Choosing the right car is important for ensuring the comfort, protection, and convenience of your loved ones while travelling. With numerous alternatives in the market, it could be overwhelming to determine which cars are best for you.
This blog will discuss the 10 best cars to buy in Australia, thinking about several elements, including safety functions, spaciousness, reliability, car transmission, fuel efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Top 10 Most Trending Cars for Family
1. Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has long been identified as a reliable and realistic family automobile available in 4 trims: LE, SE, XSE, and TRD. It has a comfortable and spacious indoors, first-rate gasoline efficiency, and various advanced safety features.
This Front-wheel drive has a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, a horsepower of 203 and 184 lb-ft of torque. With its recognition for reliability, the Camry remains a pinnacle desire for families in Australia. Some other standard features include a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen display.
Additional features include a JBL sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and a wireless charging pad. Australia is also home to some of the best repair shops, and you can find one of the toyota specialist mechanic easily.
2. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-five is a compact SUV and among the most famous small family SUV in Australia. It comes with powerful and efficient engines, a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine or a 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. With its sleek and stylish design, the car is a perfect mix of fashion, performance, and practicality.
With its comfortable and spacious seating, it can accommodate up to 5 passengers, has ample cargo area, and superior safety technologies. The CX-5 is an excellent preference for small families seeking versatility and reliability. It is among small family SUV Australia cars. Other advanced safety features include smart city brake support, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
3. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a versatile and successful crossover that suits each city and adventurous roads. It is available in 7 trims: Base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Wilderness, Onyx Edition XT, and Limited XT. It provides enough space for passengers and loads alongside Subaru’s renowned all-wheel drive system for more suitable safety and balance.
It comes with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower, and 176 lb-ft of torque or a 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Other additional features include a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, a Harman Kardon sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
4. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V has constantly been a favourite amongst households and is available in 5 trims: LX, EX, Sport, EX-L, and Touring. Its spacious cabin, comfortable ride, and comprehensive protection capabilities make it a realistic choice. It has a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque.
The CR-V also offers fuel-efficient engines and recognition for reliability. It comes in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and has standard features like a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen display, a panoramic sunroof, a wireless charging pad, and a Honda Sensing suite of safety features.
5. Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a fashionable and well-built SUV that offers driving enjoyment. It comes with a powerful 2.0L TSI engine with 190 PS and 320 Nm of torque. The Tiguan is a top contender for families looking for luxury and practicality with its premium indoors, generous cargo area, and superior protection functions.
This All-wheel drive has a cargo space of 615 litres. Other additional features include an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, LED headlights and taillights, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, park assist and six airbags. It has a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA.
6. Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize SUV that offers abundant space, consolation, and safety functions. It has three powertrain options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, or a hybrid powertrain. With its clean ride, user-friendly generation, and aggressive pricing, Santa Fe can seat up to seven passengers and gives wonderful value to families.
Its additional features include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trim levels offer a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a Bose sound system. It also comes with different safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist.
7. Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is a flexible and family-pleasant SUV that comes in two powertrain choices: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine or a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. It can seat up to eight passengers, and its second and third rows of seats are both foldable, providing a lot of cargo space, making it a snug ride with a spacious interior.
Other features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. It gives superior protection functions, a consumer-friendly infotainment machine, and a strong warranty, making it a dependable and practical choice for households.
8. Ford Everest
The Ford Everest is a rugged and capable SUV that comes with two powertrain choices: a 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 3.2L five-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. It mixes off-street functionality with family-friendly functions and features like a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
With its seven-seat configuration, sufficient cargo area, and advanced protection technologies, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist, it is one of the best cars to buy in Australia in 2026.
9. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid SUV that gives spectacular gasoline performance and environmental friendliness, and has a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors. It provides spacious 7-passenger seating, with foldable second and third rows of seats.
It has superior safety functions like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. It also has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It has the potential to pressure electric-powered power, making it an appealing alternative for eco-conscious families.
10. Toyota Kluger
The Toyota Kluger is a spacious and comfortable 7-seater SUV that is available in petrol and hybrid models. Its robust V6 engine, advanced safety technology, and popularity for reliability make it an ideal family car in Australia. It has an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It has heated and ventilated front seats, a power tailgate and is available in a variety of colours.
What to look for before buying a family car
When choosing a family car, there are some factors to consider before buying:
1. Safety features
Make sure that your car has advanced safety features such as an Anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and a reversing camera. To check if the safety features are running correctly, you can visit any service centre or can search on Google car diagnostics near me. These features greatly improve the safety of your family while travelling.
2. Space and Seating
Evaluate the space and seating in your vehicle so that your family and other passengers can sit comfortably. Consider the number of seats, legroom, headroom and luggage space to ensure everyone has enough space to sit and commute comfortably.
3. Reliability and Durability
Look for a vehicle known for reliability and durability. See customer reviews and reliability ratings to assess your vehicle’s long-term performance and maintenance costs. A reliable car saves you from unexpected breakdowns and repair costs.
4. Fuel Efficiency
To save money on fuel and reduce your carbon footprint, consider your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Look for vehicles with hybrid or electric options, as they tend to have good fuel economy. In addition, you can also consult a car transmission specialist to learn about fuel-saving technologies such as idling stop systems and regenerative braking for improved efficiency.
5. Technology and Connectivity
Modern family cars are often equipped with advanced technology features such as touchscreen infotainment systems, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone integration and rear seat entertainment systems. These features enhance the driving experience and help families enjoy long-distance travel.
6. Child-Friendly Features
If you have young children, consider features such as built-in booster seats, rear door child safety locks and easy-clean upholstery. These features make the car more child-friendly and ensure your child’s safety and comfort.
7. Running Costs
Consider the total vehicle cost, including insurance, maintenance and repairs. Check the average maintenance costs of small family SUVs in Australia and check for the availability of car parts with the best car mechanic in Adelaide. They will also give you an estimate of your vehicle’s running costs.
8. Test Drive
Always test drive the car to see its performance, comfort and handling feel before making a final decision. You can also take a free car inspection in Adelaide to check the factors such as ride quality, noise level, braking behaviour and overall driving experience.
9. Budget
Finally, set a realistic budget for purchasing the family car. Consider both the initial cost of the vehicle and the long-term costs associated with owning the vehicle. Explore financing options and compare prices to find the best value for your budget.
Read Also: Top 10 Best 4WD Cars in Australia
Conclusion
In this article, we reviewed some of Australia’s best family cars in 2026. With this knowledge, you can make an informed decision on which car will be best suited for your family’s needs. In case you face any problem with car care, you can look for a car engine repair near me for the regular upkeep and maintenance of your car.
