The family cars of the 20th century were never fun to drive. Most were dorky. While they perform well on the road, they are never a match for roadsters and coupes. Through the years, however, automotive manufacturers have learned to integrate more family-friendly elements into their vehicle designs. Today’s family vehicles are no longer as dorky as before. They are more fun to drive. They can match the performance of other vehicles, too. Here is a list of great family cars that you should consider buying today.
Ford Expedition 2019
There is no doubt that the 2019 Ford Expedition is the best family car today. It is great for large families as it can seat 8 adults in a very comfortable manner. This is a full-sized SUV that provides exceptional views of the outside environment while nestling its passengers in luxurious comfort inside. Your family will love the Panoramic Vista Roof, giving them a rare chance to experience their world in a whole new way.
The 2019 Expedition has an upscale attitude. It has an on-point styling and ultra-modern lines that give this SUV a premium look. The passenger space is not the only thing that modern families will love about the 2019 Expedition. It also has a spacious cargo room. It is perfect for loading everyone’s gear for a weekend trip to the countryside or the beach. Its powerful V6 engine is capable of pulling a motorboat or a motor home with relative ease.
This family car comes with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower. Ford mated the engine to a 10-speed automatic transmission, allowing the SUV to maximize the power and efficiency of its engine. It doesn’t have the V8 of other large SUVs. However, the Ford Expedition has proven time and again that its Ecoboost V6 is more efficient, especially when it comes to acceleration.
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Subaru Impreza – Compact Sedan 2019
The 2019 Subaru Impreza Compact Sedan is one of those cool family cars that you will never be ashamed of driving around town. It has the classic lines of Subaru’s WRC-going Imprezas while borrowing some of the elements of the Crosstrek crossover. What you get is a car that offers exceptional safety for everyone in your family. It also provides enough engine performance to make each family drive more fun.
The Impreza 2.0i 4DR All-Wheel Drive Sedan features a different engine layout. Instead of the usual inline-4, the Impreza comes with Subaru’s trademark horizontally-opposed or flat-4 cylinder. It is a 2.0-liter powertrain that produces 145 lb-ft of torque and 152 horsepower. It is not that powerful when compared to other compact sedans. It does not matter, though because this Impreza is more concerned about keeping its passengers safe.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the all-new Impreza a 5-star rating in all the categories of its crash test. It has excellent passenger protection when it comes to front and side impacts as well as rollover resistance. This is the kind of ride that you would want your family to be in.
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2019
The Jeep Wrangler not only claims to be a conqueror of the off-roads. It also has the experience to prove it. The 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited comes with a more refined design to cater to the various needs of the family. It is perfect for the family whose idea of a great time is exploring the unpaved roads of the backcountry. It is one of those good family cars to bring on outdoor adventures.
The Wrangler Unlimited comes with a 3.6-liter 24-valve V6 with sequential multipoint fuel injection system. If you’re concerned about the gas-guzzling abilities of the Wrangler, you can always opt for the 2.0-liter inline-4 DOHC DI Turbo engine. It comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, although you can also opt for an 8-speed automatic.
Jeep did not forget to beef up its multimedia system, too. There’s a host of gadgets and technologies in the Unlimited that will make your family members enjoy the ride. A 7-inch touchscreen display comes as standard. There are Apple’s CarPlay and Google’ Android Auto. There is also a satellite radio from SiriusXM. No one is ever going to get bored in the Jeep Wrangler.
Honda Odyssey
One can always rely on Honda to deliver exceptional automobiles. From sub-compacts to sedans and minivans, there is a Honda for everyone. And when it comes to a good family car, you’ll never go wrong with the 2019 Honda Odyssey.
Honda introduced the Odyssey in 1994. It is a front-engined, front-wheel drive minivan that can seat an entire family. Today’s Odyssey is larger, allowing up to 8 people to sit in optimum comfort. The Odyssey remains true to the philosophy of Honda in delivering good fuel economy and remarkable safety. Of particular importance to this model is the CabinTalk and CabinWatch technologies. They allow the driver to talk to and keep an eye on the passengers at the back. If you get the EX trim, you can utilize these technologies to keep an eye on three babies or children in their respective car seats.
The third row of seats can also make way for a spacious cargo. It folds flush to the floor of the minivan, allowing you to stack groceries for the whole family. And if you decide to go for a weekend getaway, this spacious cargo compartment can take the baggage of each and every member of your family.
Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC Wagon
The family vehicles of the last century were never as posh or as luxurious as the Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC Wagon. This is one of those luxury family cars that has well-rounded features. It is as comfortable, beautiful, and luxurious as any other Mercedes-Benz on the road. It is also quick and powerful without creating a large gaping hole in your pocket. This is a car that is perfect for the well-off family who would like to drive in optimum comfort and style.
