The Best Family Cars of 2019 (That Aren’t Boring)

by Mike Dickson · November 13, 2018

I was always under the impression that once you start a family you basically have to stop being cool. It’s that moment where the loud Mustang seems a bit childish and you start looking at minivans with a little less disgust. Well, the good news is the best family cars of 2019 will definitely make you look cool, but the bad news is they still can’t save you from those dad jeans.

In all honesty, it’s bittersweet when people tell me they are looking for a “family car”. On the one hand, it makes me happy to know they are doing what’s best for the family. But on the other hand, it makes sad to know they believe a “family car” means something boring.

I found that most people think in this way, including myself. The words “family car” really meant “SUV” or “boring sedan”. The inherent problem with this type of prejudice is that it limits your potential choices before you get to even see what’s out there.

And so for years, I didn’t even look at certain cars because I considered them “family cars”. I basically just labeled every sedan I saw as a “family car”. Just some boring box with a boring drivetrain carrying a boring family to the grocery store for more instant mashed potatoes. Or whatever families eat these days.

The Reality of “Family Cars”

The truth is that some of the best cars in the world can be considered “family cars” but they are often overlooked because of the connotation associated with the term “family car”. And this is a crying shame because I believe if people enjoyed driving more then they would be more engaged. And if there were more engaged drivers the roads would be safer. But that’s a different topic.

Now, I drive a “family car”. You can read all about my awesome family car in my review of the 2013 Audi S4. One time at work someone said I drive a “dad” car and I remember feeling dead inside. Then I realized they simply didn’t know how cool certain cars really are (like mine, duh). Maybe you don’t either and that’s okay. This is why we are here.

I encourage you to consider how much time you spend in the car lugging around those little loaves of love. I get that you might want something simple to be a bus for kids but there’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy the next 16 years of being a taxi driver.

The Best Family Cars of 2019 – No SUVs allowed

Here are some of the best family cars of 2019 from my perspective, be sure to read the disclaimer below!

Volkswagen Golf GTI
Audi A4
Porsche Macan
Audi S6
Cadillac CTS-V

That’s right it’s my obligation to present you with options outside of the coveted “SUV” class of oversized domestic busses. These things are huge and despite the fact that you think you might need one you really don’t.

Here’s the thing, it might be easy to stand up-right to help the kids into and out of the car, but outside of that they are a pain in the ass to drive, are impossible to navigate around garages, get horrible gas mileage, and are all around awful. You can read my reasoning behind avoiding SUVs as family cars in my post comparing crossovers and SUVs.

With that said, I have included ONE crossover on the list because I know right now you’re freaking out. This is all about the best family cars of 2019 – that aren’t boring. That means cars that are both easy for the family and fun to drive. So, if you’re looking for a practical, fun, and family-friendly alternative to a Tahoe, this is for you.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Price: $26,415+
Power: 220 hp/ 258 lb-ft torque
Fuel Economy: 25/33 mpg
Seating: 4
Style: 5-door hatchback
0-60: ~6.0 seconds
Sport Variant: VW Golf R

The hot-hatch segment is so grossly overlooked in the United States and it’s a shame. There are some great hatchbacks out there. The Golf GTI blends amazing performance with superb everyday driveability. Available with both a 6-speed manual or automatic the Golf GTI is fun, affordable, and family friendly.

Big brakes and a nifty sport limited-slip differential combined with an outstanding chassis make this mighty little hatchback a ton of fun to drive but also super easy to live with. LED running lights are standard and upper trims receive full LED headlight packages. A large infotainment system and available digital dash bring this car up-to-par with some far more expensive cars.

Sweet sport seats in the front won’t limit your availability to strap down two baby seats in the back. There’s plenty of headroom too, so ducking into the car to unbuckle or pick up a small child out of the seat isn’t as stressful on the back. The hatchback provides additional storage space but honestly, the backseat is pretty large. If you’re looking for a budget family car that’s easy to live with, a blast to drive, and affordable the Golf GTI is a great option.

The sportier VW Golf R made our list of the Best Hatchbacks of 2019 along with some other amazing hatchbacks.

Other great options:

Honda Civic Si
Ford Fiesta ST

Audi A4

Price: $36,000+
Power: 252 hp/ 273 lb-ft torque
Fuel Economy: 27/37 mpg
Seating: 4.5
Style: 4-door midsize luxury sedan
0-60: ~5.1 seconds
Sport Variant: Audi S4

This car is hot like like whoa. I mean that too. The Audi A4 is one of the best selling sedans in America and for good reason too. It’s a sensible size, comes with incredible Quattro all-wheel-drive, and more luxury than anything else in its price range. This is the car for sensible parents who want a blend of low-key performance, sweet amenities, and of course a little more room for junk in the trunk.

The back seat is more than spacious for 2 full grown adults let alone two toddlers or car seats. It’s got a top safety rating and it is devilishly handsome. The Audi A4 is available with some amazing trim extras like the beautiful digital dashboard, ambient lighting, and seat massagers (girlllll you heard dat right).

Aside from the looks and size, the Audi A4 drives amazingly well. Despite its small displacement engine, it rushes from 0-60 in just over 5 seconds, far beyond anything else in its class, and it comes with a seven-speed S Tronic dual-clutch transmission that shifts faster than you can blink. It has sportier suspension than you would imagine and if you buy a 2018 model you could find one with a manual.

All-in-all it’s an amazing value car that might not blow your mind with performance, but you will be damn happy your in it every day. You can read a full review and see some pictures of the amazing interior of the 2018 Audi S4 in our review.

