10 Great Family Vehicles to Consider in 2019
Canadian families come in many different sizes with many different needs, but most of them want to ride in a vehicle that offers safety, convenience and versatility—all at a great price.
What are some of the best options on the market in 2019? Here’s our list…
Toyota Sienna
The only minivan with all-wheel drive, the reliable Toyota Sienna provides peace of mind during the drive to school or the arena, regardless of road or weather conditions. Families will appreciate Toyota Safety Sense P, which includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, as well as the possibility of towing a 3500-pound (1588-kg) camping trailer thanks to the 296-horsepower V6 and towing package.
Honda Odyssey
The highly versatile Honda Odyssey offers a comfortable cabin that can fit up to six child-safety seats and is full of the technological gadgets that both parents and kids love. The Cabin Talk system allows you to speak to your children through a PA system, which is great if they’re far away in the third row or wearing headphones connected to the rear-seat infotainment system. Meanwhile, the “How much farther?” app gives rear-seat occupants a graphic display of the journey still ahead. There's even an integrated vacuum for keeping the interior clean.
Subaru Forester
Completely redesign for 2019, the Subaru Forester remains a family—and dog—favourite. The much wider trunk opening and the available power liftgate increase convenience. Fuel economy, durability and safety are other strong arguments here. Most of the trim levels come with the EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assist features. Subaru’s acclaimed AWD system also makes the Forester a capable vehicle off the beaten path, like around the cottage.
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
The Golf and Golf GTI are two of The Car Guide’s Best Buys for 2019, and the family-friendly Golf Alltrack wagon deserves similar praise. With car-like handling and generous cargo capacity (1,883 litres with the rear seatbacks folded down), it’s a great alternative to larger SUVs. Did we mention it offers all-wheel drive and plenty of ground clearance for harsh driving conditions? And kudos to VW for the ease of operation of its infotainment system.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Want value? You can hardly go wrong with the Hyundai Santa Fe, which has been totally redesigned for 2019 and continues to offer plenty of features and amenities for your money. The available second-row sliding function maximizes interior space, while the world’s first Safe Exit Assist system locks the doors if a moving vehicle is approaching from behind—ideal with young children on-board. Don’t miss the panoramic sunroof!
Chevrolet Traverse
In addition to being one of the most spacious SUVs in its class, the Chevrolet Traverse has many advanced features that make life easier for stressed-out drivers and busy families. When you’re parking or traveling at low speeds, the Surround Vision technology uses four strategically placed cameras to create a virtual bird’s-eye view of the vehicle. Meanwhile, the available Teen Driver technology allows you to set a speed alert, a volume limit and more—and with the industry’s first and only in-vehicle report card, it’s easy to track your teen’s driving performance.
Subaru Ascent
Just like the Forester, the adventure-ready, three-row Subaru Ascent is an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It comes standard with all-wheel drive, the EyeSight advanced safety system and a new turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. You can fit up to 2,449 litres of cargo when all the rear seats are folded. Large families will also appreciate the 19 cupholders and the storage compartment behind the third row to stash weekend essentials.
Ram 1500
Today’s full-size pickup trucks are not just work tools; they are multi-purpose vehicles the entire family can use and enjoy on a daily basis. None is better than the Ram 1500, winner of The Car Guide’s Best Buy title for 2019. The cabin is roomier and more luxurious than rivals, the ride is super-smooth and the new eTorque mild hybrid system provides reduced fuel consumption for both the 3.6-litre V6 and the 5.7-litre HEMI V8.
Volvo V60
The Volvo V60 compact wagon has just been given a stylish new look and offers one of the best interiors of 2019 according to WardsAuto magazine. Consider the more rugged Cross Country model with standard all-wheel drive for your backcountry adventures. All V60s offer the brand’s renowned City Safety system that actively prevents collisions, so your loved ones will always be protected.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder has a standard towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. It’s also one of the most affordable and fuel-efficient three-row midsize SUVs on the market, leaving you more money to cater to your family’s needs. There are great innovations like the Rear Door Alert system that reminds you to check the rear seats before exiting the vehicle so no child is accidentally left behind. And thanks to the EZ Flex seating system, you can tilt and slide the second row (even with a child seat attached) to facilitate access to the third row.