Top 12 Vehicles for Family of 5 (Various Body Styles – 2023)
A family of five is an average size with plenty of choices in the various car segments as most vehicles seat at least five passengers.
However, a higher seating capacity may be more desirable for greater comfort and utility, especially if the rear-seat passengers are adult-sized.
Best Cars for a Family of 5
#1 Toyota Camry
This famous Toyota nameplate needs no elaborate introduction.
The Toyota Camry is the complete, affordably-priced car for a family of five – new or used – covering the essential needs like a dependable and efficient vehicle should:
- Often best-in-class fuel economy – low to mid-30s-mpg combined in the gasoline model; the most-efficient Camry Hybrid gets you an impressive 52 mpg.
- Spacious for the front and rear occupants – only the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata have a roomier interior.
- Low running costs with top-notch reliability – it’s a Toyota.
- Comprehensive list of standard driver aids and safety systems.
- Good visibility – thanks to slender roof pillars and plenty of glass area; makes driving less strenuous.
- Solid safety ratings – NHTSA and IIHS rated the Camry among the safest.
See the long list of IIHS awards the Camry has received since 2012:
IIHS Award | |
2022 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick + |
2021 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick + |
2020 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick + |
2019 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick + |
2018 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick + |
2017 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick + |
2016 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick + |
2015 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick + |
2014 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick |
2013 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick |
2012 Toyota Camry | Top Safety Pick |
The Toyota Camry’s design has transitioned from plain to sleek – a bonus for those buying new – although used Camry models will similarly satisfy the requirements of a 5-pax household.
#2 Porsche Panamera
The Panamera delivers performance and agility in the wagon or hatchback-styled sedan body style, the latter with an optional extended wheelbase for more legroom.
While some premium sedans are marginally more comfortable than the Panamera, few can match its impressive performance and driving dynamics.
It offers a composed ride and superior steering response and accuracy around corners.
Porsche is a famous nameplate in the sports car arena, so the Panamera is the perfect vehicle for a family to experience the German marque’s performance DNA – the others being the Porsche Macan and Porsche Cayenne SUVs.
A fact worth noting is the Panamera’s optional fifth seat – a four-seat configuration is standard.
It shouldn’t deter potential buyers, but if it does, these midsize and large luxury sedans are worth considering:
- BMW 5-Series
- BMW 7-Series
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- Lexus LS 500
- Audi A7
- Audi A8
Best SUVs for a Family of 5
Alongside cars for four in the family, all sports utility vehicles that can fit five occupants have two rows of seats, with a good amount of storage space in the back.
Still, those wishing for more room to stretch during long road trips may want to consider an additional seating row – cars for six, or possibly more.
Still, the following models provide sufficient space for five.
#3 Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is perfect for those wanting an affordable yet capable SUV for a family of five.
Although many compact 5-seater SUVs fill the ultra-competitive segment, the CR-V tops with class-leading interior and cargo space – excellent news for the family who needs maximum room for comfort and utility.
The front-wheel-drive model is efficient, clocking around 30 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive version only sacrifices 1-2 mpg.
Besides, it has enough athleticism and sporty handling to closely rival Mazda CX-5, so the CR-V is the total package for an entry-level SUV.
Opting for the CR-V also means driving a safe vehicle that offers peace of mind.
See the long list of IIHS awards the CR-V received:
IIHS Award | |
2022 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick |
2021 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick |
2020 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick |
2019 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick |
2018 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick |
2017 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick + |
2016 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick + |
2015 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick + |
2014 Honda CR-V | – |
2013 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick |
2012 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick |
2011 Honda CR-V | – |
2010 Honda CR-V | – |
2009 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick |
2008 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick |
2007 Honda CR-V | Top Safety Pick |
#4 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Suppose you need a midsize SUV with off-road prowess; the Grand Cherokee will satisfy your family’s needs for daily commuting and the occasional adventure off the beaten path.
