pricing: $39,270
The Toyota Highlander is a versatile mid-size SUV that caters to the needs of families with its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and array of features. While the 2024 model doesn’t bring many changes, it continues to offer a compelling package for those in the market for a reliable and practical vehicle.
One of the standout features of the Highlander is its choice of powertrains. The gas version is powered by a 265-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth acceleration and decent fuel economy. For those looking for even better efficiency, the Highlander Hybrid combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors for a combined 243 horsepower and impressive fuel economy ratings.
Inside, the Highlander offers a comfortable and well-equipped cabin, with available seating for up to eight passengers. The infotainment system is intuitive, with an 8.0-inch screen standard on most trims and a larger 12.3-inch display available on higher trims.
The Highlander comes loaded with driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking, and more. It has also received high safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
While the Highlander offers a lot to like, it does have some drawbacks. Compared to some of its competitors, such as the Mazda CX-90, Kia Telluride, and Hyundai Palisade, the Highlander lacks a bit in terms of style and luxury. It also has slightly less third-row and cargo room than some competitors.
It’s definitely a fantastic option for those looking for the best car for family of 5.
Chevrolet Traverse
2024 Pricing: $34,520
The Chevrolet Traverse is an excellent choice for the best car for family of 5, and drivers who love driving a powerful vehicle. Powered by a peppy 3.6-liter V-6 engine paired with a smooth nine-speed automatic transmission, the Traverse delivers a confident and comfortable driving experience, whether in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations.
The base LS model offers a good value, with standard features like LED headlights, driver-assistance features, and a sizable number of cupholders. However, as you move up the trim levels, the interior quality and materials don’t quite match up to some of its rivals, such as the Kia Telluride. Similarly, while the Traverse offers a balanced ride and handling, it lacks the off-road capability of some competitors like the Ford Bronco.
One of the Traverse’s strengths is its fuel efficiency, especially on the highway, where it delivers competitive numbers for its class. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with room for up to eight passengers, and the cargo space is among the best in its segment. The infotainment system is user-friendly, with plenty of USB ports and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
On the downside, some advanced driver-assistance features are only available on the higher trim levels, which can be a drawback compared to rivals that offer such features as standard. The warranty coverage is also average for the segment, although Chevrolet does offer a complimentary initial maintenance visit.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, finding the best car for family of 5 involves considering a range of factors beyond personal preferences. Features such as seating capacity, safety technology, cargo space, fuel efficiency, and budget play crucial roles in making the right choice. Among the top contenders for 2024, vehicles like the Honda Odyssey, Subaru Outback, Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Toyota Sienna, Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Chevrolet Traverse offer a variety of options to suit different needs.
Each vehicle has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, the Honda Odyssey excels in comfort and versatility, while the Subaru Outback is praised for its safety features and all-wheel-drive capability. The Kia Telluride stands out for its amenities and spaciousness, and the Toyota Sienna leads the minivan segment with its family-friendly features. The Ford Explorer offers a choice of engines and a spacious interior, while the Toyota Highlander provides a comfortable ride and efficient hybrid option. The Chevrolet Traverse impresses with its powerful engine and ample cargo space.
Ultimately, the best car for family of 5 depends on individual priorities and preferences. Whether prioritizing space, safety, performance, or technology, there are several excellent options available in 2024 to meet the needs of a family on the go.
Not ready to make a big purchase at the moment? Instead of buying a new car, why not borrow one through Avail Car? They have SUVs, minivans, and station wagons that can easily fit your entire family. All you have to do is book the car online, and it’ll be ready to drive whenever you need it.
