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10 Best Cars for Families
When you finally decide that you're ready to start a family-or perhaps you're well on your way-it's time to get rid of that two-door sports car and look for a vehicle that will safely transport all family members to work, school and wherever else you need to go. It might be tough to give up your dream car in favor of practicality, but you'll find that it's well worth the price.
The best cars for families are those which can comfortably seat everyone in your family and provide safe and secure driving for years to come. It must also fall within your price range, of course, which is different for everyone. If you're ready to look for a family car, try some of these models on for size.
1. Volkswagen Rabbit
This family-friendly economy car is great for four- or five-person families who need something small and versatile. The hatchback trunk provides ample room to store soccer equipment, dance costumes and anything else you need to cart with you on a daily basis.
It has exterior-signal mirrors that indicate your turn signal from the side-view mirrors for added safety, and the windows come with "pinch protection" to save those tiny fingers when they go explorin'.
2. Mazda 3 4-Door
The Mazda3 4-door sedan is ideal for family members who prefer a more traditional vehicle. Not only is it sleek and attractive on the outside, but it is also quite roomy on the inside. It gets up to 32 MPG on the highway, which can save you money on those family vacations, and it comes with rear bumper reflectors, rear cup holders for the kids, an illuminated glove compartment and child-safe rear door locks.
3. Mercury Milan
One of the best things about this mid-size Sedan is its capacity for family storage. It comes with cup holders, front door slots, grocery bag hooks, a storage bin in the instrument panel, map pockets and an overhead console. The Milan also features headlights that come on as soon as the day fades into night, a Belt-Minder system, perimeter anti-theft capabilities and a tire pressure monitoring system.
4. Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is one of the most comfortable mid-size sedans on the market, and has certainly stood the test of time. Accords are known to last for many years with few mechanical problems, which can give a family the security it needs to travel safely on the road. The Accord comes with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) security, side curtain airbags and electronic brake distribution on its anti-lock brakes.
5. Toyota Camry
If you're looking for a low-priced family car, the Toyota Camry is an excellent stand-by. It has High Solar Energy-Absorbing glass for more comfortable rides in the summer, heated exterior mirrors to avoid fogging, a rear window defogger with a timer and a lockable glove box to keep things out of the little one's reach. It also has a collapsible steering column for added safety during a wreck.
6. Chevy Tahoe
Great for larger families, the Chevy Tahoe has a removable third row of seats-great for bringing the kids' friends with you to baseball practice-and is extremely comfortable during long road trips, with virtual silence inside while driving. You can get the option Rear Parking Assist for added security, or just enjoy the standard package, which includes front airbags with a passenger-sensing system, StabiliTrak for stability during emergency situations and OnStar.
7. Honda CR-V
If you're looking for a smaller SUV that still has some room for your family, the Honda CR-V warrants consideration. It has steering-wheel-mounted controls for ease of use, plenty of storage for the kids' sporting equipment, seat belts with pretensioners and side curtain airbags. The CR-V earned a five-star safety rating for both frontal- and side-impact.
8. Hyundai Santa Fe GLS
One of the must inexpensive SUVs on the road today, the Hyundai Santa Fe GLS has an MSRP of just over $21,000. It comes with a traction control system, a tire pressure monitoring system, heated exterior mirrors and a keyless entry system with an alarm. This SUV is also MP3-compatible for your teenagers who enjoy listening to tunes while on the road.
9. Hyundai Entourage
If you prefer a minivan to an SUV, Hyundai makes the Entourage, which has an excellent safety rating for both frontal- and side-impacts, as well as Electronic Stability Control and active front head restraints. It has an option for dual climate-control systems, which can be helpful during a long road trip with the kids, and several different cargo configurations for vacations or hauling sports equipment.
10. Toyota Sienna
Another great minivan, the Sienna has the traditional wood-grain style interior trim, which makes it almost a classic. The driver's seat has adjustable lumbar support for parents who have been carrying children around all day, as well as removable second-row seating and power sliding doors. This minivan is particularly special for families because it comes with thoughtful conveniences, such as a garage-control storage bin, two glove boxes, four bottle holders and three 12V power outlets.
Finding the perfect car for your family should be a high priority. Now that you are armed with the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision, all that's left is the test drive!