Crossovers/SUVs are synonymous with family cars these days, and their popularity has continued to grow every year. However, that doesn’t mean they’re the best solution. Other vehicles out there excel at family duty, especially when you don’t need the extra ground clearance. Unless you need to traverse an unpaved road, many alternatives can be your support vehicle for your family. Here 15 options instead of crossovers/SUVS plus five to look forward to.
Honda Odyssey
Despite its age, the Honda Odyssey remains one of the best minivans money can buy today thanks to its spacious interior that can hold up to 148.5 cubic feet of cargo, multiple folding rows of seats, and room for up to eight passengers. In the Touring Elite trim, you get the HondaVAC, a built-in vacuum cleaner that’s perfect for cleaning up the mess that the little ones make when you’re out of a road trip. Expect an all-new Odyssey to debut sometime before the end of this year.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon
Perhaps the most versatile car for a small family is the wagon because it can fit everything without sacrificing fuel economy and handling. For those looking for an upscale family hauler but don’t need the extra ground clearance, Mercedes-Benz offers the E-Class as a wagon with seating for five and two extra jump seats for kids. Got a need for speed and have a six-figure budget? You can also get the 577-hp E63 AMG wagon. That way the kids will never be late for school and you can carve up your favorite mountain roads.
Kia Soul/Soul EV
The modern family needs a stylish ride, and the Kia Soul fits the bill. With seating for up to five and up to 61.3 cubic feet of cargo space, there’s no shortage of room for your clan. Add to that plenty of standard and available convenience features such as heated and ventilated front seats, and you’ll be able to enjoy long trips in comfort. Should you need a family-friendly all-electric urban runabout, the Kia Soul EV offers 93-miles of range per charge and up to 49.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
Toyota Sienna
Dubbed by Toyota as the “Original Swagger Wagon,” the Sienna offers room for hauling everything and everyone. Additionally, the Toyota Sienna is the only minivan available with all-wheel drive, which enables you to conquer foul weather with ease. Need your family car to be a little sportier? The Sienna SE comes with sport-tuned suspension for a more engaging drive.
Ford Transit Connect
If there was something in the U.S. that’s truly a minivan, it’s the Ford Transit Connect. Available in standard and long wheelbase variant with up to 104.2 cubic feet of cargo space and seating for up to seven, the Transit Connect offers plenty of utility in a compact package. You’ll also be able to choose between a 169-hp, 2.5-liter I-4 or a 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbo-four with 178 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque.
Honda Civic
Returning back to form packing more style, substance, and space than ever before, the new Honda Civic sedan is easily one of the most family-friendly cars in the compact class. Thanks to an interior that’s classed as a midsize and a trunk that’s anywhere from 14.7 to 15.1 cubic feet depending on the trim level, the Civic sedan offers plenty of room to fit the clan. Should you need more, Honda will also reintroduce the Civic hatchback to North America later in 2016.
Mini Clubman
For the eccentric small family looking for a charm-filled wagon, the Mini Clubman offers plenty of character plus even more good times behind the wheel. With up to 47.9 cubic feet of cargo space and an available 40/20/40 split-folding second row, the Clubman offers plenty of flexibility behind its split barn doors. When you’re up for some fun, the Clubman won’t disappoint, especially when it’s equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission.
Kia Sedona
Families looking for the most luxurious minivan should consider the Kia Sedona. In SXL trim, the Sedona can be had with first-class captain’s chairs that recline, move forward and back, and come with a footrest to keep the little ones comfortable on those long journeys. A dual sunroof on the SXL trim lets plenty of light in to make the cabin feel nice and airy when you’re on the road.
Fiat 500L
For those looking for a fun-sized minivan that’s full of quirks, the Fiat 500L should fit the bill with its upright proportions and polarizing looks. With up to 68 cubic feet of cargo space and second row seats that split, fold, and tumble forward, the 500L offers plenty of utility and flexibility that make it perfect for family duty—provided you can get past its shocking exterior.
Toyota Prius V
Eco-conscious families who are crossover-averse can breathe easy and opt for the Toyota Prius V instead. With up to 67.3 cubic feet of cargo space and an EPA rating of 44/40 mpg city/highway, the Prius V comes with plenty of room for the family and excellent fuel economy, so you don’t need to stop often during long road trips.
Volkswagen Golf/Golf SportWagen
Made to appeal to everyone from the driving enthusiast to the family man/woman, the Volkswagen Golf offers versatility and practicality without sacrificing performance and handling. Offering between 52.7 to 66.5 cubic feet of maximum cargo space depending on the body style, the Golf can handle every family mission with ease. Should you need to pitch a performance machine to your significant other, the Golf GTI and Golf R offer an excellent balance of utility, power, and handling wrapped in a compact package.
Honda Fit
No other small car can beat the Honda Fit in terms of flexibility and utility. Thanks to its Magic Seats, you can fit objects of all shapes and sizes in the Fit and even use it as a moving vehicle if needed—it’s got up to 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space. In case you’re up for some fun, the Fit’s 130-hp, 1.5-liter I-4 offers plenty of zip, and the car’s nimble handling will let you dodge all the obstacles that you face in the urban jungle.
BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon
Out of all the body styles available in the BMW 3 Series, the wagon continues to be the most practical and utilitarian of them all. With the 40/20/40 split-folding second row down, the 3 Series Sports Wagon has a maximum cargo capacity of 52.9 cubic feet, making it a great choice for small families. You’ll also enjoy the car’s nimbleness; the wagon drives like its sedan sibling.
Ford C-Max
Want a hybrid but don’t want to sacrifice utility? Then the Ford C-Max will be a great fit because it offers up to 52.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the split-folding rear seats down. For family duties, the C-Max will haul everything from strollers to bags full of baby gear with ease. Should you need to avoid something on the road, the C-Max also handles well, so quick maneuvers will be a breeze—as will be impromptu drives on a winding road.
Kia Forte/Forte5
As one of the most spacious compact cars available today, the Kia Forte offers two family-friendly body styles, a sedan and a hatchback. If the Forte sedan’s 14.9-cubic-foot trunk isn’t enough, the Forte5’s hatch offers up to 56.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which makes it one of the roomiest in its class. Need a little juice so that the kids won’t ever be late to school again? The Forte5 in SX trim comes standard with a 201-hp, 1.6-liter turbo-four with 195 lb-ft of torque.
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