What To Look For In A Family Vehicle

I currently own an SUV but eventually I know that we are going to outgrow it.  Finding a new family car can sometimes be difficult when you are considering all the options these days.  It is often easy to overlook the not so obvious things when trying to find a really good and safe family car.  It is always good to have some sort of starting point to kind of guide you in the best direction.

From personal experience even picking out a car seat is something that you have to research.  There are options galore in terms of safety, comfort, price, and how it will best fit your child.  The same holds true for the vehicle you use to tote your family around in.

There are many tips out there for purchasing a new car but I thought that these tips from the folks at Auto Trader would help you have a place to start!

Tips from experts at AutoTrader.com

Experts from AutoTrader.com, the ultimate automotive marketplace, offer the following overview on popular family-friendly models, including minivans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and sedans:

SUVs – Attractive, roomy, sturdy, powerful and responsive, these vehicles have been a very popular choice in recent years.

Pros:

1. Often sit up higher, an ideal feature for improved all-around visibility.
2. Often equipped with four-wheel or all-wheel drive to handle different terrains.
3. Typically feature family-friendly bonuses, such as rear-seat DVD players and enough cup holders for the entire family.

Cons:

1. Can be gas guzzlers.
2. More prone to rollovers, leading to safety concerns.
3. High thresholds may lead to trouble loading items into some SUVs.

Minivans – When they first appeared on the scene and before SUVs took the stage, minivans were the ultimate family vehicle choice – and are making a comeback.

Pros:

1. Less likely than SUVs to roll over in a crash. Built-in crumple zones help to absorb the impact and protect    passengers.
2. Roomy for passengers and allow a great deal of cargo space.
3. Often equipped with automatic sliding doors, which lessens the stress of loading the car while holding a child.
4. Low threshold makes it easier to remove car seats and load groceries.

Cons:

1. Generally have a lower resale value than an SUV.
2. Family Sedans – As gas prices rise, so do the attractiveness and sales of sedans – especially smaller, more gas-friendly ones.

Pros:

1. With a smaller size, family members can be within reach of the driver.
2. Include perks like affordability and nimble handling.
3. Can offer better gas mileage than most SUVs and minivans.

Cons:

1. Storage space can be more limited.

Other Factors Parents Should Consider when Looking for a Car:

·    Size and activity level of a family. Are family members involved in extracurricular activities or sports with equipment that requires more storage space, or will the car primarily be used as a means to get from Point A to Point B? Does the car need to be large enough to fit everyone and everything inside, or will a more economical sedan suffice? These are important factors to think of when looking at different vehicles.

·    Safety. Parents should take note of important features with which a family car should come equipped, such as electronic stability control, side airbags, anti-lock braking systems and tire pressure monitoring systems. When you’re looking at specific models, if you choose an SUV for your family car, look for responsive mid-size models with excellent crash test ratings, or consider a crossover, which combines the safety of minivans with the sleek features of a traditional SUV.

·    Personal preferences and convenience. Personal preferences such as cargo area size and ease of car seat installation vary for each parent and absolutely important to consider when looking at different cars. Parents may also want to consider factors that make things more convenient when it comes to children, such as dark upholstery (for spills and messes), keyless entry (when you’re juggling kids and other items) and a LATCH system, which makes installing car seats easier and safer.

There is a ton of stuff here to consider.  I know our next purchase we are considering a minivan.  Although I hate minivans, it is going to be the more practical solution to our growing family.  For now I am happy in my SUV and not ready to give it up.  Good luck car shopping!