FEB. 1, 2012 -- U.S. News & World Report has announced the 18 automobiles that are best for families.

Eight brands won awards across 18 automotive categories, including cars, SUVs and minivans. Honda and Ford led the pack with four winning vehicles each, while Acura, Buick, Subaru and Toyota had two wins each.

"American families need cars that are safe, reliable and designed to make life easier," said Jamie Page Deaton, managing editor of U.S. News Best Cars. "The winning vehicles provide the best mix of the bells and whistles today's families want with the basics they need. From the rugged towing and foul-weather capabilities of the Toyota Sequoia, to the comfort and space of the Honda Odyssey, to the high-tech features to keep teen drivers safe in the Ford Taurus, this list offers a vehicle for every type of family."

The 2012 Winners Are:
Affordable Compact SUV: 2012 Honda CR-V
Full-Size Car: 2012 Ford Taurus
Affordable Full-Size SUV: 2012 Toyota Sequoia
Affordable Midsize Car: 2012 Ford Fusion
Midsize SUV with Two Rows: 2012 Ford Edge
Midsize SUV with Three Rows: 2012 Buick Enclave
Compact Car: 2012 Subaru Impreza
Subcompact Car: 2012 Honda Fit
Hatchback: 2012 Honda Fit
Hybrid Car: 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Hybrid SUV: 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Luxury Compact SUV: 2012 BMW X3
Luxury Full-Size SUV: 2012 Cadillac Escalade
Luxury Midsize SUV: 2012 Acura MDX
Minivan: 2012 Honda Odyssey
Upscale Midsize Car: 2012 Buick Regal
Upscale Small Car: 2012 Acura TSX
Wagon: 2012 Subaru Outback

To determine the winners in each category, U.S. News editors combine the consensus opinion of automotive critics with safety, reliability, passenger and cargo volume data as well as an index of family-friendly features, according to the publication's press release. The awards, and the Best Cars website, are published by U.S. News & World Report, which has a long history of helping Americans make the best choices when it comes to higher education, hospitals and more.

For more on the winning cars, visit U.S. News Best Cars.

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