Best in class: Family-friendly vehicles
These vehicles are among Consumer Reports' top recommended models in their categories
Consumer Reports has the most comprehensive, consumer-oriented autos-test program in the U.S. We anonymously buy our test cars from dealerships and conduct more than 50 evaluations on each vehicle, focusing on performance, safety, comfort, convenience, interior quality, fuel economy, cargo capacity, and
more.
Below, we've listed several family-friendly vehicles that are among the top recommended vehicles in their categories. Not only did each of these vehicles earn a high overall score in their class, but they also meet our stringent requirements to be recommended.
Below, we've listed several family-friendly vehicles that are among the top recommended vehicles in their categories. Not only did each of these vehicles earn a high overall score in their class, but they also meet our stringent requirements to be recommended.
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FAMILY SEDANS Honda Accord Redesigned for 2008, the Accord is a well rounded, roomy sedan with a comfortable ride and agile handling. It also has excellent driving position, visibility and the seats are supportive. The four-cylinder engine is smoother than some V6 engines and it got 23 mpg overall. The V6 model is very quick and got 21 mpg. Fuel economy for both engines isn't as good as in the previous generation. Electronic stability control is standard on all models, and crash-test results are impressive. More sedans |
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AFFORDABLE SUV Subaru Forester The Forester has always been a sensible, practical, and affordable vehicle, and the redesigned 2009 model is even better. It has an impressively comfortable ride and it handles well, with responsive, communicative steering. It also has a roomier rear seat, standard curtain air bags and electronic stability control, and improved interior quality. The base engine is an adequate 2.5-liter four-cylinder, delivering 22 mpg with an automatic and 24 mpg with a notchy manual transmission. More sedans |
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LARGE SEDANS Toyota Avalon Toyota's large sedan combines comfort and convenience with a powerful and smooth V6 engine. Handling is secure, and the ride is quiet and comfortable. Rear seat passengers are treated to an expansive, limo-like seating area. More sedans |
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MIDSIZED WAGONS Subaru Outback The Outback is a versatile, good-performing wagon that has nimble, agile handling. The 2.5-liter engine delivers good fuel economy for an all-wheel drive wagon and decent performance, and the 250-hp turbocharged four-cylinder delivers even better performance but does not hurt fuel economy. Cabin materials are supple and well-assembled. Electronic stability control is only available with the LL Bean and Outback XT models. More wagons |
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MINI-MINIVAN Mazda5 Touring This Mazda3-based vehicle has the utility of a minivan, yet it is agile, maneuverable, economical, and affordable. The Mazda5 delivers responsive handling and a comfortable ride. Road noise, however, is pronounced. Fuel economy was 23 mpg overall in our tests. Visibility and access are excellent. It has flexible seating for four passengers, but seating six passengers limits cargo space when the third-row seat is raised. More wagons |
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MINIVANS Toyota Sienna The Sienna has a powerful and efficient 3.5-liter V6 engine that gives it the edge in our testing over the Honda Odyssey. Both minivans have spacious and refined interiors on par with some luxury sedans. The Sienna is quiet inside and is offered with all-wheel drive. Crash-test results are impressive. More minivans |
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