In times like this, when the prices of new cars keep rising, purchasing one might not be the smartest option. But, that does not change the fact that there is a need for your family to get a reliable, spacious, and family-friendly vehicle. If there is an urgent need to buy a family vehicle, chances are, you have considered buying a car that is dependable but budget-friendly.
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
We strongly suggest that you consider shopping for a used car. And to lessen the burden of looking for the best used car for your family, we have prepared a guide for you.
People who buys a car for their family often encounter these questions:
- Do you need more space for kids or cargo?
- What about the fuel-efficiency and MPG?
- What is the most reliable and affordable used family vehicle?
We have created a list of great used cars from the past decade, all of which can be easily found in the market. Whether you need a lot of room for people, cargo, pets or just to get where you and your family need to go, these used cars have everything you need without sucking the life out of your savings.
Honda Accord
- MSRP: $24,270 (base trim with no options, per Honda)
- Used Price Range: $7,900 (older model year, fair condition) to $32,569 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Good
The Honda Accord has been one of the sought-after family cars for years, and with good reasons. Even the base trim of accord comes with standard features and comfort options, and most models possess features like iPod/USB-compatible systems, dual zone AC, and rear back-up cameras.It’s got plenty space in both the front and backseats, so you will never have to worry about tall passengers or growing kids feeling uncomfortably confined. With its trunk almost measuring 22 cubic feet, you will have no worries when packing it with groceries, strollers, luggages, and more. Honda Accord’s reputation is really amazing when it comes to sedans, and is a great choice for a family car.
GMC Acadia
- MSRP: $29,800 (base trim with no options, per GMC)
- Used Price Range: $2,900 (older model year, fair condition) to $45,000 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Good
The GMC Acadia is a great choice for a large family because it has 8 seating capacity and a towing capacity of 2500lbs. It boasts a reinforced steel body, 6 airbags, and an OnStar system standard in all models. The Acadia can serve as a multipurpose vehicle because of its flexibility in seating and towing, whether you need to drive your son’s soccer team home after practice or pack all your essentials for a week at the beach. Despite being a large vehicle, reviewers usually praise it for its smooth ride and ease of driving.
Ford Edge
- MSRP: $31,100 (base trim with no options, per Ford)
- Used Price Range: $3,200 (older model year, fair condition) to $28,000 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Good
The Ford Edge has made a name for itself as a family car especially after being regarded by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or IIHS as a top safety pick. It is a midsize crossover that seats up to 5 people and has space for plenty of luggage. The Edge’s standard safety features lineup includes electronic stability control, tire-pressure monitoring system, and most trim levels except for the Sport package, get an estimated, respectable 20/30 MPG. The Edge also comes with MyKey, a feature that gives the parents control over the speed and volume limits when they can’t be in the car supervising. The standard features for all trim levels are Bluetooth and USB connectivity, so charging phones is easy and you can have music on the go.
Chrysler Town & Country
- MSRP: $26,985 (per Chrysler)
- Used Price Range: $17,300 (older model year, fair condition) and $27,100 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Poor to Good
Town & Country was created to offer families two things that do not usually go together, “minivan” and “luxury”—it can seat up to 7 passengers. All the trims have standard features which includes V6 engines, leather seats, and an impressive sound system, while the newer models have additional features such as DVD players, climate control for each row seats, and Wi-Fi hotspots. Town & Country also boasts the famous Stow n’ Go seating options, where the second and third row seats fold flat into the floor. A V6 engine provides [plenty of power but comes at a cost of fuel economy because it has an estimated 17 MPG city and 25 highway.
Chevrolet Cruze
- MSRP: $17,000 (base trim with no options, per Chevy)
- Used Price Range: $14,659 (older model year, fair condition) to $18,002 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Poor to Good
The Chevy Cruze is a popular choice for those who are looking for a more affordable vehicle. It is a small sedan with a 13.9-14.8 cubic feet of cargo room depending on the trim level—which offers plenty of space for a small family to pack luggage, strollers, and other essentials. Compact models come in with an infotainment system. Newer model years even have a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot to keep the kids at bay on long trips. It also comes in with the 1.4 liter, 4-cylinder, turbo-charged engine to make it fun to drive. It comes standard with a manual transmission but the automatic version is a good choice to help maximize MPG.
Ford Escape
- MSRP: $24,885 (base trim with no options, per Ford)
- Used Price Range: $2,000 (older model year, fair condition) to $21,500 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Poor to Good
The Ford Escape has been in demand as a family choice in SUV crossovers for years. It seats up to 5 people, with newer models having reclining rear seats for those long trips.It also has a decent cargo space with just over 34 square feet—enough to haul luggage for every family trip. The Escape also comes standard with MyKey, so parents can limit the sounds and the driving speeds. Its handling is quick and responsive, and the cabin lets you have a smoother ride that is quieter than many SUVs.
