When it comes to family road trips, the right vehicle can make all the difference. You need a car that offers plenty of space, comfort for long drives, great fuel efficiency, and enough safety features to give you peace of mind. Whether you’re planning a cross-country adventure or a weekend getaway, the best family cars for road trips offer a balance of style, practicality, and dependability.
Here are some of the top picks for family-friendly vehicles that are perfect for your next road trip:
1. Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is one of the best minivans for road trips, providing ample room, comfort, and convenience for families. Known for its smooth ride, spacious interior, and advanced safety features, the Odyssey is a top choice for long journeys.
Why it’s great for road trips:
- Seating capacity: Seats up to 8 people comfortably with lots of legroom in all rows.
- Storage space: Offers plenty of cargo space, and its seats can be easily stowed away for more room.
- Family-friendly features: Rear-seat entertainment system, built-in vacuum cleaner, and ample cup holders.
- Safety: Equipped with Honda Sensing safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision mitigation.
Perfect for: Large families, those needing a comfortable ride with lots of features for kids.
2. Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV that combines style, practicality, and excellent fuel efficiency, making it a great choice for families. It’s spacious, reliable, and offers a smooth ride, even on longer trips.
Why it’s great for road trips:
- Seating capacity: Available in both 7- and 8-passenger configurations.
- Comfort: High-quality interior with plenty of space for both passengers and cargo.
- Fuel efficiency: A hybrid model is available for even better mileage, which is great for long road trips.
- Safety: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite includes pre-collision system, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and more.
Perfect for: Families that need a versatile and fuel-efficient vehicle with a stylish design.
3. Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is another excellent midsize SUV that offers spacious seating, powerful engine options, and great towing capacity. It’s ideal for families who need both space and power, especially for longer road trips or those who plan on towing gear.
Why it’s great for road trips:
- Seating capacity: Can accommodate up to 7 passengers with plenty of legroom.
- Towing capacity: Can tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it a great choice for hauling bikes, trailers, or other adventure gear.
- Comfort: High-tech features, a comfortable ride, and plenty of room for both passengers and cargo.
- Safety: Ford Co-Pilot360 suite with standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking.
Perfect for: Families who need a powerful, roomy SUV with ample space for cargo and towing.
4. Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica is a versatile minivan that excels in family-friendly features, comfort, and safety. With its roomy interior and innovative technology, the Pacifica offers a lot of value for families embarking on long trips.
Why it’s great for road trips:
- Seating capacity: Up to 8 passengers with ample space in every row.
- Family-friendly features: Available rear-seat entertainment, Stow ‘n Go seating that folds flat to maximize cargo space, and available Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Safety: Standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
- Fuel efficiency: The Pacifica Hybrid offers great mileage, perfect for families looking to save on fuel during long trips.
Perfect for: Families who need lots of space and convenient features like the ability to fold seats flat for more cargo room.
5. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a great choice for families who enjoy outdoor activities and want a car that can handle both on-road and off-road adventures. Its all-wheel drive and rugged design make it an excellent option for families who enjoy camping, hiking, or exploring.
Why it’s great for road trips:
- Seating capacity: Seats up to 5 passengers comfortably.
- Cargo space: Generous cargo space that’s easy to access, with foldable rear seats for extra room.
- All-wheel drive: Perfect for families who plan to take their road trips off the beaten path or drive in various weather conditions.
- Safety: Standard Subaru EyeSight suite, which includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane departure warning.
Perfect for: Families that enjoy road trips that involve outdoor activities and need a car with rugged capabilities.
6. Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a midsize SUV that has quickly become a favorite for families due to its sleek design, comfortable interior, and great value. It offers a smooth ride and tons of standard features, making it perfect for long trips.
Why it’s great for road trips:
- Seating capacity: Comfortable seating for up to 8 passengers with spacious third-row seats.
- Interior: High-quality materials and a user-friendly infotainment system.
- Cargo space: Plenty of space for luggage, strollers, and other family essentials.
- Safety: Standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
Perfect for: Families who want a stylish, practical SUV with plenty of room and a lot of tech features.
7. Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is another large SUV that’s great for families. It offers spacious seating, ample cargo space, and a smooth ride, making it an ideal choice for families planning long road trips.
Why it’s great for road trips:
- Seating capacity: Can fit up to 8 passengers comfortably, with plenty of legroom.
- Cargo space: Offers an impressive amount of cargo space, especially with the rear seats folded down.
- Comfort: A smooth ride, and high-tech features like a large touchscreen and smartphone integration.
- Safety: Standard safety features, including a rearview camera, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
Perfect for: Larger families who need tons of room for passengers and luggage, and who prioritize comfort and safety.
8. Tesla Model X
For tech-savvy families who want to go electric, the Tesla Model X is an excellent option. It offers impressive range, cutting-edge technology, and plenty of space for families.
Why it’s great for road trips:
- Seating capacity: Available for 5 to 7 passengers with ample cargo space.
- Electric range: Long driving range on a single charge, making it great for long road trips.
- Autopilot: Tesla’s Autopilot feature offers a level of semi-autonomous driving, reducing fatigue on long drives.
- Safety: Tesla vehicles are known for their top safety ratings, with features like collision avoidance and emergency braking.
Perfect for: Eco-conscious families who want an electric vehicle with cutting-edge technology for long-distance travel.
9. Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade offers a stylish, well-rounded option for families looking for an SUV. It’s packed with high-end features, generous space, and a smooth ride, making it ideal for extended road trips.
Why it’s great for road trips:
- Seating capacity: Up to 8 passengers with spacious third-row seating.
- Interior: Upscale design, comfortable seating, and a large touchscreen infotainment system.
- Cargo space: Plenty of space for luggage, gear, and other travel essentials.
- Safety: Comes with Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Perfect for: Families who want a high-quality, spacious SUV with plenty of tech and safety features.
10. Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 is a stylish midsize SUV that combines luxury, comfort, and performance. It’s a great choice for families who want a more refined driving experience during their road trips.
Why it’s great for road trips:
- Seating capacity: Accommodates up to 7 passengers with ample comfort.
- Driving experience: Known for its sporty performance, the CX-9 provides a fun and engaging drive.
- Interior: High-end materials and a user-friendly infotainment system.
- Safety: Includes advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning.
Perfect for: Families who value a premium driving experience and stylish design without compromising on practicality.
Conclusion
Choosing the right family car for road trips comes down to your specific needs, including the number of passengers, the amount of cargo space, and the features you prioritize. From spacious SUVs to family-friendly minivans, there are plenty of options that offer comfort, reliability, and safety on long journeys. No matter which vehicle you choose, make sure it fits your family’s lifestyle and can handle all the adventures you have in store.