Even if it doesn’t have the roomiest interior in its class, the Grand Cherokee seats five comfortably, so off-roading and long journeys won’t tire the rear passengers.
Reasons to opt for the Jeep Grand Cherokee are:
- Better off-roading capability than most competitors.
- Four-wheel-drive (4WD) – the superior drivetrain for off-roading. Most competitors have front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD)
- Spacious interior and high cargo capacity – one of the segment leaders in these aspects.
- Excellent visibility in the fifth-gen – slightly less in the older models, but still good.
- Impressive towing ability for a midsize SUV.
- Average fuel economy – low-20s-mpg overall.
The fifth-generation Grand Cherokee betters the preceding models in almost every practical aspect.
#5 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Posh 3-row SUVs are less common than smaller 2-row models, so the elongated wheelbase with higher hauling capacity is ideal for larger families or smaller ones wanting extra space.
The Mercedes GLS is a solid luxury SUV for a family of five, not least because it combines performance, comfort, and opulence in a spacious body.
It has three spacious rows, seating a maximum of seven comfortably, so the additional seats are handy for the occasional one or two guests.
Rear headroom and legroom are marginally more than its direct competitor, the BMW X7.
If every inch of legroom matters for your second and third-row passengers, opt for the 3rd-generation GLS, which debuted in 2020.
It has 3.4 inches more legroom than the preceding models.
That said, the 5-seater Audi Q8 (logically) enjoys slightly better knee room, so if you want to trade the additional seats for a roomier 2-row, the Audi Q8 is an excellent premium family SUV for five.
Best Trucks for a Family of 5
#6 Ford F-150
Min. Cab Size for 2 Adults + 3 Pre-Teen Kids: SuperCab
Best Cab Size for 2 Adults + 3 Teenagers: SuperCrew
The Ford F-150 light-duty full-size truck has been America’s best-selling truck for several years and should top your shortlist if you want a combined workhorse and family hauler in one brawny package.
Despite stiff competition, the Ford F-150 emerges as the best truck for a family of five as it tows and hauls as capably as it can transport its occupants in massive comfort.
Suppose you don’t need the F-150’s hugely impressive towing ability; the F-150 Raptor has mighty off-road prowess and will suit an adventurous family – internal dimensions are identical in the same body style.
Opting for the elongated SuperCab or SuperCrew means parking will be more tedious, but it’s a minor gripe given the load it can shoulder.
#7 Ram 1500
Min. Cab Size for 2 Adults + 3 Pre-Teen Kids: Quad Cab
Best Cab Size for 2 Adults + 3 Teenagers: Crew Cab
The Ram 1500 is a strong challenger to the class-leading Ford F-150 in space, comfort, and fuel economy, trailing only in the maximum haul and tow capacities.
One reason to opt for the Ram instead of Ford is the former’s coil-spring rear suspension, which gives the truck a smooth ride without compromising a truck’s traditional strengths.
The suspension soaks up surface imperfections effectively, with minimal road and wind noise intrusion in the cabin, providing the occupants a relatively quiet and comfortable time, unlike a typical truck’s choppy ride quality.
Choose a rear-wheel-drive, hybrid powertrain for the most fuel-efficient trim.
#8 GMC Sierra 2500HD
Min. Cab Size for 2 Adults + 3 Pre-Teen Kids: Double Cab
Best Cab Size for 2 Adults + 3 Teenagers: Crew Cab
If you need extra towing and hauling capacities, a full-size, heavy-duty truck will suit the family, so you don’t need a second vehicle to separate work and play.
Several options are available: you can opt for one from Ford or Ram, or you could give the GMC Sierra 2500HD a test drive to see which suits you better.
While cabin sizes are comparable across the makes, a heavy-duty truck tilts the vehicle’s characteristics towards work, sacrificing comfort for brute strength.
Should you only have light duties for the truck, a Ford F-150 or Ram 1500 is a significantly better choice as a family hauler.
Best Minivans for a Family of 5
#9 Chrysler Pacifica
Choosing a minivan is straightforward given the limited options available – Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, or Kia, each brand offering one model.
