9 Best Cars for Moms Who Don't Want to Drive a Dorky Minivan (2024)

The 2022 Pacifica minivan is one of our all-time favorite family vehicles because of its incredible flexibility for people and cargo (both back rows disappear into the floor), car-like ride height and maneuverability, amazing tech (including Amazon Fire streaming) and power sliding doors that provide unbeatable ease of access. Add in the optional all-wheel drive (AWD), a plug-in hybrid system, an onboard vacuum plus mega-luxury trim levels, and buying almost anything else begins to seem like a mistake.

Despite the not-so-cool reputation minivans have, Rachel Rothman, head of auto testing for the Good Housekeeping Institute, is a big fan, especially of well-appointed ones like the Pacifica. "They're practical and they make my kids feel like we're going on a 'car adventure!" she says.

Subaru didn’t invent the high-riding, AWD station wagon, but it did popularize and perfect it. The 2023 Outback combines rugged all-season/all-condition confidence with poised driving manners, a well-earned reputation for durability and reliability and a range of trim packages and creature comforts for every budget.

During her test drive, Rothman found that while the Outback has plenty of ground clearance, its lower height compared to traditional SUVs made getting her family and their stuff in and out of the car easier than usual.

The Mazda3 is a perennial favorite for us because it delivers so much more than the sum of its apparent parts. Though it looks extremely luxurious both inside and out (almost Italian!), it's actually affordable, quite frugal with gas and drives with a sporting flair that affords quick and poised maneuvers.

Though we generally recommend hatchbacks for families given the additional practicality they offer, we found that the curvy hatch on the Mazda3 reduces both visibility and cargo capacity, so the four-door is the way to go here. Rothman notes that based on its size and appearance, the Mazda3 really makes an ideal car for urban families in particular.

Honda is legendary for its reliability and value. Its CR-V is all-new for 2023, with smoother styling inside and out, plus improved efficiency in its engine options. Even better: The front-wheel drive (FWD) Hybrid Sport version now achieves a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 40 MPG. (Note that AWD is also available.)

You'll also find more supportive front seats, as well as more legroom, a reclining feature and additional charger ports in row two, meaning greater comfort for everyone during long trips. Rothman found that these improvements led to a smoother ride, and she especially appreciated the improved interior cabin.

Volvo has a well-earned reputation for safety and durability, consistently innovating and refining. More recently, the brand has captured our affection with sleek and luxurious interiors that make sitting in the cabin feel like kicking back in an Eames lounge chair.

You'll find all that and more in the XC90, which features smooth hybrid powertrains, including a plug-in with 30 miles of range. Optional second-row captain’s chairs give way to a rear bench suited to younger occupants, meaning there's something for everyone. If you're debating, Rothman recommends going with the captain's chairs even with young kids, since she found that the separation makes it easier to pass through to the back row and keep distance between potentially rowdy second-row passengers.

Ford appropriated its popular sports coupe’s name for this family-friendly all-electric SUV — and while the GT model is a tire-smoking performer, the mainstream AWD model is plenty quick. But it’s the quiet motor, the 270-mile range, the roomy interior, the cool tech and the abundance of storage (including a big bin between the front seats and a drainable front trunk that’s perfect for loading with ice, like a cooler) that will win your family over.

After test driving the Mach-E, Laurie Jennings, the Good Housekeeping Institute's general manager, reported that it was a comfortable and practical vehicle for her and her young daughter — but that it also turned quite a few heads.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our team of engineers and product experts — many of whom also happen to be moms and dads — have extensive behind-the-wheel experience, regularly test-driving vehicles to find the ones that best meet a parent's needs.

For the past 15 years, the Good Housekeeping Institute has conducted a continuous rotation of test drives to assess vehicle performance in terms of smoothness, acceleration, handling, braking and more, plus convenience and ergonomics for attributes like usability of infotainment systems, comfort of seats, roominess, storage and other clever features. We also carefully research safety ratings. So whether you're looking for the best electric cars or the best fuel-efficient vehicles, we've got you covered.

Brett is a seasoned automotive lifestyle writer, having test driven dozens of vehicles for Car and Driver, Popular Mechanics and Road & Track, among others. With a background in child development he’s GH's go-to expert for family-friendly auto content.

All of the cars on this list have been road-tested by Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and lead engineer for the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and 15 years of experience in the auto industry test-driving cars, presenting at the NY Auto Show and delivering the annual Best Family Car Awards for Good Housekeeping in conjunction with Car and Driver.

With three children under the age of 6, she's been on plenty of chaotic car rides and thinks the best qualities in a mom-friendly vehicle include enough room to load all the things (sports gear, luggage, groceries, you name it) and a system that makes it easy to load car seats in and out.