Karl on Cars - Best Family Cars of 2008: Edmunds/Parents Magazine

Best Family Cars of 2008: Edmunds/Parents Magazine

I worked with the folks over at Parents Magazine to pick the Top Family Cars of 2008. The magazine just hit newsstands, but if you want to save trees you can read the article at the publication's Web site.

We focused on the items you would expect to find in a solid family vehicle, including strong safety scores, family friendly features and adequate interior space for child-related detritus (car seats, sippy cups, Hanna Montana backpacks). The usual suspects are all here, including the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Highlander and Dodge Grand Caravan. But we also picked winners in the sedan category (Fusion, Malibu), the small car category (Civic) and the value category (Kia Rondo).

I learned a few things in the process. First, the number of cars with standard side airbags and stability control is much higher than I expected. I know stability control must be on every vehicle by 2012, but most models are already there (the Fusion is a conspicuous exception, but all Fords are supposed to have it for 2009).

I also confirmed that few cars score less than the top safety scores in frontal crash tests, though perfect side crash scores are not as prominent. Perfect rollover ratings are actually rather rare, but all our picks managed at least 4 out of 5 stars. I'd forgotten that a dynamic aspect of the rollover test has been added by NHTSA. You can learn more here.

If you're shopping for a family vehicle, or know someone who needs a troop hauler, give it a read.

Posted by Karl Feb 21, 2008 7:00 am

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Categories: Driving | Road Trips | Safety Systems

Comments

tiruvan - Feb 21, 2008 10:22 am (#1 Total: 5)

Karl,

Its been 5 and a 1/2 hours and not a single comment. I guess you can cross off Minivans from your list (yesterday's post) based on this fact :--)

vbhoo - Feb 21, 2008 10:23 am (#2 Total: 5)

I can't help but notice the lack or european cars and Subarus on that list, and i would only have to guess that not taking all of the IIHS and euro ncap results into account. The NHTSA tests are good test of restrains, but don't really test the structure of the cars as they should. None of these agencies actually do the roll test, and this is where cars from europe and subarus shine with their hardened roofs. An Outback or Passat wagon is a great family car, I know because my parents drove wagons like that even with large teens and their lacrosse equipment. Crossovers are great cars (I even own one), but there is a reason why station wagons still exist. Volvo really only makes family cars (ok they make a cabrio and the C30, but they even have latch points for car seats), and not a single one is on the list. Leasing has now made higher residual value european cars cost about the same to own as some "lower priced" domestics, so the old it costs more per month bit is no longer a valid statement. The GM crossovers are nice, but they are big and thirsty at a time when gasoline is over $3.00 a gallon. Most American parents don't actually need 8 seats; a five seat wagon will give you as much usable cargo space and get much better milage. If you need 7 or 8 seats all the time, then just get the minivan and be done with pretending you're going to drive across a stream in you four-wheel-drive. That Highland or Pilot will get stuck just the same as a minivan in a soft parkinglot, and it won't hold as much stuff. Since the masses are buying highlanders, you'll be the cool non-conformist in you wagon or minivan. Nissan could rule the roost with the espace as the next quest. It is cool, european, gets amazing milage, and might be the safest car in the world; why don't they sell it here?

bepperb - Feb 21, 2008 2:53 pm (#3 Total: 5)

Karl,

I can't believe you even took the time to write that article, when you could have gotten all you need from vbhoo:

"Most American parents don't actually need 8 seats; a five seat wagon will give you as much usable cargo space. Be done with pretending you're going to drive across a stream in you four-wheel-drive. That Highland or Pilot will get stuck just the same as a minivan in a soft parkinglot, and it won't hold as much stuff. Since the masses are buying highlanders, you'll be the cool non-conformist in you wagon or minivan."

I'd love to see him live a day in my shoes, cramming my brood into a five passenger car/wagon.... or trying to get a minivan down my driveway. Of course, I have a Highlander so I'm a bit biased!

rick8365 - Feb 22, 2008 9:09 am (#4 Total: 5)

"detritus" < nice!

ahightower - Feb 23, 2008 11:04 am (#5 Total: 5)

Texas

bepperb, he said you could have a Subaru, so stop complaining and start doing what the whiny liberals tell you to. ;)