7 Best Vehicles for a Family of 3 (Sedan, SUV, Electric Cars)
Compact vehicles are ideal for small families of three, with sufficient space for the child and possibly a pet dog in the backseat.
Plus, the size is perfect for fuel economy and, in the case of electric vehicles, affordable with a good all-electric range.
Most vehicles on this list are non-luxury models.
Best Cars for a Family of 3
#1 Mazda 3 (Sedan & Hatchback)
Mazda 3 should make your shortlist of small family cars suitable for three occupants.
Since the Mazda 3, available in sedan and hatchback body styles, debuted in 2004, it has presented young families with an economical yet fun-to-drive compact car.
It may be one of the smaller cars in the segment with modest interior space, but the Mazda 3 has a refined cabin and top-notch interior design.
Regardless of the sedan or hatchback body, the Mazda 3 is a compelling choice:
- Quick acceleration and precise handling when negotiating turns – economical cars need not be dull to drive.
- Comfortable ride – despite its sporty nature, the firm suspension absorbs bumps and road imperfections reasonably well.
- Available all-wheel-drive – handy for extra traction and safety in inclement weather.
- Premium interior quality – a step up from rivals like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla; one of the best for non-luxury mainstream vehicles.
- Adequate cabin space – taller passengers will find the backseat snug, but a child faces no such issue.
- Enhanced versatility with the hatchback body – approx. 7 cubic ft. more interior and storage room than the sedan.
- Consistently impressive crash test scores – consecutive years winner of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)’s Top Safety Pick award, from 2010 to the present model.
The hatchback costs a couple of thousand dollars more than the sedan, but it’s worth the investment for increased versatility and cargo-carrying ability.
#2 Honda Civic (Sedan & Hatchback)
If you find the Mazda 3 a little tight for space, the Honda Civic with a more spacious interior is a compelling alternative.
Although you don’t get the option of an AWD, the front-wheel-drive Honda Civic is also a remarkably safe car while offering higher-than-average fun behind the wheel.
For a small family of three, the compact Civic sedan and hatchback will fulfill your needs with plenty to spare:
- Athletic handling – Hondas are typically more enjoyable to drive than Toyotas, and the Civic is no different.
- Excellent fuel economy – between 30 and 35 mpg overall, depending on the model year, going as far back as twenty years for the Civic sedan.
- Good ride comfort – although it rides firmly, impacts are well dampened, and the car feels planted. The Civic is a comfortable car for traveling long distances.
- Cavernous interior – the sloping roofline compromises rear headroom somewhat; still, the backseat can comfortably accommodate two average-sized adults, so your child will have room to spare for bags and essential items on a road trip.
- Hatchback versatility – the Civic hatchback has segment-leading cargo capacity; folding the rear seatbacks offers significantly more storage space.
- Strong crash safety – alongside the Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, and Toyota Corolla, the Honda Civic has excellent safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.
The Honda Civic Hatchback is perfect if you want an affordable car for a family of three and a dog.
Best SUVs for a Family of 3
#3 Subaru Crosstrek
The subcompact SUV class is a competitive landscape with many models that potentially suit small families.
However, the Subaru Crosstrek’s full-time all-wheel-drive stands out as it provides an all-weather capability and is a standard provision that means you don’t face the difficult decision of paying extra for a higher trim.
Besides the wet-weather ability, the extra-small Crosstrek has:
- Roomy cabin up front and in the back – the spacious rear seat will comfortably fit your child plus a couple of bags for the convenience of accessing essentials on longer drives.
- Comfortable and controlled ride – above average for the segment.
- High ground clearance for some adventure off the beaten path – its 8.7-inch clearance is 1.5 to 2.0 inches more than the class average.
- Excellent visibility all around – the slender roof pillars and relatively tall windows aid safe driving.
- Segment-average fuel economy – but the Crosstrek has a 20%-30% larger fuel tank than rivals, so you can travel farther before stopping to refill.
- Excellent crash safety – it has won consecutive IIHS Top Safety Pick awards since 2013. The Crosstrek Hybrid is arguably more impressive with a string of Top Safety Pick + honors.
