The Top Mazda Models for Families

For growing families, owning the right vehicle to get everyone safely where they need to be is essential. Luckily, Mazda cars and SUVs support families of all sizes with options that include a variety of styles and price points. Even better, they all come with the same luxury and safety that drivers expect as standard features on any Mazda vehicle. 

The Best Mazda Family Cars and SUVs 

Choosing the best Mazda model to buy is tricky for many people — maybe even more so for families. With many unique considerations, such as the ability to transport strollers and sports gear along with the fact that children eventually grow and take up more room, it’s essential to make sure you invest in the right Mazda car for your family’s needs while considering your family’s budget. Mazda offers everything from the compact and budget-friendly Mazda3 to the large and comprehensive CX-9 to meet different drivers’ needs. 

Why Choose Mazda for Your Family’s Next Car?  

Not sure whether Mazda is the right choice for your next family car or SUV? With so many different vehicles on the market today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about this decision. However, Mazda’s mission is to make choosing the right model and feeling good about the decision a central component in the buyer’s satisfaction. Let’s look at some of the key reasons Mazda vehicles make good family cars: 

• Safety – Number one on every parent’s list is keeping their children safe, and Mazda’s track record meets (and often exceeds) these standards. In fact, every single 2023 Mazda vehicle earned the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award, one of the industry’s gold standards for vehicle safety.  
• Variety – Another important feature that Mazda offers to families is the variety of options and price points available. The Mazda3 is one of the brand’s most popular family cars, and it’s also one of the least expensive. On the other hand, the CX-9 offers a third row of seats that is ideal for a growing family, and it comes with some of the industry’s top technology and performance features. For those in the middle, the Mazda CX-5 is the brand’s most popular model, thanks to its fusion of affordability, size, and driving features. 
• Luxury – Whether you are transporting toddlers, teens, or both, the driving experience is about more than moving families from one place to the next. Mazda understands this and equips each and every vehicle with luxuries like leather-wrapped steering wheels and front seat heaters that are designed to make sure drivers always stay comfortable. In addition, Mazda deeply believes in the philosophy of Jinba Ittai, or the unity of rider and horse, driver, and vehicle. Consequently, each Mazda comes equipped with performance features that make it smooth, easy, and fun to drive. 

Mazda CX-5  

The CX-5 is at the top of the list of the best Mazda models for families. Since 2014, the CX-5 has been Mazda’s bestselling model every year. The secret is the ability of the CX-5 to fuse the technology, luxury, and fun of other Mazda models into a more compact and affordable package. The 2023 Mazda CX-5 models start at $26,700.  

Features That Make the CX-5 a Great Family Car  

Starting with its affordability, a variety of specific features on the CX-5 make it one of the best Mazda models for families. In addition, the CX-5 offers drivers standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and Mazda SKYACTIV® technology, which work together to provide drivers with smooth handling and control during the driving experience. 

The five-seat CX-5 also comes equipped with a number of top technology features, such as a 10.25-inch full-color display as well as an enhanced Bose® sound system on higher-level trims. For long road trips or all-day sporting events, the cargo space in the CX-5 is 29.1 cubic feet — about the volume of a large refrigerator — with the rear seat up. Families transporting additional items can enjoy up to 59.1 cubic feet with the rear seats laid flat. 

Customer Reviews for the CX-5  

The popularity of the CX-5 speaks to customers’ satisfaction with this vehicle. Since its debut in May 2012, Mazda has sold more than 3.5 million CX-5 vehicles worldwide. Reviews of the CX-5 point out the triple threat of its luxurious look, smooth handling, and affordable price. The CX-5 made Car and Driver’s editor’s list of the top 2023 and 2024 subcompact SUVs and has an average of 4.4/5-star rating from users on Kelly Blue Book. 

