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2012 Best Cars For Families: Is Your Car On The List?
Honda takes top honors in the minivan category.
Our family car is on the fritz again. It’s an old Jeep Cherokee and it has seen its last days. Luckily, being New Yorkers, we really don’t need it on a daily basis. But my husband is all about driving so we have been looking at cars recently, wondering what would be best for our family of five.
Today, U.S. News & World Report released their list of the top cars for families this year. They say the awards were based on the “best combination of features, utility, safety and reliability” that provide the “safety, features and ownership experience today’s families demand.”
Here are the top cars this year:
Affordable Compact SUV: 2012 Honda CR-V
Full-Size Car: 2012 Ford Taurus
Affordable Full-Size SUV: 2012 Toyota Sequoia
Affordable Midsize Car: 2012 Ford Fusion
Midsize SUV with Two Rows: 2012 Ford Edge
Midsize SUV with Three Rows: 2012 Buick Enclave
Compact Car: 2012 Subaru Impreza
Subcompact Car: 2012 Honda Fit
Hatchback: 2012 Honda Fit
Hybrid Car: 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Hybrid SUV: 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Luxury Compact SUV: 2012 BMW X3
Luxury Full-Size SUV: 2012 Cadillac Escalade
Luxury Midsize SUV: 2012 Acura MDX
Minivan: 2012 Honda Odyssey
Upscale Midsize Car: 2012 Buick Regal
Upscale Small Car: 2012 Acura TSX
Wagon: 2012 Subaru Outback
Do you put any stock in the recommendations from U.S. News & World Report? What car does your family drive? What is your dream family car?
Image: Google
Plus, check out Babble’s best crossovers and minivans for the family!
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7 Comments
LogicalMama commented on Feb 01 12 at 12:14 pmI like the Mazda3 (five door, not compact). Also, like Subaru. A friend just got one of those and she’s loving it. We have a Pathfinder and love it!
I will never get a Jeep Cherokee again! We had one, was a throwaway car!
Test drive a lot of cars… get in the back seat and make sure you’re comfortable… decide what features you want and then settle on price range. If you are trading in your Jeep, get your price before you inform them of your trade in– they factor in a trade in when pricing you so you get your price then throw in the trade in!
Linda, T.O.O. commented on Feb 01 12 at 12:44 pmSorry, but I don’t see how ANY Mazda can make it on to a “best of” list. We have a 2003 MPV, which we purchased new, and it has been the single worst vehicle I have ever owned. When, some day soon, it completely disolves and needs another $4k repair, I’ll happily leave it at the junkyard, secure in the knowledge that I will never again purchase another vehicle from Mazda. It’s really *that* bad.
BlackOrchid commented on Feb 01 12 at 1:02 pmWhere is Mazda on the list? I don’t see it.
“Drivers” I guess like Mazdas – we did test drive the 3 when we got the Elantra for my daughter to drive – no way was she getting a Mazda. Not a lot of 90 mph driving in her future, I hope.
ANYWAY seems a good list, there are so many good lower-cost sedan and compact options nowadays it’s amazing. Ford, Hyundai, Toyota and Honda are really coming through!
CW commented on Feb 01 12 at 1:50 pmI really like our Toyota Matrix, though if we lived somewhere with snow, I probably would’ve chosen the Subaru Outback instead.
Danielle Sullivan commented on Feb 02 12 at 6:29 am@LogicalMama Great tips- thanks!
sarahbing commented on Feb 02 12 at 2:25 pmWell, I love our Mazda6. Has never given us a bit of trouble, plenty of room for the kids and the trunk is HUGE. Works for me.
Easy commented on Feb 02 12 at 3:31 pmI think you should try to talk your husband out of driving and try being a car-free family for a bit. At best you save $ and the planet; at worst you’ve got something to write about! :-)
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