Best Cars for Families

You make decisions all day long (“Should I let the baby cry it out?” “What can I cook tonight?”), but picking a set of wheels is one of the most crucial ones you’ll make. So for a fifth year we’ve teamed up with Edmunds.com, the top online car-buying resource, to help you sort through the dozens of models to find the ideal one for your family and your wallet.

As always, safety is our primary concern. For that reason, every vehicle on our list is equipped with antilock brakes, electronic stability control, and a minimum of six air bags. Plus, a record 14 of our recommended cars earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). To help you save money, we’ve favored vehicles that get great mileage and represent the premier value in their class. We paid close attention to kid-friendly features while also keeping in mind that a smooth, stylish ride makes everyone happy.

Sedans - Kia Optima

Starts at $21,000
MPG: 22 city/35 highway

Kia continues to win converts by offering indulgent features for a moderate price. The basic Optima has heated mirrors and a glove box that keeps formula or juice boxes chilled. A spirited ride helps you forget you're driving a family sedan. Chrome exhaust tips and alloy wheels add further flair, and for an extra $3,000 you can get leather seats, wood trim, and a smart key, so you don't have to dig through your purse when you're carrying an infant or grocery bags.

Features: Steering-wheel audio controls standard, IIHS Top Safety Pick, USB jack standard, Backup camera available, Bluetooth capability standard, 5 passenger capacity, 3 car-seat capacity

Crossovers: Kia Sorento

Starts at $23,150
MPG: 22 city/32 highway

With a super smooth ride and an available third row (standard on LX-V6 and SX trim levels, an $800 option on others) that expands the seating capacity to seven, the Sorento is a great choice for growing families and carpoolers. The second-row seat is among the widest in this category, which comes in handy when you need to squeeze in three adjacent car seats. Standard appointments include large seatback pockets for your kids' books and a rear armrest with cup holders. The optional V-6 (an extra $1,300 to $1,800, depending on the trim line) is worth it if you need the 3,500-pound towing capacity. Otherwise the standard four-cylinder engine, which provides ample pickup and yields better mileage, is a smarter choice.

Features: Steering-wheel audio controls standard, All- or four-wheel drive available, IIHS Top Safety Pick, USB jack standard, Backup camera available, Backup sensors available, Bluetooth capability standard, 7 passenger capacity, 5 car-seat capacity

Raves From an Owner: "The Sorento is stable on the highway yet agile on twisty back roads. Our kids love the reclining rear seats. The third row is a plus for carpooling, and the cargo area fits all their sports gear." --Lisa Mueller; Milton, Georgia

 

Courtesy of Parents.com