Under the hood of the 4MATIC is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 329 horsepower. It comes with a 9-speed automatic transmission for a smoother ride. It is perfect for families with very young children. The smooth shifting of the gears should translate to a more pleasant ride. While its acceleration cannot compare to a sports car, it does speed up to 60 MPH in 5 seconds. This is still remarkable, considering you are talking about a luxury wagon that weighs 2 tons.
One great news for families is that the 4MATIC is not a gas guzzler. It averages a noteworthy 23 MPG, although you can push it to 75 MPG in fuel economy mode at highways. It provides a cushy ride plus a cosseting interior. It is not surprising if this best family car is going to accumulate miles very fast.
Audi Q7 2019
The 2019 Audi Q7 is another vehicle that is perfect for families. It offers great value for its bevy of features. It is one of the luxury family cars that is perfect for larger groups. It is a midsize SUV that delivers good fuel economy, good storage capabilities, and a user-friendly infotainment system. The passenger cabin comes with high-quality trims.
This Audi comes in two variants. There is a turbo-four engine variant that delivers 248 horsepower. If you want a higher-spec’d Q7, you can get the supercharged V6 with 329 horsepower. Audi engineers designed the Q7 for exceptional handling, while giving you and your family a suppler ride. The seats feature an 8-way power adjustment. It allows you and your family to find the perfect position to relax during the ride. At the back is 14.8 cubic feet of space that is perfect for stashing your groceries. Fold down the second- and third-row seats and you’ll expand the Q7’s storage capacity to 71.6 cubic feet.
The 2019 Audi Q7 is perfect for the modern family because of its reliability and safety ratings and remarkable passenger and cargo space. It also has family-friendly features that will make family adventures more fun on the road.
Volvo XC90
Volvo has always been known for its safety. The XC90 is no different. It is a luxury midsize SUV and one of the direct competitors of the Audi Q7. The XC90 features an elegant interior, exception cargo and passenger space, and one of the world’s best safety records. It can accommodate up to 7 people; although the third row is quite cramped compared to other SUVs.
While this family car does not have a very striking look, you can always rely on its poised and stable handling. This is what you will need to make your family feel safer when you’re taking the long drive to your weekend getaway. It feels underpowered compared to the Q7, however. It does not provide enough passing power to let you feel confident behind the wheel. With your family in the car, you wouldn’t want to put them in harm’s way anyway with reckless driving.
What sets the Volvo XC90 apart from other good family cars is its exceptional cargo space. Its rear cargo hold has a volume of 15.8 cubic feet. Fold down the third-row seat and you will increase this to 41.8 cubic feet. Fold down the second row and you have 85.7 cubic feet. This is a humongous space for carrying almost all of your belongings in one go.
Jeep Renegade
Most people think that the new Jeep Renegade is not the kind of off-roader that you would want to drive with your family. It has the badge of Jeep yet its styling is that of a subcompact crossover. What they do not know is that the Renegade is more than ready to take a whole family to their next adventure.
This family car does not come with an all-wheel drive system. Instead, Jeep mastered its Selec-Train system to give you the ability to take the rugged crossover over rocky, sandy, muddy, and snowy terrain with ease. After all, this is a family vehicle with the badge of one of the world’s foremost brands of off-road vehicles. It has a boxy and unapologetically masculine stance. Its 8-inch ground clearance is perfect for the off-the-beaten-path adventures.
The Jeep Renegade comes with an evocative interior. There’s a variant that offers a panoramic power roof. It turns the Jeep’s roof into one amazing, high-definition TV that showcases only one channel – Mother Nature. There are bits of gems both inside and outside of the Renegade. It’s proof that this is one of those cool family cars that can give you so much fun as it is a great way to travel.
Chevrolet Traverse
Families who would like to make every drive an adventure can take the Chevrolet Traverse. These good family cars offer plenty of space for a family of 8. And if you have small kids, you can extend the passenger capacity to 10. The Traverse also comes with safety features and infotainment systems to make your ride more engaging and memorable.
Chevrolet’s midsize SUV has a bold yet refined stance. Its dynamic contours never fail to draw attention. However, it is the passenger cabin where you will feel right at home. The cabin itself comes with noise-cancelling technology. It allows for a more pleasant conversation with the family without the irritating noise coming from the outside. Adding to the engaging experience is a 2-panel sunroof, the SkyScape. And when you fold down the last two rows of seats, you’ll get a class-leading cargo space of about 98.2 cubic feet.
The NHTSA also gave the Traverse a 5-star rating when it comes to vehicle safety. That’s good news for drivers who like to put the safety of their family above anything else.
Ford Flex
The Flex is no Expedition. It does not have the sporty look of Ford’s other full-sized SUV, yet it manages to bring families closer together. These family vehicles from Ford have a boxier appearance and a lower center of gravity than the Expedition. Such a design lets the vehicle run closer to the ground for a more stable and safer drive.
