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Vote for The Car Mom 2026 Car of the Year

Four family cars made it to the finals. Pick your favorite below, then read the full review of each one.

Vote for the finalistsMeet the finalists

Don't see your car?

To be eligible, a car had to be released and available to buy in 2026 and have a major redesign or update. If your favorite isn't here, it most likely wasn't eligible this year. Your vote is for the car with the best redesign with families in mind.

Kelly Stumpe, The Car Mom

Cast your vote

Vote for the finalists

Which one should be The Car Mom 2026 Car of the Year? Tap "Vote for this one" on your favorite. Not sure yet? Read about each finalist below.

Minivan

2027 Chrysler Pacifica

A refreshed face and a new base trim for the minivan families know.

Read about it
3-row SUV

2027 Kia Telluride

All-new, with a first-ever hybrid and car seat tilt.

Read about it
3-row SUV

2027 Tesla Model Y L

A longer, all-electric Model Y with six seats.

Read about it
2-row SUV

2026 Toyota RAV4

Redesigned, hybrid only, and three-across is finally possible.

Read about it

Be the first to know

Get notified when we announce the winner

You're on the list! We'll email you when the 2026 Car of the Year is announced.

Kelly Stumpe, The Car Mom

A note from Kelly

I installed, buckled and toured my way through this year's new family cars. These four made the biggest changes with families in mind.

Kelly Stumpe

Mom of four, CPST and founder of The Car Mom

This year's big picture

What stood out across all four

Hybrid & EV

3 of 4 come as a hybrid or fully electric

For years, families were left out of hybrids and EVs. The Telluride, RAV4 and Model Y L finally change that.

Intentional

Small changes, made on purpose

Some updates look minor, but they were made to keep these cars practical and cost-effective for families.

Car seats

Car seats got real attention

More lower anchors, car seat tilt and fixed seat belt overlap. Changes you'll feel at every drop-off.

At a glance

What changed this year

2027 Chrysler Pacifica2027 Kia Telluride2027 Tesla Model Y L2026 Toyota RAV4
What's newA new face with vertical headlights, a lit "piano key" grille and a new badge. The LX returns as the base trim, and a new Blind Spot View camera pops up with your turn signal.Fully redesigned. Kia skipped 2026 and went straight to an all-new 2027 with its first hybrid and a huge new screen that still keeps real buttons for climate and volume.An all-new, longer Model Y: about seven inches longer, with six seats, second-row captain's chairs and a second-row touchscreen.Fully redesigned and hybrid or plug-in hybrid only, with about 40 mpg on the hybrid or about 50 miles of electric range on the plug-in.
What they fixed for familiesKept costs in check. The LX brings back a lower starting price, and a few extras moved to add-on packages.Car seat tilt lets you reach row three with a car seat installed. Lower anchors in both outboard third-row seats (was one) and three third-row tethers (was two).A Tesla with a usable third row. Lower anchors in four seats and a tether at every rear seat. I fit four car seats.The center seat belt overlap is fixed, so three-across finally works. About 2 more inches of second-row hip room and a better IIHS moderate overlap score.

The finalists

Get to know each one

Listed alphabetically. Vote for your favorite, then read the full review.

Minivan7 or 8 seatsGas V6

2027 Chrysler Pacifica

A refreshed face and a new base trim for the minivan families already know.

New this year

  • A fresh face with new headlights and a lit grille.
  • The LX is back as a lower-priced base trim.
  • Gas only for 2027. The plug-in hybrid is gone.

Why families love it

  • Stow 'n Go seats fold right into the floor.
  • Built-in sunshades and ceiling vents in row two.
  • FamCAM to check on the kids from the screen.

Car seat standout

  • Tilt row two forward with a car seat installed to reach the third row.
  • Heads up: no load-leg infant bases, because of the Stow 'n Go floor.

"These updates were made with real intention behind keeping it cost-effective for families."Kelly

Read the full review
3-row SUV7 or 8 seatsGas or hybrid

2027 Kia Telluride

All-new, and the first Telluride with a hybrid.

New this year

  • Fully redesigned. Kia skipped 2026 and went straight to 2027.
  • A hybrid option, a first for the Telluride.
  • A huge new screen, with real buttons kept for climate and volume.

Why families love it

  • Best-in-class second-row legroom.
  • Wide-opening doors for loading infant seats.
  • A full-size stroller fits with the third row up.

Car seat standout

  • New car seat tilt: slide the captain's chair forward with a car seat installed to reach row three.
  • Skip the bench. It has major seat belt overlap. Go with captain's chairs.

"As a CPST, versatility is everything. The 2027 Telluride finally gives you that flexibility."Kelly

Read the full review
3-row SUV6 seatsAll-electric

2027 Tesla Model Y L

A longer Model Y with a usable third row.

2027 Tesla Model Y L, front three-quarter view

New this year

  • About seven inches longer than the Model Y.
  • Six seats with second-row captain's chairs.
  • A touchscreen for the second row.

Why families love it

  • Captain's chairs slide on tracks to share legroom.
  • A glass roof over every row.
  • A frunk for extra storage up front.

Car seat standout

  • Lower anchors in four seats. I fit four car seats.
  • Heads up: a rear-facing seat in row two leaves almost no third-row legroom.

"I loved this car. Just go in knowing the third row is tight."Kelly

Read the full review
2-row SUV5 seatsHybrid or plug-in hybrid

2026 Toyota RAV4

America's favorite small SUV, completely redesigned and hybrid only.

Toyota RAV4, front three-quarter view

New this year

  • Fully redesigned with a sharper, more modern look.
  • Hybrid or plug-in hybrid only, with about 50 miles of electric range on the plug-in.
  • About 2 more inches of second-row hip room.

Why families love it

  • A big, usable trunk for a stroller or a Costco haul.
  • Easy to drive and park, great for teen drivers too.
  • Better crash scores in the IIHS moderate overlap test.

Car seat standout

  • Seat belt overlap fixed, so three-across finally works.
  • Heads up: rigid, recessed buckles are tough for booster kids.

"A really great car for smaller families, families of older kids and teen drivers."Kelly

Read the full review

Made up your mind?

Cast your vote for the 2026 Car of the Year

The winner will be announced soon. Follow along on Instagram @the_car_mom.

Vote for the finalists
Kelly smiling in a navy sweater
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