Best Family Small Cars for 2025
These are the best family small cars 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 car is the Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback with an iSeeCars’ Family Car Score of 9.0 out of 10. Family Car Score factors in both the reliability (based on iSeeCars’ proprietary analysis of a vehicle’s longevity) and safety (based on NHTSA and IIHS ratings) of each vehicle. In addition, iSeeCars considers the family friendly features each vehicle has across safety, storage and towing, comfort, and connectivity to rank the best family vehicles. The second best family small car is the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan with a Family Car Score of 8.9. Ranked third is the Honda Civic (hatchback) with a rating of 8.6.
The best family small car is the Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback with an iSeeCars’ Family Car Score of 9.0 out of 10. Family Car Score factors in both the reliability (based on iSeeCars’ proprietary analysis of a vehicle’s longevity) and safety (based on NHTSA and IIHS ratings) of each vehicle. In addition, iSeeCars considers the family friendly features each vehicle has across safety, storage and towing, comfort, and connectivity to rank the best family vehicles. The second best family small car is the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan with a Family Car Score of 8.9. Ranked third is the Honda Civic (hatchback) with a rating of 8.6.
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Family Car Score 9.0 / 10
- Starting MSRP: 25150
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.0 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Family Car Score 8.9 / 10
- Starting MSRP: 24150
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.9 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Family Car Score 8.6 / 10
- Starting MSRP: 27450
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.1 / 10
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Value Retention 9.3 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Family Car Score 8.6 / 10
- Starting MSRP: 24595
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.1 / 10
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Value Retention 9.3 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Family Car Score 8.3 / 10
- Starting MSRP: 37750
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.8 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Family Car Score 7.9 / 10
- Starting MSRP: 22325
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.8 / 10
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Value Retention 9.0 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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Family Car Score 7.8 / 10
- Starting MSRP: 32445
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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Family Car Score 7.8 / 10
- Starting MSRP: 22495
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.5 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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Family Car Score 7.7 / 10
- Starting MSRP: 21590
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.3 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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Family Car Score 7.6 / 10
- Starting MSRP: 17190
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.1 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 47100
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 38860
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.9 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 23780
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 9.1 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 25950
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.5 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 32715
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 22025
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.5 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 8.8 / 10
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 19990
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety 7.0 / 10
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 21990
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 34250
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 24950
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.5 / 10
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Value Retention 8.6 / 10
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Safety 7.0 / 10
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 16695
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.036633355183003 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety 7.0 / 10
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 17795
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Honda Fit
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 16190
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.2 / 10
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Value Retention 9.8 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
Honda Civic (coupe)
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 21050
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.3 / 10
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Value Retention 9.4 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
Subaru Impreza
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 19795
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.8 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
Chevrolet Spark
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 13600
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Kia Rio 5-Door
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 17690
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.5 / 10
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Value Retention 8.8 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Toyota Yaris
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 15650
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.4 / 10
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Value Retention 9.2 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 23195
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.9 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
Kia Rio
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 16750
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.4 / 10
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Value Retention 8.8 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Hyundai VELOSTER
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 18900
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.4 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
Chevrolet Sonic (hatchback)
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 17220
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.2 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
FIAT 500L
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 22500
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.4 / 10
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Chevrolet Sonic
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 16720
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.2 / 10
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
Hyundai ELANTRA GT
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 20650
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.5 / 10
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety 7.3 / 10
Hyundai ACCENT
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 16645
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.3 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety 7.0 / 10
Toyota Yaris Hatchback
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Family Car Score Not Available
- Starting MSRP: 17750
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 9.4 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
Related Rankings
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).