The heart may say buy the sports car, but the head – and reality – says the boot’s not big enough, there’s no back seat, and no rear doors. You have to put the kids somewhere – you need the best family car you can get.
But which one? In Australia, the ideal family car looks very different from what your parents may have bought. For decades, the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore sedans regularly topped the Australian new car sales charts.1 A larger family just meant squeezing everyone in tighter.
These days, you’re spoiled for choice. There are the traditional sedans, but also people movers, vans and, of course, the ubiquitous SUV – each catering to individual needs, whether it’s the school run, carting half the soccer team to practice, weekend wilderness getaways, and everything in between.
In this article, we take a closer look at the family car landscape in Australia – and what vehicle might suit you, including what it might cost to insure.
What types of family cars are there?
While family car buyers of the past had a relatively simple choice between a small hatchback or a larger sedan or wagon, or perhaps a utilitarian 4WD, increased market segmentation has led to dozens of different vehicle types now suitable for family duties.
The biggest evolution – or you could say revolution – in family transport has been the invention of the Sport Utility Vehicle, or SUV.2 Now available in a variety of sizes and price points, the SUV has largely replaced traditional options, and in 2023 accounted for 55.8% of all new vehicles sold in Australia.2
Now, here’s where it gets a bit trickier when figuring out the best family car for your needs – SUVs come with a variety of drivetrains, including petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or battery-electric. If you mostly do short trips, choosing an electric model may help lower your running costs – however, any savings might be offset by higher costs for insurance, tyres and depreciation.3
As the safety, features and driving manners of dual-cab utes have improved, they’ve increasingly been pressed into service as a family transport option thanks to their ability to ferry the kids around during the week and haul a boat or camping gear on the weekend.4
So, to unpack this crowded and sometimes confusing motoring market, we’ve identified some of the best family car options for space, features, fuel economy and safety across three budget ranges, leaning on car reviews, sales figures and various car features to make our selection.
We’ve also linked each car to the relevant Youi Car insurance by make and model page to give you an idea of what it might cost to insure.
Some of the best family cars under $50,000
Even small cars can function as effective family cars if required. Drive named the Volkswagen Polo its “Best Urban Car under $30K” for 2024.5 The Polo has ample space for child car seats in the rear, and its 351-litre boot is larger than that of many cars a size bigger. It has a five-star safety rating from Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) from 2022 testing.6
Need more room? Drive named the Hyundai Kona the “Best Small SUV under $50K” for 2024.5 The Kona stands out for its excellent passenger space and offers family-friendly features such as rear air vents, ample cubby holes for odds and ends, and a reclinable rear seatback.
There’s even a Quiet Mode, which mutes the infotainment system’s rear speakers, allowing those in the back to sleep uninterrupted while the front occupants can continue listening.7 A 2023 four-star ANCAP safety rating is its major drawback,8 but it’s offered in petrol, turbo-petrol, hybrid and all-electric variants.9
Proving that four-door sedans are still an Aussie favourite, the Toyota Camry was the top-selling medium car under $60,000 in 2023.2 The hybrid model offers extraordinary sub-4.0L/100km fuel consumption and plenty of room for the family. “This new Camry is a deeply impressive car that builds on its predecessor’s strengths,” according to CarExpert.10
Some of the best family cars $50,000-$100,000
If sales figures are the metric by which success is measured, the Toyota RAV4 is the best family car in Australia at the time of writing. It topped the list in October 2024, with around 5,000 new vehicles sold,11 thanks no doubt to its family-friendly proportions, comfortable ride quality and reasonable running costs.12
The best-selling vehicle in the world in 2023 – another popular choice for best family SUV – is the electric Tesla Model Y.13 It makes the most of the extra space that battery-powered cars can offer, with a huge 854-litre boot, a large storage area under the boot floor, compartments on each side, and another 117-litre space under the bonnet.14 This generous storage makes for an ideal electric family car for those heading for a weekend getaway, hauling sports gear, or just doing the weekly grocery shop.
If you’re interested in electric motoring but unsure about going purely battery-electric, the Mitsubishi Outlander is worth considering as the third best-selling medium family SUV in the sub-$60,000 category.11 It comes in a plug-in hybrid model, with seven seats.15
Speaking of plenty of seats, the Kia Carnival is Australia’s favourite people mover based on 2023 sales figures,2 and is hard to beat when it comes to carrying passengers – up to eight –along with their luggage. It raises the question – is this the best 8-seater family car in Australia?
