Hyundai today has earned four wins in the highly respected 2026 PARENTS Best Family Cars Awards, tying for the most awards of any automotive brand this year. These accolades by the nearly century-old PARENTS brand highlight Hyundai’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative vehicles that deliver the intuitive flexibility, safety, and performance that today’s modern families desire.
“At Hyundai, families don’t have to choose between safety, technology, and versatility,” said Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. Whether it’s getting everyone packed into a Palisade without stress, the quiet, calm of an IONIQ 5 on a long day, or the space and ease IONIQ 9 brings to everything family life throws at you. These are the moments that make the day work, because great product development isn’t about forcing a choice. It is about giving families what they actually need, at every stage, without compromise.”
PARENTS’ Best Family Cars Awards are designed to guide families through one of their most important purchasing decisions. Every year, a panel of experts rigorously evaluate vehicles based on the everyday features parents rely on most, from easy car seat installation and flexible seating to smart storage, entertainment options, and pet-friendly accommodations. Each vehicle is assessed on how well it supports real life, including school drop-offs, road trips, and everything in between.
Hyundai Palisade – Best Mid-Size 3-Row SUV
For the 2026 model year, Palisade delivers a calmer, more premium cabin with durable materials, a floating center console that adds everyday storage, an available dual‑pane sunroof, ambient lighting, and modern trim details. PARENTS judges praised the Palisade for balancing practicality and style, noting its sleek exterior design and well-executed interior. Family-focused features include available Relaxation seats, easy-to-access LATCH anchor points (including a third‑row lower anchor), and convenient slide‑and‑tilt second‑row seating for easy third‑row access. The all-new XRT PRO model adds increased off-road capability for families seeking added versatility and all-conditions performance.
Hyundai Palisade Hybrid – Best Hybrid SUV
The addition of a hybrid powertrain to Palisade was recognized as a meaningful expansion of Hyundai’s three-row SUV lineup by PARENTS judges. By combining enhanced fuel efficiency with the same premium design and comfort features found in the gas-powered model, the hybrid offers families greater efficiency and range[i] without sacrificing capability. Even entry-level hybrid trims include upscale features such as leatherette seating, heated front seats and second-row captain’s chairs, delivering refinement alongside efficiency.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 – Best 3-Row EV
PARENTS heaped praise upon the IONIQ 9 for its 300+[ii] mile driving range, fast‑charging[iii] architecture, and its modern, spacious three‑row interior. Family‑focused features include a sliding center console for rear passengers, an ultra‑quiet cabin, and premium amenities available on higher trims. The model features a NACS-style[iv] port for maximum public charging-network compatibility, and like its IONIQ 5 sibling, the IONIQ 9 backed by Hyundai’s 10‑year/100,000‑mile electric vehicle warranty[v].
Hyundai IONIQ 5 – Best Electric 5-Passenger Vehicle
Recognized for making electric driving approachable for families, IONIQ 5 stood out for its fast‑charging capability, long‑range options, open cabin design, and intuitive technology, including wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and voice-activated assistance.
