As more and more new cars hit the market, the wealth of choices available for families increases and makes finding the ideal vehicle for your family a bit more complicated. However, there are some features you should be looking for when it comes to finding the perfect family car. From SUVs to minivans, hatchbacks, and compact city cars, there is a different car for every family, but the following 10 points will help you make the right decision on your next family car.
Safety Rating & Features
Finding the perfect family car can be overwhelming, but the safety rating is one of the most critical aspects of buying a new vehicle. When shopping for a family car, you’re likely looking for more than just a spacious interior—you’re looking for a car that can hold all of you and your loved ones if an accident were to occur. One of the best ways to avoid a severe car accident is by looking for a vehicle with a safety rating of five or higher.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides car safety ratings. The scale goes from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest rating. Some of the most common safety ratings you’ll see on family cars are either five or four stars. When you shop for a family car with a safety rating of five or above, you’ll be protected in the event of a collision.
Comfort
When it comes to the comfort of a family car, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice safety for it. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend getaway, taking your children to soccer practice, or traveling for work, you’ll likely be in the car for hours. That can put a lot of strain on your entire family if your vehicle isn’t comfortable. At the very least, a family car should have a comfortable ride. While you probably don’t need an SUV or crossover with a luxury interior, a family car with a comfortable interior will allow you to enjoy your ride. If not, you might want to invest in some upgrades that can increase the comfort level of your car and provide support for longer car journeys, such as seat cushions, air-con upgrades, tinted windows to clock out UV rays, and Bluetooth for entertainment purposes along with features such as cup holders or custom air fresheners to keep your car smelling fresh at all times.
Economic
When buying a new family car, the fuel cost will surely be on everyone’s minds. You want to ensure that your next car is economically sound, so you don’t spend more on fuel. One of the best ways to keep your new vehicle’s fuel costs low is to look for a car with a fuel efficiency rating of at least 33 miles per gallon (mpg).
The best fuel-efficient cars are typically Hondas, Toyotas, Hyundai or Kia, which can get up to 47 mpg.
Suitable for Car Seats
When looking for a family car, you’ll likely want to ensure it has enough room for multiple car seats. Many states have regulations about which cars are suitable for multiple car seats. While many family cars have enough space for multiple car seats, you’ll want to ensure that the vehicle you’re looking at is suitable for your seats. Some of the most common car seats are infant seats, child seats, and booster seats. You’ll want to make sure that the car you’re looking at can hold the type of seat you have.
Style
While looking for a family car, you might also want to keep in mind the car’s style. Of course, you want to ensure the car is safe and has enough room for your family, but you should also consider how it looks on the outside. One of the first things family members will notice when they see your car is how it looks on the outside. If your family car looks nice, it can make a big difference when out with the family. There are many ways to choose a family car for your next vehicle. One of the best ways to reduce costs is to look for a used car. Used cars can be an excellent option for families who want a reliable vehicle that won’t break the bank.
Price
Once you’ve chosen the right family car and are ready to begin the search, the price tag is one of the first things you’ll want to keep in mind. While safety ratings and features are essential, you should also keep the price in mind. The best way to find the perfect family car at the right price is to shop around. You can use online tools to help you find the best deal on a new vehicle, or you can visit your local dealership and walk around to get a feel for the car’s price.
Avoid going over your budget to afford a better one unless you can comfortably afford any repayments if you are making monthly instalments.
Running Costs
Once you’ve found the perfect family car, one of the first things you’ll want to keep in mind is the running costs. Many factors determine how much your family car will cost you, but one of the most important is how much gas your new vehicle uses. The best way to keep the cost of gas down on your new family car is to shop around and find a vehicle with excellent gas mileage. You can use online resources to help you find a car with excellent gas mileage ratings.
Practicality
After choosing the perfect family car, you’ll want to ensure it has the suitable practicality. While it’s essential to keep the running costs of your new vehicle in mind, you should also be mindful of how practical your family car is. One of the best ways to keep practicality in mind is to shop around for a vehicle that can meet all of your needs. When looking for a family car, make sure it has enough space for your family, can pull double duty as a vehicle and a weekend getaway, and has the practicality you need. Another option is to look into whether or not you would find extra seats useful for you. Additional seating options can be handy if you carpool for clubs or school drop-offs.
Consider how you will use the car to assess the practicality of the vehicle you are looking to buy. You also need to consider how and when you will be driving it. Do you need to be driving in busy cities, meaning you might be better off with a nippy small car that can get in and out of traffic and park quickly in compact places? Or do you need the power of an SUV to make long journeys across states?
Storage
One of the essential practicality factors to remember when purchasing a new family car is the storage options. One of the best ways to keep your new family car’s practicality in mind is to ensure it has enough storage. One of the most common storage options found on family cars is a trunk. Trunks are great for storing your groceries, sporting equipment, or other large items you’ll want to keep close at hand. However, many family cars don’t offer enough storage space to put the things you’ll want to keep close at hand. Underfloor storage options in cars or hidden compartments under seating can be helpful for families. You can even purchase vehicles that can reconfigure the seating arrangements to suit your needs and potentially increase floor space allowing you to store more items or carry bigger loads while having a full vehicle.
Technology
As your family grows, you’ll likely want to keep your family car up to date with the technology available. Newer cars are made with the latest technological features, from in-car entertainment screens controlling all the functions to voice-activated options and even self-driving modes if you purchase a Tesla. While this isn’t always the case for older models, some will be fitted with certain technologies that can benefit your driving experience or allow them to be equipped retroactively.
These can include Bluetooth, Sat Navs, in-car hands-free kits, parking sensors, automatic climate control, automatic wipers and lights, vehicle collision, and parking sensors, to name a few. While not everyone needs all of these features, looking at the options available at your price point can help you to identify what you can afford and what you are likely to want in your new family car.
Conclusion
Buying a family car can be an overwhelming experience, but with a bit of planning, you can find the perfect family car. This article will help you choose the ideal family car for your family. Before diving into the process, make sure to do your research and make sure you are considering the right features for your needs. With these tips in mind, you will be well on your way to finding the perfect car for your family.