Toyota Makes 2 of the Best Cars for Families

Toyota makes two of the best cars for families, the Highlander Hybrid and the Avalon. Which one is right for you?
Written by Andrew Kidd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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While many vehicles are marketed as
family cars
, a few stand out in particular—but two nameplates from
Toyota
recently won recognition for their family-friendly nature.
U.S. News & World Report
named both the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Toyota Avalon their “Best Family Car” for their respective segments.

Why the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a great family car

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid won U.S. News’ Best Hybrid and Electric SUV for Families distinction for the third consecutive year. The publication cited the Highlander’s spacious cabin and abundance of useful features that come standard as well as its great fuel economy.
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has one big advantage over its other hybrid SUV competition: it can seat eight when properly equipped with bench seats in the second and third rows. 
The Highlander also has one of the largest cargo volume measurements in its segment which, paired with an available hands-free liftgate, can make transporting anything from groceries to furniture a breeze.
The Highlander Hybrid also features available tri-zone automatic climate control and heated second-row seats and sunshades, meaning passengers in the rear don’t have to sacrifice comfort for utility. The Highlander also comes standard with a Wi-Fi hot spot and lots of USB ports for charging devices.
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Why the Toyota Avalon is a great family car

The 2022 Toyota Avalon won U.S. News’ Best Large Car for Families recognition. While SUVs and crossovers have dominated the automotive market, the Avalon still stands out as a great large car for people-moving.
The Avalon scored well in NHTSA and IIHS crash tests and J.D. Power has given it a great predicted reliability rating, meaning it’s one of the best choices for keeping families safe when traveling either on extended
road trips
or just across town.
It’s also loaded with safety tech, with features like automatic braking and lane keeping assist coming standard, while an optional 360-degree overhead camera helps drivers avoid obstacles, people or other cars when parking in crowded lots.
U.S. News also lauded the Avalon’s ride comfort, noting that families would appreciate the car’s smooth ride whether it’s taking the kids to school or going on a long family road trip.
It also might be your last chance to drive an Avalon; Toyota is discontinuing the sedan after the 2022 model year.

Car vs. SUV: Which is right for your family?

If you feel compelled to choose between these two top Toyotas, remember there’s no single answer that can definitively tell you what you should be driving. That’s ultimately up to you. 
But consider the advantages of an
SUV over a sedan
, such as increased space, more power and better visibility due to a higher seating position over the road.
Sedans tend to be more affordable than SUVs, are cheaper to insure and are generally easier to maneuver than their larger counterparts. They’re also more economical; sedans usually sip less gas than their non-hybrid counterparts. 
But in this case, the Highlander Hybrid nets up to 36 mpg city/ 35mpg highway compared with the Avalon’s 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway rating.

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