The Top 7 Best Family Cars In Australia 2022

Oh, how times have changed. Once, you were worried about horsepower, but now you're more concerned with power seats. Gone are the days of angsting over the decibel levels of your car stereo, now you're more interested in the comfort levels of your third row passengers! If this sounds like you, then you are in the market for a family car. Shopping for a new family car doesn't have to be a dull experience, currently the Australian market is full of exciting family car options. And plenty of them have a bit of extra zip and style that will remind you of your younger days behind the wheel! Here are the top ten best family cars in Australia for 2022.

If you can relate to the intro, you’re probably looking for a family car with a bit of toe, that also falls into the ‘sensible car’ category. 

Well, your prayers have been answered. The Volkswagen Passat is a car that can do it all. The 206TSI R-Line features responsive performance powered by a strong turbo surge right out of the gate. Being a wagon, there's plenty of space for all your family’s belongings. Plus, it also possesses reasonable off-road capability. The R-Line’s all-wheel drive system allows adventurous families to transition easily between the school run and light off-roading. What else do you get for your money? Well, for $65,990 before on-road costs quite a lot, actually. How does the following grab you?

• 19” alloy wheels
• 9.2” multimedia touchscreen with sat nav
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
• Harman Kardon audio system
• Leather interior
• Heated sports seats 
• A four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 206kW of power.

See, owning a family vehicle doesn’t have to be a total snoozefest!

If you're looking for a family car that packs some serious punch when it comes to luxury and safety features, the Skoda Superb Wagon is definitely worth considering. 

Its impressive list of standard features includes three zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, not to mention its 9 star safety rating. The Sportline wagon is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L petrol engine which produces 206kW, making it one of the quickest wagons on the market. It also comes with 4-wheel drive, so the family off road adventure is not out of the question.

Some of the other luxuries in this family car include:

• 19” alloy wheels
• Keyless entry and start
• Electric tailgate 
• Heated front seats

Not too shabby, huh?

However, if your budget doesn't stretch as far as the $65,290 asking price for the Sportline, entry level models of the Skoda Superb start at $53,990.

The Hyundai Santa Fe has been a firm favourite amongst Australian family car buyers over the past few years, and it's not hard to see why.  

With a whole host of family friendly features, this is one vehicle that manages to strike the balance between being spacious and comfortable, while still handling like a smaller car. The entire Santa Fe line up is packed with features that tick a lot of boxes when ferrying young ones to and fro, including:

• Reverse camera with front and rear parking sensors
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane keeping assist
• Driver attention warning
• Hands-free smart tailgate

Not bad for a starting price of $44,700 for the MPI (2WD) version! However, if you like your seven seater with a bit more luxury you can step up to the Elite Crdi (AWD) which comes with heated front seats, 20” alloy wheels, and live traffic monitoring. 

Now that’s more like it!

The "CH R" in its name stands for 'coupe high rider’ and marks this car out as something different to the usual SUV offerings on the market. 

With uniquely stylish looks designed to attract younger families, the Toyota C HR is certainly a head-turner. It's not all about style over substance though – this car also boasts an impressive range of safety features as standard, including:

• Pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection
• Active cruise control
• Lane departure alert with steering assist
• LED headlights

If you're looking for a small hybrid family car that will turn heads when driving the school run, then the Toyota C HR could be the one for you. Prices start at $30,915 for the entry level GXL (2WD) model. Or, you could relive your halcyon days of youth and hop into the Koba (2WD) Two Tone Hybrid whose features include 18 Inch Alloy Wheels, black rear spoiler and leather interior. However, be prepared for a price jump to $38,440 and a dip in fuel economy from 6.4L/100km in the GXL to 4.3L/100km in the Koba.

This is one great value new car that's perfect for the small family who want a bit more space, without going too big.

Long considered the perfect solution for growing families, the Toyota Kluger is a big, comfortable and safe SUV that does everything you need it to without breaking the bank.

It's one of the most popular family cars in Australia for good reason – it's spacious, reliable and comes packed with features that make life easier when you're driving with seven people in the car!

