Best for the brood — top cars for families

By Jacqueline Mitchell

updated 12:23 p.m. ET Aug. 29, 2008

Walk into a dealership and ask to see the new-generation family car, and you might receive a puzzled look. That's because today's family cars are no longer one-size-fits-all.

"The key is versatility," says Jennifer Stockburger, a senior automotive engineer at Consumer Reports. "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."

A family car needs to be adaptable, to accommodate an adult or teen driver; equipped with safety features to protect passengers of all ages and sizes; offer a range of flexibility to add cargo space when needed; and provide easy access to rear seats (for car seats or adults who may sit in back).

"Families come in all shapes and sizes," says Kristin Varela, chief mother and senior editor at motherproof.com, which evaluates vehicles with children in mind. "And this is the up-and-coming sandwiched generation that is caring for aging parents and young children."

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Behind the numbers
We looked for the best family cars in 10 market segments to find affordable vehicles designed to suit a variety of needs. All cars considered had a base MSRP of $18,000 to $30,000, and had to have standard or available electronic stability control; side curtain airbags for additional protection in a collision; seats that fold down to add cargo space when needed; and tilt-adjustable and telescopic steering to accommodate drivers of all sizes.

We used Consumer Reports' Rear Access rating to measure ease of entry and exit, as well as the Driver Position rating to measure comfort and visibility for all drivers. The ratings range from "excellent" to "poor"; all of our vehicles had to at least earn "good" in both categories.

So which car is the best for a family? It all depends on the family.

A single parent with two children will probably fit nicely in the compact Volkswagen Rabbit sedan, with enough trunk space to accommodate soccer gear and groceries. But a family of six that includes an elderly relative may need a more spacious interior, like the Saturn Outlook crossover vehicle, which can accommodate up to seven passengers with its additional third-row seat, yet is easier to step into than a high-sitting SUV.

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