Best Family Sedans [Ranked for 2021]

John Goreham

John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. John’s focus areas are technology, safety, and green vehicles. In the 1990s, he was part of an academic team that built a solar-electric vehicle from scratch. His was the role of the battery thermal control designer. After earning his engineering degree, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University. For 20 years, he applied his engineering and sales talents in the worlds of semiconductor manufacturing, biopharmaceutical production, and automotive electronics supply chain. Always a writer,  John has published numerous articles in technical journals such as Chemical Processing Magazine. In 2008 he retired from that career and dedicated himself to chasing his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to online publications such as Car Talk, John’s work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers, and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites.

There was a time when “family car” meant a midsize sedan. Those days have passed, and crossovers are now all the rage. However, there are still sedan lovers out there.

Sedans do have a slight handling edge in some circumstances. Midsize sedans also pack a tremendous value for buyers.

Our list is based on our testing of the vehicles, Consumer Reports Reliability data, and IIHS Safety scores. We also consider things like an available spare tire and a green powertrain option important.

Here is our list of the best sedans for families.

Are you looking for a vehicle to comfortably seat the whole family? Check out all our picks for the best family vehicles.

Read about how we rank our vehicles >>

Best Sedans for Families Comparison

Safety Scores are from IIHS (Top Safety Pick)

1. Toyota Camry

Although choosing the rest of our list was tricky, the Toyota Camry was an easy choice for Best Family Sedan. With the best reliability and safety scores possible and a hybrid trim with dramatically better fuel economy than its peers, how could the Camry be anywhere but in first place?

The Camry line features affordable trims, value trims with good content for the family dollar, powerful sporty trims, optional AWD, and a hybrid trim with an annual energy cost comparable to electric vehicles. In addition, Toyota throws in two years of included maintenance in the purchase price just to be clear which brand offers the best value.

The Camry is not the largest vehicle on this list, nor does it have the largest cargo volume. However, it is roomy for two adults up front and up to three kids in the back. The Camry defines this segment and is our pick as the Best Family Sedan.

Current Toyota Camry Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Toyota deals here.

2. Honda Accord

The Honda Accord brings a roomy interior, crisp handling, modern infotainment, and a long history of being the reviewers’ choice in the family sedan segment. Your author has owned two.

Like the Camry line, Honda offers affordable value trims, sporty trims, and a hybrid to make certain it captures as many family buyers as possible. If you lean Honda’s way in terms of brand preference, the Accord is an easy pick when shopping for a family sedan.

One notable feature missing from the Accord line is all-wheel drive. However, the CR-V and Passport are right next to the Accords in the showroom.

Current Honda Accord Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Honda deals here.

3. Subaru Legacy

Are you surprised to see a Subaru on this list? Did you even know that Subaru still made a midsized sedan? Here’s a bigger surprise, the Legacy came danger-close to taking second place on this list. For shoppers who need or want all-wheel drive, we would suggest comparing the Legacy to the Camry.

More surprises await Subaru shoppers. The Legacy has the largest infotainment screen of any vehicle on this list. One can also choose an up-powered turbocharged engine. Combine the turbo with AWD, and you have a vehicle that is unique in this segment.

The Legacy has the highest safety score possible, and Subaru has been building safe sedans for ages. What’s missing? There is no green trim available in the Subaru Legacy line, which is why it is in third place on this list of Best Family Sedans.

Current Subaru Legacy Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Subaru deals here.

4. Honda Civic Hatchback

If you remember the Civic as a small sedan, let’s update that thought. The Civic Hatchback is within three cubic feet of the passenger volume of the Camry and has an enormous cargo volume compared to its peers on this list. Of course, we are adding a 5-door vehicle to this list, and that’s cheating!

Whichever Civic body style you opt for, the Civic will deliver an enjoyable ride, a roomy interior, and many family-friendly features. There is no green trim of the Civic, but the Insight is basically a Civic in disguise if you want a hybrid. Sadly, the plug-in-hybrid Clarity version of the Civic has just been discontinued, or it would have been at the very top of our list.

Suffice it to say that if you want a wide variety of great family cars in many shapes and sizes, Honda is a place to shop first.

Current Honda Civic Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Honda deals here.

5. Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra snuck onto this list mainly because we tested an affordable SV trim and were floored by how great it was for the money. We then started looking at its safety and reliability scores and realized it was a gem. Since then, we’ve seen other media outlets and owners see it that way as well.

The Sentra is a well-rounded sedan with ample interior space. It is basically the same size as a Civic, so it is not that much smaller than a Camry. Nissan's Sentra starts at about $21K. One of our local media group employees leased a Sentra this week and is paying under $200 per month. He has had six Sentra cars in a row.

The Sentra earned a spot on our list of best vehicles for new parents due in large part to its amazing price point and value.

Current Nissan Sentra Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Nissan deals here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best family sedan to buy?

Our research puts the Toyota Camry in first place among family sedans. The Camry offers tremendous value and the best safety and reliability scores in the industry.

Which is the most reliable sedan?

The Toyota Camry has earned a 5/5 reliability rating from Consumer Reports for the past three consecutive model years. The Camry also had an unbroken streak of 5/5 reliability ranking years from 2010 through 2017.

What is the best entry-level sedan?

Our research and testing point to the Nissan Sentra SV as the best entry-level sedan available in America. It offers a very low price point but offers impressive space and features. The Sentra also is a Top Safety Pick.

Which is the safest sedan?

The Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Camry all earn the industry’s highest safety rating, the Top Safety Pick Plus designation from the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety.