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OK, your family is growing, but you don’t want to be like everyone else on your block and buy a monstrous SUV or minivan instead of a sensible car. No problem; the new and used car market still offers plenty of safe, capable, and efficient family cars that aren’t the size of a WWII tank. So, what makes a good family car, and why are sedans like the Volkswagen Arteon well-suited for your family? 

Can a sedan be a family car?

A large sedan with solid safety scores and lots of space for passengers and cargo is an excellent family car. For instance, the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and boasts 27.2 cubic feet of cargo volume. 

However, some of the best cars for families include wagons with cavernous cargo capacities like the Audi A6 allroad. Of course, the Subaru Outback offers wagon versatility, top safety scores, nearly 33 cubic feet of cargo volume, and an affordable price tag. For instance, a 2023 Subaru Outback starts at around $29,620, less than half as much as the Audi.  

What is an example of a great family car?

The soon-to-be discontinued Toyota Avalon is one of the best family cars in the new and used market that also offers above-average reliability and versatility like hybrid technology. For instance, the 2022 Toyota Avalon earned a Top Safet Pick rating from the IIHS.

Moreover, the 2022 Toyota Avalon earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Also, a used Toyota Avalon promises a long lifespan and a cheap used price tag. For instance, iSeeCars says many 10-year-old Toyota Avalons have covered 245,710 miles with the potential to last 300,000 or more. Better yet, if you don’t mind a 10-year-old car, iSeeCars says a 2012 Avalon could cost as little as $15,818 with average mileage. 

What is a good size family car?

Depending on the number of family members you wish to transport in your car regularly, a large sedan like a Volkswagen Arteon might be your best option. Potential owners should pay close attention to trunk capacities, body construction, safety scores, and interior space. 

The 2022 Subaru Outback, like the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon, is one of the best family cars.
Subaru Outback | Subaru

For instance, while a Chrysler 300 is classified as a large car, it has nearly half the cargo volume of the Subaru Outback’s wagon architecture. Still, potential owners can get both vehicles with all-wheel drive (AWD), a feature that proves helpful in inclement weather like rain and light snowfall.  

Which car is best for five family members?

While a sedan might be sufficient for families of three or four, five is a substantial amount of people to transport comfortably. As a result, a minivan or an SUV with third-row seating might be the best choice, like the 2022 Kia Telluride, which won the MotorBiscuit SUV of the Year Award for 2022. 

What’s your go-to family car? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).