It happens to the best of us. One day you’re living life on your own terms, making frivolous decisions and changing directions on a whim. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, your personal monarchy begins to crumble, your former life of folly giving way to a hard-nosed democracy. Governing duties are now shared with a significant other, and decisions are driven by the best interests of your former kingdom’s newest residents—who have yet to walk, talk, or use a toilet. Face it, you’re a grown up.
Of course, we're being dramatic, but we're also here to help those who find themselves in such a position to upgrade their transport to something makes the good life even better. Anyone can just walk into dealership and lay down the cash for an enormous cargo-swallowing SUV and call it day, but for parents who’d prefer their practical family hauler include a little style, value, and, gosh darned it, maybe even a little fun behind the wheel, we’ve assembled this collection of favorites. Our list was compiled with price, versatility, and value being among the primary factors, and is presented in alphabetical order.
Dodge Durango | Base MSRP: $31,490
Wait! Before you write off the Dodge Durango as a lingering example of yestertech, hear us out. Freshened for 2014, the three-row Durango has modern and easy-to-use electronics and infotainment, a handsome and comfortable interior, and an eight-speed automatic transmission mated to either a 3.6-liter V-6 or a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. Rear- or all-wheel-drive is available. That, paired with a stiff unibody chassis (the last body-on-frame Durango rolled of the line in 2010), has allowed the Durango to slip through the cracks of segmentation and onto the stage as a well-rounded offering. It's also available at a fraction of the price of most other SUVs in this size class, an important consideration if you need something with this much utility but can't swing, say, a $46,000 base Ford Expedition.
Dodge Durango | Base MSRP: $31,490
Buyers with big things to tug can opt for the V-8, but the V-6 has enough oomph for most users, all while offering seating for up to seven. It's also very good to drive. And the Durango still looks kind of bad-ass, which is important for making those late-night diaper runs. DURANGO PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
Ford Flex | Base MSRP: $29,995
Traditionalists, take note: The Flex is about as close to an old-school station wagon as it gets these days, and that’s a very good thing. Sharing its structure with the Taurus and Explorer, this big box seats seven comfortably with room for all their stuff. In fact, the Flex does just about everything a full-size SUV can, but does it closer to the ground in a funky-chic package that leaves the intimidation factor at the (garage) door.
Ford Flex | Base MSRP: $29,995
The base V-6 makes 287 hp, while a hearty, twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 version makes 365. A six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard. The 365-hp version is flat-out fast; handling, though, is less so. All-wheel drive is optional, but (sadly) woodgrain appliqués on the sides aren’t. The one caveat standing between the Flex and familial bliss is the price: Although the base MSRP is $29,999, well-equipped models can shoot skyward in a hurry, putting the Flex in league with full-on SUVs. FLEX PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
Honda CR-V | Base MSRP: $24,325
No stranger to the top of the sales charts, for 2015 Honda turned up the CR-V’s amperage with a round of updates that make it better in every way. A freshened exterior gives it a look that is stylish and modern, while the interior is quieter and made from soft-touch materials. The dynamics are improved, too, with a retuned suspension and better brakes. For families, its appeal lies in its predictable handling, traditionally good reliability, and its tidy size, which enables easy parking and easy-on-the-wallet fuel economy.
Honda CR-V | Base MSRP: $24,325
A new 2.4-liter four-cylinder makes the same 184 hp as before, but now connects with a CVT. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. If you liked the old CR-V, you’ll love the new one. And if you've never been in one and you have two or fewer kids, you owe it to yourself to check one out. CR-V PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
Honda Fit | Base MSRP: $16,610
Since the model first appeared on the scene in 2006, the fun-size Honda Fit has been our reflexive recommendation for pretty much everybody on a budget, including the old lady in the shoe. To date, this spacious, bodacious cube has pulled in seven 10Best Cars trophies and three comparison-test wins. Our admiration for the previous two generations of the Fit well documented, the redesigned-for-2015 Fit is a bit less fun to drive than its forebears but still offers all of their interior versatility at a similarly affordable price. The exterior wears its contemporary styling well, and the updated and improved interior quality and design makes it one of the best bargain boxes in which to spend time with or without your brood.
Honda Fit | Base MSRP: $16,610
A fully revised direct injected 1.5-liter four-cylinder makes 130 horsepower, and a six-speed manual or optional CVT handle the shifting duties. Although the exterior dimensions are nearly identical to those of the previous model, Honda managed to carve out additional passenger room front and rear at the expense of a little cargo room. Still, it will be appreciated by even the youngest members of your clan. FIT PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
Kia Sorento | Base MSRP: $25,795
With utility and rugged good looks, the Sorento is a value-oriented ride for those seeking to avoid the stigma of a minivan. The base engine is a 191-hp four-cylinder; a 240-hp turbo four and a 290-hp V-6 are optional. The V-6 offers third-row seating, although you'll want to reserve it for the little ones. A six-speed automatic is standard as is front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is available. When properly equipped, the V-6 model with all-wheel drive can tow 5000 pounds.
