Best Cars for Families With Grandparents
Getting into and out of the car can be the hardest part of traveling for older adults. Combine that with an uncomfortable seat and a harsh ride, and you have enough factors to deter anyone from wanting to suffer through a multi-hour trip. For those reasons, we focused on models with good cabin access. At the same time, we wanted roomy, comfortable vehicles that would be satisfying for anyone to drive.
Our screening yielded mostly all small SUVs. Why? Their seat height makes it easy for older adults to slide in and out rather than being forced to duck in, as with sedans, or to climb up, as with some midsized and large SUVs.
Because the front passenger seat is usually the easiest to access—in addition to being more comfortable and offering more seat adjustments—that’s often where an elderly passenger ends up. That means you or your spouse might end up in back, so these vehicles also have generous rear-seat head and leg room.
You'll find specific savings for each model, including other trim variations, on the Consumer Reports car model pages linked below.
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Acura MDX
Acura Acura
Overall MPG: 21
Price Range: $43,015-$57,230
The MDX is a functional, competitively priced, family-friendly luxury SUV. It has space for seven occupants, although the third row is snug for adults. Big square doors and almost flat sills make entry and exit easy, with a natural step-in height. The front seats are large with soft-yet-supportive cushions. Three adults can fit in the second-row seat for short trips, and the reclining seatback makes it easy to find a comfortable seating position. The standard AcuraWatch safety system includes forward-collision warning with automatic braking and lane-departure warning.
Read the complete Acura MDX road test.
Check out the best family cars.
Toyota RAV4
Overall MPG: 24
Price Range: $24,350-$33,610
The RAV4 is a standout small SUV for transporting older folks. Its front- and rear-access scores rank alongside larger SUVs and minivans, and rear-seat head room is surprisingly airy. The RAV4’s four-cylinder is energetic and fuel efficient, and handling is responsive and secure. There’s even a hybrid model, which gets a terrific 31 mpg overall. Front-wheel drive comes standard; all-wheel drive is optional. A safety suite with a pre-collision system is available, but models so equipped cost almost $30,000.
Read our complete Toyota RAV4 road test.
Toyota Prius V
Overall MPG: 41
Price Range: $26,675-$30,935
The wagon version of the previous-generation Prius is a supremely fuel-efficient, versatile car with superb rear-seat access scores. In addition to the easy cabin entry, rear head room is also excellent, leg room is generous, thigh support is good, and the seatbacks can recline. If that isn’t enough, there’s space to fit three adults across in relative comfort. Its outstanding 41 mpg overall fuel economy, cavernous cargo capacity, and composed ride add further family appeal.
Read the complete Toyota Prius V road test.
Kia Soul
GREG JAREM GREG JAREM
Overall MPG: 26
Price Range: $15,900-$35,95
Cabin access is a snap in Kia’s tall, budget hatchback. The big entryway opens to a flat, firm, and supportive front passenger seat that sits at a perfect chair height. Rear-seat access is almost as generous, although head room is only sufficient for sub-six-footers. The Soul’s small size makes it easy to drive and park, and the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine has sufficient power. Pricing starts at less than $16,000, but you’ll need to spend into the mid-$20,000 range to get forward-collision warning.
Read the complete Kia Soul road test.
Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the November 2016 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