Some of those features include:

• Extra USB ports
• Premium sound system
• Spacious centre console for extra storage
• S-Flow Control AIR Conditioning

Oh, and let's not forget one of the prime concerns for families when buying a new vehicle: boot space. The Kluger has this in spades. You can achieve 1150 litres of rear storage with both rear rows folded down. When all seven seats are occupied, the storage capacity is still a respectable 241 litres.

The Kluger range starts at $47,650 for the GX (FWD) model, which is pretty reasonable considering all of the features that come as standard. If you're looking for something a bit more upmarket though, you could splash out on the Grande (AWD) which comes with a sunroof, heated front and second row seats, and 20” alloy wheels. Prices for the Grande start at $69,160.

Let's be honest. A decade ago, when you told people you drove a minivan, they looked at you with a touch of pity. 

How times have changed! These days, minivans are big business and the Kia Carnival is leading the pack.

The Carnival comes packed with features that will make your life easier, including:

• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Quad-zone climate control
• Wireless phone charger
• 360 degree camera 

When it comes to safety, the Carnival has you covered with features such as:

• Autonomous emergency braking
• Lane keeping assist system
• High beam assist 

And if you need to transport up to eight people or lots of cargo (or both!), then the Carnival has you sorted on this front as well:

• Third row seating for up to eight passengers
• Fold-flat second and third row car seats
• Up to 2785 litres of cargo space 

Priced from $49,480, the Kia Carnival S provides some of the best value for money of all the cars on this list. So if you're in the market for a minivan, make sure you check out the Carnival. You might just be surprised at how much you love rocking the minivan vibes!

When it comes to large SUVs, the Mazda CX 9 is hard to beat. 

It's comfortable, stylish and comes with a range of features that will make your life easier whether you're taking the kids to school or going on a family holiday. With three rows, up to 170kW of power, and leagues of boot space, this is one of the premier family friendly cars for sale in Australia.

Safety is always a priority for family vehicles, and the CX 9 SUV has this covered with an excellent array of features such as:

• Rear cross traffic alert
• Blind spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitoring
• Advanced smart city brake support 
• Autonomous emergency braking

The CX Nine also helps large families make great use of space with plenty of storage options to keep everyone happy, including:

• Underfloor storage in the second row
• Easy fold third row seats
• Hands free power tailgate 

If you're looking for a large SUV that ticks all the boxes, then this is one family SUV that should definitely be on your list of cars to test drive. Prices start at $45,990 for the Sport FWD model, while the range-topping Azami LE AWD will set you back $73,881. 

All in all, we’re confident when we say that when it comes to price, features and safety, this is the best family car Australia has to offer.

To answer some of the most pressing questions when buying a new car, let's sum up!

When it comes to value for money, which car is best for families in 2022? 

Well, if you’re a large family of up to eight, we recommend the all-new Kia Carnival.

I want a car that performs well and can go off-road, what is the best family SUV in Australia?

We like the Kluger Grande AWD. Check out our guide on the Best Australian Small SUVs in 2022 for a complete overview.

Which is the most reliable family car?

You won't have a problem with any of the cars we've listed for you above as they all come with 5 years standard manufacturer's warranty!

Overall, which is the best family car in Australia? 

We are giving the top gong for best car to Mazda’s CX 9.

Looking at new cars for your family can be a daunting task – there are so many factors to consider and it's hard to know where to start. But don't worry, we're here to help! Let's sum up  some of the key things to keep in mind when you're searching for the perfect family car:

• Safety is always a priority
• Consider your needs in terms of space and storage
• Think about what features will make your life easier in a new vehicle
• Consider your budget. For more help on this, check out our guide on 'How Much You Should Spend On A Car'

After something a little bit smaller for the school run? Check out our ranking of Australia's Top 10 Hatchbacks

If you’re looking at obtaining car finance to fund your dream family ride, we’re here to help! At Driva we take the hard work out of the online car loan application process from start to finish, and provide our customers with a seamless and hassle-free finance experience.

Looking for an electric car instead? Check out our electric vehicle loan options to find your best rate.

So, that's it for our guide to the best family cars in Australia for 2022! We hope this has helped you make an informed decision and we wish you all the best in your search for the perfect car for your family. Happy motoring!