All the minivans are competent people haulers, seating a maximum of 8 occupants, with some 7-seater offering the second row as two captain’s seats.
Still, the Chrysler Pacifica stands out as the best minivan for a 5-member family as its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model can travel 32 miles exclusively on electric power, making the no-gasoline option a real possibility.
Although the PHEV version is considerably pricier than the gas-powered Pacifica (over $10k more), the investment will repay you quickly if you only drive long distances occasionally.
Plus, the Chrysler Pacifica is remarkably safe, judging by the consecutive safety awards the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) granted since its debut in 2017.
The Pacifica’s IIHS awards:
IIHS Award | |
2022 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick + |
2021 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick + |
2020 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick |
2019 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick |
2018 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick |
2017 Chrysler Pacifica | Top Safety Pick + |
#10 Toyota Sienna
Suppose fuel economy is crucial in your people hauler; the gas/electric Toyota Sienna hybrid deserves top billing.
The Sienna, with the standard hybrid powertrain since 2021, is the most fuel-efficient minivan for a family of five; its over-35-mpg combined trumps the competition.
All-wheel-drive is an option for enhanced wet-weather grip, and the Sienna’s least expensive AWD trim is several thousand cheaper than the Chrysler Pacifica’s equivalent.
It allows its occupants to travel in comfort, with the suspension system performing an excellent job isolating the cabin from road bumps and broken pavement.
And like most minivans, the Sienna is a safe family vehicle:
IIHS Award | |
2022 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick + |
2021 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick + |
2020 Toyota Sienna | – |
2019 Toyota Sienna | – |
2018 Toyota Sienna | – |
2017 Toyota Sienna | – |
2016 Toyota Sienna | – |
2015 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick + |
2014 Toyota Sienna | – |
2013 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick |
2012 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick |
2011 Toyota Sienna | Top Safety Pick |
Best EVs for a Family of 5
#11 Volkswagen ID.4
Going electric is smart as fuel remains costly and EV prices fall, making electric vehicles more accessible to the masses.
Although it’s a few thousand dollars more expensive than similar offerings from Hyundai and Kia, the Volkswagen ID.4 is budget-friendly and one of the best electric cars for a family of five – a mainstream EV that doesn’t wear the pricier Tesla badge.
This family-friendly EV from the German brand is quick, quiet, and fairly roomy for three in the backseat.
The standard rear-wheel drive can cover an impressive 280-plus miles on a single charge and a modest 250 miles in the all-wheel-drive model.
Plus, you get ample cargo capacity at over 30 cubic ft. with all seats up and a spacious maximum of 64 cubic ft. with the rear seats folded – the Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric (both slightly cheaper) lose to the ID.4 in both settings.
#12 BMW iX
For buyers with double the budget of a mainstream EV, a premium model may just be the right vehicle for the family.
Based on similar dimensions as the gas-powered X5, the iX is BMW’s first electric SUV.
The BMW iX competes in the midsize segment and has the space, comfort, and efficiency to be the top luxury electric SUV for a family of five.
The cabin has a modern interior, and the five-seater passenger space is generous with a flat floor design, providing ample headroom and legroom in both rows.
The ride remains supremely quiet when the car gets going; wind and road noise is minimal, even at highway speeds.
Its range easily exceeds the 300-mile mark no matter the driving style, plus the electricity consumption rate is one of the lowest in the class.
SUV vs. Truck vs. Minivan for a Family of 5
The choice between different types of family vehicles is subjective as the priority differs from one family to another.
If the vehicle is strictly a people hauler, a minivan trumps an SUV or a truck due to the considerably higher seating and maximum cargo capacities.
But should the driving dynamics matter for the joy of getting behind the wheel, an SUV is better for a family of five than a truck or minivan.
An SUV retains a degree of car-like maneuverability as it is essentially a larger hatchback on an elevated platform.
References:
https://www.carsforsale.com/used-cars-for-sale