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Many automakers claim to build the best family-oriented cars out there, but Japan and Korea are hands-down the kings of the segment.
Family cars have very specific criteria to which vehicles in the segment must adhere. Some requirements of the family car are interior space, comfort, and a relatively economical engine. Modern family automobiles have included some more prerequisites like USB charging ports, child seat anchor points, and – in some cases – entertainment screens.
While countries like the US and the UK have their own ideas of family cars – the US has big V8 wagons while the UK does big diesel SUVs – the Eastern countries of Japan and Korea have the proper family-orientated vehicles to suit just about any family. Honda has the behemoth which is the Odyssey, a staple of the American family since 1994. Kia, on the other hand, have recently launched the all-new Carnival, a blend of the traditional minivan, MPV and SUV – resulting in a really rather desirable vehicle. Then there is the giant which is Toyota, probably the most sensible automaker on the planet. They have family cars in almost every segment, from the cheap and cheerful Corolla to the larger Camry, the RAV4, the Sienna, the Highlander, and even the Sequoia.
So, while some automakers claim to build the best family-orientated cars out there, Japan and Korea are hands-down the kings of the segment. With that, here are ten of the best family vehicles built by Japanese and Korean automotive brands.
The Toyota Camry has been the staple family sedan since it was introduced in 1982. Over the years, it has been improved in the practicality department but was lacking in the sportiness segment. Luckily, Toyota revamped the Camry, and it now even has a top-tier TRD trim, which adds a front splitter, a rear spoiler, and a fruitier exhaust sound – when going with the 3.5-liter V6.
The Camry is the standard for the family sedan and there are few other models which can even get close to the overall satisfaction a Camry can give. Then again, this has been Toyota’s modus operandi since they started making automobiles.
Related: Here's Why Gearheads Should Consider The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD
The Hyundai Tucson is a fantastic entry into the world of family-orientated crossover SUVs. The current Tucson – in its fourth generation – has Hyundai’s new ‘Jewel’ design language, which includes a lot of angles and futuristic minimalism.
The engines include a bunch of inline-4s, some with hybrid drivetrains and others with turbochargers to add some more power and torque. The Tucson is a brilliant car that has by now gained a reputation for reliability and durability.
The current North American Honda Odyssey is in its fifth generation and is better than ever. It is only available with a 3.5-liter V6 and a 10-speed automatic. The engine is fitted with Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management, which means it can run on 3-, 4- and 6-cylinders, depending on the load, improving fuel economy.
The Odyssey has enough space inside for a family of five, with all their cargo easily able to fit in the trunk. Alternatively, there are seats behind the second row, meaning two more people can fit on shorter journeys. Along with practicality, the Odyssey boasts multiple zones of climate control as well as a horde of USB charging ports.
Related: Here's What's New On The 2023 Honda Odyssey
The Kia Telluride is probably the SUV bargain of the decade. The Telluride may not be the most luxurious of vehicles on the road, but it boasts enough premium features to make anyone believe it costs more than it actually does.
Starting from just $33,000, this Korean SUV is fitted with a 290 hp 3.8-liter V6, eight seats, an infotainment screen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, 5,000 lbs towing capacity, passenger and pedestrian safety features and highway collision warning as well as cross-traffic collision warning. Many of these features are optional on other family SUVs.
The Mazda CX-5 is the mid-range offering from the tried and trusted Japanese brand. The CX-5, among other Mazdas, was rated safer than both Tesla and Volvo, making it an excellent family vehicle. While Mazdas of late – except the MX-5 – have been a bit on the boring side, the automaker is currently becoming more exciting as they put a new 2.5-liter turbo in the Mazda 3.
They have also unveiled the CX-50, a more interesting-looking CX-5 that will sit slightly above the original model. The CX-5 is available with either a 2.0 or 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4, the latter of which is also available with a turbocharger – the same engine as in the Mazda 3 Turbo.
Genesis is the luxury arm of Hyundai’s massive automotive network – much like Lexus is to Toyota and Infiniti is to Nissan. The GV70 is the brand’s second SUV and is a success so far. The GV70 is available with two different engine choices in the US, with a diesel engine as an option in other markets.
The base 2.5T is fitted with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 which produces an impressive 300 hp, while the sportier 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 in the 3.5T makes a sizable increase to 375 hp. Unlike the G70 sedan on which this SUV is based, the GV70 can only be specced with an 8-speed automatic.
Related: Why The Genesis Electrified GV70 Is An Underrated Family SUV
The Subaru Impreza has had a long history, going from a competitor in the WRC to being one side of the ferocious Japanese rally-bred sports sedan, to being the only car in its class. The Impreza was split into two models in 2021, namely the more family-oriented Impreza and the sportier WRX.
The WRX is no longer based on the Impreza, but rather has more in common with the larger Outback. It is still a fun, all-wheel-drive sports sedan which is one of the few left with a manual transmission. It is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer-4 which produces 270 hp – the same engine as in the new BRZ, but with the turbo.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 continues the trend of Hyundai absolutely dominating the ‘interesting car’ segment. The Ioniq 5 is a fully electric car that has taken the world by storm as it was one of the few production cars that share most of its design with the concept car.
The Ioniq 5 is a rather large hatchback, placing it in both the hatchback and crossover segments. It is powered by either single or double electric motors, producing up to 320 hp. There are three battery capacities, which translates to a range of between 200 and 300 miles – depending on the trim. In the family car segment, the Ioniq 5 is an excellent electric choice.
Related: 10 Things We Like About The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Nissan Stagea can pretty much be seen as the wagon version of the legendary Skyline. The top specification 260RS even has the same engine as the GT-R. The first generation Stagea was exclusively available with straight-six engines – same as with the R34 Skyline – and all the larger engines came with all-wheel-drive as standard.
The Stagea was fitted with a 4-speed automatic as standard; however, this could be upgraded to a 4-speed automated manual for quicker and sportier shifts. The top-spec 25t RS and 260RS was only available with a 5-speed manual to keep the driver-focused approach.
The minivan is not the most attractive of vehicle styles out there. As such, many people who are in the market for a family car would rather look to the larger SUV segment for a vehicle that would satisfy their requirements. Kia saw this and decided to spice things up a bit. Enter the new Carnival – a minivan with all the traditional minivan features, but it is lifted ever so slightly and styled to look like an SUV.
It is a fantastic-looking vehicle and does not give off the normal minivan vibes at all. The interior is ergonomic for large families, yet stylish and filled with technology. The Carnival is almost the perfect vehicle for anyone who needs lots of space – all for less than the price of the equally brilliant Kia Telluride. The Kia Carnival is definitely one of the best Eastern family cars currently on the market.
Michael De Kock is passionate about cars and everything from avocados to particle accelerators. He has studied psychology and knows a little bit about fixing cars (old Land Rovers mostly). He also blogs and has a book, 125 Creative Writing Prompts for Petrolheads, available on Amazon. His philosophy in life: Stop the hate - Adopt a V8.