That’s why, after having a kid or two, it’s, “Goodbye, beater car from college. Hello, shiny minivan with all the bells and whistles.”
Families who’ve budgeted for a new car in 2018 might want to check out U.S. News & World Report’s latest list of the best cars for families.
This news outlet — which also ranks colleges, hospitals and more — came up with its family-vehicle ranking by examining automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, seating and cargo volume, and the availability of family-friendly features in 127 new cars, SUVs and minivans.
Even though all those factors are important, price is also crucial when you’re buying a new car — especially when you’re a Penny Hoarder.
So we cross-checked U.S. News & World Report’s Best Cars for Families list with its Best Cars for the Money list, which was released earlier this year. The Best Cars for the Money list focused not just on the initial price but on long-term ownership costs (like fuel, insurance and repair expenses) in addition to factors like quality and performance.
Four vehicles were category winners in both rankings.
Best Midsize Car
MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price): $23,495
Notable features:
- Ranked a perfect score for safety
- Infotainment system is user-friendly and has standard smartphone integration
- Fuel-efficient, averaging between 32 and 41 miles per gallon on the highway and 22 and 29 miles per gallon on city streets
Downsides:
- Trunk space is smaller than average
- Not compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
What U.S. News & World Report says: “The Camry has plenty of advanced driver assistance features that help avoid collisions, such as standard lane departure warning and pedestrian detection. It’s also a great commuter car.”
Best Compact SUV
MSRP: $24,150
Notable features:
- Scored well on crash tests
- Ample seating and cargo space
- Fuel-efficient, averaging between 31 and 34 miles per gallon on the highway and 25 and 28 miles per gallon on city streets
Downsides:
- Few standard features, causing buyers to pay extra for upgrades
- No major changes from last year’s model
What U.S. News and World Report says: “Those looking for a family car will appreciate its roomy back seats, huge trunk and good safety scores, while great fuel economy estimates boost the CR-V’s appeal as a commuting partner.”
Best Two-Row SUV
MSRP: $29,315
Notable features:
- Infotainment system is user-friendly and integrates with smartphones
- Above-average fuel economy for a midsize SUV, getting between 23 and 29 miles per gallon on the highway and 17 and 21 miles per gallon on city streets
- Smooth handling, like driving a car
Downsides:
- Transmission has been described as slow to shift
- No major changes from last year’s model
What U.S. News and World Report says: “A premium interior along with an above-average predicted reliability rating further help the Edge stand out in its class. Its below-average starting price doesn’t hurt its appeal either.”
Best Minivan
MSRP: $29,990
Notable features:
- Boasts numerous family-friendly tech features, like a rear entertainment system and an in-cabin camera system
- Handles well
- Seats up to eight
- User-friendly infotainment system
Downsides:
- Must remove the second-row seats for maximum cargo capacity
- On the pricy end
What U.S. News & World Report says: “Though it has a higher price tag than most rivals, it’s worth it. The 2018 Odyssey has enough space for all your stuff, whether you’re going on vacation or shuttling soccer equipment to the big game … Excellent crash test scores and a variety of advanced safety features make the Odyssey a great choice for a family vehicle.”
Nicole Dow is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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