Best Family Cars of 2013
For the family whose cargo- and people-hauling requirements run to the extreme, it doesn't get much better than the Chevy Suburban. With seating for up to nine passengers, the ability to tow nearly five tons and enough cargo space to host a family picnic, the Suburban continues to grow its legacy as the quintessential full-size SUV.
Completely redesigned for 2013, the Nissan Altima comes with a sharp new look, tech-savvy features, refined driving characteristics and class-leading fuel economy. Comfortable seating for five and a host of safety features including blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist make this revamped sedan a newly notable choice for families.
The winner of our compact SUV comparison test bested the rest by offering exceptional comfort, a smooth ride, and an excellent value. All of those characteristics, along with some premium items like a leather interior, navigation system and rear-seat entertainment, make the Honda CR-V an excellent 5-seat family car.
A traditional family sedan with exotic-car design? That's the Ford Fusion, all new for 2013. In addition to its eye-catching exterior, the Fusion stands out with a variety of powertrains that includes two hybrid options and a pair of turbocharged engines, plus available all-wheel-drive and enough tech features to make a geek swoon.
Renowned for its spacious interior quarters, abundance of luxury features and sofa-soft ride, the fully redesigned Toyota Avalon can now add "high style" to its list of highlights. In addition, laudable fuel economy coupled with an exemplary reputation for reliability and quality make the 2013 Avalon a smart buy for today's value-conscious family.
Honda understands families. Case in point, the second-row seats in the 2013 Odyssey minivan. The middle position can be slid forward, giving parents easy access to their child, while the outboard seats can be moved...um...outboard to accommodate child seats latched 3-wide. Why are we obsessed with seats? Because the same cleverness that designed them permeates the whole vehicle. Restated for emphasis: Honda understands families.
Huge in a good way, stylish in a refined sense and arguably the category's most satisfying car to drive, the newest Volkswagen Passat is the best-selling version ever. If your transportation tastes lean European, but you have family-size needs and a budget to match, put the Passat at the top of your list.
Let's say you love Toyota vehicles and want the exceptional fuel economy of a hybrid, but the standard Prius just isn't big enough. Then consider the 2013 Prius V, which comes jam-packed with all the Prius-ness you crave while also offering roughly 50 percent more cargo space. Yes, plus-sizing the Prius cuts combined fuel economy from 50 mpg to 42 mpg, but among family-friendly vehicles the Prius V remains a mileage champ.
For over three decades the Honda Accord has set the standard for midsize sedans, and the latest model is no exception. Revamped for 2013 with new looks, more fuel-efficient powertrains and class-exclusive safety features like a side camera that sees where your eyes can't, it's no wonder the Accord remains a family favorite.
This year's number one isn't just all-new for 2013, it's completely reinvented. Gone is the truck-based construction in favor of a more comfortable ride, better handling and greatly improved fuel economy. Families with child seats will love the clever second-row seat, and the Around View Monitor is among our favorite features in existence. Welcome to suburbia, Pathfinder.
