Anyone who has shopped for a family ride knows that finding the right vehicle is a delicate balancing act between safety, comfort, and, of course, affordability—especially when it comes to maintenance costs.
For many families, buying used is a smart way to save on upfront expenses, but no one wants to spend those savings on constant repairs. The good news? Some used family cars have a solid reputation for being dependable without breaking the bank on maintenance.
Here are 15 used family cars that offer a low-maintenance ride. They’ll let you spend less time at the mechanic and more time enjoying the road ahead. Your family and your wallet will thank you!
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord offers outstanding reliability and keeps you out of the repair shop. Because it is slightly larger, young families who rely on rear-facing car seats might prefer the Accord over the Civic.
Like the Honda Civic, it ranks high on J. D. Power’s dependability study and has many cheap parts readily available.
The most reliable model years are 2008 to 2015. Recent models are still more reliable than other family sedans, but those are the best.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is very reliable. Think of the Camry as the cousin of the Civic and Accord. You’ll still get a reasonably spacious backseat for kids and car seats and the durable fuel-efficient engine the Camry is known for.
If you’ve ever asked a mechanic which vehicle is the most reliable, they often cite the Camry. When taken care of consistently, the Camry can run for hundreds of thousands of miles.
Some say the 2012-2017 models are the most fun to drive, but all models have excellent reliability ratings.
Kia Soul
You might be surprised to see the Kia Soul on this list. Kia has put serious effort into making its vehicles more reliable. We recommend Kia Souls after 2016, as models before 2016 are more likely to have problems.
Kia also has one of the most extended warranties available, with a 10-year or 100,000-mile guarantee. This beats most manufacturers by 30,000 miles or more, so you’ll sweat less while taking your Kia to the repair shop.
The Soul is a fun vehicle that can fit kids and gear in the back. You should check one out. You might be impressed.
Honda CR-V
Unsurprisingly, the Honda CR-V earns a spot on our list. Honda is known for making reliable vehicles, and the CR-V is a great addition.
As a small SUV, the Honda CR V accommodates families with one or two kids. You’ll find that you still have room for groceries or other gear. Like other SUVs, the CR-V’s back seat flips down.
When searching for a CR-V, we suggest the 2021 and 2019 models. Other years are still good, but these years stand out for low maintenance costs.
Subaru Crosstrek
The Crosstek is one of Subaru’s smaller SUVs. Subaru has an excellent reputation for building safe, reliable vehicles, and the Crosstrek builds upon that reputation. The Crosstrek has earned high marks on RepairPal, where it has a solid ranking of 4.5 out of 5, placing it first place in the compact SUV category.
While the Crosstrek is considered a smaller SUV, it still has room for the family. These are terrific vehicles for adventurous city dwellers with a kid or two.
The Crosstrek is a newcomer to the Subaru lineup. The most reliable model year is 2023; they spent a few years ironing out bugs. Still, any Crosstrek will serve you well.
Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester makes our list because it fits the family and has the same reliability as the Crosstrek. You also get Subaru’s legendary all-wheel drive system, which will help you navigate through snow and rain.
The Subaru brand is consistently in the top 10 for vehicle reliability overall. While vehicles like the Forester will need repairs, you shouldn’t expect anything too big or unexpected. Enjoy seeing the service department less often than you used to.
Toyota Sienna
If you need extra space, the Toyota Sienna is a reliable vehicle for larger families. It has the same hardware and quality control as other vehicles in Toyota’s generally reliable lineup.
Keep your eyes open for a second-generation Sienna from 2011 to 2018 to get the best combination of price and reliability. The Sienna is also available with all the drive, which is excellent for snow and rain.
Ford Focus
Older Ford Focus models, with the second generation ending in 2011, are among the more reliable American-made sedans for families. Ford made this one well, so you can expect low ownership and maintenance costs.
Due to its age, the Focus offers fewer amenities than the other vehicles on this list. But if you want reliability and price, it’s a great choice.
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen makes reliable cars with minimal maintenance costs. We appreciate the Passat because it offers standard electronic safety systems that are great for family drivers and are also lower priced than other vehicles on our list.
Volkswagens often top the list for safety and crash test scores. Even if you get into an accident, the Passat’s frame and airbags will minimize the impact. The Passet is also unexpectedly spacious, which does help.
Toyota Highlander
The Highlander has enough room for the whole family and a friend or two without looking like a minivan. It is also known for not needing many repairs. When shopping for a Highlander, look at the 2012 to 2018 models. These models are more reliable than other model years and likely more affordable. You’ll also love to hear that many years of the Toyota Highlander are IIHS’s top safety picks.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 offers serious reliability. 2016 and newer models with the SkyActiv engine are the best, as they produce excellent torque and gas mileage. This isn’t a colossal SUV with seating for five, so it’s pretty fun to drive in the city or on the highway.
When comparing the CX-5 to smaller SUV models, you’ll find it offers more features for your money.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox is a reliable crossover SUV. Like many other models on this list, it benefits from cheap and readily available parts. If there is a problem, fixing it will cost less as the vehicle is easy for mechanics to take apart.
Chevrolet’s newest Equinox generation from 2018-2023 is well-defined and offers some of the best models. Their combination of features, price points, and long-term costs will make you happy.
GMC Acadia
GMC is a sister brand to Chevrolet. The Acadia fits families and doesn’t cost much to fix. The Acadia is bigger than the Equinox, with third-row seating and a more powerful engine.
Much like the Equinox, we suggest focusing on 2015 models and up. The first Acadia generation wasn’t great, but later models should be lighter on your wallet in the long run.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai shares the same warranty as Kia, with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain guarantee. This alone should help reduce maintenance costs outside of wearables like brakes. The Santa Fe is also a comfy and spacious family vehicle.
The Cars That Made the Cut
The cars we suggest have enough space for a car seat or two. They also tend to be in the shop less and don’t often need expensive new parts. You don’t see any luxury models on this list in part because they often exchange performance for looks, requiring expensive parts and repairs.
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