15 of the Best Family Cars in Australia 2024

A family-friendly package is more than something big and bulky - the key word here is versatility.

A great family car can meet a variety of needs and offer a best-of-both-worlds approach that doesn’t sacrifice on style, driving enjoyment or fuel economy to keep your family on the move.

The good news for buyers is that the market is flooded with options, so long as you know where to look, which is where we’ve stepped in to help with our very own list of the 15 best family cars on sale in Australia in 2024.

Below you’ll find a rundown of 15 of our favourite family car options on sale in Australia in 2024; our list is in no particular order.

Kia Sorento

Kia has given its seven-seat SUV, the Sorento, a makeover for the 2024 model year which has resulted in a super sleek and very family-friendly package.

The Sorento’s cabin is massive, offering acres of space for seven people, while the technology package has been upgraded with a new 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

• Engine Options: 3.5-litre V6 petrol & 2.2-litre turbo-diesel

• Fuel Economy: 6.1 - 9.7L/100km

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 179 - 608 - 1995L

• Infotainment Display Size: 12.3-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Volkswagen Caravelle

When it comes to the task of moving up to nine people, few vehicles can meet the needs of large Aussie families like the Volkswagen Caravelle.

With its Transporter underpinnings, the Caravelle is ready for action thanks to a hearty turbo-diesel engine, a massive interior cabin and clever, flexible seating arrangement that allows families to create their preferred layout inside the premium cabin.

• Engine Options: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

• Fuel Economy: 6.6L/100km
  Seats: 9

• Boot Space: N/A

• Infotainment Display Size: 12.3-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander range is one of the best family cars in the midsize SUV segment thanks to its large design that can accommodate a family of seven.

With tonnes of options for family buyers across a range of price points, there’s an Outlander to suit your needs and budget, with the added bonus of a super fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid (PHEV) at the top of the range that can drive up to 84km on electric power alone.

• Engine Options: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol & optional plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

• Fuel Economy: 1.5 - 8.1L/100km

• Seats: 5 - 7

• Boot Space: 163 - 1461L

• Infotainment Display Size: 8 - 9.0-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Up to ten-year/200,000km

Ford Everest

The Ford Everest has been quick to assert itself as one of the most versatile large SUVs on the market, with its extended platform proving perfect for large families.

Underneath the skin, the Ford Everest is actually based on the Ranger, which means it’s quite the performer when pushed off-road while remaining super well-behaved on a daily trip around town.

• Engine Options: 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel, 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel

• Fuel Economy: 7.1 - 8.5L/100km

• Seats: 5 - 7

• Boot Space: 259 - 898L

• Infotainment Display Size: 10.1-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Santa Fe

There’s a brand new Hyundai Santa Fe in town boasting a futuristic design package, new hybrid engines and an even larger platform that makes an already family-friendly package even more practical.

Inside, the Santa Fe’s cabin has matured quite a bit over the previous generation, making it look far more premium while receiving bucketloads of new technology and practical touches that make a huge different for large families.

• Engine Options: 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid 

• Fuel Economy: N/A

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 725L

• Infotainment Display Size: 12.3-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 remains one of the leading midsize SUV options for Australian families, with its practical cabin and ultra fuel-efficient hybrid offerings making for one of the best outright vehicles in the segment.

Thankfully, Toyota has added the option of a hybrid powertrain across all trim levels, meaning you don’t have to step higher up the range to get the super fuel efficient 2.5-litre hybrid rated at 4.7L/100km on a combined cycle.

• Engine Options: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol & 2.5-litre hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 4.7 - 7.0L/100km

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 580L

• Infotainment Display Size: 8 - 10.5-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival is arguably the best people-mover currently on sale in 2024, making for a super impressive package for Aussie families.

With remarkably good manners around town and a comfortable nature on the highway, the Carnival is user-friendly and immensely practical thanks to its large cabin that can comfortable accommodate eight people.

• Engine Options: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

• Fuel Economy: 6.5L/100km

• Seats: 8

• Boot Space: 627 - 2785L

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0 - 12.3-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Camry

While SUVs have overtaken sedans in popularity, the Toyota Camry is a timely reminder that the needs of Australian families can still be met by a practical sedan.

Like the RAV4, the Camry is offered with Toyota’s fuel-efficient hybrid engines across the range, while the spacious cabin, large boot and smooth driving nature makes for a great road-tripper.

• Engine Options: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol & 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 4.2 - 6.8L/100km

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 524L

• Infotainment Display Size: 7.0 - 9.0-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda 6

The latest Mazda 6 range is one of the best looking family cars on sale in 2024, with Mazda sticking with an extremely fun and sporty driving nature that makes it one of the more exciting family cars.

