I love my car. It’s big and it’s dirty and it’s a total mom mobile without looking like the 1984 Chevy wagon with wood paneling like my mom drove (very similar to the wagon that took the Griswolds on their adventures!). I love that my car has an optional third row for the days when we need to fit a few extra people in our car, that it has a mirror that pops down in the front so the adults up front can see the kids in the back without moving the rear-view mirror, and it has TEN (10!) cup holders for all those coffees and sippy cups that keep mom mobiles going.
I have never had a cool car. I always have been a person who favors practicality and function over style when it comes to cars. So, I didn’t need to do a true car overhaul until my second child came along and I needed room for two car seats, two adults, a dog and a full trunk. Enter the mid-size SUV with the DVD player thrown in, and long trips to the in-laws have never been better!
According to Kelley Blue Book, the top family cars of 2015 took the following things into consideration when they were ranked: “Comfort and driving, safety, car seats, cargo space, rear-seat entertainment and extra features.” They came up with a list of 15 cars have all of the features of a great family car within any style or budget. Here are my top five favorites:
- SUV: Can’t go wrong. SUV’s can usually be manipulated in different ways to make room for groceries and all of the things you bought at Target. There is space for car seats when the kids are small and for hockey bags when they are big. KBB’s top SUV’s for 2015: Honda CR-V, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder.
- Minivan: Classic mom car. However, today’s minivans are masters of convenience and style. This ain’t yo mama’s minivan! KBB’s top minivans for 2015: Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.
- Sedan: You don’t have to go big just because you have kids. Sometimes the classic sedan is all you want and all you need. KBB’s top sedans for 2015: Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Chevy Impala and Toyota Camry.
- Station Wagon: The cargo space of an SUV with the easy in and out of a sedan. KBB’s top station wagon for 2015: Subaru Outback.
- Extra large van/SUV: For families with 3 + kids, the extra large van or SUV is the way to go. Everything fits. Just make sure to do a head count before leaving the driveway! KBB’s top Extra large van/SUV for 2015: Chevy Tahoe.
What about you – do you consider your car to be a “mom mobile”? What car did you drive before having kids? What features made you choose the car you have now?
