Cars are like our second home, we rely on them to take our family to school, work, soccer games, and maybe even cross country vacations. After test driving over 35 finalist vehicles and checking safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the parents.com team narrowed down a list of top family vehicles.
So whether you’re looking to expand your leg room, or downsize to a sedan, here’s parents.com full list of best family cars in 2022, we’ve condensed it to the top 10.
#1. Best New Minivan: Kia Carnival
V6 engine estimated to get 22 MPG. With seating for seven or eight, it’s great for kids; sliding doors and slide-and-fold center row seats make getting in and out of the third row easy. This minivan is priced less than $47,000, and that’s with all the extra features like rear seat entertainment system.
#2. Best Fuel-Efficient Minivan: Toyota Sienna
Estimated to get 36 MPG and AWD (all wheel drive), the Toyota Sienna has seating for seven or eight; the center row has a removable center seat to create captains chairs, and the center row seats slide forward for more leg room
#3. Best Adventure SUV: Nissan Pathfinder
Estimated to get 23 MPG and seats up to 8 passengers, this SUV is above the rest of its class. Buyers can chose “peacemakers,” or center row captains chairs to give themselves more space, and it’s easier to clean (available on SV, SL, and Platinum grades.)
#4. Best For Road Trips: Subaru Ascent
Subaru is known to fit the outdoor lifestyle, but this 2022 edition is also perfect for families. This car is durable and easy to clean while also being comfortable.
#5. Best Quiet Ride: Honda Pilot
This vehicle is a favorite for its reliability and interior space; the third row is sized for full-size people and good for daily use. Valued under $40,000 and is estimated to get 23 MPG.
#6. Best Braking: Mazda CX-9
With seating for 6 (with captains chairs) or 7 (with a center row bench) this is definitely a great family car. AWD is available and it is estimated to get 23 MPG.
#7. Best Compact Hybrid SUV: Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Its smaller size makes it easier to manage in traffic, estimated to get 17 miles of electric range and 35 MPG. For being Subaru’s smallest SUV, this car is equipped with two LATCH systems (lower anchor and tethers for child passenger car seats) which means there might be less leg room for front passengers if child seats are installed.
#8. Best For Road Trips: Subaru Forester
This compact SUV has more headroom, legroom, and cargo space than the slightly larger but more bullet-shaped Outback. Easy-to-clean interiors and a whooping estimated 29 MPG make this a favorite for Subaru fans.
#9. Best City SUV: Volkswagen Taos
4-cylinder engine estimated to get 32 MPG, this SUV is great for the city or small families. The Taos offers two sets of child car seat LATCHes and a good amount of cargo space. Base models can be found under $25,000.
#10, Best Sporty Hybrid: Toyota Camry Hybrid
Equipped with 208 horsepower 4-cylinder hybrid engine that is estimated to get 53 MPG. It’s roomy and reliable, and with Toyota’s proven hybrid system, it has unbeatable fuel economy.
Family Summer Vacation Trips Within Driving Distance Of Tampa
1. Clearwater Beach:
The Pinellas County beaches have lots of options from the bustle of Clearwater to the more serene Indian Rocks Beach.
The Pinellas County beaches are the nearest place to go for the sun, the sand and the water.(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
2. The most obvious, and possibly expensive: Walt Disney World and Universal
Orlando area theme parks at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. The tourist mecca of central Florida has seemingly anything you’d like to do. Add in Sea World Orlando and Legoland and there’s something for every age group.
Walt Disney’s dream is still the most visited tourist attraction.
(Photo by Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images)(Photo by Rachel Pitts/BBGI)
3. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex:
Some history, some technology, all coolness. If you plan the trip right, you might even be lucky enough to witness a rocket launch.
(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
4. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park:
Yes, it’s still there and so is the famous mermaid show!
π§π»ββοΈ Happy #MermaidMonday with Ashleigh! The mermaids perform daily at 11 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3 PM (Weather permitting).
— Weeki Wachee Springs State Park π§π»ββοΈ (@WeekiWacheeSpgs) April 4, 2022
The Ranger Experience: 10 AM, 12 PM & 2 PM
The Wilderness River Cruise: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM.
Buccaneer Bay Waterpark is currently open on weekends only. pic.twitter.com/js5SnLYYBM5. Cedar Key:
It’s a small community on the Gulf of Mexico where you can find yourself enjoying getting away from the ‘big city’ and enjoy some of the best clam chowder in the country. We’re looking at you, Tony’s!
Took a short trip to the Old Florida Festival of the Arts, an art show in Cedar Key, Florida. Here's a few pix of some of the sights #CedarKey #art #festival#WagnTailsRanch road trip
— Inland K9 SAR (@InlandK9SAR) April 10, 2022
1/7 pic.twitter.com/GCEHAyutYcTonyβs Platter for 2! Enjoy!
Posted by Tony's Seafood Restaurant on Wednesday, May 12, 20216. Silver Springs State Park:
You can enjoy looking through the crystal clear waters from a glass-bottom boat. Bring the family to go canoeing or kayaking through the springs.
Silver Springs State Park re-opens tomorrow! #GlassBottomBoats @VisitFlorida #FLStateParks #FloridaNow #LoveFL #OcalaMarion pic.twitter.com/KZ5HpCVayD
— Silver Springs (@SilverSpringsSP) September 15, 20177. Tarpon Springs
Whether you visit for the food, or a dolphin cruise, or to learn the history of the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs, it’s a family trip that isn’t so far.
(Photo by Geno/BBGI)