In sedan form, the Mazda 6 offers a great cockpit for five people, while opting for the Mazda 6 wagon extracts even more cargo space in the rear that puts it on equal pegging with most of its midsize SUV rivals.

• Engine Options: 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinders

• Fuel Economy: 7.0 7.6L/100km

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 474 - 506L

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0-inches 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a mighty impressive family car that offers a mix of smooth, comfortable town driving with an adventurous spirit that means it isn’t afraid to get its toes dirty.

Inside the cabin, the Forester’s tall roofline means there’s large windows and a tonne of light and visibility while driving, with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system making the Forester a mighty impressive light off-roader for the midsize SUV segment.

• Engine Options: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol & 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 6.7 - 7.4L/100km

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 498 - 1779L

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Kluger

The Kluger sits as one of the largest SUVs in Toyota’s ranks, combining the company’s super practical designs with exceptional fuel economy with its hybrid tech that makes it damn hard to ignore for family buyers.

Like the rest of Toyota’s lineup, there’s the option of hybrid engines across each variant, as well as the added stability of an all-wheel-drive system and added tech across the Kluger range that makes it more competitive than ever before.

• Engine Options: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol & 2.5-litre hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 5.6 - 8.7L/100km

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 241 - 552 - 1150L

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0 - 12.3-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda CX-90

Mazda’s latest generation CX-90 steps into the lineup as the company’s most premium SUV to date, combining its lovely interiors with a super spacious platform that is perfect for family buyers in need of a premium package without a six-figure price tag.

There’s two new inline-six engines on offer, as well as the option of six and seven seat layouts, depending on your needs, with a heap of new technology, stunning interior finishes and a large boot to keep family buyers happy.

• Engine Options: 3.3-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol & diesel

• Fuel Economy: 5.4 - 8.2L/100km

• Seats: 6 - 7 

• Boot Space: 608 - 2025L

• Infotainment Display Size: 10.25 - 12.3-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage has been one of Australia’s favourite midsize SUV packages, proving itself a worthy option for families thanks to its affordable pricing, generous features lists, practical interior layout and mighty impressive warranty coverage.

Within the range, there’s a tonne of options for buyers at different price points, as well as the option of a new fuel-efficient hybrid engine, all of which come backed by a seven-year factory warranty for long-term peace of mind.

• Engine Options: Four available 

• Fuel Economy: 6.3 - 8.1L/100km

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 542 - 1829L

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0 - 12.3-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Tucson

The latest Tucson continues to assert itself as another great family-friendly midsize SUV package in 2024, with a tonne of options for buyers here in Australia.

Inside the cabin, there’s an impressive amount of space for families of five, combined with a sleek and practical interior layout with a very healthy 539L of boot space, and the added bonus of a spirited turbocharged engine at the top of the range.

• Engine Options: Three available 

• Fuel Economy: 6.3 - 8.1L/100km

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 539 - 1860L

• Infotainment Display Size: 8.0 - 10.25-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Isuzu MU-X

Finally, our list wraps up with the almighty Isuzu MU-X, a large SUV known widely as one of the most versatile packages you can get behind the wheel of in 2024.

Underneath, the MU-X is actually a D-Max Ute in a more family-friendly SUV package which means that 4x4 variants are an absolute beast when pushed offroad, tough & confident towers and a super comfortable long-distance tourer that is more than up for the task of an Aussie roadtrip.

• Engine Options: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

• Fuel Economy: 7.8 - 8.3L/100km

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 311 - 1119 - 2138L

• Infotainment Display Size: 7.0 - 9.0-inches

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Six-year/150,000-kilometre

FAQ: What is the Most Reliable Family Car?

While it’s difficult to pinpoint a single vehicle as the most reliable family car, it’s widely believed that vehicles from Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai, Genesis, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Mazda have the strongest reputations when it comes to reliability.

This means that vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 and Kluger, the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sportage and Sorento, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Pathfinder and the Mazda 6 and CX-90 stand as some of the most reliable family cars on sale.

FAQ: What is the Best Budget Family Car?

Considering just how many options there are within the range for buyers at different price points, the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mahindra XUV700 and the GWM Haval H6 are some of the best budget family car options.

FAQ: Which Car is the Best Family Five Seater?

There’s no shortage of options in the world of five-seater midsize SUVs designed for Australian families.

Some of the leading options include the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson & Santa Fe, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, Nissan X-Trail and the Volkswagen Tiguan.

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