10 Best Family Cars for School Runs, Vacations, and More

A lot of things change when you have a family of your own. 

You need a bigger house to accommodate your kids and their things. You need a bigger budget for their schooling and your household’s fast-moving groceries. And because you’ll be ferrying the whole family around—to school or out-of-town vacations—you need a bigger car. 

So what is the best family car in the Philippines? Thankfully, you have a lot of choices. We’ve handpicked and listed the most practical ones below: 

10 Best Family Cars in the Philippines

From MPVs to SUVs, here are the best family cars in the Philippines. Note that the specs listed here are based on the brand’s base models. 

🚗 Suzuki APV

• Price: ₱743,000 to ₱955,000
• Suzuki APV Specs: 
  • Seating capacity: Eight
  • Transmission type: Manual
  • Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1,590 cc (1.6L)
  • Performance: 91 Hp at 5,750 rpm and 127 Nm at 4,500 rpm
  • Fuel type: Gasoline

The best family car in the Philippines might just be this minivan from Suzuki. Its reliability is unquestioned. 

The Suzuki APV sports a boxy and wholesome look. Its generous interior can accommodate up to eight passengers. So if you have a big family, this car is for you. 

Drive and ride with peace of mind, as the Suzuki APV uses a TECT body.^[1] This setup redirects collision energy, reducing impact. The cabin, on the other hand, features a rigid construction that offers further protection in case of collision.   

Read more: 10 of the Most Durable Car Models

🚗 Toyota Avanza 

• Price: ₱838,000 to ₱1,065,000
• Key Specs of the Toyota Avanza:
  • Seating capacity: Seven
  • Transmission type: Manual or CVT
  • Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1,329 cc (1.3L)
  • Performance: 97 Hp at 6,000 rpm and 122 Nm at 4,200 rpm
  • Fuel Type: Gasoline

Looking for the best 7-seater family car in the Philippines? The Toyota Avanza is one of your strongest candidates. 

This spacious MPV can accommodate a medium-sized family, thanks to its spacious and comfortable interior. Fold the seats at the back for more cargo space,

Enjoy plain sailing with its Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). This is paired with a new front-wheel drive. 

For your family’s safety, the Avanza is equipped with dual airbags in the front section, an anti-lock brake system, and electronic door locks. If you have a toddler, this MPV comes with ISOFIX. 

Read more: 15 Best MPVs in the Philippines for Your Family or Business

🚗 Kia Stonic 

• Price: ₱835,000 to ₱1,040,000
• Kia Stonic Specs:
  • Seating capacity: Five
  • Transmission type: Manual or Automatic
  • Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1,368 cc (1.4L)
  • Performance: 94 Hp at 6,000 rpm and 132 Nm at 4,000 rpm
  • Fuel type: Gasoline

If you want a family car with a sporty appeal, check out Stonic from Kia. It’s the ideal car for those who want to upgrade from their hatchback or sedan. 

This small family car suits families with two to three kids only, since it can accommodate a maximum of five people, including the driver. 

The plush fabric seating and manual air conditioning ensure the family’s comfort. For entertainment, the Stonic comes with an eight-inch touchscreen panel with six speakers. 

Keep the family’s journey safe with the following features: anti-lock brake system, electronic door locks, and ISOFIX. 

🚗 Suzuki Ertiga 

• Price: ₱954,000 to ₱1,093,000
• Suzuki Ertiga Specs: 
  • Seating capacity: Seven
  • Transmission type: Manual or Automatic 
  • Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1,462 cc (1.5L)
  • Performance: 103 Hp at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm at 4,400 rpm
  • Fuel type: Hybrid

Elegance, functionality, and practicality come together in the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid. Its premium-looking exterior creates a good first impression while its hybrid system lets you save money on fuel in the long run. 

Step inside and you’ll see that this Suzuki family car is all about comfort. For the driver, the D-shaped steering wheel provides extra legroom. 

Looking for a car for a family of 6? This car can accommodate up to seven passengers while its luggage space can carry loads of up to 199 liters. You can also keep small items in the concealed storage space in the rear section.  

Safety-wise, the Ertiga has airbags for the driver and the front passenger, anti-lock brake system, electronic door locks, and ISOFIX. 

