(February 15, 2017) IRVINE, Calif. — The expert editors at Kelley Blue Book kbb.com today named the 12 Best Family Cars of 2017.  After extensive testing and evaluation, with a keen focus on safety, value, reputation, driving manners, comfort and convenience, cargo versatility, technology, and fit of various rear-facing and forward-facing child safety car seats, the KBB.com editors recommend their choices for a diverse group of new vehicles that best meet the needs of today's families.

"Looking at sales trends, soccer field parking lots and school drop-off lines, it's clear that families have moved on from the family sedan, and now the modern family car is an SUV," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. 

"As SUVs have grown more comfortable and fuel efficient over the years, car shoppers  have demonstrated an increasing preference for the elevated driving position, superior cargo versatility and higher profile of SUVs, which make them more functional as family cars than traditional sedans."

The Kelley Blue Book editorial staff drives hundreds of new cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans every year, so their testing never stops.  Specifically for this year's Best Family Cars, they compiled a list of last year's winners along with the best of the new and redesigned 2017 models, and brought them together for a back-to-back testing regimen. 

Ten editors spent two weeks driving, poking, prodding and researching all of the Best Family Car contenders.  KBB.com's editorial staff includes several parents with children spanning a full range of ages from toddler, elementary, middle, high school and college students, and even a few who have made it out into the real world. 

The editors enlisted the help of their families to put this year's contenders to the real-world test, and at the conclusion a total of 12 new vehicles were deemed worthy of being named a Kelley Blue Book Best Family Car of 2017.  And while there are plenty of excellent, family-focused luxury SUVs to recommend, the editors focus strictly on mainstream brands for this annual collection of KBB.com's Best Family Cars. 

Starting prices for this year's winners range from about $20,000 to the low $30,000 range, with only the Chevrolet Tahoe exceeding a $40,000 starting price.

Child car safety seats are a hugely important consideration for car shoppers with infants, toddlers or both.  Is there enough distance between the front seat and the back seat to accommodate both the seat and the child?  Can you fit all the seats you need? 

If readers are in or are near the child car seat stage, visit the accompanying car seat guide with useful tips and specific details regarding the car seat strengths and weaknesses of each of this year's Best Family Cars.  And while all of the winners are among tops in their respective segments when it comes to car seats, the KBB.com editors strongly suggest taking your child's car seats and boosters along when shopping.  How well they fit could make or break a car-buying decision.