WHAT ARE THE BEST CARS FOR A FAMILY
ONE SIZE FITS ALL FOR HOWEVER YOU DEFINE YOUR FAMILY
I don’t have any kids of my own. But as a parenting and child development expert, as well as a widely published automotive journalist, I am frequently asked to offer advice or input on appropriate family cars. And, with the summer tourism season fast approaching, and the current pandemic causing people to flee from other transportation options, these requests have only accelerated. So, I’ve put together this list of some of my standard responses, as well as some other options to entertain.
There are many categories of vehicles out there that work for different families, but my biggest advice is, generally, keep your footprint small. Buy the smallest vehicle you can get away with for your family size. No reason to be carting around a third row or huge cargo area that will go unused—except for guzzling gas, and adding to your emissions—90% of the time.
Wagon
Though they’ve fallen far out of favor from their mid- and late-20th century prime, station wagons remain one of the best options for transporting your family. I like them so much, I own two, including a 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, which offers all-wheel-drive and a stick shift, the only wagon on the market to do so. A step up from this is the beautiful Volvo V60, which is somehow even better looking than its big brother, the handsome Volvo V90 (Volvo is the only automaker to offer two wagons in the US.) If I could afford one, I’d get a Mercedes E-Class Wagon, but I’d get it soon, before it gets all clad up with plastic. The slow-selling, but lovely, Buick Regal TourX and Jaguar XF Sportbrake are on their way out too, so deals are broad, while the ultra-potent Audi RS6 Avant is on its way in, though at $110,000, you’ll be paying for all that power. .
Small Crossover
Crossovers offer enhanced ride height versus their wagon and sedan counterparts. But they also add weight, and a higher center of gravity, generally decreasing fuel economy and handling stability. Still, there are a number of good choices for people who prefer to sit up high. The Mazda CX-5 remains my top pick in the category, because of its handsome design, high quality interior materials, and lovely handling and balance. The Volvo XC-40 abounds in clever storage solutions and safety tech. The Honda CR-V now comes in a hybrid model, but the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid beats it by far with its ability to plug in and drive 17 miles on electric power. The BMW X1/X2 offer space and a premium feel in a smaller package, unmatched by its Teutonic rivals.
Large Crossover
Like its smaller sibling, the Mazda CX-9 dominates the price conscious end of this three-row category, but it has some stiff competition from the upstart Kia Telluride/Hyundai Palisade twins, which offer handsome, rectilinear good looks, and loads of standard features, at a very attractive price. If you’re in the market for a domestic, we like the Chevrolet Traverse for its combination of size and affordability, and the Cadillac XT6 for its high roofline and luxurious interior—though you’ll have to upgrade from the base vehicle to get the best materials. If you’re willing to spend, the Volvo XC90, might be the queen of the hill, especially in plug-in hybrid T8 form, which gives you the ability to drive 20+ miles on electric power, more than enough for many of your daily commuting needs. If you want to get even spendier, the Mercedes-Benz GLS or BMW X7 offer loads of luxury, and a range of engines, from subtle to stonking.
Minivan
The minivan market has plummeted from its pinnacle, but I haven’t given up on them as one of the most practical and useful forms: a box on wheels. The Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica are my two favorites, not only for their supple ride, but for their ready reconfigurability, and cool bonus features. Like wagons, vans are so uncool now, they’re cool. And with all this functionality—especially the ability to separate and placate arguing siblings in their own zones, while still keeping them in the driver’s sightline—who cares?
Sedan
Though nearly three-fourths of new vehicles sold in America are now trucks, SUVs, crossovers, and vans, traditional four-door sedans still make a robust and practical family schlepper. Once again, I love the vehicles from Hiroshima, the smaller Mazda3 and bigger Mazda6. I’ve owned three versions of the Honda Accord and would own another in a heartbeat if I didn’t already have five cars. Like the Mazda siblings, but more upscale, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class are smaller and larger family pair that convey a sense of pristine serenity and stolidity, but they’re being chased by the new Audi A6, which surprised me on a recent test drive. And you may not know what a Genesis is (it’s the upscale brand from Hyundai) but their G70 and G90 sedans are worth checking out, as is the Kia Stinger, another Hyundai sibling. While I’m at it, the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata are also worth considering.