Top 5 Toyota Family Cars: Best SUVs and Sedans for Long Trips

Finding the perfect family car is much more challenging than buying a car for yourself: You have to find a vehicle that’s spacious enough, with features that keep your kids entertained, reliable on long trips, and easy to park in the city.

Larger Toyota vehicles are famous for being dependable and a good bang for the buck, which makes them an excellent pick for a family. No surprise that it’s the number one car brand in Qatar, taking up over 30% of the total market share. So, we’ve crafted a list of the top five Toyota family cars, keeping in mind these key criteria: safety, price, and comfort.

Overview

The first car on our list is the famous Toyota Highlander, also known as Toyota Kluger in Japan and Australia. This seven-seater is excellent for families with more children. On top of that, it comes with a large trunk, which makes it ideal for long travels and family adventures.

The Toyota Highlander comes in two main engine options:

• 2.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine (has an 8-speed automatic transmission)

• 2.5-liter hybrid engine (uses a continuously variable transmission — CVT)

Safety

This SUV performed well on the IIHS crash test and features plenty of safety components with its Toyota Advanced Safety Sense kit. What’s more, it comes with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which detects vehicles, pedestrians, and bikers during the drive. The car also has several steering assists that help drivers avoid collisions.

As part of its standard equipment, the Highlander comes with the following safety features:

• Cruise control

• Lane departure alert

• Road sign assist

• Blind spot monitor

• Automatic high beams

Tech and comfort

The infotainment system in the Highlander is quite simple as it uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Other features from the standard equipment version that add to the comfort include:

• Panoramic roof

• Triple-zone climate control

• Wireless charging

Furthermore, the Highlander offers a comfortable and smooth drive as it comes with soft suspension. On top of that, the car has heated front and rear seats, which come in handy in the winter. 

Overview

If you’re not a fan of SUVs, then the Toyota Camry is the ideal choice. Despite being a mid-size sedan, this car is suitable for families, as it offers space, safety, and fuel efficiency. 

The Toyota Camry offers one main engine model — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. It uses electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT), which provides smooth gear changes.

Safety

The Toyota Camry utilizes the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system, which has a plethora of safety tools:

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection

• Dynamic cruise control

• Lane assist

• Blind spot monitor

• Automatic high beams

• Rear traffic alert

When it comes to crash testing, the Toyota Camry received a Top Safety Pick+ grade from the IIHS.

Tech and comfort

The Camry uses a new, advanced infotainment system with a 12.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen. The system is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and has multiple USB ports and wireless charging.

This vehicle prioritizes comfort as it comes with a spacious interior and customizable seat settings. It also features dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Pros and cons

Overview

The Toyota Corolla is one of Toyota’s flagship models. Although this vehicle is smaller than the others on this list, it’s a great choice for those who want an affordable family car without compromising reliability. 

The Toyota Corolla comes in 3 sizes:

• Hatchback

• Touring sports

• Sedan

The engine size on the Corolla is relatively smaller than on the other cars from this article, and it comes in 2 main sizes:

• 1.8-liter hybrid engine

• 2.0-liter hybrid engine

Both models come with a standard Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Safety

The Toyota Corolla is packed with safety features, as it has the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system. Safety accessories include:

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection

• Lane departure alert with steering assist

• Adaptive cruise control

• Road sign assist

• Automatic high beams

• Blind spot monitor

What’s more, the Corolla was highlighted as a Top Safety Pick during the IIHS crash test.

Tech and comfort

This car can have an 8-inch or 10.5-inch touchscreen display, depending on the trim level. It comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for smartphone integration.

The vehicle’s suspension system absorbs road bumps and makes riding easier on uneven surfaces. Moreover, it has adjustable seats with a lot of leg room for both the driver and the passengers.

Overview

The Toyota Corolla Cross is considered a mid-size SUV, and is more of a mix between a traditional car and an SUV. Therefore, it’s great for long trips and can fit into any parking spot during short city drives. 

The Corolla Cross comes with 2 main engine models:

• 2.0-liter petrol engine

• 2.0-liter hybrid petrol engine

Both of these models use the standard Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Safety

The Corolla Cross uses the standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system as well. Its safety features include:

• Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection

• Lane departure warning

• Adaptive cruise control

• Automatic high beams

Moreover, the vehicle has additional safety attributes such as:

• Rear seat children alert

• Tire pressure monitoring system

• Blind spot monitor

Lastly, the Corolla Cross performed well on the IIHS crash test and can be considered a safe car.

Tech and comfort

The car has a user-friendly 10.5-inch touchscreen display and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Moreover, the vehicle comes with wireless charging, a smart key system, and multiple USB ports.

If you travel with a Toyota Corolla Cross, you don’t have to worry about comfort, as it has a lot of room and quality seats. The car also features dual-climate control and heating options for both front seats and the steering wheel.

Buying a car is not a small investment, and it’s wise to thoroughly research your options before making a purchase. Thankfully, you can’t go wrong with any of the cars on our lists, so the choice depends on your preferences and family needs. 

Bear in mind — even the most reliable cars won’t protect you from car theft, vandalism, and all road accidents. To be prepared for these scenarios, you need to invest in quality car insurance.