Sales of sedans in the U.S. have dwindled over the past five years as consumers have shifted away from smaller passenger vehicles in favor of SUVs and crossovers. Families, in particular, have gravitated toward the vast pool of larger vehicles that offer a plethora of cargo space, a more commanding driving position and roomier passenger accommodations. Though cars only make up a quarter of all new vehicle sales, there are some that shouldn’t be completely overlooked by small or growing families. Even those with two or three children may find that sedans offer a more enjoyable driving experience as well as superior fuel economy compared with a hulking SUV. Choosing a sedan from the fiercely competitive midsize category will meet the basic needs of a family with relative ease while still remaining affordable. Midsize sedans also are a good choice for families that already own an SUV or crossover, but need a commuter-friendly second vehicle that doesn’t compromise on back seat space for kids and car seats. Stuff-hauling power is still somewhat limited, but a decent size trunk will satisfy the needs of most errand running that doesn’t involve bulky cargo. These are the best family friendly cars available for 2021 and include a mix of 2020 and 2021 model year vehicles. They were selected based on their interior space, safety scores, performance and test-drive evaluations.
- Honda Accord Family Sedans Don’t Get Much Better
- Toyota Camry Sporty-But-Comfortable Family Sedan
- Mazda6 Family Fare With Spice And Style
- Ford Fusion Still A Viable Option Despite Ford Ending Production
- Volkswagen Passat Everything A Family Might Need
- Dodge Charger American Heavy Metal
- Nissan Maxima Handsome, safe, powerful and tech heavy
Methodology
Our evaluation covers five areas:
- Styling (20 points) An assessment of the car’s overall design, styling and build quality, inside and out. Looks and styling are largely subjective, but a reviewer can still make general observations that hold a degree of objectivity. If the vehicle’s interior trim panels are loose, the switchgear feels cheap and the fitment and gaps of the panels are big and inconsistent, the rating will reflect these observations.
- Performance (20 points) An assessment of a car’s handling, braking, acceleration, ride quality and other qualitative performance measures like horsepower, torque, zero-to-60 times and top speed. Towing capability for trucks and SUVs also is a consideration. Reviews also thoroughly consider the manufacturer’s data when comparing similar vehicles within the competitive set. While driving, reviewers also look for a melding of attributes relative to the expectations set by the manufacturer about the specific vehicle and by consumer expectations of the segment.
- Comfort and Convenience (20 points) An assessment of the car’s interior comfort, features and cargo space. Comfort can be subjective, but the reviewer also considers passenger space measurements compared with the segment and competitive vehicles. Cargo space also is based on measurements relative to segment and competitive set as well as functionality and usability. Features are objective and compared against the number and type of standard and available features in segment and competitive set. Price also is a consideration as is execution and efficacy. Extra points may be awarded for exceptional available or standard features or user-friendly infotainment setups. Cars may also lose points for substandard features, or for making certain features only available on pricey option packages of poor relative value.
- Safety (20 points) The safety score is based on three elements: crash test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; the number of standard advanced driver-assistance safety technology features, such as blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, emergency automatic braking, lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control; and visibility. Cars with official crash data gain points for a five-star overall rating by the NHTSA, or Top Safety Pick/Top Safety Pick+ status by the IIHS. Vehicles not yet rated by either agency will not lose points.
- Fuel Economy (20 points) The fuel economy score is based on the combined mpg estimate for the model’s base trim with an automatic transmission, according to the Environmental Protection Agency or the manufacturer if EPA has not confirmed data. Some models will get extra points for offering a hybrid or other more fuel-efficient powertrain within the model lineup. Scoring for pure electric vehicles will be based on range and charging time