Ten best cars for the family

published by Asianpost on Wed, 03/04/2009 - 14:48


"The key is versatility," says Jennifer Stockburger, a senior automotive engineer at Consumer Reports. "The family car is the multi-use vehicle for many families. Consumers are very demanding in what they want, and they aren’t willing to compromise."


A family car needs to be adaptable, to accommodate an adult or teen driver; equipped with safety features to protect passengers of all ages and sizes; offer a range of flexibility to add cargo space when needed; and provide easy access to rear seats (for car seats or adults who may sit in back).


Forbes

looked for the best family cars in 10 market segments to find affordable vehicles designed to suit a variety of needs.
 

So which car is the best for a family? It all depends on the family. Here is Forbes assessment . . .

 
Best Compact Car - Volkswagen Rabbit

Cargo Space: 15 cu.ft.


Family Features: Eight-way adjustable height and reach front seats; adjustable head restraints; 10-speaker audio system with in-dash six CD changer and MP3 capable; rear ventilation for climate control in center console; optional rear side airbags.


Best Large Car - Ford Taurus

Cargo Space: 21.2 cu.ft.


Family Features: Safety canopy side curtain airbags for both rows; fold-flat front passenger seat for items up to nine feet long; coat hooks; available voice-activated hands-free communications and entertainment system; adjustable pedals.
Best Mid-Size Car - Nissan Altima


Cargo Space: 15.3 cu.ft.


Family Features: Dual-stage airbag system; multi-adjustable driver’s and passenger’s seat; dual-level center console with 12-volt power and CD storage; active head restraints.


Best Wagon - Saab 9-3 Sport Combi


Cargo Space: 72 cu.ft.


Family Features: Main cargo area floor lifts to divide the space into two sections; additional storage in recessed sub floor; front-seat active head restraints.

Best Compact SUV - Toyota Rav 4


Cargo Space: 73 cu.ft.


Family Features: Height-adjustable head rests; eight-way power-adjustable seat; rear-seat DVD entertainment system; multiple storage areas in seatbacks and doors; optional third-row seat.


Best Crossover, Small Family - Ford Edge


Cargo Space: 70 cu.ft.


Family Features: Passenger-sensing deactivation airbag; voice-activated hands-free communications and entertainment system for voice operation of cellphones, PDAs, MP3 players and USB storage devices.


Best Mid-Size SUV - Mitsubishi Endeavor


Cargo Space: 76 cu. ft.


Family Features: Heated front seats; reclining rear seats; multiple storage areas in seatback and overhead console.

Best Crossover, Large Family - Saturn Outlook


Cargo Space: 117 cu. ft.


Family Features: Storage underneath rear cargo floor; second-row seat cushion flips up while the seatback slides forward for easy third-row access; rollover sensing system activates head curtain airbags if a rollover is imminent.


Best Minivan - Toyota Sienna


Cargo Space: 149 cu.ft.


Family Features: Roof rack; removable center console with storage; five assist grips and four coat hooks.

Best Convertible - MINI Cooper


Cargo Space: 21.3 cu.ft.


Family Features: Height-adjustable head rests to help prevent whiplash in an accident; split-folding rear seats for additional cargo space; storage compartment to keep beverages cool.

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