Since SUVs entered the race for dominance, automakers have competed to make the most popular models. Toyota was one of the early players with the rugged Land Cruiser. But SUVs have become more family-friendly, with enhanced convenience and safety features. Check out these three Toyota models — two SUVs and one minivan — that earned spots in Kelley Blue Book’s guide to the best family cars of 2023.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 is ideal for families 

Experts agree the 2023 Toyota RAV4 is an exceptional family SUV. Its reliability, safety features, comfort, and practicality place this compact crossover among the best family haulers. It provides adequate space for small families, with plenty of room for front and rear passengers, providing comfort for everyone. The rear seats can also be easily folded to create more cargo space, up to 69.8 cubic feet maximum.

Like most Toyota models, the RAV4 is reliable, which favors families looking to stick with one vehicle for a long time. The RAV4 is also a good option for families on a budget because it has a gas mileage of 35 mpg on the highway, so it saves on fuel.

And every RAV4 trim has Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. It includes advanced features such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. This small SUV also has a high-strength body structure that provides outstanding crash protection for passengers.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander is a good 3-row family SUV

Another fantastic family SUV is the 2023 Highlander. It’s the second of three Toyota models in Kelley Blue Book’s “12 Best Family Cars of 2023.” The Highlander has adequate cabin space for passenger comfort. In addition, this three-row SUV can accommodate up to eight passengers, and the seats in the second and third rows can be folded to increase cargo volume significantly.

What’s unique about the 2023 Highlander is its rear-seat entertainment system. It includes a Blu-ray player and a large, high-resolution screen to keep kids entertained, especially on long road trips.

There are also several USB charging ports throughout the vehicle, so everyone can keep their devices charged on long journeys.

Furthermore, the 2023 Toyota Highlander offers decent fuel efficiency, making it affordable for families who frequently travel long distances. Its hybrid powertrain gets an EPA-estimated 35 mpg in the city and on the highway, making the Highlander a cost-effective SUV.

Why is the Sienna a superb family hauler?

SUVs aren’t the only family-friendly vehicles. The 2023 Toyota Sienna minivan is a superb family hauler. One of its most notable features is its spacious and versatile interior, providing ample room for passengers and cargo. It also has comfortable seats, ideal for long road trips and daily commutes. In addition, the range-topping Sienna boasts a built-in vacuum cleaner, which can help parents keep the cabin clean despite messy kids.

The Sienna also boasts Driver Easy Speak. This system allows the driver to project their voice through the rear speakers, making communicating with passengers in the back seats easier. And like the Highlander, the Sienna has a rear-seat entertainment system. On top of that, the Sienna boasts the same advanced driver-assistance features that help protect the whole family.