The Toyota Camry remains a smart choice for small families who want a fuel-efficient, easy-to-live-with midsize sedan that can handle daily commutes, weekend road trips, and everything in between. For 2025, every trim is now hybrid-only, delivering as low as 4.9 L/100 km in front-wheel drive models and just slightly higher with AWD. That means serious savings at the pump without sacrificing comfort or space.

Inside, the Camry now features a more upscale cabin, with available dual 12.3-inch screens and improved materials that give it a more refined feel. While new models start around $34,000, you’ll find plenty of well-equipped used Camrys from 2021 to 2024 — including gas-only trims — priced well below that. Whether you’re buying new or used, the Camry’s stellar reputation for reliability, safety, and resale value make it an ideal fit for families of three or four who want low operating costs and long-term peace of mind.

The Honda HR-V is a subcompact SUV that punches above its weight for small families or new parents who want something practical, affordable, and easy to park. While it’s Honda’s smallest SUV, it still offers generous second-row legroom, smart storage, and strong safety ratings. For 2025, all trims come standard with blind-spot monitoring, and Consumer Reports predicts excellent long-term reliability.

With a base price under $30,000 and plenty of well-equipped used models from 2023–2024 available for less, the HR-V is a great option for city-dwelling families who don’t need three rows but still want a flexible cabin and peace of mind on the road. It won’t win drag races, but it excels at daily driving and offers the higher ride height many parents appreciate.

If you’re searching for a family SUV that balances comfort, capability, and value, the Toyota RAV4 is an easy front-runner. It’s one of Canada’s best-selling vehicles for a reason: standard AWD across all trims, a spacious interior with loads of cargo capacity, and Toyota’s proven reliability. The 2024 and 2025 models continue to offer family-friendly tech and safety features, while earlier model years (2020–2023) present solid value on the used market.

The RAV4 comfortably seats five, offers over 1,000 litres of cargo space behind the second row, and includes standard features like heated seats and advanced driver assists. If you want a bit more efficiency, hybrid variants are widely available — and they’re worth a look. For active families who want one vehicle that can handle school runs, weekend getaways, and winter weather, the RAV4 delivers.

For families that value comfort and driving enjoyment as much as practicality, the Mazda CX-5 is a standout pick among the best family vehicle options. It blends upscale interior materials, a smooth ride, and sporty handling—something rarely found in a compact SUV. Available with either a naturally aspirated or turbocharged engine, the CX-5 offers a more refined experience than most rivals, without sacrificing everyday functionality.

Recent model years (2022–2025) come standard with AWD in Canada and include generous safety and tech features, even on the base trims. While cargo space is slightly below average for the segment, the CX-5 makes up for it with comfort-focused front seats, high-end finishes, and a premium feel that families upgrading from a sedan will appreciate.

With standard all-wheel drive, top-tier safety scores, and loads of interior space, the Subaru Forester is a practical and reliable choice for growing families—making it one of the best family vehicles in Canada. It’s particularly well-suited for active households who spend weekends driving to the cottage, the ski hill, or through unpredictable weather.

Recent model years (2022–2025) continue to prioritize visibility and functionality, offering tall windows, easy rear access, and a no-nonsense cabin design. The 2025 redesign brings upgraded safety tech and infotainment features while sticking to Subaru’s tried-and-true formula: a smooth ride, great ground clearance, and simple operation. If you’re looking for something safe, rugged, and family-friendly without the bulk of a larger SUV, the Forester delivers.

If you need space for a big crew without stepping into minivan territory, the Honda Pilot is one of the best midsize SUV options available in Canada. With seating for up to eight and a smooth, refined ride, it’s designed to make road trips and school runs as stress-free as possible.

Recent model years (2023–2025) brought a major redesign with more rugged styling, better off-road capability in the Trailsport trim, and a more spacious interior layout. Every trim comes with Honda Sensing driver-assist features, standard all-wheel drive, and a flexible cabin with optional captain’s chairs. While it’s not the most fuel-efficient pick in its class, the Pilot shines in comfort, safety, and practicality—especially if you’re regularly traveling with kids, pets, or gear.

The Toyota Highlander is a top contender for families needing a practical, refined, and well-equipped three-row SUV. Often ranked among the best 7-seater SUVs in Canada, it strikes a solid balance between space, safety, and long-term reliability — especially for buyers who prefer to avoid the size and fuel consumption of a full-blown full-size SUV.

Across recent model years (2022–2025), the Highlander has stayed fresh with a punchy turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive as standard, and a tech-filled cabin featuring an 8- or 12.3-inch infotainment screen depending on trim. It’s a great fit for families of five to seven, offering just enough third-row room for kids, and flexible storage when seats are folded. If you value low ownership costs and peace of mind, the Highlander delivers.

For anyone who wants their SUV to feel more like a luxury lounge on wheels, the Hyundai Palisade is a standout among the best three-row SUVs for Canadian families. It delivers high-end comfort, generous passenger space, and thoughtful tech—making it ideal for long drives, carpools, and everything in between.

Available in seven- or eight-passenger layouts, the Palisade blends practicality with premium design. Recent model years offer a quiet, smooth ride and a well-insulated cabin filled with modern conveniences like a large touchscreen, rear climate controls, and USB ports in all rows. If you’re hauling a big crew and still want a stylish, comfortable experience, the Palisade is hard to beat.

For families who prioritize space, comfort, and kid-friendly features above all else, the 2025 Honda Odyssey remains one of the best choices on the road. Redesigned with a sleeker look and updated tech for 2025, the Odyssey combines classic minivan practicality with thoughtful interior upgrades. With seating for up to eight and clever second-row “Magic Slide” seats, it’s designed to grow with your family.

Inside, the Odyssey’s revamped infotainment system now includes a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a new 12.8-inch rear entertainment screen. Cabin storage is excellent, and the reconfigurable seating setup makes loading up kids, strollers, and groceries a breeze. This is one of the few vehicles on the market that genuinely puts parents first — from rear-seat reminders to an intuitive digital gauge display. If you’re searching for a family-friendly minivan that doesn’t skimp on features, the Odyssey is hard to beat.