Family Car of the Year Nominees 2017

Best Car for Big Families

SUVs may be on a sales streak, but for many large families, only a minivan will do. Although there are many SUVs that are good for carrying big families, it's hard to top a minivan’s ability to move people and stuff (lots of it) in comfort. The Odyssey tops our list thanks to its seating for up to eight, easy-to-stow third row and family-friendly perks such as a built-in vacuum on select trim levels. Whether you have kids in car seats or gangly teenagers, the Odyssey is an ideal choice for big families. We really like the Kia Sedona as well, but it fell short of our mpg requirements.

Recommended for Small Families

With its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive, the Outback looks more like a rugged SUV than a wagon. The Outback's comfortable yet rugged interior caters to families with a removable, washable rubber cargo mat that makes muddy shoes and gear a nonissue, and the roomy cargo area swallows portable cribs, strollers or all the gear that goes with having older kids in never-ending sports practices. Offered with a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission, the Outback makes chauffeuring the family less of a chore.

Flexibility is key when it comes to managing family life — and from road trips to school carpools, the Rogue is ready. If you need more seating capacity than what you’d find in a two-row small SUV, but aren’t ready to make the leap to a full-size model, the Rogue is worth a look. With its optional third row, it’s a versatile choice for shoppers who need an SUV that can accommodate a large family at a low price. It’s not just about people, however; two-row versions have a handy cargo-management system that helps separate and organize the cargo area.

On the road, the Rogue offers refined road manners, a comfortable interior and an efficient four-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive that’s EPA-rated at 27 mpg in combined driving. If that’s not good enough, a hybrid model joins the lineup for 2017. Thoughtful available safety features such as an around-view camera system and emergency braking with a pedestrian-detection function add peace of mind. Families expect a lot from their vehicles, and the versatile, affordable and efficient Rogue delivers.