If you're in the market for a new family vehicle, but finding it tough to narrow down your choices, this list should help. It's the U.S. News and World Report's annual Best Cars for Families. It names winners in nine categories, narrowed down from an initial field of 92 vehicles (down slightly from 96 last year.) New this year: the Best Electric Vehicle for Families category.
U.S. News Best Cars for Families
Last year, Honda won the most awards followed by Toyota. This year, Kia won the most awards with three, followed by Toyota with Hyundai in third. In the minivan category, the 2023 Honda Odyssey won Best Minivan for the 13th year in a row, the longest streak in award history.
Kia
Kia won three awards. The 2023 Kia Telluride captured Best 3-Row SUV for Families for the fourth time in a row. The 2023 Kia K5 had its first win for Best Midsize Sedan for Families. The all-electric 2023 Kia EV6 earned the first-ever award for Best Electric Vehicle for Families.
Toyota
Toyota’s hybrid vehicles fared well, with the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid earning its first Best Hybrid Car for Families win. The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid won Best Hybrid SUV for Families for the 10th time.
Hyundai
Two Hyundai SUVs earned recognition: the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe brought home its first Best 2-Row SUV for Families award, while the 2023 Hyundai Tucson was awarded the Best Compact SUV for Families for the second time.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet was the only Big Three automaker to make the list. The 2023 Chevrolet Suburban won Best Large SUV for Families for the third year in a row - its fifth win overall.
U.S. News says that award winners in each class have the best combination of interior space, family-friendly features and overall quality. U.S. News uses an overall rating to determine quality, incorporating elements like safety data, predicted reliability ratings and the consensus opinion of the automotive press. Along with conventional factors like passenger and cargo room, U.S. News also considered tech features such as in-car wireless internet, teen driver controls, auto emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert and hands-free cargo doors.
"Our 2023 Best Cars for Families offer the features, safety and space that will appeal to new parents, as well as parents with teen drivers or households that include grandparents,” said Jim Sharifi, managing editor of U.S. News Best Cars. “The winners cover nine different vehicle classes, ranging from fuel-efficient hybrids and EVs to large SUVs that provide exceptional passenger and cargo space. What’s more, every winner includes a strong list of family-focused features.”
The 2023 Best Cars for Families
2023 Best SUVs For Families
- Best 2-Row SUV for Families: 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
- Best Hybrid SUV for Families: 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Best Compact SUV for Families: 2023 Hyundai Tucson
- Best 3-Row SUV for Families: 2023 Kia Telluride
- Best Large SUV for Families: 2023 Chevrolet Suburban
2023 Best Cars For Families
- Best Hybrid Car for Families: 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Best Midsize Car for Families: 2023 Kia K5
2023 Best Minivan For Families
- Best Minivan for Families: 2023 Honda Odyssey
2023 Best Electric Vehicle For Families
- Best Electric Vehicle for Families: 2023 Kia EV6
U.S. News says its award methodology combines professional automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, seating and cargo volume and the availability of family-friendly features. Within each of the nine automotive categories, the vehicle with the highest composite score is named the Best Car for Families in that category.