ACV facts & figures
This content has been reviewed and updated on May 9, 2024.
About 39% of households in the United States include children in the family, resulting in a large demographic requiring family-friendly vehicles1. Consumers with big families may value aspects such as safety features, additional seating, and plenty of cargo space more highly than other demographics.
Dealerships that stock vehicles are best positioned to close sales for drivers with families. Whether it’s a minivan to accommodate all the kids on a morning commute to school, or a sedan with a high safety rating, knowing which cars are in demand is essential. Let’s discuss key features parents look for, as well as some of the best used family cars to have ready in the dealership.
What Car Features Do Families Value Most?
Every parent wants their child to be safe, making safety ratings essential to consumers with kids. Desired features in safe cars for families include standard features such as seatbelts and airbags, but extend to driver awareness features as well. According to a new survey from Volvo Car USA and The Harris Poll, about two-thirds of parents expressed feeling distracted when their children were in the car for a variety of reasons.
Many also stated that their children removed seatbelts when driving2. These concerns lead parents to value features such as seat belt alerts for when passengers unbuckle themselves. There is also a greater desire for features that keep a child calmer such as entertainment screens and mirrors for children to be able to see the parent more easily. Additionally, vehicles with high-crash test ratings are ideal as they have a proven record of keeping passengers safe.
Safety isn’t the only desirable quality in a family vehicle. Convenience goes a long way also. Ample cargo space is essential for all the extras like strollers, snacks, day bags, and sports equipment. Seating capacity is important to accommodate larger families. Not only do drivers want to make sure all the passengers fit, but also that everyone is comfortable and has plenty of room to minimize those melt-downs. Lastly, no one wants to worry about car troubles or getting stuck in the middle of the road with their kids in the car. That means reliability is likely an important factor as well.
To summarize, the best cars for families have the following features:
- Safety and reliability
- Seating capacity and comfort
- Ample cargo space
Even in the subcategory of family-friendly vehicles, there’s no option that’s one-size fits all. Family sizes, ages of the children, activities, and aesthetic preference can all play a part. As a result, below are several different types of pre-owned vehicles worth considering.
Top Minivan Options for Families
Honda Odyssey (2019-2021)
Minivans are the iconic family-style vehicle, and the Honda Odyssey checks all the boxes. Three-row seating that can accommodate 8 passengers ensures no one will be left behind, and 38 cubic feet of space means school and sports gear is easily accommodated.3 Pair this with Honda’s reputation for reliability, and you have a vehicle any parent would proudly purchase. Several years also come with a variety of trim levels including LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite in order to meet any customer’s needs.4 Some models can even come with vacuum options to instantly deal with any inevitable spills.
Toyota Sienna (Any Recent Year)
Toyota is another automobile manufacturer known for vehicles that last. Their Sienna minivan is all about function, making it. It’s got decent gas mileage at about 30 combined mpg and boasts great visibility. It’s exceptional when it comes to storage as well with a variety of compartments, console storage, and many cup holders.5
Top SUV Options for Families
Ford Explorer (2023 and 2024)
The Ford Explorer is a name you likely recognize due to its popularity. The 2023 and 2024 versions have a rugged look with decent clearance to help conquer terrain on camping trips and outdoor adventures. Seven seats with foldability make it flexible between transporting young ones, cargo, or a mix of the two. It has many desired safety features, such as collision detection, automated braking, and lane-keeping assist. It’s a great cross between something family-oriented with some capability off nicely paved roads.6,7
Chevy Equinox (2018-present)
The Chevy Equinox is solid for smaller families wanting to maximize space and comfort. It excels in the head and legroom department and can seat 5 individuals comfortably. It rides smoothly, so it’s perfect for growing families with small children or pets. The main trade-off for roominess is a slightly lower cargo capability. It comes in a 4-cylinder version as well as a V6 for drivers wanting a bit more power.8
Top Sedans Options for Families
Honda Accord (2022-2024)
Sedans are all about having convenient features. The Honda Accord has made CarAndDrivers 10 Best list for many years for good reason.9 Leather seating and dual-zone climate control keep passengers comfortable, while the 48 mpg highway fuel economy for the hybrid version keeps more money in the pocket. Reliability is proven by the 3-year/36,000 mile warranty and complimentary maintenance for new models. This is all complimented by solid safety features such as parking sensors and infotainment options. While the features are family-friendly, the accord boasts a unique interior style that gives it a more sportier, modern look.9
Toyota Camry Hybrid (2022)
The Camry is a classic family sedan, but newer versions flip the script with its more modern look, stylized grill, and shaped hood. Hybrid versions trade acceleration for impressive fuel economy while keeping up with Toyota’s reputation for reliability. Lane-keeping and other now standard safety features are present as well, making it a real complete package at an affordable price against the competition.10
Find Reliable Used Family Cars at Great Prices
Find these and other great family cars to stock at your dealership at ACV Auctions. With competitive prices and detailed vehicle and market reports, there’s no better choice than ACV Auctions to fill out your dealership’s used car inventory. Sign up to start bidding today.
Sources:
1. United States Census Bureau (21 November 2023). Three-Quarters of Children Younger Than 6 Years Old Live With Two Parents. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/children-families-living-arrangements.html
2. Volvo Car USA Newsroom. (16 September 2019). Parents are Increasingly Anxious about Child Safety on the Road. Volvo. Retrieved April 11, 2022, from https://www.media.volvocars.com/us/en-us/media/pressreleases/257201/survey-parents-are-increasingly-anxious-about-child-safety-on-the-road
3. CoPilot (27 February 2024).Which Years Of Used Honda Odysseys Are Most Reliable?. CoPilot. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.copilotsearch.com/posts/most-reliable-year-model-of-honda-odyssey/
4. Performance Honda Fairfield. (7 June 2024). The Best Honda Odyssey Model Years. Honda Performance Fairfield. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.performancehondastore.com/blog/the-best-honda-odyssey-model-years/
5. Scherr, E. (14 April 2023) Minivans Compared: Chrysler Pacifica vs. Honda Odyssey vs. Kia Carnival vs. Toyota Sienna. CarAndDriver. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a43528264/2022-chrysler-pacifica-hybrid-2021-honda-odyssey-2023-kia-carnival-2023-toyota-sienna-compared/
6. Dorian, D. (N/A). 2024 Ford Explorer. CarAndDriver. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/explorer-2024
7. Cruz, F. and Dorian, D. (N/A). 2023 Ford Explorer. CarAndDriver. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/explorer-2023
8. Carmax (17 August 2016). The 16 Most Popular Used Cars for Families on the Go. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.carmax.com/articles/16-popular-used-family-cars
9. Dorian, D. (N/A) 2023 Honda Accord/Accord Hybrid. CarAndDriver. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/accord-2023
10. Stafford, E. (N/A) 2022 Toyota Camry Review. CarAndDriver. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/camry-2022
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