2020’s Most Popular Family Cars
Gone are the days when the phrase “family car” conjured up the image of a classic station wagon adorned with faux-wood paneling on the sides and a luggage rack on top. Families today have so many choices when searching for the perfect vehicle to fit their needs. If you are in the market for a new car, consider choosing from the most popular family cars for 2020.
What Defines a Good Family Car?
When shopping for a new vehicle, one priority for families is seating capacity. If your family is small or average in number, the options are wide-open, but if you have six or more members, you are better off looking for a vehicle that offers at least three rows of seats.
Safety is also a top consideration for most families. If it’s one of your priorities, make sure you check the safety ratings issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Also, compare which of the following features are included in each of the vehicles you are considering:
- Airbags, including side-impact and side-curtain
- Antilock brakes
- Electronic stability control
- Lane-departure warning and assist
- Blindspot assistance
- Adaptive headlights
- Traction control
- Accident avoidance systems
Another factor to consider is storage capacity. Hauling a family usually involves carrying a lot of gear. A car with a small trunk might be fine for a young couple, but a growing family will do better with more cargo space. Additional storage options you might want to consider are stow-away seating and a roof rack.
Finally, don’t forget to look at the comfort and convenience of the car you are considering. The driver and front passenger will most likely want adjustable seats and plenty of accessible charging ports, while backseat passengers might be looking for comfortable, spacious seating and a multi-zone climate system. Don’t overlook features like automatic sliding doors, a power tailgate lift, and flexible seating. Small touches like these can make a big difference when you consider all the time spent driving, hauling, loading, and unloading.
Best Minivans
If you regularly transport a large family and haul everyone’s gear, a minivan might be the perfect vehicle for you. Two of the most popular minivans for 2020 are the Chrysler Pacifica and the Honda Odyssey.
The Chrysler Pacifica has seating for up to eight passengers and provides a smooth, comfortable ride. Storage is great due to its Stow ‘n Go seating and large cargo space in the back. It also features family-friendly options like power sliding doors and multi-zone climate control.
The Honda Odyssey can also accommodate a family of eight, and like the Pacifica, provides you with plenty of comfort as well as storage space. It also features some fantastic safety features, including blindspot monitoring, lane assist, emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
Best SUVs
If you prefer rugged versatility to practicality, an SUV might fit your needs. They are available in a range of sizes and often include family-friendly features like large cargo capacity, flexible seating, and safety systems.
The 5-passenger Toyota RAV4 is a popular choice for shoppers who are in the market for a 2-row SUV. It features power seating, convenient push-button ignition, and five USB ports. Additionally, it includes safety assist features such as road-sign recognition, lane-departure warning and assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It’s also available in a hybrid version if you are looking for a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
If you need a 3-row SUV, you might want to look at the Kia Telluride. Since the moment it was introduced, the Telluride has been earning industry awards and achieving high sales. This SUV is popular because it combines practicality with a sporty attitude. It also includes a comprehensive safety system and a long list of standard features, but still manages to keep its starting price below $32,000.
Best Electric Vehicle
If eco-friendliness and sustainable living are priorities for you and your family, there are now electric car options that offer the seating and storage you need. In particular, Tesla’s new Model Y has quickly become a favorite for environmentally conscious parents and their growing families.
The Model Y is considered an SUV, and while seating is currently limited to five, a seven-passenger version is being released very soon. The storage is impressive, including a large cargo space in the back, two underfloor bins, and a storage space in front that owners refer to as the “frunk.” The ride feels luxurious with top-notch seating and space throughout, a panoramic glass roof, and a high-tech dashboard that uses a large tablet screen to control everything. The Model Y also provides many high-tech safety and autopilot features thanks to eight external cameras. While the base price might seem steep, electric cars are more energy-efficient and use a cheaper form of fuel, and the higher price can sometimes be offset with state incentives.
Financing Options for Your New Car
Once you figure out which car is the right fit for your family, you’ll need to figure out how to finance your car purchase. You can choose to pay in cash, borrow the money, or lease the car instead of buying. Car loans are the preferred method for most people. When you get a loan from a bank or other lending institution, you receive a lump sum of money that you must pay back with interest over time. The loan’s rate of interest and the length of time for repayment are both negotiable, so make sure to shop around.
Shopping for a new family car is a big decision, and it can be difficult to know where to begin. Hopefully, this list of popular 2020 options can provide you with some inspiration to start your search.