It seems like America’s roadways are often packed, no, littered with sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossovers of every shape and size. They’re popular for a reason; people dig having a little better view of the road ahead, and they’re often well-appointed with modern safety equipment. However, it must be said that the wholesome, modern sedan still gets the job done, and often costs less at the dealership and the pump.
Automakers’ sedan offerings might not have as much passenger or cargo space as larger SUV or minivans, but if you've discovered you don't actually use that extra capacity, you'll realize that less space doesn't necessarily mean reduced practicality. A midsize sedan is perfectly suited for a family and all their luggage. Heck, they’re often dubbed family sedans for a reason! Plus, sedans are often more nimble, more fuel-efficient, and offered at lower a price than larger vehicles. We'd say that's a win.
Advanced safety features that were once exclusive to luxury cars are now standard on many family sedans, whether they fit into the compact, mid-size, or full-size segment. The same goes for touchscreen infotainment systems with popular features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Sadly, while Chevy, Ford, and other domestic automakers no long offer sedans (like the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Taurus, among many others), there are still ample options from other brands. Check out our rankings of the best sedans below to determine what could fit your lifestyle.
The Best Family Sedans of 2025
- BMW 330i
- Genesis G80
- Honda Accord and Honda Accord Hybrid
- Hyundai Sonata
- Kia K5
- Mazda Mazda3
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Nissan Altima
- Subaru Legacy
- Toyota Camry
BMW 330i
Best for: Those who seek a little Ultimate Driving Machine DNA in their everyday steed.
Long considered one of the best cars to ever to come out of Germany, the BMW 3 Series is as fitting as ever among vehicles that compete in the family sedan segment. At its absolute base level is the 330i, which is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It’s punchy, thrifty, and surprisingly smooth in its overall operation. Like its German sedan forefathers, it sports excellent highway manners and a very good ride quality.
When it comes to fitting inside, there’s ample room throughout. Front seats occupants enjoy 38.7 inches of headroom, whereas those in back have a hair less at 37.6. Shoulder room comes in at 56 and 54.6, respectively, and while front seat leg room is a commodious 42 inches, the back area is just a little cramped at 35.2. Connectivity-wise, the 330i comes standard with Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Genesis G80
Best for: Families who value white-glove service
We love what they’re doing over at Genesis. As a relatively new manufacturer, the brand has appeared willing to take a few risks and forge its own path, resulting in some great-looking vehicles that really push the envelope. Its flagship mid-size car, the G80, is no exception.
For a base MSRP that sits below $58k in the new car market, the Genesis G80 packs standard convenience features like power-folding mirrors, puddle lamps, a hands-free smart trunk with auto open, and the Highway Driving Assist 2 suite of advanced driver-assistance features. It comes with three years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance, plus access to Genesis Concierge and Genesis Service Valet. There’s also the aptly named Electrified G80, the EV (electric vehicle) version, to consider.
Honda Accord and Honda Accord Hybrid
Best for: Families who want style with their space
We’ve long considered the Honda Accord to be among the best midsize sedans on the market, and Honda doubled down on it with a complete redesign back in the 2023 model year. The new Accord has conservative, yet somewhat muscular styling, and it continues its elongated, coupe-like profile. Inside, the Accord features a clean cabin design. Buyers can select options like leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power moonroof.
The Accord comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It sends 192 hp to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). If you want more power, there’s the Accord Hybrid, which combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to make 204 horsepower. The Accord lineup comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features that includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition.
Hyundai Sonata
Best for: Families looking for value without sacrificing tech or safety
In the past decade and a half, Hyundai has elevated the Sonata from an also-ran to one of the leaders in the mid-size family sedan pack. It offers strong reliability ratings and an impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Sonata got a nice refresh for the 2024 model year, too, with a sleek new look, sporty three-spoke aluminum steering wheel, and a new curved display topping the dash. It really is a cut above its smaller sibling the Elantra.
Last year also marked the first year that all-wheel drive (AWD) was available on the Sonata, though the racier Sonata N Line continues to be front-wheel drive (FWD) only. The base powertrain makes 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the N Line adds a turbocharger for 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
The Sonata has an impressive list of standard safety features as well. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-tracing assist, and a driver-drowsiness monitor. The Sonata is also available with Remote Smart Parking Assist, which allows the driver to remotely pull the vehicle out of or into a tight parking spot.