Other great options:

Cadillac CTS
BMW 3-Series

Porsche Macan

Price: $47,800+
Power: 252 hp/ 273 lb-ft torque
Fuel Economy: 20/25 mpg
Seating: 5
Style: 4-door luxury crossover
0-60: ~6.3 seconds
Sport Variant: Sport Edition, S, GTS, Turb0, and Turbo Performance Package

For those who haven’t driven a Porsche, I will describe what it’s like in one word: bliss. It’s just the bee’s knees man. Even the base Macan is so good it makes me annoyed that I don’t have one yet. Full disclosure here, my wife and I are currently preparing to put a down payment on the Porsche Macan. I’m not being biased here, I’m just letting you know up-front – it’s that good.

Don’t be fooled by the base horsepower figures, the Macan is no slouch and it responds incredibly well to throttle input. The PDK transmission is so good it makes you hate everything else you drive. Interior is superbly constructed and wrapped tight. Quality of construction is unlike anything else in the price range. Truly – there is no other option in this segment.

The Macan is large enough to sit five, but for those looking to lug kids in and out of the back seat, it’s easy to stand up-right to give them a hand. This is usually why families prefer SUV’s over sedans, so if you have younger children this might be a good option for you. I always get this warm feeling when I see parents dropping their kids off at school in Macan. It’s like “yeah, they get it.”

All-wheel-drive is standard and if you’re really feeling ambitious give the 440-hp Turbo Performance Package a test drive and experience what 0-60 in about 4 seconds feels like in a crossover. I’ll understand if it has you considering dipping into that college fund you’ve been tucking away.

The Porsche Macan took the crown in our list of the Best Crossovers of 2019.

Other great options:

Jaguar F-Pace
Audi SQ5

Audi S6

Price: $71,900+
Power: 450 hp/ 406 lb-ft torque
Fuel Economy: 16/24 mpg
Seating: 4.5
Style: 4-door mid-size luxury sport sedan
0-60: ~3.9 seconds
Sport Variant: This is the sport variant bro

Okay, so let’s just get it out there. Is this car expensive? Yes, BUT-wait a second-so is that Suburban you’ve been thinking about. In fact, depending on the trim levels a Suburban can ring in pretty damn close to $70K. And while this may not seem practical (yet), I will explain why this car is so worth the money.

First of all this full-size sedan is packed with luxury, comes standard with the amazing Quattro all-wheel-drive, and will blast you into another dimension with its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that sounds like a T-Rex roaring when the gas pedal goes down. Don’t worry the rear seat has hook-ups for baby seats.

: Best family cars of 2019

Secondly, the trunk is large enough to fit golf clubs, a ski pass-through means you can store hockey sticks, and four-zone climate control means everyone’s happy. There is no other car on the market packing this much style, sophistication, comfort, and speed in one package. The best part is, it comfortably fits a family of four. Or three with a dog, or whatever your configuration is.

It hits this sort of sweet spot that so few performance cars can where it blends everyday driveability with extreme performance and absolutely no sacrifices. So, if you find yourself yearning to blast through the streets in a supercar, but need the space for a family this is the ultimate sedan for you. Unless you need to go offroad, in that case, see above.

Other great options:

Mercedes E43 AMG
BMW 550i X Drive

Cadillac CTS-V

Price: $86,995+
Power: 640 hp/ 630 lb-ft torque
Fuel Economy: 14/21 mpg
Seating: 4.5
Style: 4-door mid-size luxury sport sedan
0-60: ~3.6 seconds
non-Sport Variant: CTS, CTS-V Sport

I know this is the only American car on the list, but honestly American cars are boring. That’s the problem with them and that’s the whole point of this article. And as boring as American cars might be there is one that reigns supreme when it comes to family sedans and that, my friends, is the Cadillac CTS-V.

A gigantic 6.2-liter supercharged V8 produces a sound unlike anything on this earth and lets you know right out of the gate it means business. Huge Brembo brakes proudly show through the massive wheels on this Autobahn tested American maniac. It’s so fast it makes you literally wonder what the hell the Government doesn’t step in and do something about this.

Trust me when I say little Timmy can’t wait to have you drop him off in this thing and the teachers at the PTA meeting will all be shaking their heads in disbelief and envy when you slide into the parking lot sideways. And that’s because this chassis was designed on the infamous Nurburgring – the grueling Green Hell. The same track all the German toys get put through the wringer at.

Believe me, there is plenty of space in the cabin and plenty in the truck and it rides like you would expect a Cadillac to ride. And much like the Audi S6 if you can keep your composure behind the wheel then no one will be any the wiser to what’s underneath the hood. Amazing luxury amenities and stunning good looks make this a top pick if you can shell the cash.

The Cadillac CTS-V isn’t just one of the best family cars of 2019, it also made the list of the Best Four Door Sports Cars of 2019.

Other great options:

Audi S6
Mercedes E43 AMG

Choosing The Best Family Car

It’s not always easy to blend the needs of a growing family with the desires of the people that pay the bills. Having a family requires huge sacrifices, but is rewarding in all the right ways. Therefore, it’s my obligation to give you some resources to help you save some money on your next family car.

The best family car for you is the one that evokes the most emotion while still managing to remain fiscally responsible. These two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive. When you’re ready to buy be sure to consider the benefits of Certified Pre-Owned cars. A CPO car can offer great value by allowing you to capitalize on depreciation while still getting a factory warranty to go with it.

When it comes to finding which car is right for you always remember to ask yourself the following: