Top Picks for Big Families

Large families need a car that can comfortably carry six or more people and their stuff. We considered station wagons, SUVs and minivans. We looked at safety features, driving refinement, cargo versatility, number of seats and cabin comfort.

Best New Car for Big Families 2009 Ford Flex Starting MSRP $28,295 Ford finally answered the question many have been asking: "How do you get minivan capability without having to be seen in a minivan?" The answer is this Mini Cooper-looking family-hauler that is as big as any minivan. It won us over with both its easy-to-drive manners and its fuel efficiency for such a large vehicle. During a long summer vacation drive, it impressed family members young and not-so-young. It also drew rave reviews/gawks from passers-by. This definitely is not a minivan in terms of styling, and it drives better than one, too.

Best Deal for Big Families 2009 Toyota Sienna Starting MSRP $24,540 The Sienna is one of the older models to receive an award — older in terms of how long it's been since its last redesign — but it's still a solid choice for minivan buyers thanks to comfortable accommodations, above-average predicted reliability and good crash-test ratings. The Sienna has a standard V-6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel-drive models get an EPA-estimated 17/23 mpg city/highway. It also offers all-wheel drive if you want more security for poor weather conditions. The Sienna's price is what makes it our value pick, though, and with a base price of around $25,000, it's a lot of van for the money.

Research this car      Build this car

Research this car      Build this car

Acura MDX (2009) Starting MSRP $40,790 The Acura MDX is an impressive luxury SUV in terms of driving performance and overall refinement, but it's also up to the task of moving a large family in style, with standard three-row seating for seven. Throw in modern exterior and interior styling and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the MDX is an easy choice. Research this car      Build this car

Ford Expedition EL (2009) Starting MSRP $36,345 The Expedition EL is basically Ford's interpretation of the Chevy Suburban, adding cargo space to a shorter full-size SUV, the Expedition. The EL version of this eight-seater boosts storage volume behind the third row from 18.6 to 42.6 cubic feet. In a point-by-point comparison, the Suburban prevails in many ways, but the Expedition EL's reliability history is better, and its third-row legroom would be the choice of many grown-ups. Research this car      Build this car

Ford Taurus X (2009) Starting MSRP $27,575 In an age of crossovers, the Taurus X's wagonlike styling belies its roominess — there's enough space in the second and third rows for your tallest kids. Head to Home Depot, and the third row folds easily to create 47 cubic feet of cargo room, or 85.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. Those are crossover-competitive figures, and they make a good case for families to put the Taurus X on their list. Research this car      Build this car

Honda Odyssey (2009) Starting MSRP $26,255 The Honda Odyssey has all the qualities that make a vehicle ideal for large families: room for up to eight, plenty of luggage space, entertainment options, top crash-test ratings, and the best mileage among large minivans when the standard V-6 is equipped with cylinder deactivation technology. Always a contender for the Best award, the Odyssey's many strengths are overshadowed by the popularity of large crossovers. Research this car      Build this car

Honda Pilot (2009) Starting MSRP $27,595 Even larger families are looking for something a little bit smaller than a full-size SUV these days, and the Pilot gives you the three-row seating capacity you need in a vehicle that features fuel-saving cylinder-deactivation technology to save you money at the pump. If your family's kind of fun involves towing a boat or camper, four-wheel-drive Pilots are rated to tow up to 4,500 pounds. Research this car      Build this car

Hyundai Veracruz (2008) Starting MSRP $27,045 Hyundai's seven-seat Veracruz crossover offers quiet cruising performance and a spacious cabin with upscale finishes. It also features a number of standard safety features, including an electronic stability system and three-row side curtain airbags. Offered with front- or all-wheel drive, the Veracruz is powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 that teams with a six-speed automatic transmission. Research this car      Build this car

Mazda CX-9 (2009) Starting MSRP $29,820 Last year's winner in the large-family category is still the most-fun-to-drive three-row crossover out there. Steering is tight and precise without being too heavy, and there's plenty of pep from the robust V-6 engine. The CX-9 feels upscale inside, and that makes its nearly $30,000 base price palatable. Outside, the CX-9 is a bit of a looker, too, which helps if your family is the style-conscious sort. Research this car      Build this car

Toyota Highlander (2009) Starting MSRP $27,600 The Highlander adds a four-cylinder base model for 2009 that cements its position as the gas-mileage champ among midsize crossovers. The second row's stowable middle seat gives families the choice of captain's chairs or a three-seat bench, and most trims have a parking-friendly backup camera. Mom and Dad will appreciate the massive glove compartment, which can swallow a lot of on-the-go belongings. Research this car      Build this car