Honda Pilot
- MSRP: $32,250 (base trim with no options, per Honda)
- Used Price Range: $3,000 (older model year, fair condition) to $27,500 (newer model year, with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Poor to Good
The Pilot is Honda’s largest SUV, and is a great family hauler. It can accommodate 8 people in its 3 rows and has enough cargo space for all of them. The rear seat can be folded down for more cargo space and it can still seat up to 5 passengers in this configuration. Plus, it has all manner of nooks and crannies for packing items like tablets, phones, snacks, drinks, books, and more. It gets an average of 21 MPG. Additionally, a rear-view camera comes standard in newer years, and the vehicle received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA.
Dodge Journey
- MSRP: $33,645 (per Dodge)
- Used Price Range: $19,060 (older model year, fair condition) to $22,552 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Poor to Good
The Journey is a mid-size crossover that packs a lot of value, offering one of the inexpensive options with a third row seat. It boasts rear doors that open up to 90 degrees allowing more room to easily install those car seats in just a snap. It also provides wide front seats for excellent passenger comfort, and has a decently large backseat to accommodate adults. This vehicle’s storage cubbies and pockets ensure room for everything that you need to entertain the kids. It is not as big compared to the Honda Pilot, but it works to its advantage as regards to fuel economy and on-road agility. The standard features aren’t as high-end compared to higher-priced Crossovers and SUVs but in terms of having enough space, is it cost-efficient.
Chevrolet Equinox
- MSRP: $23,800 (per Chevy)
- Used Price Range: 14,990 (older model year, fair condition) to 25,992 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Poor to Good
Another good option for families looking for roomy seats that can accommodate up to five passengers comfortably is the Chevy Equinox. The second-row seats provide lots of head- and legroom making it ideal even for taller passengers and for easy taking in and out of child seats. But the extra space in the rearseat also means less cargo space at just under 64 cubic feet. Still, the extra-room in the rearseat and configurability is worth it and driving the Equinox is easy and comfortable too. Equinox provides a cushioned ride that makes it ideal for long trips. You also have the option to go for a V6 engine if you want more power.
Ford Fusion
- MSRP: $23,170 (base trim with no options, per Ford)
- Used Price Range: $7,900 (older model year, fair condition) to $15,500 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Poor to Good
Only a few vehicles have come close to matching the Ford Fusion in being an all-around vehicle. This is definitely the vehicle for you if you want to have luxury and at the same time a basic people-hauler and an eco-friendly vehicle. Versatility is one of the major differentiators for the Fusion yet even the base trims provide a streamlined, contemporary interior, so you won’t feel you’re “only” in a family car. It can accommodate 5 people but the space might be tight if there are two adults in the rearseat. Rear visibility is limited so it is best to buy a Ford Fusion with the back-up camera. It has a good amount of cargo space at 16 cubic feet. Fusion is overall a great choice for a family car. It is also the best-selling Ford sedan most likely due to how easy it is to get exactly what you need and want through the different upgrades and trim levels.
Dodge Dart
- MSRP: $17,700 (base trim with no options, per Dodge)
- Used Price Range: $5,995 (older model year, fair condition) to $14,990 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Poor to Good
The Dodge Dart is another good option for smaller families looking for an affordable sedan. The reinvented classic resurfaced from retirement in 2013 with a brand new design and technologically advanced features. It offers plenty of color palette options and engine choices to let shoppers find the right combo for their needs and wants. It also has excellent fuel economy at 41 mpg on the highway. The backseat space could feel tight for more than two adults but for children it fits fine. Its 13.1 cubic feet cargo space gives plenty of room for kid gear and errands. The Dodge Dart is not the top of its class but it comes with so many options and at an affordable price which makes it a great option for those who are conscious with their budget.
Ford Explorer
- MSRP: $36,675 (base trim with no options, per Ford)
- Used Price Range: $21,590 (older model year, fair condition) to $41,999 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Poor to Good
When it comes to SUVs, the Ford Explorer is definitely one of the top ones. Since its introduction in 1991, Ford was able to make several major changes to make it better through the years, evolving into a more refined SUV from its truck-like origins. It stays one of the most popular SUVs ever made. It can seat 7 people and offers a large cargo space at 21 cubic feet. It is ideal for large families. It is known for its comfortable cabin and for providing a quiet and smooth ride. It is also perfect for modern families who need entertainment during travel as newer models come with Infotainment systems that offer a myriad of features. It also comes with optional navigation systems. Overall, the Explorer is a family-friendly SUV that has been a favorite since its launch.
Kia Sorento
- MSRP: 26,990 (base trim with no options, per Kia)
- Used Price Range: $16,000 (older model year, fair condition) and $29,500 (newer model year, high-end trim with available options)
- IIHS Safety Rating: Good to Poor
This is the ideal vehicle for adventurous families looking for a sporty yet easy on the budget option. Kia Sorento is an affordable SUV that can seat 5 or 7 people. In the upper trim levels, you’ll even find some surprising luxury touches which are not typical even in luxury vehicles like BMW and Audi. Newer models have a hands-free liftgate feature to make loading groceries or strollers a lot easier. The base trim engine is also enough for most travel, and you can always go for the higher trim level if you want a more powerful performance.