Best Cars for Families With School-Age Kids

As kids prepare to start elementary school, they begin transitioning out of their harnessed car seats and into boosters or sitting with just a seat belt. Your not-so-little ones will gain newfound independence as they begin entering and exiting the car on their own, which makes ease of access a key factor. For this category, we specifically screened for vehicles with rear seats that were easy to get into.

Another consideration: As older kids lose the benefit of a booster seat, it can be harder for them to see out the rear windows. So we explicitly looked for cars with low beltlines that give kids access to views of the outside world. After all, it’s better for your kids to be staring at the scenery than annoying each other on long road trips.

Three-row vehicles can also be big aids for this age group, as sleepovers, playdates, and carpools become more common. And cargo capacity is more important than ever, for big-box store runs, as well as bicycles and musical instruments.

In theory your kids won’t be as messy at this age, so easy-to-clean seating surfaces are less critical. But you might want to consider a rear DVD player or, at the least, multiple power outlets and USB ports to keep the kids charged and entertained on longer trips.

You'll find specific savings for each model, including other trim variations, on the Consumer Reports car model pages linked below.

Kia Sorento

Our top-rated midsized SUV provides the room and space to keep a family comfortable and to bring along their gear. Rear-seat access is commendable for an SUV. In fact, it’s better than in many cars, which sit lower to the ground. The third row is tight for adults, but kids shouldn’t have any trouble climbing in or getting comfortable. You’ll be more than impressed with its smooth V6 powertrain and 21 mpg overall. Rear-seat passengers have access to a USB port and higher-voltage power outlets.

Read our complete Kia Sorento road test.

Toyota Highlander

Big doors, flat sills, and a low step-in height give the Highlander almost minivanlike access—perfect for young kids. Its low beltline allows kids to see outside ... not just the back of the front-seat headrest. The Highlander’s smooth V6 drivetrain returns a reasonable 20 mpg overall, and the hybrid model achieved an impressive 25 mpg. Its comfy ride makes this SUV an easy-to-drive daily companion. Interior room (with seating for up to eight) is generous, thanks to its wide third-row seat, and cargo space is quite good.

Read our complete Toyota Highlander road test.

Honda Accord

If an SUV isn’t to your liking, the family-friendly Accord offers the agility and frugality not found in SUVs. Fuel economy from the four-cylinder engine is excellent at 30 mpg overall—which can take the sting out of long commutes, road trips, and the day-to-day stop-and-go consumption of the family taxi. The V6 model gives a more spirited punch but sacrifices 4 mpg overall. Front and rear cabin access is very easy, and the windows offer a satisfying view out.

Read our complete Honda Accord road test.

Lexus ES

The upscale ES is luxurious and pampering to its occupants, but it isn’t as exciting to drive as the Accord. We were impressed by how easy it is for kids and young adults to get into the back. The car’s stylishly sloping roofline will make adults have to duck their heads to get back there, but it poses no problem for kids. The 3.5-liter V6 returned a commendable 25 mpg overall, with the Hybrid model proving considerably more frugal at 36 mpg overall, including 44 mpg on the highway. Reliability has been excellent.

Read our complete Lexus ES road test.

Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the November 2016 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

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