Choosing the Right Car for Your Family

What To Look For In A Family Car

 

Car companies manufacture every car model differently, and some models are better equipped for your family than others are. While that cute 2-door convertible might have been your car of choice when you were sixteen, it might not be the best option when it comes to juggling your hectic parenting schedule. To pick the perfect family car, it is important to consider a few essential elements, particularly the car’s seating, space, and safety. In addition, potential family car buyers can also consider the car’s aesthetic qualities. While many people associate family cars with “old-fashioned” station wagons, the truth is family car options have grown exponentially both in features and in design. In today’s market, families can find great affordable and functional cars that are also pleasant on the eyes.

All families have different space and seating needs when looking for new or used cars. Depending on the size of your family, you might need only a second row of passenger seating. Other families might need a third row as well. Usually, vehicles are equipped with bench passenger seats. Now, many family cars have the option of installing “bucket” passenger seats in the second row of the vehicle. Bucket passenger seats are a great option because they provide additional comfort to the passengers. This extra comfort might help keep your kids happy through the duration of all your long car rides. For busy families, the last thing any parent wants it to have to deal with annoyed children.

Another concern is trunk space. Many families shop often, whether it be for food at the grocery store, school supplies from the office store, or clothes from the department store. All families have different trunk space needs. If a car’s trunk space looks minimal, parents should see if it is possible to remove a row of passenger seating. By doing so, they might be able to greatly increase the amount of trunk space available for item storage in your auto.

While all of these things are important, they really mean nothing if the car is not affordable on today's tight family budgets.  Along with purchase price, cost of ownership is very important to consider.  Expenses such as gasoline, upkeep and maintenance, and car insurance are among the biggest factors playing into cost of ownership.

For most parents, safety is one of their top concerns, especially when it comes to purchasing a new car. Now, the federal government does require all new cars to meet certain safety standards. But some cars just meet the safety standards and others go beyond the standards. Simply put, some cars are safer than others are.

Every parent should be sure their family car is equipped with a few essential safety basics, including anti-lock brakes, side-curtain airbags, and electronic stability control. It should also go without saying that before allowing your children to operate your automobile that they first successfully complete an accredited traffic school.  All of the safety features in the world are still not enough protection from an unsafe driver.  Anti-lock brakes are so important because they help minimize accident impact. Under normal circumstances, it is impossible to steer or operate a car when the brakes are suddenly applied. With anti-lock brakes, drivers can continue to steer and hopefully avoid an accident. Side-curtain airbags are great because they are the only airbags that protect passengers in the second or third rows of a vehicle. Frontal airbags, which are standard in all cars, only protect the heads of the driver and the front passenger. In the event of an accident, the heads of other passengers would be unprotected. Side-curtain airbags extend protection to all passengers in the event of a side-impact car crash. Electronic stability control is another great feature because it decreases the likelihood of skidding and increases driving stability. When the sensor detects that a vehicle is having difficulties steering, it automatically applies the brakes to help maneuver the car where the driver wants to go.

There are many ideal family cars on today’s market. One of the bestselling car models, the Toyota Camry, is perfect for many families. The Camry comes equipped with plenty additional safety features as well as plenty passenger and trunk space. The Honda Accord is great for younger families who are looking for a mid-size vehicle. In 2006, ConsumerSearch named the Honda Accord the Best Family Car in family sedans. For family’s looking for an SUV, the Chevrolet Suburban is great because of its comfortable ride and additional passenger seating and cargo space.