If you want to buy the best family car for the money, but don’t know where to start, don’t worry. Consumer Advice experts who specialize in vehicle testing have created guidelines and comprehensive lists of top models for choosing the best cars for families.
USA TODAY Cars interviewed Zach Doel, vehicle testing editor for US News & World Report, to find out what makes a great family car. Here’s what they shared about the best family cars available on the market and why consumers should consider them over competitors.
The best family cars are safe, reliable and comfortable
“We’re looking at how it scored in testing, how many safety features are standard, how easy is a child car seat to install?” Doel says. The US News & World Report team also considers “the availability of family-friendly features like seats, charging ports, wireless phone charging,” etc.
Doel told USA TODAY Cars, “We created the Best Family Cars award to highlight the vehicles that offer the overall best combination of safety, reliability, space and comfort. Every family is different, and there are certain considerations that some families may have and others may not.”
Every family has different needs, but when it comes to how adept a vehicle is at preventing and responding to crashes, the standard features on every trim, and how practical it is for everyday driving, many of those needs align. A vehicle’s “overall value and overall mix of features” is what pulls one car over another.
Honda makes the best midsize and hybrid family cars, according to US news
The Honda Accord was awarded US News & World Report’s Best Midsize Car for Families in 2026. Its hybrid version won the 2026 Best Hybrid Car for Families award.
The 2026 Honda Accord is a midsize sedan that regularly rivals the Toyota Camry. It is known for being sporty and spacious. The base model starts at $28,395 and comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 192 horsepower, earning 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
Standard features include a wireless phone charger, a collision mitigation braking system and a lane-keeping assist system.
The best compact SUV for families is Hyundai
Hyundai’s Tucson wins Best Compact SUV for Families 2026 award from US News & World Report. It is an affordable small SUV that holds its own against heavy-duty cars like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
Pricing for the 2026 Hyundai Tucson starts at $29,450 and comes in five trims. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower and achieves 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Standard features include blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
If you’re looking for a solid affordable family car, truck, or SUV, there’s no shortage of options for 2026. Once you prioritize safety, features, and practicality, it’s hard to choose the wrong vehicle.
Reported by Charles Singh, USA TODAY.
