May 2008
Top 10 vehicles for family travel
Consumer Reports recommendations for safe, comfortable, and reliable road-trip cars
Consumer Reports auto experts compiled a list of 10 suggestions for families. It includes models that have done well in safety
tests, in our reliability ratings, and that we've found to be comfortable, quiet, and spacious during our testing, yet attain
reasonable fuel economy. Seats that are comfortable and provide enough support for a long drive were a prerequisite to make
our list. Enough room to keep Mom, Dad, and the kids in the traveling spirit was also required, especially since vacation
travel can often include a traffic jam.
This upscale family car is a good choice, with a comfortable, well-appointed, quiet cabin and excellent seats. The all-wheel drive version we tested has a controlled, steady ride and relatively good fuel economy while sedan models have a big trunk for hauling suitcases, and a wagon is available for bulkier vacation gear.
Agile handling and a comfortable ride, excellent seats, and a quiet, well-crafted interior make the BMW 5 Series a good choice for long-distance travel. The smooth, powerful, yet fuel efficient six-cylinders are more than sufficient and there is no real reason to choose the V8. The 5 Series is available as a sedan or wagon, and with rear- or all-wheel drive.
The Caddy STS strikes a good balance between sporty and comfortable. Like the Audi and BMW, the STS has good handling and a comfortable, quiet interior with supportive front seats. The smooth V6 engine is plenty powerful.
One of our top-rated family sedans, the Accord is roomy and comfortable, with ample storage, logical controls and excellent driving position. Agile handling and a compliant ride are pluses. The Accord also gets points for its smooth four- and six-cylinder engines, excellent reliability, and impressive crash-test results.
For families who need more room, the Odyssey offers three rows of seats for up to eight passengers. The rear seat folds into the floor for more cargo room. Our high-rated minivan also earns points for reliability, high levels of fit and finish, and surprising agility for its size.
Our top pick among luxury sedans, the M is roomy and comfortable with a well-appointed interior and logical controls. At home cruising on the highway, the M is also quite capable on twisty roads. Reliability is above average, and all-wheel drive is available.
This car is the ultimate for a long cruise. The slick powertrain provides effortless acceleration. The interior is extremely quiet and the ride is comfortable and pampering. Interior quality is impressive and the cabin is large with comfortable seats and easy to use controls. It even gets good fuel economy for its size and power.
With a spacious and quiet interior as plush as those found in some luxury cars, this well-rounded SUV is very refined and comfortable. The V6 engine is smooth, powerful and gets relatively good fuel economy, the Hybrid even more so. All-wheel drive combined with standard electronic stability control make it a good choice for winter driving. Reliability is very good.
Quality materials, lots of interior room, and even a reclining backseat (in some trim levels) make for a limo-like interior. Very quiet and comfortable, and with a smooth and quick V6 engine, Toyota's biggest sedan is a good value with excellent reliability and crash-test results.
Toyota's minivan offers seating for up to eight, and like the Odyssey, it has a third seat that folds into the floor. While not as agile as the Odyssey, it is quieter, with a comfortable ride and impressive crash-test and reliability ratings. All-wheel drive is available, which you can't get with the Honda.