Kia Sorento | Base MSRP: $25,795
The Sorento offers a supple ride, accurate steering, and a great warranty, and it's one of the nicest products to come from the Korean brand yet. It's also a tremendous value in terms of equipment for your dollar, a boon for folks affected by the financial weight of raising a family. SORENTO PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
Kia Soul | Base MSRP: $16,015
While its best qualities may be overshadowed by its eye-catching exterior, the Soul’s solid fit and finish and smartly packaged interior are the real deal. Thanks in large part to its boxy yet out-of-the-box profile, the Soul offers a surfeit of headroom, which, as the taller C/D staffers will attest, is often in short supply in this segment.
Kia Soul | Base MSRP: $16,015
Base models get a 130-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a slick six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic while uplevel models receive a 164-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the automatic. With either engine, acceleration is relaxed at best. But hey, if speed is your top priority, you probably wouldn't be looking here in the first place, right? As with the Sorento, the Soul offers a lot of goodies for a reasonable price, which allows more budget to be diverted to daycare fees and the like (and maybe even a bottle of wine or two). SOUL PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
Mazda CX-5 | Base MSRP: $22,675
The CX-5 is the sports car of crossovers, with an athleticism you have to experience to believe, making it a great choice for parents who haven't given up on driving something fun. A 155-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder is available only with a six-speed manual and front-wheel drive. For more zoom, choose the 184-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which opens up the option of all-wheel drive; either teams with a standard six-speed automatic.
Mazda CX-5 | Base MSRP: $22,675
Adept at handling the detritus of family life in an efficient manner and with a freshly updated and excellent interior, the CX-5 is also tech savvy. It's a competent crossover that has a little something in reserve to please enthusiasts, too. CX-5 PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
Mazda 6 | Base MSRP: $22,315
Not everyone is comfortable in a crossover, and there are those out there who would sooner carry their kids to school than drive a wagon or hatchback. For them, we recommend the excellent Mazda 6. The 6’s sinuous styling, confidence-inspiring handling, and rich interior make it one of the best-looking and most enjoyable family sedans around—that’s why it once again finds itself on our 10Best Cars list.
Mazda 6 | Base MSRP: $22,315
Powered by a 184-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder and driving the front wheels through either a crisp six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, the 6 is efficient, but acceleration is relaxed compared to some of its rivals—but we love its finesse so much, it’s easy to forgive that issue. MAZDA 6 PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
Subaru Forester | Base MSRP: $23,245
The Forester is a genuinely useful crossover, offering both room and a view. Large, square doors allow for ease of entry, and once inside you'll find a simple and logical layout. Despite its comfort-tuned suspension, standard all-wheel drive contributes to surprising pace on winding roads and takes the Forester farther off-road than most in its class.
Subaru Forester | Base MSRP: $23,245
Engines are a 170-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder (with a six-speed manual—our choice—or a CVT) and a 250-hp 2.0-liter turbo/CVT combo. The turbo is the rally car for hikers, kayakers, and alpine postal services—too bad it only comes with the CVT. You could also choose the Outback wagon, which has many of the same qualities, but it'll cost you roughly $2500 more, which is why the Forester is our pick. FORESTER PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
Toyota Sienna | Base MSRP: $29,635
It's a given that at least one minivan would find it's way onto this list. The winner of a recent C/D comparison test, the Sienna appeals to a wide range of families looking for roomy, comfortable, and high-quality transport. A 266-hp 3.5-liter V-6 paired to a six-speed automatic drives the front or—in a segment exclusive—all four wheels, a bonus when the weather turns nasty.
Toyota Sienna | Base MSRP: $29,635
An intercom allows front-seat occupants to address the third row (read, your mischievous offspring and their partners in crime) and a Blu-Ray entertainment system offers temporary distraction. It's a bit pricey when compared to some of its competitors, but when you factor in the cost of your sanity and the flat-out practicality of the vehicle type, it can seem like a real bargain. SIENNA PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
Golf SportWagen| Base MSRP: $22,215
Being little more than a Golf with a longer roof and more cargo space, the SportWagen is just as pleasant to drive as its siblings. The structure is solid, the suspension deftly juggles bump absorption and body-control duties, and the electrically boosted steering is accurate. Occupants enjoy the same understated interior design, same upscale materials, supportive seats, as the Golf, all with the cargo-swallowing utility offered by its squareback design.
Golf SportWagen| Base MSRP: $22,215
Based on VW’s sweet MQB architecture, the model line features S, SE, and SEL versions with your choice of four-cylinders: a 170-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged gas engine or a high-mileage, 150-hp, 2.0-liter diesel. Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions are available, and all-wheel drive likely is coming later. If you're one of the many who spent their post-college/pre-kinder years in a Golf or Jetta, this is the car for you. GOLF SPORTWAGEN PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>.
Volvo V60 | Base MSRP: $36,890
Even as most manufacturers have caught up in terms of overall safety, few brands enjoy as high a reputation for keeping families safe as Volvo. Yes, the V60 the most expensive vehicle on our list, but if you can swing it, the V60 brings an extremely handsome exterior, cosseting luxury features, and a roomy wagon cargo hold to the table.
Volvo V60 | Base MSRP: $36,890
The comfortable and capable V60 also has an option only available on other Volvos and Dodge's Journey: integrated child booster seats in the outboard rear positions. Here, they're a standalone $500 option that's available on even the base-spec car, and they adjust to two heights so that they can continue to be used as your kids grow. V60 PRICING, REVIEWS, MORE >>
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