The Best Family Cars in Australia for 2023
- Family
Buying a family car is no easy task. There are so many factors to consider—size, budget, brand, model, and engine type to name but a few.
Because we know what an overwhelming undertaking searching for the best family cars in Australia can be, we've put in the hard yards, so you don't have to and come up with 10 of the best family cars in Australia. You're welcome!
What to Look for in a Family Car
Needless to say, safety is going to be your top priority when looking for a family car.
It's important to consider ANCAP safety ratings—they are the independent voice on vehicle safety for Australia and New Zealand and have been publishing safety ratings for thousands of different vehicle makes and models since 1992.
Other factors to consider include value for money, reliability, petrol consumption, and what your real priorities are in your new family car. Would you prefer a bigger car that has the option for more seats if you need them, or heaps of room for luggage if you don't? Or something smaller that's easier to park in the city but sacrifices boot space? Whatever your priorities, we're confident our list of the best family cars in Australia will point you in the right direction.
The Best Family Cars in Australia 2023
1. Mazda CX-9
Price: from $45,990
Seats: 6-7
Fuel: 8.4L/100KM
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2016)
Safety features:
- Smart City Brake Support Forward (SCBS-F)
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Stop & Go Function
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
- Driver Attention Alert (DAA)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW).
It looks the part and does the job, and there are plenty of reasons why the Mazda CX-9 is one of the best family cars in Australia.
Placing safety above everything else, it offers real peace of mind for parents thanks to a slew of safety features that create the ultimate in driving confidence. And when it comes to space, the CX-9 has all your storage needs under control. You'll discover plenty of room to pack everything, plus the kitchen sink, as well as all the little people you need to bring with you.
Premium comfort across three rows ensures that the whole family is travelling in serious style!
2. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Price: from $38,425
Seats: 5
Fuel: 4.7L/100KM for hybrid
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2019)
Safety features:
- Lane Departure Alert
- Lane Trace Assist
- Pre-Collision Safety system with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection
- Road Sign Assist (speed signs only)
- Automatic High Beam
- Active Cruise Control
- Seven SRS Airbags throughout the cabin.
Toyota's beloved RAV4 now has the option of their signature petrol-electric hybrid technology to produce outstanding power delivery and fuel efficiency in either 2WD or AWD versions. This means you can expect improved fuel economy, better handling, and a really easy recharge—there's no need to plug in your Hybrid battery as RAV4’s petrol engine will charge it for you as you drive.
The perfect pick for environmentally-conscious families on the go!
3. Subaru Outback
Price: from $47,586
Seats: 5
Fuel: 7.3L/100KM
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2021)
Safety features:
- EyeSight® Driver Assist technology
- Subaru’s Driver Monitoring System
- Subaru’s Vision Assist
- Driver Monitoring System
- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)
- Lane Change Assist (LCA).
Claiming to be the real deal SUV, the Subaru Outback certainly offers plenty of appealing features for families, particularly those who love the great outdoors.
With a list of specs and features that continue to push boundaries and inspire excellence, the Subaru Outback is the perfect family car to take anywhere, from the bush to the city and everywhere in between. Basically, it's the ultimate car for adventure-loving families!
4. Kia Sorrento
Price: from $50,790
Seats: 7
Fuel: 9.7L/100KM for hybrid
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2020)
Safety features:
- Blind Spot View Monitor
- Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Multi Collision Brake
- Safe Exit Assist
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Seven Airbags, including front centre side
- Vehicle Stability Management.
The most high-tech Kia car ever made and setting a new standard in SUV design, the Kia Sorento is the obvious choice for families who require a seven-seat vehicle.
One of the best family cars in Australia, the Sorento is brimming with functionality, safety features, and luxury touches, as well as all the space you need as a family.
For such a big car, it's also exceptionally sleek and attractive, giving you all the appeal of an SUV, with plenty of boot space alongside the seven seats, or the option to fold down the second-row seats to create more storage room. Genius!