The Crosstrek is essentially a larger Impreza (Subaru’s popular compact sedan and hatchback) with raised ride height and a rugged character.
#4 Hyundai Tucson
Going one size up to the compact SUV category, the Hyundai Tucson has an abundance of interior space that easily accommodate the third person in your family and then some.
Tucson has one of the roomiest interiors among compact SUVs.
If you demand value-for-money in a small family SUV, the well-rounded Hyundai Tucson fulfills:
- Roomy interior and storage – class-leading interior space; second only to the CR-V in cargo capacity.
- Good fuel economy in the mid-20s mpg overall – unless you opt for an AWD trim, in which case you sacrifice 2 to 3 mpg.
- Supple ride – one of the most comfortable in its class. The quiet cabin is a massive plus when spending long hours covering great distances.
- Excellent visibility – the large windscreen and slim roof pillars help.
- An impressive list of standard driver aids and safety systems.
- Industry-leading warranty coverage.
Even if you have a large dog in addition to a teenage kid in your family of three, the Hyundai Tucson will ably serve your needs.
#5 Audi Q3
Traditional Audi qualities include meticulously-designed interior, solid build quality, and sporty handling.
For a family of two adults and one child, Audi’s extra-small and least expensive SUV, the Q3, is the perfect way to own a luxurious ride from this German marque.
The Q3 easily keeps up with rivals from Mercedes-Benz and BMW in performance and luxury:
- Exceptional interior design with high-quality materials.
- Quiet and comfortable ride – wind and tire noise are minimal.
- Standard all-wheel-drive – available since 2019; optional before that.
- Decent interior space for its class – isn’t as roomy as a Merc or BMW, but it will suffice for one child in the back.
- Feature-rich.
The Q3 prioritizes comfort over performance, so if you aren’t after thrills behind the wheel, the Q3 delivers.
Best EVs for a Family of 3
#6 Chevrolet Bolt EV
If you want to transition to an electric vehicle, you aren’t limited to a pricey Tesla; nor do you have to settle for a cheaper model with reduced range compared to the segment average.
Thankfully, Chevrolet has an inexpensive electric car in the form of the subcompact Bolt EV.
More significantly, it’s among the least expensive electric cars but has one of the better ranges for its class and price.
The Chevy Bolt EV has the right qualities of an economical electric vehicle for a couple plus a youngster:
- Excellent all-electric range – over 250 miles on a single charge.
- Low starting price – just north of $31,000 for a new Bolt EV.
- Good visibility – marginally higher ride height than a conventional hatchback.
- Agile handling – light and easy to drive, especially in urban settings. The small turning circle of under 35 feet makes the car easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
- Roomy cabin – slightly tight in width, but the tall roofline stretching to the hatch means you get plenty of head and legroom.
With the equivalent of 200 horsepower on tap, the Bolt EV can accelerate as rapidly as some sports sedans, making it a quick yet practical electrified hatchback.
#7 Kia Niro EV
While the Chevy Bolt EV offers small families a balanced mix of affordable pricing and good range, the slightly larger Kia Niro EV will satisfy three occupants who desire the extra space.
You pay several thousand dollars more for a new Niro EV (which starts close to $40k), but you get excellent real-world range and more storage room in a compact crossover body.
As with other Kia vehicles, the Niro EV gives you your money’s worth:
- A long list of standard features for the money – plus Kia’s long-than-average warranty.
- 200-plus-mile range – EPA estimated it at a little under 250 miles, but it returned higher in real-world driving.
- Spacious interior for the segment – front and back passengers get plenty of room.
- Easy to enter and exit with the squarish doors – settling your toddler into the safety seat in the back is easier.
- High cargo capacity for its size – 18.5 cubic ft; significantly more (over 50 cubic ft.) with the rear seats folded.
Overall, the roomier and more refined interior justifies the extra outlay over a Chevy Bolt EV.
Final Words
A small family of three should face no problem finding a car that suits as most compact vehicles can seat up to four adults in relative comfort.
If you want to expand your research, vehicles that fit a family of four or even five members are worth considering before deciding.
References:
https://www.carsforsale.com/used-cars-for-sale