2014 Rogue, Altima and Pathfinder on KBB Best Family Cars list

The Kelley Blue Book awards are often touted as some of the most coveted in the industry and definitely bring some serious credibility for marketing purposes to those who win them. This year, the 12 Best Family Cars of 2014 were announced and three of those twelve were Nissans.

The KBB awards are given based on family evaluations and KBB.com editorial staff. The staff chooses vehicles for the short list of finalists based on their own review process and scoring methods. Those vehicles are then given to families and the final list of winners is picked based on participant feedback and notes.

The 2014 Nissan Rogue, the company's flagship model for promotions this year, is all-new and very improved, explaining why it won out for the list this year. It's Nissan's second-best selling vehicle in North America and, beginning this model year, is also made here at the company's Smyrna, Tennessee plant. It was touted as being "..a compelling choice for young families looking for practical, comfortable and inexpensive transportation." Watch for a family road trip story coming later this spring when Torque News takes the Rogue out for a vacation.

The 2014 Nissan Altima also won and is one of the ten best-selling cars in the U.S. KBB and the reviewers for the 12 Best list said it received top marks for substance, roominess, and comfortable seating.

Finally, the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder "hit a sweet spot with family-car buyers" after its design debut last year caused it to more than double its sales. Among the proof points of the vehicle's success are a sub-$30,000 starting price, roomy interior, plenty of cargo space, a sharp exterior and interior design and features.

In all, the big showing on the KBB.com list this year is good news for Nissan and great news for family car buyers looking for the best they can get for their money.