While SUVs and their capacious ilk may have displaced sedans as the go-to family vehicle, many shoppers still prefer the more traditional body style. Good family sedans still abound, and they have strengthened their appeal over the years to help stay competitive with popular high-riders, meaning that tech and comfort levels are better than ever. Meanwhile, the smaller four-door cars remain king when it comes to affordability and gas mileage, which can be a deciding factor for families that need to think about tuition for multiple children. Despite dwindling popularity, the segment still comprises a wide variety of models. By looking at which is the safest or the most reliable, among other factors, we have comprised a list of the best family sedans of 2024.

Characteristics of a Family Sedan

When you buy a car for a specific purpose, there are definitely certain expectations. It needs to tick a lot of boxes, but there are some areas where we are willing to make sacrifices if it means getting what we need in the essentials. To that end, here are some of the top qualities to look for from good family sedans:

What to Consider When Buying a Sedan for the Family

When it comes to buying a new car, we have more options than ever before. Today, we have hatchbacks, SUVs, trucks, and even minivans. So it is only natural to wonder if an old-school sedan is actually the right choice. Looking at the strengths and weaknesses of the segment definitely cannot hurt.

Pros

• They’re more maneuverable than larger crossovers
• Generally speaking, sedans are more engaging drivers
• Better overall fuel economy
• More affordable in their budget-friendly guises

Cons

• Nowhere near as practical as similarly sized SUVs
• Do not always offer the best visibility
• No matter how hard you try, you’ll never fit more than five passengers

FAQs

What is the best family sedan car?

There are quite a number of great options, but the best all make up the flagship lines of premium brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. However, these are all oppressively expensive. In terms of cars you’re actually likely to buy, the Toyota Avalon, Chrysler 300, and Dodge Charger all stand out.

What is the most affordable family sedan?

There are a number of extremely popular, cheaper models on the market. They do not score as impressively as some of the names we’ve mentioned, but the Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima are all respectable vehicles that cost less than $30k. Alternatively, you might want to consider a used model from 2021 or earlier. This way, you can get one of the best-looking family sedans at a significant discount.

Is a sedan or SUV better for a family?

Each body style brings its own set of strengths and weaknesses, but generally speaking, SUVs are more practical and versatile than their smaller cousins. Larger vehicles are also safer, for the most part. However, there is no denying that affordable and maneuverable sedans have a lot of appeal.