Meet The Finalists! The Car Mom 2025 Car of the Year
It’s been another exciting year for the family car market, and 2025 has truly raised the bar.
This marks the third year of our Car of the Year award, and each year we get more excited about what manufacturers are bringing to the table. From brand-new family-focused features to redesigned favorites with even smarter upgrades, these cars continue to evolve in ways that truly matter to families!! We love to see it!!
If you’re new here—welcome! I’m Kelly Stumpe, better known as The Car Mom. I’m a CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician), mom of four, and an unapologetic car enthusiast. My goal is simple: to help families make informed decisions when it comes to finding the right car.
As a quick reminder, only vehicles that received a major redesign or mid-cycle refresh in 2025 are eligible for this year’s Car of the Year. So if your favorite family car isn’t on this list, it’s likely because it didn’t undergo a significant or notable update this year.
From the redesigned models, we narrowed the field down to our top four based on family-friendliness, overall value, safety, and what truly stood out to me.
Meet The Finalists!
2026 Honda Passport - Best for families who want a big, spacious five-passenger SUV without a third row. It’s ideal if you need great cargo space, strong three-across car seat capability, and an easy, everyday vehicle that still feels sporty.
2026 Hyundai Palisade - Best for families who need comfortable seating for six and want a high-tech, feature-packed interior. It’s one of my favorite cars for families with two kids, especially if you want great second- and third-row comfort without needing true seven-passenger seating.
2025 Nissan Armada - Best for families who want a full-size SUV feel with upgraded interior design and improved car seat hardware, but don’t need massive trunk space. It works especially well for older kids and adult passengers.
2025 Ford Expedition - Best for families who want a full-size SUV with major tech upgrades, a refreshed interior, and still the best-in-class car seat setup. It’s ideal if you need a truly usable third row and want the flexibility of the Expedition Max for extra trunk space.
2026 Honda Passport
The 2026 Honda Passport was a standout for me. It’s practical, comfortable, and genuinely easy to use as a family SUV, and the updates in this redesign made it one of those cars I kept thinking about long after the drive.
Big five-passenger SUV without a third row. This is such a good option if you want space but don’t want the size, price tag, or hassle of a three-row vehicle.
Huge upgrade in style. The new Passport is boxier, sportier, and more aggressive. Honestly, it might be Honda’s best-looking vehicle right now.
Feels noticeably bigger than competitors. Compared to vehicles like the RAV4 or Forester, this feels wider, more comfortable, and offers way more legroom and trunk space.
So much smart storage!! Cubbies everywhere, cup holders in the doors (yes please), a great center console, ledges, and grippy surfaces that actually keep things in place.
Excellent car seat setup This is an A+ car seat car:
Three-across capable
Three sets of lower anchors and tethers
Flexible buckles that actually make buckling easier
Works well as kids grow into boosters
Huge trunk space. Easily fits a full-size stroller (and probably two), wagons, and a full Costco haul.
My biggest gripe is the infotainment system. It works, but it feels a little like an afterthought and I wish it were more integrated into the dash. I also really wish this car had ceiling vents in the second row, because that would make a big difference for families. None of these are dealbreakers for me, but they’re the areas where I think Honda could still improve.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade has always been one of my favorite family SUVs, so I’m looking at this redesign pretty critically. There are things I really love — and a few changes I’m bummed about.
Even with my critiques, this is still a car I recommend often because of the safety, space, and convenience features.
Something to note: The Hybrid option is coming but was not available at the time I recorded this tour.
Big improvements to car seat hardware! Hyundai made meaningful upgrades here:
Four sets of lower anchors (up from three)
Five top tether anchors (up from four)
Lower anchors and tether anchors added to more third-row positions. This makes the car much more versatile for forward-facing car seats and boosters.
While car seat tilt added to the second row, it is powered and a bit slow. But it’s there!
Excellent second- and third-row legroom. At almost 6 feet tall, I’m comfortable in every row. This car works well for both car seats and older kids or adults.
Very strong second-row amenities. Ceiling vents, built-in sun shades, door cup holders, phone slots, and USB-C ports on the back of the seats.
