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Ten best cars for the family
"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). Forbes Cargo Space: 15 cu.ft. Family Features: Eight-way adjustable height and reach front seats; adjustable head restraints; 10-speaker audio system with in-dash six CD changer and MP3 capable; rear ventilation for climate control in center console; optional rear side airbags. Cargo Space: 21.2 cu.ft. Family Features: Safety canopy side curtain airbags for both rows; fold-flat front passenger seat for items up to nine feet long; coat hooks; available voice-activated hands-free communications and entertainment system; adjustable pedals. Cargo Space: 15.3 cu.ft. Family Features: Dual-stage airbag system; multi-adjustable driver’s and passenger’s seat; dual-level center console with 12-volt power and CD storage; active head restraints. Best Wagon - Saab 9-3 Sport Combi Cargo Space: 72 cu.ft. Family Features: Main cargo area floor lifts to divide the space into two sections; additional storage in recessed sub floor; front-seat active head restraints. Best Compact SUV - Toyota Rav 4 Cargo Space: 73 cu.ft. Family Features: Height-adjustable head rests; eight-way power-adjustable seat; rear-seat DVD entertainment system; multiple storage areas in seatbacks and doors; optional third-row seat. Cargo Space: 70 cu.ft. Family Features: Passenger-sensing deactivation airbag; voice-activated hands-free communications and entertainment system for voice operation of cellphones, PDAs, MP3 players and USB storage devices. Best Mid-Size SUV - Mitsubishi Endeavor Cargo Space: 76 cu. ft. Family Features: Heated front seats; reclining rear seats; multiple storage areas in seatback and overhead console. Best Crossover, Large Family - Saturn Outlook Cargo Space: 117 cu. ft. Family Features: Storage underneath rear cargo floor; second-row seat cushion flips up while the seatback slides forward for easy third-row access; rollover sensing system activates head curtain airbags if a rollover is imminent. Best Minivan - Toyota Sienna Cargo Space: 149 cu.ft. Family Features: Roof rack; removable center console with storage; five assist grips and four coat hooks. Best Convertible - MINI Cooper Cargo Space: 21.3 cu.ft. Family Features: Height-adjustable head rests to help prevent whiplash in an accident; split-folding rear seats for additional cargo space; storage compartment to keep beverages cool.
So which car is the best for a family? It all depends on the family. Here is Forbes assessment . . .
Best Compact Car - Volkswagen Rabbit
Best Large Car - Ford Taurus
Best Mid-Size Car - Nissan Altima
Best Crossover, Small Family - Ford Edge
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