5. Toyota Kluger Hybrid
Price: from $52,876
Seats: 7
Fuel: 5.6L/100KM
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2021)
Safety features:
- Emergency Steer Assist
- Lane Trace Assist
- Pre-Collision Safety system with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection
- Road Sign Assist (speed signs only)
- Automatic High Beam
- Dynamic Cruise Control
- Seven SRS Airbags throughout the cabin
- Designed to absorb impact.
The Toyota Kluger Hybrid is all about allowing families to have their dream car now instead of waiting for the kids to grow up.
The ultra-sophisticated aesthetic means it really looks the part, while this seven-seater has flexible cargo space thanks to folding second and third rows.
The Toyota Kluger Hybrid really is the perfect mix of luxurious design and practicality, proving that a family-friendly SUV can be as functional as it is intelligent.
6. Volvo XC90
Price: from $101,868
Seats: 7
Fuel: 8.2L/100KM
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2015—old models)
Safety features:
- BLIS and Cross Traffic Alert
- Pilot Assist
- Dual-stage Airbags
- 360 degrees camera
- Oncoming Lane Mitigation and Lane Keeping Aid
- Rear Collision Warning.
With the Volvo XC90, you can expect all the luxury trappings and Scandi style you know and love from the brand, as well as an array of safety features that make this car a premium choice for families.
Seven seats make it a great pick for larger broods!
7. Hyundai Palisade
Price: from $71,319
Seats: 7 or 8
Fuel: 10.7L/100KM
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2022)
Safety features:
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist
- Blind Spot View Monitor
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
- Rear Occupant Alert
- Remote Smart Parking Assist.
The ultra-practical yet ultra-sleek Hyundai Palisade is loaded with Hyundai SmartSense intelligent safety innovations for the ultimate in accident avoidance and family safety, making it a clear choice for family cars.
Whether you’re driving in the country, in the city, or simply squeezing into a tight parking spot, the Hyundai Palisade will give you and your family a true sense of safety.
8. Skoda Kodiaq
Price: from $58,990
Seats: 7
Fuel: 8.2L/100KM
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2017)
Safety features:
- Anti-Lock Braking System
- Emergency Assist
- Lane Assist
- Park Assist
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Surround Area View Camera
- Rain Brake Support.
Ultra comfortable, ultra-safe, and ultra-protective, the Skoda Kodiaq comes with plenty of innovative features to keep you and those you love the most as safe as possible while on the road.
There are plenty of clever details that simply make things easier for parents, like door-edge protection, luggage hooks, rear window mechanical sunblinds and a net system for the boot - sublime!
9. Hyundai Santa Fe
Price: from $50,479
Seats: 7
Fuel: 10.5L/100KM
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2018)
Safety features:
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist
- Blind Spot View Monitor
- Driver Attention Warming
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Safe Exit Assist
- Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
- Rear Occupant Alert
- Remote Smart Parking Assist.
The ultra-agile Hyundai Santa Fe SUV is a stylish, sporty seven-seater that's bursting with all the latest creature comforts to keep the kids (and, therefore, parents!), happy.
A walk-in switch means kids can get in and out of the car with ease (thanks to the switch moving the second-row seats forward). At the same time, a large boot space, air vents in the second and third rows, rear window sunshades, and rear split-seat folding configurations are all features that help make the Hyundai Santa Fe one of the best family cars in Australia.
10. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
Price: from $49,990
Seats: 7
Fuel: 6.2L/100KM
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2016)
Safety features:
- Travel Assist (Adaptive Cruise Control + Lane Assist)
- Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring
- Semi-autonomous parking technology
- Electronic Stabilisation Program
- Emergency Assist.
With the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, there's no need to sacrifice any of the things that are important in a family car. It's got it all—space, practicality, and style.
Families can take advantage of the spacious seven-seat carrying capacity or lift the back row for generous luggage-carrying space. It really is a go-anywhere, do-anything kind of car!
Hero image: carbar.com.au
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