Read more: Driving the Hybrid Dream: Best Hybrid Cars in the Philippines

🚗 Mitsubishi Xpander 

• Price: ₱1,068,000 to ₱1,216,000
• Mitsubishi Xpander Specs: 
  • Seating capacity: Seven 
  • Transmission type: Manual or Automatic 
  • Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1,499 cc (1.5L)
  • Performance: 103 Hp at 6,000 rpm and 141 Nm at 4,000 rpm
  • Fuel type: Gasoline 

The Mitsubishi Xpander is another stylish family car to consider. The newest iteration of this MPV sports a bolder and more athletic style. 

This Mtisbushi family car features an improved interior, as seen and felt in its premium materials. The middle-row seats come with armrests with cupholders. 

When the armrest is up, the row can seat up to three people. To accommodate luggage and cargo, you can fold both second and third rows. 

Creature comforts include a digital climate control, six speakers, and a Smartphone Link Display Audio. For safety, the Xpander has airbags for the driver and the passenger, anti-lock brake system, immobilizer, security alarm, and ISOFIX. 

🚗 Honda BR-V 

• Price: ₱1,090,000 to ₱1,390,000
• Honda BR-V Specs:
  • Seating capacity: Seven
  • Transmission type: Manual or CVT
  • Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1,498 cc (1.5L)
  • Performance: 119 Hp at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm
  • Fuel type: Gasoline

A crossover is usually compact, accommodating up to five people only. But that’s not the case with the Honda BR-V. This crossover can seat up to seven people, appealing to large Filipino families. 

By just looking at its sporty styling, you can immediately say it’s not your usual family car. This point is further highlighted inside the car, where the premium interior and creature comforts welcome you. If you get the upper trim, you can sit on the leather seat while enjoying the breeze of the automatic air conditioning. 

The upper trim of this Honda family car is also equipped with the Honda SENSING technology. This suite of safety features includes adaptive cruise control, auto high beam, collision mitigation braking system, and lane keeping assist system, among others. 

🚗 Nissan Urvan 

• Price: ₱1,240,000 to ₱2,090,000
• Nissan Urvan Specs: 
  • Seating capacity: Up to 18
  • Transmission type: Manual or Automatic
  • Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2,488 cc (2.5L)
  • Performance: 129 Hp at 3,200 rpm and 356 Nm at 2,000 rpm
  • Fuel type: Diesel 

With its size and reliability, the Nissan Urvan is a strong mainstay in the family car category. It can seat up to 18 people, which means you can accommodate not just your family but also your relatives or your kids’ friends. 

The upper trim of this Nissan family car offers more comfort and function. For one, the van has individual air-conditioning vents^[2] and ergonomic seats, perfect for long trips. 

Safety, on the other hand, is evident in its anti-lock braking system, airbags, security alarm, and electronic door locks. The Urvan also comes with vehicle dynamic control and hill start assist. 

🚗 Toyota Innova 

• Price: ₱1,261,000 to ₱1,823,000
• Toyota Innova Specs:
  
  • Seating capacity: Eight
  • Transmission type: Manual or Automatic
  • Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2,755 cc (2.8L)
  • Performance: 168 Hp at 3,600 rpm and 343 Nm at 3,400 rpm
  • Fuel type: Diesel 

The Toyota Innova will always be a popular family car. Its styling screams class while its utility offers flexibility and comfort. Depending on the variant, it can seat up to eight people. 

This Toyota family car boasts a power output of 168 Hp and a torque of 343. These figures demonstrate that the car can easily carry heavy loads, ranging from groceries and passengers to family luggage and camping equipment. Its strength, on other hand, is made possible by Toyota’s IMV platform, which is also used by the Fortuner and the Hilux. 

A safe ride awaits you and your family since the Innova has the following safety features: airbags, anti-lock brake system, stability control, electronic door locks, and ISOFIX. 

🚗 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

• Price: ₱1,568,000 to ₱2,428,000
• Mitsubishi Montero Sport Specs: 
  • Seating capacity: Seven 
  • Transmission type: Manual or Automatic 
  • Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2,442 cc (2.4L)
  • Performance: 179 Hp at 3,500 rpm and 430 Nm at 2,500 rpm
  • Fuel type: Diesel 

SUVs are best for families who love going on weekend adventures outside of the city. If you’re looking for such a car, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is one of the best options out there. 

