You win the car by reaching the Fast Money round and then beating the winning family's combined score
The car prize on Family Feud is not given away during regular gameplay. Instead, it is the grand prize for winning the Fast Money round, which happens at the end of each episode after a family has already won the main game. To get the car, a family must first win their matches, then compete in Fast Money, and finally score more points than the target score set by the opposing family.
The process works like this: two families play the main game by answering survey questions. Whichever family wins the most points across multiple rounds advances to Fast Money. In Fast Money, one family member answers five rapid-fire questions with no input from teammates, and the other family gets a chance to answer the same questions. If the first family scores enough points to beat the second family's total, they win the car (or the cash prize, depending on the episode and version of the show).
Key Takeaways
- Only families that win the main game rounds get to play Fast Money, where the car prize is actually won.
- In Fast Money, one player answers five survey questions quickly while their family watches silently without helping.
- The opposing family then answers the same five questions, and their score is revealed after the first family finishes.
- If the first family's score beats the second family's score, they win the car or the cash equivalent prize for that episode.
- The exact prize amount and whether it is a physical car or cash varies by episode, season, and which version of Family Feud is airing.
How the main game works before Fast Money
Before any family can reach Fast Money, they must win the regular rounds. In the main game, two families compete by answering survey questions. The host reads a question, and the family that buzzes in first gets to answer. If their answer is on the board (meaning it was one of the top responses given by 100 surveyed people), their family scores points. If the answer is not on the board, the other family gets a chance to answer and steal the points.
Families play multiple rounds, and the team with the highest total score at the end wins the match. Winning families stay on the show to play the next match. The longer a family wins, the more matches they accumulate, and the more they earn in prize money before reaching Fast Money.
What happens during the Fast Money round
Fast Money is a separate game that only the winning family plays. One member of the winning family sits alone at the podium while the rest of the family is sent backstage or to the side. That player has 20 seconds to answer five survey questions. The questions are straightforward and designed to have common answers — things like "Name a reason someone might call in sick to work" or "Name something you might find in a kitchen."
The player cannot confer with their family. They must answer quickly and move to the next question. Each correct answer (one that appears on the survey board) is worth a certain number of points, usually between 5 and 50 points depending on how many people surveyed gave that answer. The more popular the answer, the fewer points it is worth.
After the first player finishes, the opposing family's chosen player sits down and answers the same five questions. Their score is then revealed. If the first family's total is higher, they win the prize. If the second family's score is higher or equal, the first family wins nothing and the second family wins the prize.
The prize structure and what the car is worth
The car prize on Family Feud has changed over the years and varies depending on which version of the show is airing. On the current version hosted by Steve Harvey, the Fast Money prize is typically a cash amount rather than an actual vehicle. The cash prize can range from $20,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the episode and any special promotions running that week.
Some special episodes or tournaments offer a physical car as the prize instead of cash. When a car is offered, it is usually a new vehicle worth between $20,000 and $40,000. Families can choose to take the cash equivalent if they win, rather than the physical car, though this option depends on the rules for that particular episode.
Strategy tips for Fast Money
The player chosen for Fast Money should be someone quick-thinking who can come up with common answers under pressure. The best answers are ones that many people would think of — not clever or unusual ones. For example, if asked "Name a type of food you might eat for breakfast," answering "eggs" or "toast" is better than answering "caviar," even though caviar is technically a food.
Players should listen carefully to each question and not waste time overthinking. With only 20 seconds for five questions, that is roughly four seconds per answer. Pausing too long or asking for clarification costs valuable time. The family watching from the side cannot help, so the player must be prepared to make quick decisions on their own.
How families may have access to to be on the show
To have a chance at winning the car, a family must first be selected to appear on Family Feud. The show holds open casting calls and accepts applications from groups of five related people (usually when ready family members). Applicants go through a screening process that includes a written test, an interview, and a live tryout where they play a practice round.
The casting team looks for families that are energetic, fun to watch, and have good chemistry together. Being selected for the show does not may provide reaching Fast Money — a family must win their matches first. Families that lose their first match go home without reaching the Fast Money round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a family win the car more than once?
Yes. Families that win multiple matches in a row get multiple chances to play Fast Money. Each time they win a match, they play another Fast Money round with a chance to win the prize again. Some families have won the car or cash prize multiple times during their run on the show.
What if both families tie in Fast Money?
If the scores are exactly equal, the first family (the one that won the main game) wins the prize. A tie is treated as a win for the family that earned the right to play Fast Money by winning the earlier rounds.
Is the car prize always available?
No. The prize varies by episode. Some episodes offer cash instead of a car, and the amount changes. Special tournament episodes or holiday episodes may have larger prizes. The show announces what the prize is before Fast Money begins.
Do families have to pay taxes on the car or cash prize?
Yes. Any prize won on Family Feud is considered taxable income. Families receive a tax form (1099) for the prize amount and are responsible for reporting it to the IRS. The show does not withhold taxes automatically, so winners should plan to set aside money for taxes owed.
How do I get my family on Family Feud?
You can find casting information on the official Family Feud website or social media pages. The show regularly holds open casting calls in different cities. You need five family members who are related by blood or marriage, and all must be at least 18 years old. The process process includes a written test and an in-person audition.