Higher-spec Kia Carnival models have electric sliding side doors for ease of access, there’s a 627-litre boot, the rear row of seats folds flat into the floor for uninterrupted luggage loading, and the centre-row seats all fold and slide independently.16
When it comes to dual-cab utes, the Ford Ranger is the most popular – and was the best-selling new passenger vehicle in Australia in 2023.2 Compared to other dual-cab utes, it’s the most “car like” in its features and driving behaviour, and was voted “Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute for 2024” by carsales.17
Aside from the five-star ANCAP safety rating, a key benefit for families is the individual metal top tethers for securing child seats in the rear.17
The Ranger’s closely related SUV sibling, the Ford Everest, doesn’t have the flexibility of a tray but is perhaps the more family-friendly choice, with the option of seven seats and greater luggage capacity.18
Some of the best family cars over $100,000
If you’re in the fortunate position of having six figures to spend on the family wheels, there are some great options offering the required practicality – with some luxury into the bargain.
The Volkswagen Touareg is the best luxury SUV according to CarsGuide.19 Its range starts below $100,000 but if you add a few extra features or choose one of the higher-end models, you’ll quickly be in six figures.20
It mainly offers powerful yet efficient diesel engines, except for the Touareg R, which has a turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid drivetrain to allow for limited zero (tailpipe) emissions for daily commuting.21 For a family, CarExpert praised the Touareg for having “acres of space in the rear” and for its broad 810-litre boot.22
For those who want pure electric power but still need plenty of seats for their large family, the Kia EV9 was voted “2024 World Car of the Year” and “2024 World Electric Vehicle” at the 2024 World Car Awards.23
The EV9 offers comfort and refinement, along with a five-star ANCAP safety rating.24 WhichCar commended the EV9’s massive interior space, stating “For space and comfort, the EV9 is outstanding, which is surely the foundation of what makes a great large electric SUV... With all three rows in use, Kia says there’s still 571 litres of boot space available, which is unheard of in most three-row SUVs.”25
An Australian favourite for decades, the Toyota LandCruiser suits adventuring types.26 It can comfortably handle the school run to towing a caravan around Australia and crossing the Simpson Desert,27 but it’s important to note that only some variants include seven seats – the GX, Sahara ZX and GR Sport are five-seat only.28
Which is the best family car for me?
Only you can answer this question, as it depends on your family’s needs and lifestyle. Regardless of your budget or requirements, the wide variety of vehicles available in Australia means you’re likely to find one that suits you.
Once you’ve made your choice, consider checking out Youi’s range of car insurance options to see if there’s a policy that works for you, or start a quote online.
Note: Information in this article is relevant as of November 2024 and by its nature will change over time. Check relevant vehicle manufacturer websites for price and specification updates if this information is important to you.
1 Source: carsales – Top 10 most popular new cars: Then and now, August 2022
2 Source: CarExpert – VFACTS 2023: All-time Australian sales record, Ford Ranger tops charts, January 2024
3 Source: carsales – Are electric cars cheaper to run?, December 2022
4 Source: carsales – What are the best utes for families?, January 2024
5 Source: Drive – Best Small Cars
6 Source: CarExpert – 2024 Volkswagen Polo review, February 2024
7 Source: WhichCar? – Best Family Small SUV: Hyundai Kona Premium, July 2023
8 Source: ANCAP – Hyundai Kona, June 2023
9 Source: Hyundai – Hyundai KONA
10 Source: CarExpert – 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review, September 2024
11 Source: CarExpert – VFACTS October 2024: Toyota RAV4 still on top as HiLux closes gap to Ranger, November 2024
12 Source: Drive – 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE review, February 2024
13 Source: carsales – Tesla Model Y EV was the world’s top-selling vehicle in 2023, January 2024
14 Source: Drive – 2024 Tesla Model Y RWD review, March 2024
15 Source: Mitsubishi – Outlander
16 Source: WhichCar? – 2025 Kia Carnival review: first Australian drive, May 2024
17 Source: carsales – Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute 2024, June 2024
18 Source: Drive – 2024 Ford Everest Trend 4x4 review, February 2024
19 Source: CarsGuide – Luxury SUVs
20 Source: carsales – Volkswagen Touareg 2024 Review, May 2024
21 Source: WhichCar? – VW Touareg R Review, June 2024
22 Source: CarExpert – 2025 Volkswagen Touareg review, November 2024
23 Source: Kia – Kia EV9 secures double win at the 2024 World Car Awards
24 Source: carsales – Kia EV9 Air 2024 Review, February 2024
25 Source: WhichCar? – 2024 Best Electric Large SUV: Audi Q8 E-Tron v BMW iX v Kia EV9, April 2024
26 Source: Drive – A short history of the Toyota LandCruiser, June 2021
27 Source: CarExpert – 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Review, October 2024
28 Source: Toyota Australia – LandCruiser 300, October 2023
