Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek Snubbed By U.S. News Best Cars For Families

U.S. News and World Report publishes its Best Cars for Families award winners yearly. In 2024, there are nine category winners: six SUVs, two cars, and one minivan. Subaru is absent again from the awards. 

Subaru SUVs And Cars Are Excluded

Subaru SUVs are unpopular with U.S. News editors and their rating system. U.S. News evaluates the winners based on models with the "best combination of interior space, family-friendly features, and overall quality." Subaru is often excluded.

Related Content: U.S. News Shuts Subaru Out Again - No Best New Family Cars In 2023

They say, "We use our U.S. News overall rating, which incorporates the consensus opinion of the automotive press and data points like crash test and predicted reliability ratings."

That could explain why. The automotive press isn't enamored with Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicles. First, let's look at this year's top picks.

U.S. News Best Cars For Families

• Best Compact SUV for Families: 2024 Hyundai Tucson
• Best 2-Row Midsize SUV for Families: 2024 Honda Passport
• Best 3-Row Midsize SUV for Families: 2024 Kia Telluride
• Best Large SUV for Families: 2024 Chevrolet Suburban
• Best Hybrid SUV for Families: 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
• Best Electric SUV for Families: 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Best Hybrid Car for Families: 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Best Midsize Car for Families: 2024 Toyota Camry
• Best Minivan for Families: 2024 Chrysler Pacifica

Why are the 2024 Subaru Forester, 2024 Outback, and 2024 Subaru Crosstrek not among the best for families? According to U.S. News, they pick vehicles with the latest active safety features designed to help prevent collisions. 

Safety is one of Subaru's core values, so you'd think one Subaru model would be on the best family vehicles list. Subaru had four Top Safety Pick winners with the IIHS in 2024. 

Safety Technology Is Important

Families want safe vehicles for driving on busy city roads, and the next-generation Subaru Crosstrek, for example, comes with the latest version of Subaru's Eyesight driver-assist safety technology. 

Subaru EyeSight is standard equipment

Subaru EyeSight safety technology is now standard on all 2024 Subaru Forester, 2024 Outback, and 2024 Subaru Crosstrek trim levels. It's not an expensive option and is included in the price. 

The standard EyeSight system includes forward pre-collision warning, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Consumer Reports says that Subaru makes the best vehicles of any mainstream (non-luxury) automaker. 

Related Story: Which Brands Make The Best Cars of 2024? CR's New Ranking And Why Subaru Scores the Best Mainstream Brand

The 2024 Subaru Forester, Outback, or Crosstrek are snubbed again in the U.S. News best family cars of 2024 winners, but that's not unusual. 

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

photo credit: Subaru USA