If you’ve got a growing family, then you might have your eye on one of these top family vehicles. Some have refused to abandon all traces of sportiness and spirited performance, while others have focused purely on safety and cargo space. A long list of options seems to be the thread that runs through them all. Each one of these top-rated family vehicles provides optional features, powertrains, and packages.
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Top 5 Family Vehicles of 2021
2021 Subaru Forester
The 2021 Subaru Forester is one of the best all-around family vehicles. It has a subdued wagon body style but comes with standard all-wheel drive and a gutsy suspension system that hints at the prospect of an off-road adventure. You can easily accommodate all your family’s gear with 76.1 cubic feet of cargo volume – the most on this list.
The 2021 Subaru Forester doesn’t compete with stylish crossovers. Instead, it offers functionality. The Forester has 8.7 inches of ground clearance and an off-road traction mode that lends confidence to any frazzled parent with 5 screaming soccer players in tow. Plus, the thin roof pillars and low beltline offer more outward visibility than other family vehicles.
Configurations and Specs
The 2021 Subaru Forester comes in five configuration levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. Like almost all Subarus, all-wheel drive is standard on all trims.
All Forester models are powered by the identical 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine which makes 182 horsepower and can tow 1500 lbs. A constantly variable automatic transmission (CVT) connects to Subaru’s trademark AWD system.
2021 Toyota Camry
Sedans aren’t nearly as popular as they were 10 years ago, but the Toyota Camry remains viable as a family vehicle for 2021. It provides options. There are 12 model trims for the mid-sized Camry. You can choose the powerful V6 engine, 4 cylinders, or even a hybrid. There’s a front-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive. Plus, you can run through an exhaustive list of accessories and packages.
At a Manufacturer’s Recommended Sale Price (MSRP) of $24,970, the 2021 Toyota Camry is the most affordable family hauler on this list. The exterior has been updated and refreshed for 2021. It’s edgier now with sharp lines cut across the frame. However, it still earns top safety marks for standard automatic emergency braking and exceptional crash test ratings.
Configurations and Specs
The 2021 Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan accessible in six configuration levels: LE, SE, SE Nightshade, XSE, XLE, and TRD. A four-cylinder and an accessible V6 engine are offered. You can also get all-wheel drive with the four-cylinder.
The base four-cylinder engine pairs with a slick eight-speed automatic, but its acceleration numbers are unsatisfactory. A less powerful version of this engine works with a battery and two electric motors in the Camry hybrid, which is not any more exciting to drive than the base model powertrain. The actual gem of the lineup is the 301-hp V-6 that is accessible on the XLE and XSE versions in addition to the TRD variant.
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2021 Toyota RAV4
According to auto sales statistics from CarSalesBase.com, the Toyota RAV4 is the top-selling SUV in the country. It has an attractive entry cost of $26,050. That’s not all that’s attractive about the RAV4 from Toyota. The RAV4 is stylish with beefy fenders, a sporty front grille, and dual chrome-tipped exhaust ports. There’s even a TRD off-road edition.
Beneath that stylish exterior is some important safety features. The 2021 RAV4 has blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, parking assistance, and 2 years of no-cost maintenance. There are advanced cameras and radar systems on the RAV4 that provide road sign recognition, lane-keeping functions, and pedestrian detection.
Configurations and Specs
The 2021 RAV4 is accessible in six configuration levels: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road, and Limited. All include a 203-horsepower four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on the majority of the configuration levels, and those provide all-wheel drive as an option. The Adventure and the TRD Off-Road come standard with an updated AWD system which may enhance traction on loose and slippery road surfaces.
2021 Audi e-tron
With an MSRP of $65,900, the 2021 Audi e-tron SUV is the priciest family hauler on this list. It’s a fully electric crossover that promises a luxurious ride quality and enough technology to impress a 14-year-old social media influencer. The Audi e-tron is ideal for people who like the idea of traveling 200 miles on a single charge but find the interior of a Tesla to be far too austere.
The interior of the Audi E-Tron SUV is a home away from home. The 2021 Audi E-Tron has supportive front seats for all-day driving and 57 cubic feet of cargo space. It runs whisper quiet and you’d be excused for having to double-check if the vehicle is actually turned on. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2021 Audi e-tron the rank of Top Safety Pick+.
Configurations and Specs
The new Premium trim, which now functions as the entry-level spec for the 2021 e-tron SUV. With the addition of the Premium spec, there are currently 3 configurations available for the 2021 e-tron SUV, namely – Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.
Beneath the e-tron’s bodywork are two electric motors, one situated in the front axle and the other in the rear. Collectively they provide computerized all-wheel drive, but the rear engine does the majority of the work. In regular driving scenarios, they create a joint 355 horsepower and 414 lb-ft of torque. But, putting the transmission in Sport mode temporarily unlocks 402 ponies and 490 lb-ft.
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2021 Honda CR-V
The 2021 Honda CR-V is a value-packed crossover SUV that has a hybrid fuel economy and a cavernous interior. According to Car and Driver, the Honda CR-V ranked number #5 in auto sales for 2020. The CR-V isn’t big on performance or style, but most family-minded buyers aren’t looking for those features.
It might not look like it from the exterior, but the interior of the CR-V opens up to 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded down. There’s a hands-free power liftgate, a customizable cubby in the center console, and the CR-V is a real fuel sipper. It gets 28 miles per gallon in the city and the hybrid version of the CR-V rakes in 40 MPG.
Configurations and Specs
The 2021 Honda CR-V is offered in four configuration levels: the LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. All include the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (190 horsepower, 179 lb-ft of torque) and a constantly variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.
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Summing it Up
These are five of the top value family vehicles on the market today. As you can see, these vehicles don’t try to step on one another’s toes too much. You have specialists and all-arounders. There’s only one sedan on this list, but new families will certainly find other small vehicles to fill their needs. There’s also only one luxury vehicle in this list to reflect the current temperament of car buyers. In this economy, less is more.
Right now, the RAV4 has a vice grip on the family vehicle segment. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has to be the winner of this group simply on the strength of new car sales alone. The value that Toyota has packed into the RAV4 will provide the benchmark for other automakers for years to come.