Kia K5
Best for: Families who want to feel like they're driving a sports coupe
With futuristic front-end styling and a fastback profile, the Kia K5 is a head-turner. Those who go for the bold styling of the K5 should also be rewarded with solid reliability and a long list of standard features. The K5 comes with an 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also comes standard with forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver-attention monitoring, and automatic high beam headlights.
The K5’s base engine is the same 191-hp turbocharged four-cylinder used in the Hyundai Sonata. Also available on the K5 is the turbocharged engine that makes 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, but the turbo-four is paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The K5’s ride is comfortable, though not quite as sporty as cars like the Accord. And, Honda can't match Kia's impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Mazda Mazda3
Best for: Families who are after a sleek, fun-to-drive value
The Mazda3 is actually offered in two different body styles: You can get it as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback. Let's take a closer look at the sedan.
Though we don’t have any true sports cars on this list of family vehicles, Mazda’s compact car could certainly be said to offer a sporty driving experience. With premium gasoline fueling the available turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, it’ll produce 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. Fill the tank with lower-octane fuel and those ratings drop a bit, but even then the Mazda3 can give the Volkswagen Jetta GLI a run for its money. If your family can live with the head room, which measures 38 inches up front and 37.3 in the back, this is a great little package to consider.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Best for: Families willing to pay for the badge
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class got a full redesign for the 2024 model year, with a tech-forward philosophy and a sleek new look that borrows only the best elements from the brand’s EV designs. As a Mercedes, the E-Class naturally sits at the high end of the price range, competing against other German luxury options like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Volvo S90. It works hard to justify your hard-earned scratch, though.
The latest E-Class 350 sedan comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. If that doesn’t do it for you, the E 450's powertrain should: That swaps in a turbocharged inline six-cylinder making 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.
The cabin places a strong emphasis on tech-supported comfort, with standard features like a 14.4-inch center display and a leather-covered steering wheel with touch-capacitive buttons. Families who really want the wow factor can opt for the Superscreen Package, which adds a dedicated 12.3-inch display for the front passenger, complete with selfie video capability.
Nissan Altima
Best For: Drama-free commuting in a handsomely styled sedan
The Nissan Altima is a comfortable, well-rounded family sedan that gets the job done, and it’s still fresh off a 2023 model year that brought revised exterior styling and some minor interior upgrades. A newly available 12.3-inch screen brings vibrant colors and graphics to the cabin, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Altima comes standard with a 188-hp four-cylinder engine. It routes power to the front wheels through a CVT. Buyers can also select AWD, although that drops output to 182 hp. Sadly, Nissan has dropped the available 248-hp turbocharged engine option for 2025. The Altima comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, providing a generous suite of driver assistance features.
Subaru Legacy
Best for: Families who want SUV capability without buying an SUV
Believe it or not, the Subaru Legacy sedan is built on the same platform as the very popular Subaru Outback. It also shares many attributes with the Outback, including its comfortable driving style. Like almost all Subarus, the Legacy comes standard with symmetrical AWD and a standard CVT. Factor in its 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, and 39.5 inches of rear-seat legroom, and you have a spacious and capable sedan, one that starts at about $25,000.
The Legacy comes standard with a 182-hp horizontally opposed boxer-style engine. A sportier 260-hp turbocharged four-cylinder is available. The Legacy also features Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology. Though you might not always be out on an adventure, the sensible cockpit design and spacious cabin make the Legacy an incredibly versatile car for everyday life. If you’re after some value in an AWD-equipped package, test drive one soon because Subaru has announced that 2025 will be the final year for the Legacy.
Toyota Camry
Best for: When you want fuel economy with your functionality
With its recent redesign, the Toyota Camry got sharp new looks and a standard hybrid powertrain. That provides good acceleration, but the sporty persona is largely gone. However, the upside is a combined fuel economy of 51 mpg when equipped with FWD, and only slightly less with AWD.
The Camry’s cockpit layout is functional and straightforward, and, depending on trim level, quite luxuriious. It features standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an intuitive infotainment system with an 8-inch screen. Every 2025 Camry comes with Toyota Safety System 3.0, which includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and traffic-sign recognition.
