10 Affordable Family Cars That Will Last 300,000 Miles and Save You Money

Buying a car for your family is an important financial decision. It’s the car taking you, your kids, your pets and sometimes a lot of luggage from place to place. It’s a crucial investment, but you don’t want to spend too much.

GOBankingRates reached out to vehicle experts who gave the best, longest-lasting cars that won’t break the bank for you and your family.

• MSRP: Starting at $23,145 
• MPG: 32 mpg city/41 mpg highway

Though the Corolla is not an SUV, Jan Kawecki, the marketing manager at F1Blast, said it’s still roomy enough to fit the family.

“Everything from 10th to the most recent one, 13th generation will easily pack your whole family, will be highly affordable, and you’ll not have to worry about the cost of repair at all,” said Kawecki.

Kawecki’s confident because he drives a 2001 Corolla that’s lasted 250,000 miles.

“I had to change the battery for a new one for the first time,” he said.

The Corolla has extensive safety features to keep passengers safe and is a generally reliable car with a lot of legroom in the sedan model. You can upgrade a model for more cargo space, giving you room for eight carry-on bags. 

• MSRP: Starting at $30,850
• MPG: 28/34

Zander Cook, co-founder of Lease End, feels if you’re looking for an SUV, the Honda CR-V is a great affordable choice. “It’s got a reasonable starting price, low maintenance costs, and good fuel efficiency. Honda’s reputation for reliability and the strong demand for used CR-Vs make this model a no-brainer for an affordable family car,” said Cook.

A perk for the driver of the CR-V: Honda designs the front seats to reduce driver fatigue. There’s also between 36-39 cubic feet of cargo space depending on the model, with an adjustable load floor. These features make it a perfect choice for a road-tripping car. 

• MSRP: Starting at $28,565
• MPG: 25/32

“The Kia Sportage is a solid all-around SUV that is safe, roomy, and fuel-efficient,” said Nigel Tunnacliffe, the co-founder and CEO at Coastline Academy. “Its already high-reliability benefits from Kia’s exceptional long-term warranties on newer vehicles, offering drivers additional peace of mind. All of this combines to make it one of the better family-friendly SUVs on the market.” 

The 2024 model offers 40 cubic feet of cargo space to carry a family’s load. There’s even a dual-level cargo floor, so you can stack even more luggage if need be. 

• MSRP: Starting at $25,950
• MPG: 26/32

Coming in slightly cheaper than the CR-V, the HR-V is also recommended by experts as a family vehicle. “It stands out due to its exceptional safety features, which are some of the best in its class,” said Tunnacliffe. 

The HR-V also has comfortable, roomy seats for pleasant traveling on long journeys, with room for seven carry-on bags. It fits 22 suitcases if the seats are folded. 

• MSRP: Starting at $27,515
• MPG: 28/39

Another Toyota sedan makes the list, thanks to its reliability and low maintenance cost, making it a solid investment for a family. “With routine maintenance, the Camry’s have been known to last well over 300,000 miles as they have very solidly built mechanical components,” said Mark Beneke, owner of Westland Auto. 

Like the Corolla, the Camry has a lot of standard Toyota safety features that help protect those riding in the car.

Additionally, if you do decide to sell the Camry, Beneke said they hold their value for longer than a lot of other vehicles, so you’ll be able to recoup more of your investment. 

• MSRP: Starting at $30,025
• MPG: 25/32

The Toyota RAV4 has all the features you’d want in a family vehicle: lots of cargo space, an array of safety features, and a lower price point than other SUVs. Plus, if you wanted to go electric, Cook said this is a great spot to start with the RAV4’s hybrid option.

“There are also some hybrid options for the RAV4, which are less affordable than non-electric, but nonetheless a good option for families wanting to go electric without sacrificing performance or utility.” said Cook.

• MSRP: Starting at $28,990
• MPG: 29/37

“The Accord is an excellent investment for lasting equity value, especially when properly maintained,” said Cook. “Regarding overall affordability, there is a wide range of trim levels to fit different budgets.” 

The Accord is great for families because of its spacious interior and roomy trunk. It’s frequently ranked as a top mid-size sedan for families.

• MSRP: Starting at $25,625
• MPG: 29/34

“The Hyundai Kona is another good option for an affordable and dependable SUV,” said Tunnacliffe. The 2024 Kona has even more space than previous models, so you can fit more when traveling. It’s also one of the fuel-efficient vehicles on this list. Tunnacliffe also said drivers rave about the smooth, comfortable ride in a Kona.

• MSRP: Starting at $40,630 
• Miles per charge: 272

“While the Tesla Model 3 might not be the first vehicle one thinks of when hearing the phrase ‘affordable cars for families,’ recent years have seen a dramatic drop-off in the price of used EVs,” said Tunnacliffe. “Beyond the obvious savings on fuel costs, the Tesla Model 3 has excellent tech features and great durability.” 

If your family’s looking to go electric, Tunnacliffe recommends the Tesla Model 3, as he personally drives a used model and has been impressed with the performance. 

• MSRP: Starting at $59,000
• MPG: 21/28

Yes, the Tahoe is at a higher price point than other cars on this list, but if you’re looking for a full-size SUV, Beneke said you can’t go wrong with it. “Big-body SUVs don’t tend to be the most affordable family vehicles, but if you need a third row, this would be our vehicle of choice. We don’t normally praise American-made models often for their reliability or longevity but when it comes to the Tahoes, they deserve it.” 

That row can fold down to offer you a whopping 123 cubic feet of cargo space, which is quite a feat.