Select the best vehicle for family of 5

Administrator posted this 26 May 2025

Selecting the best car for family of 5 has a significant impact on daily comfort, security, and in some case long-term expenses. In fact, the first point that guides buyers when choosing a car for their family is capacity and safety. They are sometimes inferior to fuel efficiency or car size. However, the modern car market is full of various offers, so every large family can find their ideal car. Versatility is a crucial need for a car because modern families frequently balance a number of activities, including driving kids to school, participating in extracurricular activities, playing sports on the weekends, taking holidays, and perhaps even travelling long distances. A smart family car should also be adaptable for all mentioned without sacrificing passenger comfort. 

What to consider when choosing:

✤   Seating and space

To ensure comfortable long rides, a proper family automobile needs to feature roomy seats for five people with additional headroom and legroom.  To make the most of available space, look for features like flat-load cargo sections, split-folding choices, and adjustable rear seats. Of course, modern cars are adapted to install child seats, but don't forget to think about this factor. If you decide to buy a used car, and you already have a child seat, you can take it with you to try to fix it and imagine what your family travels will be like. We wrote about what to look for when buying a used car in this article

✤  Safety

Look for features like ISOFIX child seat mounts, blind-spot monitoring, electronic stability control, numerous airbags, good crash-test scores, and lane-keeping assistance. Safety includes measures that help prevent accidents as well as protection in the case of an accident. Safety modifications depend on your budget. However, larger cars are more durable and provide better safety in the event of road accidents.

✤ Efficiency and eco-friendliness

Rising fuel prices make it important to choose a car with good mileage. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids offer significant savings. Electric vehicles (EVs) are also becoming family-friendly with expanding charging networks.

✤ Technology and entertainment

Contemporary infotainment systems, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, multiple charging ports, rear-seat entertainment, and integrated navigation are all advantageous features for family vehicles. Also think that buying the SUV for family of 5 with an expensive interior will not be cost-effective if you have small children and pets. Of course, there are not many such offers, but if you have to make this choice, pay attention to the details.

✤   Reliability and maintenance

Select companies with a good track record of dependability and reasonably priced maintenance. Look for roadside assistance packages and extended warranties.

✤  Budget and value

 Compare the purchase price of the car with ongoing expenses like depreciation, insurance, and maintenance. Additionally, resale value may be significant.

Top 10 vehicles: Select the best vehicle for family of 5

Vehicle Powertrain Options Fuel Consumption Seat Rows Body Type Trunk Capacity
Honda Odyssey Gas 10.7L/100km (combined) 3 Minivan 929L (behind 3rd row), 2,526L (behind 2nd row), 4,103L (behind 1st row)
Toyota Highlander Gas, Hybrid Gas: 10.3L/100km, Hybrid: 6.7L/100km (combined) 3 SUV 453L (behind 3rd row), 1,370L (behind 2nd row), 2,387L (behind 1st row)
Subaru Outback Gas 8.9L/100km (combined) 2 Wagon/Crossover 920L (seats up), 2,144L (seats folded)
Kia Telluride Gas 11.2L/100km (combined) 3 SUV 601L (behind 3rd row), 1,304L (behind 2nd row), 2,464L (behind 1st row)
Volvo XC90 Gas, Plug-in Hybrid, Electric Gas: 10.2L/100km, PHEV: 8.3L/100km (combined) 3 SUV 368L (behind 3rd row), 1,019L (behind 2nd row), 1,868L (behind 1st row)
Mazda CX-9 Gas 10.5L/100km (combined) 3 SUV 407L (behind 3rd row), 1,082L (behind 2nd row), 2,017L (behind 1st row)
Honda CR-V Gas, Hybrid Gas: 8.1L/100km, Hybrid: 6.5L/100km (combined) 2 SUV/Crossover 1,113L (seats up), 2,166L (seats folded)
Chrysler Pacifica Gas, Plug-in Hybrid Gas: 10.6L/100km, PHEV: 7.3L/100km (combined) 3 Minivan 915L (behind 3rd row), 2,478L (behind 2nd row), 3,979L (behind 1st row)
Volkswagen Tiguan Gas 9.8L/100km (combined) 2-3 (optional 3rd row) SUV/Crossover 340L (with 3rd row), 760L (behind 2nd row), 1,920L (behind 1st row)
Hyundai Santa Fe Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid Gas: 9.9L/100km, Hybrid: 7.4L/100km, PHEV: 6.8L/100km (combined) 2 SUV 1,032L (seats up), 2,041L (seats folded)

Bring the whole family along on the test drive to check comfort levels. Install your child seats to test ease of use. Try loading the boot with typical family gear to assess practicality.

Extra Considerations:

  • Winter Driving: If you live in a snowy climate, consider models with all-wheel drive.

  • Towing: For those who tow trailers or boats, verify towing capacity.

  • Resale Value: Research how well models hold value over time.

So, how to choose the best car for a family of 5

Choosing the best car for your family has a direct impact on comfort, safety, and long-term savings. The best SUV for a family of 5 should offer a spacious interior, advanced safety systems, fuel efficiency, and modern technology - all of which make travelling enjoyable and convenient for both parents and children. Whether you're looking for a crossover, minivan, or SUV for a family, it's important to consider maintenance expenses, depreciation, fuel consumption, and overall performance.

By investing in a quality family car, you get not only convenient transportation, but also confidence, safety, and comfort for every day. Compare models, test them with the whole family, and select the option that best meets your needs today and in the future. The right car is the key to safe travelling for many years.