The 2026 Best Cars For Families
About this episode
A deep dive into the 2026 best family cars with Zach Dole from US News & World Report, highlighting Hyundai's dominance in SUVs and EVs, the value of the Kia Carnival minivan, and the evolving role of trucks as family vehicles. The discussion covers safety, reliability, and family-friendly features shaping the rankings. The episode also touches on NASCAR's recent Las Vegas race with insights on Denny Hamlin's milestone win, and practical car care tips focusing on exterior cleaning products from Chemical Guys. The hosts share perspectives on EV trends and upcoming vehicle redesigns, blending data with real-world feedback.
surround view camera systems
"So surround view camera systems, automatic emergency braking, heated seats, charge port availability."
These camera systems show you what's all around your car on a screen, so you can see things you might miss when parking or driving slowly.
Surround view camera systems use multiple cameras around the vehicle to provide a 360-degree bird's eye view, helping drivers park and maneuver safely in tight spaces.
automatic emergency braking
"So surround view camera systems, automatic emergency braking, heated seats, charge port availability."
This system helps stop your car if it thinks you might crash, even if you don't press the brakes in time.
Automatic emergency braking (AEB) is a safety feature that detects potential collisions and automatically applies the brakes to prevent or reduce the severity of an accident.
charge port availability
"So surround view camera systems, automatic emergency braking, heated seats, charge port availability."
This means the car has a place where you can plug in a cable to charge its battery if it's electric or a hybrid.
Charge port availability refers to whether a vehicle has a port for plugging in to recharge its battery, important for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
heated seats
"So surround view camera systems, automatic emergency braking, heated seats, charge port availability."
These seats can get warm to keep you cozy when it's cold outside.
Heated seats are a comfort feature that warms the seat cushions and backrests, providing extra comfort in cold weather.
IHS
"Are you looking at IHS testing results or something like that? Yeah, totally. So we have IHS results, also the NHTSA results..."
IHS is a company that tests how safe cars are in crashes and shares those results.
IHS Markit is a company that provides automotive safety testing and data, including crash test results used to evaluate vehicle safety.
NHTSA
"So we have IHS results, also the NHTSA results, and then the feature availability between the standard and available features."
NHTSA is a government group that tests cars to see how safe they are and shares that information with people.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a U.S. government agency responsible for vehicle safety standards and crash testing to help consumers understand vehicle safety.
adaptive cruise control
"So if a vehicle offered something as standard like adaptive cruise and maybe lane change assist, that would be a higher preference..."
This system helps keep your car at a safe distance from the car in front by slowing down or speeding up automatically.
Adaptive cruise control is an advanced driver assistance feature that automatically adjusts a vehicle's speed to maintain a safe following distance from the car ahead.
lane change assist
"So if a vehicle offered something as standard like adaptive cruise and maybe lane change assist, that would be a higher preference..."
This feature watches the areas beside your car that are hard to see and warns you if it's not safe to change lanes.
Lane change assist helps drivers safely change lanes by monitoring blind spots and alerting or assisting if another vehicle is detected.
Hyundai Palisade
"I mean, they absolutely dominated the SUV component of this of our awards with wins for the Tucson, Tucson hybrid, Palisade hybrid and the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 EVs. ... You jump up to the Palisade and that's I would argue kind of a luxury vehicle in a in a non luxury segment. I mean, really, really well rounded."
The Palisade hybrid is a bigger Hyundai SUV that feels fancy and comfortable but uses both gas and electricity to save on fuel.
The Hyundai Palisade hybrid is a midsize SUV that offers a hybrid powertrain, combining luxury-like features and comfort with improved fuel efficiency compared to traditional gasoline models.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
"I mean, they absolutely dominated the SUV component of this of our awards with wins for the Tucson, Tucson hybrid, Palisade hybrid and the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 EVs. ... And Hyundai dominating both of the EVs in this in this list, the compact with the five and and midsize with the nine."
The Ioniq 5 is a small electric SUV from Hyundai that looks modern and has lots of new technology, running only on electricity.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a compact all-electric SUV known for its modern design, advanced technology, and competitive electric range, representing Hyundai's push into the EV market.
hybrid system
"And with the fuel efficiency of the hybrid system, I think that's really kind of the no brainer of the list. But, you know, and sort of, you know, that's more economical option."
A hybrid system is when a car uses both gas and electricity to help it go farther and use less fuel.
A hybrid system combines a traditional internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
luxury vehicle in a non luxury segment
"You jump up to the Palisade and that's I would argue kind of a luxury vehicle in a in a non luxury segment. I mean, really, really well rounded."
Sometimes cars that are not from fancy brands still have nice features and feel like luxury cars, even though they cost less.
This concept refers to vehicles that offer luxury-like features and comfort but are priced and marketed within mainstream, non-luxury vehicle segments.
Kia Carnival
"You have the Kia Carnival as best minivan with the Toyota Santa, Toyota Sienna, excuse me, being a finalist"
The Kia Carnival is a family van that has lots of space inside and is good for carrying people and stuff. It also has a version that uses both gas and electricity to save fuel.
The Kia Carnival is a minivan known for its spacious interior, family-friendly features, and competitive pricing. It offers a hybrid option and is considered a top choice in the minivan segment for comfort and value.
Toyota Sienna
"You have the Kia Carnival as best minivan with the Toyota Santa, Toyota Sienna, excuse me, being a finalist"
The Toyota Sienna is a family van that uses both gas and electricity to save fuel. It’s known for being reliable and good for families.
The Toyota Sienna is a minivan that offers a hybrid powertrain as standard, known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and family-friendly features. It is a strong competitor in the minivan market.
interior space and cargo space
"But in some instances, the interior space and cargo space have put one vehicle over another. Like you mentioned, they're really all fantastic."
