Best Family Sedans for 2025
These are the best family sedans ranked by iSeeCars' analysis of each vehicle’s reliability and NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings, along with key family-friendly features.
The best family small and compact car is the Toyota Corolla, with the Honda Accord being the best family midsize car. The Nissan Maxima ranks #1 for the best family large cars.
The best family hybrid car is the Toyota Prius (hatchback), which is also the best family plug-in hybrid car (PHEV). The Tesla Model 3 ranks #1 for the best family electric cars.
iSeeCars has identified the best family sedans and ranked them below. Models are ranked by their Family Car Score, which prioritizes safety and reliability and then considers which family friendly features are available on each vehicle. Small, midsize, and large sedans are listed, along with luxury, hybrid and electric models.
Additional information is provided for each vehicle, including fuel economy (mpg) ratings, used- and new-car pricing, and cargo/trunk space, expressed in cubic feet. Key driver-assistance safety features, like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist, are also listed, along with connectivity technology like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Four-door sedans continue to serve many families despite the massive growth in SUV and crossover popularity over the past 20 years. Automakers know sedans are more fuel efficient and sporty than an SUV, and some even offer all-wheel drive (awd), giving them a driving experience and confidence level similar to SUVs in foul-weather conditions.
While they don’t have the massive interiors and overall practicality of minivans or large three-row SUVs, most of today’s sedans boast roomy rear seats, powerful four-cylinder engines, and impressive standard feature lists. Beyond their capable base engines, many offer turbocharged powertrains with sports-car-like acceleration. Stepping up from the base trims to top-line models can add features like large touchscreen infotainment systems and adaptive cruise control.
Midsize sedans, with their affordable price tags and comfortable back seats, are the most popular segment to serve as family vehicles. Well-known models include the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, and Volkswagen Passat. Buyers looking for the best car to tackle rain and snow should consider the Subaru Legacy with its standard turbo engine and all-wheel drive. Many of these sedans are also available as hybrid models or full electric cars for family shoppers looking to cut their monthly fuel bill.
How We Rank These Cars
The Best Family Cars rank vehicles by iSeeCars' analysis of each vehicle’s reliability and NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings, along with key family-friendly features.
The best family vehicle is specific to one or more trim levels for a given vehicle model, and has the highest combined reliability and safety score as well as the most important family-friendly features. In the event there is a tie, we use iSeeCars proprietary rating of the overall quality of the car (iSeeCars Score) to break the tie.
Separately, the overall iSeeCars Score shown for each vehicle is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).