Top 5 Family Cars for 2025

Family Cars in 2025: A Field That’s Evolving Fast

Family cars aren’t what they used to be. The days of the basic minivan and the boxy station wagon are long gone—today, parents and caregivers have more choices than ever, with SUVs dominating the landscape and hybrids and EVs quietly gaining ground. For 2025, I’ve combed through the options, test-driven the standouts in everything from Brooklyn traffic to upstate highways, and compared specs, comfort, and costs. Here’s my take on the top five family cars in America right now, based on real-world usability, safety, and value.

1. Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid: Roomy Meets Responsible

If there’s a quiet MVP in family haulers this year, it’s the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. Newer than the regular Highlander (which remains a sales juggernaut), this three-row SUV is all about space without sacrificing fuel economy. Under the hood, you’ll find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid setup good for 245 horsepower—enough for highway merges but never exactly quick. Still, it returns an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined (FWD model), which is downright impressive in this segment. In my week with it, the hybrid powertrain was mostly unobtrusive, with only a faint hum at idle and a seamless transition between gas and electric modes.

The third row is adult-friendly for short trips—legroom is noticeably better than the cramped rear seats in a Honda Pilot or Mazda CX-90. Cargo space is generous: I managed to fit two strollers and a week’s worth of groceries behind the second row without folding seats flat. Materials inside feel durable if not particularly plush; Toyota’s infotainment remains easy to use, though not as snappy as Hyundai’s latest software.

On the downside, acceleration can feel lethargic when fully loaded, and pricing climbs fast as you add options (the Platinum Hybrid maxes out over $55K). But for families who want peace of mind—with Toyota’s sterling reliability record—and fewer fuel stops, this one is tough to beat.

2. Honda CR-V: The Goldilocks Choice

The Honda CR-V may not win every spec sheet battle, but after all these years it still nails what matters most to American families: comfort, efficiency, and value. The latest generation (introduced for 2023) carries into 2025 mostly unchanged—a testament to its enduring formula.

The standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder feels punchier than numbers suggest (190 horsepower), with just enough torque for city sprints. There’s also a hybrid version that posts up to 40 mpg city—a real-world figure I hit on suburban runs to Westchester County. On rough New York pavement, ride quality stands out; there’s just enough damping to smooth out potholes without making things floaty or disconnected. Road noise is present but less intrusive than in rivals like the Ford Escape.

Inside, Honda has finally upped its game with more premium materials—soft-touch dash panels, tactile climate knobs with a satisfying click—and an infotainment screen that doesn’t lag like older models did. Rear seat space is generous for two adults or three kids in car seats; cargo room (39+ cubic feet behind the second row) swallows sports gear or Costco runs with ease.

If there’s a nitpick, it’s that all-wheel drive is optional rather than standard—and prices creep above $40K for hybrids with all the bells and whistles. Still, for families who want a do-it-all crossover that won’t break the bank or require much learning curve, the CR-V sits right in that sweet spot.

3. Kia Telluride: Big Space Without Big Fuss

The Kia Telluride has been making waves since its launch in 2020; by 2025 it remains among the hottest tickets in three-row SUVs. What sets it apart? For starters: sheer space—this thing swallows people and cargo more comfortably than just about anything under $55K.

Underneath the hood is a naturally aspirated V6 churning out 291 horsepower and paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s not electrified yet—a mild disappointment given current trends—but it delivers smooth power with little drama even when loaded up for weekend road trips out of Manhattan. The steering has surprising heft (rare in this class), giving you some real feedback through turns—more so than in softer-feeling rivals like the Chevy Traverse.

Inside, Kia has nailed ergonomics: physical buttons for climate control (hallelujah), big cupholders everywhere you look, clear digital displays, and materials that genuinely feel premium at higher trims. The SX Prestige trim feels positively luxurious for its price point, though even base models come well-equipped.

A few caveats: fuel economy lags hybrids at 20–24 mpg combined depending on configuration; third-row space fits kids or smaller teens best; and demand keeps resale values high—which means discounts are rare on dealer lots around NYC. Still, if you want maximum comfort without moving up to luxury brands or minivans, Telluride delivers more than its share of satisfaction.

4. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: Minivan Magic Isn’t Dead

I’ll admit—I have a soft spot for minivans despite their shrinking market share. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid reminds me why: nothing beats sliding doors when you’re loading kids on a rainy Brooklyn morning or packing up after soccer practice. The Pacifica Hybrid remains America’s only plug-in hybrid minivan as of 2025 (Toyota Sienna is regular hybrid only), offering up to 32 miles of electric-only range before switching seamlessly to gas operation.

The total system output clocks in at 260 horsepower—not exactly thrilling but more than adequate—and you’ll notice how quietly it glides away from stoplights on battery power alone. After plugging into my building’s Level 2 charger overnight, I made it across town most days without using a drop of gas—a real advantage as gas prices continue their unpredictable swings.

Inside? Flexible seating reigns supreme: Stow ‘N Go seats disappear into the floor without fuss (though not in hybrid form for second row), and rear entertainment options keep kids distracted during longer trips upstate. Controls are straightforward—physical buttons abound—and visibility is excellent thanks to big glass panels all around.

If anything grates after extended use, it’s Chrysler’s infotainment system—sometimes laggy when juggling navigation and streaming audio—and middling interior trim compared to newer rivals like Kia Carnival. But on practicality alone, Pacifica Hybrid earns its place here; it simply does things SUVs can’t match when family duty calls.

5. Hyundai Santa Fe: Boxy Is Back (and It Works)

The redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe makes an impression before you even step inside—the squared-off styling looks part Land Rover Defender, part retro wagon throwback. For families who want something different but still practical, Santa Fe hits that mark while sneaking in clever features throughout.

Engine choices range from a turbocharged four-cylinder (277 horsepower) to a hybrid option promising close to 36 mpg combined (official EPA figures pending at time of writing). I spent several days with both powertrains—the turbo impresses with brisk acceleration but can sound coarse under full throttle; the hybrid is smoother but less eager off the line.

The interior reveals thoughtful touches: sliding center console storage that can be accessed by front or rear passengers; fold-flat second- and third-row seats; and one of the clearest digital gauge clusters I’ve used recently (Hyundai knows their screens). There are USB-C ports everywhere—no more fighting over chargers—and rear seat headroom easily bests rivals like Nissan Pathfinder. Pricing starts just above $35K but climbs rapidly with all-wheel drive and luxury trims; my loaded tester stickered at $49K—not cheap but competitive given equipment levels. One gripe? The ride gets busy over broken pavement—likely due to those big wheels—and road noise seeps through at higher speeds more than I’d like. Still, Santa Fe balances style with substance in ways few midsize crossovers manage this year. 

The Big Picture: Trends Shaping Family Cars Right Now

This year’s crop of family cars tells us something about where America’s headed: hybrids are no longer niche choices—they’re mainstream must-haves thanks to rising gas prices and tougher emissions rules from Washington D.C.; SUVs continue their reign thanks to flexible interiors; but don’t count out minivans just yet if you value pure practicality. Consumer demand is pushing automakers toward electrification across price points—even if full EVs still face challenges around range anxiety or charging infrastructure outside urban centers like New York City. Ultimately? Each of these five stands out not because they’re perfect but because they understand what families actually need—space for people and stuff; easy-to-use tech; decent efficiency; strong safety scores; and pricing that won’t derail college savings plans. If you’re shopping this year—or just keeping an eye on where things are going—these models should be high on your test-drive list.