Mazda CX-9  

While the CX-5 checks many boxes for families, if you’re looking for a larger vehicle with more cargo and passenger capacity, then the Mazda CX-9 is the right choice. Offering top technology and safety features along with the same stunning luxuries of other Mazda models, the CX-9 is the brand’s largest SUV, making it an excellent family-friendly choice. 

How the CX-9 Fits Your Family’s Needs  

The secret of the Mazda CX-9’s power as a family vehicle is really not so secret — it’s the only Mazda SUV that offers a full third row of seats. However, its sleek style and compact appearance still classify it as a mid-sized SUV, making it far less overwhelming than some large models produced by other manufacturers. The result is a vehicle that is capable of comfortably transporting up to seven people and offering up to 71.2 cubic feet of cargo space. 

In addition to its size, the technology and driving features of the CX-9 also help it stand out against the competition. Each model comes with a 10.25-inch full-color center display and standard i-Activ AWD®. Drivers also have many options for upgrades, such as a SKYACTIV®-G 2.5-liter Turbo engine and a custom-fitted 12-speaker Bose® surround sound system. 

Safety Features of the CX-9  

Although there are a variety of reasons to choose the Mazda CX-9 as the next car for your family, perhaps the most compelling is the safety and peace of mind this vehicle offers. The 2023 Mazda CX-9 is not only an IIHS Top Safety Pick, but it also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  

Standards such as lane departure warnings and tire pressure warnings as well as Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection are just a few of the safety additions that earned the CX-9 these impressive titles. Higher trim levels of the CX-9 offer additional features, such as 360-degree mirrors, rear brake support, and driver attention alert systems. 

Mazda3  

In the world of family-friendly cars, nothing beats a compact, efficient vehicle with just enough room for everyone and upgrades that keep travelers happy on each journey. The Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback present families with distinct benefits in terms of luxury, performance, and cost, making them easy entries onto the list of top Mazda family cars. 

The Mazda3’s Advantages for Families  

We like to call the Mazda3 a compact car with a big personality, and, indeed, its profile is a bit deceiving. One of the reasons that the Mazda3 makes such a great family car is that it offers abundant legroom and plenty of cargo space, despite its classification as a compact vehicle. The sedan has a 13.2 cubic foot trunk, while the Mazda3 Hatchback offers 20.1 cubic feet of rear storage space. 

Safety is another reason to choose the Mazda3 as your next family vehicle. Earning both the Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS along with a five-star overall crash rating from NHTSA, the Mazda3 includes several advanced safety features that keep families secure on the road. Chief among these is i-ACTIVSENSE® safety technology, along with standards such as front and rear parking sensors, automatic braking systems, and lane departure warnings. 

Comparing the Mazda3 to Other Family-Friendly Cars  

When it comes down to it, the number one reason that so many families turn to the Mazda3 when choosing a car is simple: its value. The entry-level cost for a Mazda3 is $22,550, and the top model — the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus — starts at only $34,000. Given the luxury and reliability of the Mazda brand, this low entry price, coupled with excellent gas mileage (27 miles per gallon city/37 miles per gallon highway), makes the Mazda3 one of the most affordable family-friendly vehicles on the market today. 

Conclusion  

Although it can seem overwhelming at first, finding the best Mazda model for your family is just about knowing your requirements and matching them to one of the many family-friendly options that Mazda offers. Whether you need the roominess of the CX-9, the affordability of the Mazda3, or the middle ground of the CX-5, Mazda has something to offer everyone. The knowledgeable and experienced sales staff at DePaula Mazda can help you find your perfect match. 

Visit DePaula Mazda in Albany, NY, to Test Drive These Family-Friendly Models 

Of course, no search for the perfect family car is complete without experiencing all the features of each model for yourself. At DePaula Mazda, we are happy to take you on a test drive in one or all of our top family-friendly vehicles to help you make the right choice. Once you decide on the best Mazda for your family, we will continue to offer you and your family support through certified Mazda service. Stop by or call today to schedule your test drive.