The Ford Flex can seat a family of 7, complete with all the comforts they would expect from a full-size SUV. Its 2nd and 3rd rows of seats are easy to fold. Such a configuration gives the Flex a remarkable cargo space of 83.2 cubic feet. It still pales in comparison to the Chevy Traverse, however. Considering that the Traverse is only midsize, you get the feeling that Ford intended the Flex to focus more on passenger comfort and not on cargo.
Ford designed the Flex to give you and your family the most comfortable ride possible. Its low-riding stance also makes this family car ideal for families with elderly members and kids. Getting in and out of the Flex is easy.
Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 features the KODO design treatment that makes the family car more elegant and more stylish. It is a people mover, complete with a roomy interior. The passenger cabin is well-appointed and features a premium-looking, Euro-inspired dashboard.
Under the hood of the CX-9 is a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine Mazda calls SkyActiv-Turbo. It delivers 227 horsepower with a torque of 310 lb-ft. Families can opt for the Signature series with all-wheel drive system or the Sport Touring class with a front-wheel drive configuration. Both variants come with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The CX-9 makes traveling with your family all the more enjoyable because of the smooth ride that it provides.
The Mazda CX-9 also has the safety of your family in mind. It comes with Blind Spot monitoring and Radar Cruise Control. There’s Lane Keep Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking, among others. CX-9s are good family cars because they combine the performance of an SUV and the comfort of a luxury sedan.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder has come a long way since its introduction in 1985. It began as a compact SUV. Today, the Nissan Pathfinder is one of the world’s best midsize crossover SUVs when it comes to the power of its engine alone.
The Nissan Pathfinder is not the best when it comes to handling. However, it does provide you with ample driver feedback to make for a safe ride. The cabin does not offer plenty of space, although it can accommodate 7 grownups. This is quite surprising since the Pathfinder is now classified as a midsize SUV.
The Pathfinder has a very sporty look. It also has a powerful V6 engine under the hood. It is capable of churning out 284 horsepower to get you where your family wants to go. Another thing that makes the Pathfinder quite unique is its CVT technology. Unlike other CVTs, the CVT of the Pathfinder shifts a lot like a conventional automatic transmission. That is a system that will make for a pleasant ride for the whole family.
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a family station wagon based on the midsize Subaru Legacy sedan. Subaru introduced it in 1994. The latest version of the Outback promises to deliver better riding comfort and a more stylish look. Subaru raised the ride height of the Outback to give it a more SUV feel.
There are two choices for potential owners of the Outback. One is the underpowered 2.5-liter version that can only produce a maximum of 182 horsepower. It should be enough for a family of four. The more powerful version comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. It produces 260 horsepower to give you and your family the kind of driving adventure that you deserve. Both Outbacks come with AWD and CVT systems.
Since the Outback is based on Subaru’s top-of-the-line Legacy sedan, you can expect a luxurious cabin space. Everything inside the Outback is both accommodating and functional. The onboard infotainment system is sure to give your family members all the right reasons to join you in your travels.
Kia Niro
Not many people consider Kia to be a reliable manufacturer of family vehicles. It is obvious they have not seen the Niro yet. This family car provides the perfect combination of efficiency and fun driving performance. It is a hybrid crossover that promises to deliver better fuel economy than any other cool family cars on the market.
It has an athletic and bold exterior that never fails to turn heads wherever it goes. The stylish accents, distinctive trim, and bold stance give the Niro the looks of a sporty SUV. Its interior detailing doesn’t disappoint either. The seats come with adjustable mechanisms so each member of the family will find the sweet spot in their sitting positions.
The Niro comes with a Parallel Hybrid System. It allows its 1.6-liter gasoline-direct injection engine to work in tandem with Kia’s electric motor. You get better mileage for every gallon of gas you put in the Niro. Kia also includes a host of IoT technologies. Driving with your family is now more fun than ever with the Kia Niro.
Toyota Avalon 2019
Rounding up our list of the best family car units that aren’t dorky is the 2019 edition of the Toyota Avalon. Toyota introduced this full-sized sedan in 1994. The new Avalon features better ride quality and a number of advanced safety features. It has the luxurious look and feel of a Lexus with the price tag of a Toyota.
What is surprising about the 2019 Toyota Avalon is that it is quite fun to drive. It comes with a powerful V6 that delivers 301 horsepower. Its automatic transmission shifts in a very smooth manner. It does not matter if you are going to take a long road trip or a more pleasant afternoon cruise. The Avalon can get you and your family wherever you want to go. While the Avalon is not a sport sedan, it does behave like one. Driving it is quite easy.
As one of the luxury family cars on the market, you can expect the Avalon to provide you with everything to make your ride as comfortable as possible. There’s an updated infotainment system for everyone. This is a ride that is worth sharing with the rest of the family.
Driving any of these family vehicles should give your family the kind of fun they need. They are roomy and offer enough modern conveniences for everyone in your family to feel safe and comfortable on every trip.
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