Third row doesn’t feel like an afterthought. It’s luxurious back there! Heated seats, charging ports, ceiling vents, and the ability to recline and slide the seats make this a comfortable space for older kids and adults.
Third row on tracks. You can adjust legroom in the third row, which is rare and very useful.
Built-in dash cam. This is a really cool feature and something I’m excited about.
The biggest thing to understand is that this is not truly a seven-passenger SUV. Realistically, it functions as a six-passenger car, so I wouldn’t buy it expecting to comfortably seat seven people. I was also a little bummed about the interior redesign, especially losing some of the front storage and the beautiful design details from the outgoing model. That said, this is totally my personal preference…you might actually love the simpler look!
2025 Nissan Armada
NOTE: The Armada was fully redesigned for the 2025 model year, which went on sale in late 2024 and throughout 2025.
The Armada really surprised me this year. Nissan has been lagging a bit on interior updates, and this redesign finally feels fresh, thoughtful, and family-friendly.
Talk about a huge interior glow-up! The materials, design, and layout feel intentional and much more premium than the outgoing model.
Luxury-leaning interior feel. Plush, comfortable seats, two-tone quilting, soft-touch materials, and a design that feels closer to the QX80 than the older Armada.
Tech upgrades for days! Digital dash, heads-up display, rear-view camera mirror, panoramic sunroof, and steering-wheel controls that actually feel good to use.
We have some major car seat upgrades for 2025. Nissan really stepped it up:
Car seat tilt added
Lower anchors now available in the third row (previously none)
Three tether anchors across the third row (up from one)
Great second-row flexibility. Captain’s chairs or a bench option, tracks that allow you to adjust legroom between rows, and excellent clearance for rear-facing seats.
Strong second-row comfort. Tons of legroom, heated seats on higher trims, lots of USB-C charging, and ceiling vents.
Comfortable third row for adults. I’m almost 6 feet tall and can sit back there comfortably with decent headroom, knee room, ceiling vents, charging, and cup holders.
The biggest downside of the Armada is the trunk space. Because there’s no long-wheelbase option, space behind the third row is tight, and even fitting a stroller can be a squeeze. I’m also not a fan of the non-removable third-row headrests, the lack of sun shades, and the smaller-than-expected center console for a full-size SUV.
And if you’re laying the third row flat to gain cargo space, you need to be really mindful of loose items near car seats, because that can become a safety issue.
2025 Ford Expedition
The Expedition has always been one of my favorite family SUVs, and this redesign brings a lot of upgrades while keeping what it already does really well. I was SO impressed with this redesign and I stand behind the Expedition as the most car seat friendly full-size SUV on the market.
Fresh, more aggressive exterior (from the front). The front end looks stunning. It’s sportier, more masculine, and finally feels competitive with SUVs like the Tahoe, Yukon, and Suburban.
Major tech upgrades inside. The new 24-inch dash looks great, feels intuitive, and is a big improvement over the outgoing model. I love having the map right in my line of sight.
They’ve added an oval steering wheel + BlueCruise! I was surprised by how much I like the oval steering wheel — it’s actually really comfortable. BlueCruise is also a great semi-autonomous driving option if you’re comfortable using it.
Still the GOLD standard for car seats. What more can you ask for?
Three-across friendly bench
Lower anchors in the third row
Tether anchors in all seating positions
Headrests in every seat
Car seat tilt for easy third-row access
Excellent second-row amenities. Ceiling vents, climate control, heated seats on higher trims, charging ports on the back of the seats (a huge upgrade), and great legroom.
Comfortable, usable third row. Headrests in all seats, lower anchors on both outboard seats, tethers on all seats, charging, cup holders, ventilation, and plenty of legroom. This is a third row you can use every day.
Split tailgate + smart cargo features. The split tailgate is a huge win and one of my favorite features. The new shelf/bench/table system in the trunk is genuinely innovative and adds flexibility for everyday life.
Ford fixed a lot with this redesign and kept what already made the Expedition great for families. I don’t love the black rear panel or losing some everyday features like the door cup holder, but the car seat setup, space, and overall usability still make this one of my top recommendations.
What an amazing year for family cars! Seeing all of these in person only made my decision that much harder. I’m excited to share which one earns the 2025 Car of the Year title very soon! Stay tuned!