Families come in all shapes and sizes.  Personally, I think if you have three kids and two adults, you have a large family, but others scoff and say that’s nothing; try six kids and two adults, while others say a big family is when you don’t have enough matching chairs to go around the dining room table at dinner time.  Growing up, I had a friend who had three sisters and five brothers nine kids in all.   Thinking back, I don’t know how they did it, but I remember the parents owned a Chevy Suburban, which at the time, was probably the largest vehicle on the market for large families. 

Welcome to 2008, where the Chevy Suburban is still one of the best rides for a large family - but by far, not the only ride.   These days, families have more vehicles to choose from, definitely more safety features that come standard and a lot more fun features to add no matter what size family you have.

Jennifer Stockburger, who is a senior automotive engineer at Consumer Reports, says multi-use vehicles and versatility are important to today’s growing families:

“The key is versatility. 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.”

So, let’s take a look at some great vehicles to get your family moving on down the road:

2008 Saturn Outlook Base Price: $28,960.00

Forbes gives high marks to the 2008 Saturn Outlook.  Lots of storage here and a second row seat cushion which flips while the seatback slides forward for third-row access.  The Outlook also has a rollover sensing system which activates head curtain airbags.  This nice crossover will get you about 19 mpg on the highway.

2008 Nissan Altima Base Price: 18,620.00

Forbes also gives high praise to the 2008 Nissan Altima and I can attest, as the proud owner of one of these myself (albeit a little older model), this car is absolutely fantastic.  While it’s mid size and not roomy enough for an overly large family, my kids are older, so it’s perfect for us.  My son, who is 6ft. 4 inches tall, has plenty of room in the front to stretch his legs out and enough room in the back to be comfortable.  The 2008 Nissan Altima can seat up to five passengers, has 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space and can get you about 26 mpg on the highway.  It also has a dual airbag system and adjustable driver and passenger seating.   

2008 Nissan Rogue Base Price: $19,250.00

Recently, Parents magazine listed their top family cars for 2008 and the 2008 Nissan Rogue was chosen for its easy-to-use controls, room for up to three car seats in the back, side-curtain air bags, all-wheel drive, hands free Bluetooth system, roomy seats and rear climate control – and all under $21,870.00.  The Nissan Rogue will also get you about 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on highway.

2008 Chevy Malibu Base Price: $19,995.00

Parents magazine also chose the 2008 Chevy Malibu as one of its best picks in the sedan category.  They cited its large rear-seat pockets, antilock brakes and side-curtain air bags, as well as the Malibu’s strong safety numbers, heated seats and remote start as being among the vehicle’s important attributes.  You can expect to get about 22 mpg in the city and about 30 mpg highway.

2008 Chrysler Town and Country Mini-Van Base Price: 23,595.00

Not long ago, Mother Proof, announced their top picks for the best family vehicles of 2008 at the Chicago Auto Show, and the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country took home top honors for its Swivel ‘n Go seats, automatic tailgate and folding third row, as well as lots of options and features (dual DVD system, ParkSense rear back-up system, LED lighting and much more, including the option for Sirius Satellite TV!). The 2008 Chrysler Town and Country will get you about 17 mpg in the city and approximately 24 mpg on the highway.  This is definitely not your mother’s min-van!

Tell us about your family car.  Love it?  Hate it?  Recommend it?

Tags: Advice, Car Shopping, General // 10 Comments »