Interior space is how much room there is inside the car for people, and cargo space is how much room there is for stuff like bags or groceries.
Interior space refers to the amount of room available inside a vehicle for passengers, while cargo space is the area available for storing luggage or other items. These dimensions are important factors for family vehicles.
EV feel
"The Accord hybrid, I think the driving experience is a little bit better. It has that like EV feel almost at the low end."
An EV feel means the car drives smoothly and quietly, like an electric car, especially when starting or going slow.
An 'EV feel' refers to the driving sensation similar to electric vehicles, often characterized by smooth, quiet acceleration and instant torque delivery, even in hybrid vehicles.
full size pickup truck
"So we went with the Honda Ridgeline in the midsize segment and the Toyota Tundra in the full size segment for our best pickup trucks for families."
A full size pickup truck is a big truck that can carry and tow a lot, good for families who need a strong vehicle.
A full size pickup truck is a large truck designed for heavy-duty work and maximum cargo and towing capacity, often used by families needing substantial utility and space.
midsize pickup truck
"So we went with the Honda Ridgeline in the midsize segment and the Toyota Tundra in the full size segment for our best pickup trucks for families."
A midsize pickup truck is a medium-sized truck that’s easier to drive and park than big trucks but still good for carrying stuff.
A midsize pickup truck is a smaller, more maneuverable truck compared to full-size pickups, offering a balance of utility, efficiency, and comfort, often preferred for everyday use and family needs.
subcompact SUV
"And that's kind of our reason why we haven't included subcompact SUVs because while they are great and practical and flexible,"
A subcompact SUV is a small SUV that is bigger than a small car but still easy to drive in the city. It has more space than a small car but less than bigger SUVs.
A subcompact SUV is a small sport utility vehicle that offers more space and higher seating position than a compact car but is smaller than a compact SUV. They are practical for urban driving but may have limited cargo and passenger space.
midsize SUV
"And that's kind of where the midsize cars and the compact SUVs and midsize SUVs really take over."
A midsize SUV is a bigger SUV that has lots of room inside for people and things. Families like them because they can carry more stuff and people comfortably.
A midsize SUV is a sport utility vehicle larger than a compact SUV, offering more interior space and often more powerful engines. They are commonly chosen by families for their spaciousness and versatility.
daily driver
"There are thousands of cars that gets on eBay from rare finds like the Pontiac Grand Prix SJ to unique builds in your next daily driver and now a new seamless way to buy them."
A daily driver is the car you use every day to get around, like going to work or school. It needs to be reliable and easy to use.
A daily driver is a vehicle that is used regularly for everyday transportation, as opposed to a collector or weekend car. It typically balances reliability, comfort, and practicality.
safety ratings
"Tundra was the kind of came out a big winner because it's safety ratings from, from both of those agencies were considerably better than, than all the domestics."
Safety ratings tell you how safe a car is in crashes or accidents. They help you know which cars protect people the best.
Safety ratings are evaluations provided by agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that assess how well a vehicle protects occupants in crashes and its ability to avoid accidents.
federal tax credit
"It's something I've been talking about a lot with guests in the podcast lately because of the lack of the federal tax credit, the changes in the EV market with terrorists and everything else."
The federal tax credit is money the government gives back to people who buy electric cars, making them cheaper. If this credit changes, it can make electric cars cost more or less.
The federal tax credit is a government incentive that reduces the cost of purchasing an electric vehicle by allowing buyers to deduct a portion of the vehicle's price from their federal taxes. Changes to this credit can significantly affect EV sales.
charging infrastructure
"And I think the charging infrastructure needs to get a lot better for it to become like the no brainer."
Charging infrastructure means the places where you can plug in and recharge an electric car. Having lots of these spots makes owning an electric car easier.
Charging infrastructure refers to the network of electric vehicle charging stations that allow EV owners to recharge their car batteries. The availability and convenience of these stations are critical for widespread EV adoption.
vehicle redesign
"...there's also some vehicles on here that might be a little bit older in their development cycle and they could be facing a redesign very soon..."
A vehicle redesign means the car gets a big update with new looks and features to make it better and more modern.
A vehicle redesign refers to a significant update or overhaul of a car model, often including changes to styling, technology, and mechanical components. Redesigns typically occur every several years to keep a model competitive and modern.
Mazda CX-5
"...we also had somebody drive the 2026 CX-5. All of those are family type vehicles..."
The Mazda CX-5 is a small SUV that is fun to drive and has a nice inside, making it good for families who want something practical and comfortable.
The Mazda CX-5 is a compact SUV known for its engaging driving dynamics, upscale interior, and good fuel economy. It is a common choice for small families seeking a stylish and practical vehicle.
water spots
"car, you don't dry it quick enough, you get water spots because you just have little pieces of dirt that are that the rain drops or the water drops form around. And when the water dries, the dirt stays."
Water spots happen when water dries on your car and leaves tiny marks or dirt behind. These spots can make your car look dirty or stained.
Water spots are marks left on a car's paint when water droplets dry and leave behind dirt or minerals. These spots can be difficult to remove and may damage the paint if not treated properly.
Chemical Guys
"But as for all this exterior stuff, I mean, Chemical Guys has a huge selection. Now, just focus on the Mr. Pink, because that's what I've been using, it's what I like, and it's what has worked for me."
Chemical Guys is a company that makes products to help clean and protect your car, like soaps and waxes.
Chemical Guys is a popular automotive care company known for its wide range of car cleaning and detailing products, including soaps, waxes, and sprays designed to protect and enhance vehicle finishes.
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