Picking the right vehicle is crucial for families. It needs to have good fuel mileage, offer plenty of room, be able to hold up to spilled juice and crushed Gold Fish, and haul sports gear. Good Housekeeping has published its list of 25 Best Family Cars of 2023, featuring the Ram 1500 as one of the top trucks for families.

4 reasons why you’ll love the 2023 Ram 1500

The 2023 Ram 1500 was awarded the Best Pickup Truck from Good Housekeeping. There were four major reasons the review site thinks families will be drawn to the 1500.

The first is that there is a lot of space inside the Ram 1500. Even better is that it’s quiet inside. For parents who are exhausted from work, kids, and the other little things that always seem to drain their time, having a quiet interior can bring some added bliss to your day.

The second is that the Ram 1500 has a big, imposing build. This may not seem like a big deal, but it matters to anyone who has driven a sports car. You will have peace of mind as you drive down the road, knowing that a larger vehicle can’t easily slide into your lane and do major damage to your 1500. 

Space is a huge factor for families. From diaper bags to baseball bats, it seems like there’s never enough room for it all. With the 2023 Ram 1500, parents find plenty of space options, such as the compartments which are built into the side of the pickup bed that locks.

Speaking of space, there is a huge amount of cargo carrying capacity in the back. Whether you are headed out for a quick trip to the grocery store or packing up for that long-awaited road trip, you won’t have to fear leaving goods behind. And if you’re working on a home improvement project, you can haul the tools yourself instead of begging friends and family for help.

What the 2023 Ram 1500 is capable of

The Ram 1500 has a bit of a reputation for being unreliable, but all that has changed. Ram redesigned the 1500 in 2019 and has made some major updates that still apply to the 2023 model. It’s now reliable enough that experts believe it can last well over 300,000 miles if properly maintained.

The standard engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that generates 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with an 8-speed automatic. The towing capacity is impressive; it can tow up to 11,470 lbs. The max payload capacity is 2,020 lbs.

The fuel mileage is decent for a pickup truck; it gets 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Safety technology includes features such as post-collision safety, traction control, and available blind spot and cross-path detection.

The biggest downside to the 2023 Ram 1500 is the price. It has an MSRP range of $42,005 to $86,250. If you can swing it, you should at least give it a test drive.

Check out these other family-friendly vehicles

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning was another truck to make the list. Good Housekeeping was pleased with the range, interior, and the fact that it doubles as a generator in case of a power outage. There’s no denying the fact that Ford keeps increasing the price, however, so if you want one, don’t wait. It may soon become too expensive for many families to purchase.

For families looking for a smaller vehicle, it’s hard to top the 2023 Honda Civic. With EPA estimates of 31/43/36 mpg (city/highway/combined), competitors have trouble keeping up. It’s available as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback.

If you’re interested in a luxury three-row SUV, then Good Housekeeping recommends the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130. It can seat up to eight passengers, and there are plenty of USB ports in each row to keep your passengers happily entertained.