This Mitsubishi family car can seat up to seven people. For additional load space, simply fold the rear seats down. Interior features necessary for a comfortable trip include automatic climate control, entertainment system with speakers, and smartphone integration. 

The Montero Sport is outfitted with advanced safety features. These include the forward collision mitigation system (FCM), which automatically slows down the car if there’s a possibility of collision; a rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), which gives a warning sound and a message if another car is detected as you drive in reverse out of the driveway; and hill descent control (HDC), which aids in navigating inclined roads.^[3] 

Read more: For Your Long-Distance Adventures: 10 Best Cars for Road Trips

🚗 Toyota Fortuner 

• Price: ₱1,769,000 to ₱2,563,000
• Toyota Fortuner Specs: 
  • Seating capacity: Seven 
  • Transmission type: Manual or Automatic 
  • Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2,393 cc (2.4L)
  • Performance: 148 Hp at 3,400 rpm and 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm
  • Fuel type: Diesel 

The Toyota Fortuner is another SUV that can double as a family car. It can accommodate up to seven people. You also have the option to fold seats in the last row to carry more load. 

The car’s upper trim features leather seats, display audio with a JBL speaker system, auto climate control for front and rear sections, and smartphone connectivity (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). All these make for a comfortable and fun family trip. 

Performance-wise, the Toyota Fortuner is a powerful car. It can take on both city and provincial roads, making it the ideal ride if your family frequently goes to the beach or anywhere rugged. 

This Toyota family car’s safety features include airbags, security alarm, immobilizer, stability control, electronic door locks, and ISOFIX, just to mention a few. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Family Car in the Philippines

Since a family car is a big purchase, you want to avoid buyer’s remorse. Here are some things to consider when buying this kind of vehicle:

👉 Budget

A car is a big financial commitment, so go for something within your family’s budget. If you get an affordable family car in the Philippines, you can get lower monthly payments. While you’re at it, check out different financing options and discounts to help you stay within budget. 

👉 Size

The best family cars in the Philippines are usually big and can accommodate up to seven people. But don’t just focus on that. Consider other things, such as the kind of load the car will carry and the available parking space at home. 

👉 Safety

Since you’ll be traveling with kids and probably senior citizens, make car safety a priority. If you have a toddler, get a car with an ISOFIX feature. Consider enhanced features, such as a lane departure warning, a reversing camera, parking sensors, and a blind spot detection system.  

Read more: Car Safety Features: Does Your Vehicle Have Them All?

👉 Ownership Costs

The price of a family car in the Philippines is not the only thing you should worry about. Ownership comes with costs, such as insurance, registration, maintenance, and fuel. Include them in your computation when buying a car. 

Final Thoughts

With a growing family, you’ll have to make some adjustments to meet certain needs. One of them is upgrading to a bigger car.

Finding the best family car in the Philippines should be less challenging now with this list. Before finalizing your decision, test-drive your option and talk to other family car owners. 

🛡️ Enjoy a Worry-Free Family Ride With Car Insurance

Make sure to stay financially protected from the risks and uncertainties of the road during every family ride. Get car insurance!

Below, compare top car insurance companies in the Philippines and their features. Get a free quote from Moneymax to find the policy that suits your family’s needs best. 

Car Insurance Company	Maximum Total Sum Insured	CTPL Coverage	Own Damage & Theft Coverage	Acts of Nature Coverage	Death / Disablement Coverage
FPG Insurance	₱4 million	✔️	✔️	✔️
Malayan Insurance	₱7.5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️
The Mercantile Insurance Corporation	₱5 million		✔️	✔️
OONA Insurance (formerly MAPFRE)	₱5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
PGA Insurance	₱3 million				✔️
SGI Philippines	₱5 million	✔️		✔️	✔️
Standard Insurance	₱5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Stronghold Insurance	₱3 million		✔️

 

Sources: 

• ^[1] Suzuki APV Features
• ^[2] Nissan Urvan Features
• ^[3] Mitsubishi Montero Sport Features