12 Best Family Cars of 2019

Family Transportation for the Modern Age

As time goes on, sales trends and consumer preferences show that more shoppers are looking to SUVs instead of sedans. That trend has been reflected in this year’s list of Best Family Cars, which doesn’t have a single sedan on the list.

Another trend we’ve noticed this year is the expanded amount of advanced safety, such as adaptive headlights and rear cross-traffic alert; driver-assist features; and modern connectivity and entertainment technology. Many of these features, once exclusively available on luxury models, are now offered in vehicles that cost less than $30,000. Among the SUVs and minivans on the list, several offer smart cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Other standout features include teen-driver monitoring, wireless phone charging, and an exit warning that alerts you if there’s a bicycle approaching. And exactly two, the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica minivans, offer built-in vacuum cleaners.

But impressive tech is just the start. To earn a spot on our annual list of Best Family Cars, there are many qualities and characteristics we considered when naming this year’s family favorites. Keep reading below to see which elements we considered. But first, let’s start with the 12 Best Family Cars of 2019.

Best 2-Row SUVs for Families

In alphabetical order

Best 3-Row SUVs for Families

In alphabetical order

Best Full-Size SUV for Families

Best Minivans

In alphabetical order

What Makes a Good Family Car?

Here’s a look at the key elements we consider when choosing our annual list of top family cars, most of which should also factor into your selection process.

Safety

Everyone wants a safe car, but family car shoppers are even more safety-minded. We pay special attention to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, and every rated vehicle on this year’s list has the highest Overall Safety Rating available in the class.

Value

Many of these vehicles are the very best in class in terms of our 5-Year Cost to Own calculations. By considering a vehicle’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, predicted resale value, insurance, fuel and maintenance costs, our 5-Year Cost to Own figures make it easy to compare actual vehicle costs over a full buy-own-sell ownership cycle. Quite often, spending a little more on the right car can save you thousands in the long run over going for the big rebate on another car. Our 5-Year Cost to Own figures make it easy to see the big picture and make the smart decision.

And while there are plenty of excellent, family-focused luxury SUVs to recommend, we focus strictly on mainstream brands for this annual collection. Starting prices for the SUVs and minivans above range from the mid-$20,000 range to the low $30,000 range, with only the Ford Expedition exceeding a $40,000 starting price.

Reputation

Most of the models on this list have been around a long time and have earned strong reputations for durability and reliability. In most cases, however, a few-year-old version of most of the SUVs and minivans on this list would make excellent used cars as well. In fact, several of them are indeed on our most recent list of the 10 Best Used Family Cars Under $15,000.

Driving Manners

Even in a vehicle designed primarily to get you and yours from Point A to Points B, C and D on a daily basis, good steering and pedal feel can make a big difference. A vehicle that goes, turns and stops smoothly and as expected is more satisfying and less fatiguing than one with acceleration delays or non-linear braking response, for instance. Good outward visibility and parking-lot finesse also contribute to stress reduction for the driver.

Comfort and Convenience

A smooth ride, quiet cabin and comfortable seats all help keep a family happy while on the move. Convenience features also make a big difference in the overall experience. The sliding doors on some Chrysler Pacificas can be opened with a wave of your foot when your hands are full. The second-row seats on some Honda Pilots will fold and slide forward with the push of a button, granting easy access to the third row. And the Honda Odyssey offers second-row seats that slide not only forward and back, but also side to side. With all the loading and unloading that happens in a busy family car, the benefits of small touches like these can really add up over the years.

Cargo Versatility

Minivans and SUVs are the cargo-friendliest family vehicles on the road, but some are friendlier than others. Usable volume is a key differentiator, but we’re also looking for advantages like low load floors that ease loading and unloading of bulkier items, as well as second- and third-row seats that fold and redeploy with minimal thought or effort.

Technology

Technology is an increasingly significant factor in new vehicles, and for many buyers it’s the most exciting part. This is the fun stuff. Bluetooth phone connectivity and USB ports are almost standard fare at this point, while rearview cameras, keyless entry and push-button start are heading in that direction. From the driver’s perspective, we look for capable and easy-to-use infotainment systems, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability leading the way here. Features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assists are both helpful and comforting in town and on the highway, while backup cameras/sensors and rear cross-traffic alerts greatly enhance parking lot navigation.

Testing Procedures

The Kelley Blue Book editorial staff drives hundreds of new cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans every year, so our testing never stops. For this year’s Best Family Cars we compiled a list of last year’s winners and the best of the new and redesigned 2019 models and brought them all together for a back-to-back testing regimen. Our group includes several parents responsible for a dozen offspring spanning a full range of ages including an adorable toddler; elementary, middle, high school and college students; and even a couple who’ve made it out into the real world. We put family cars under a group microscope once a year, but we live with them every day.

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