With the return of the school year, many parents face car pool duty, soccer teams and Costco runs that can overwhelm a typical sedan. Vans and SUVs can be a great choice for families, offering the extra seating and additional cargo space that they need. (For a comparison of SUVs, vans and wagons see: How to choose the right family car).
Today’s larger-capacity vehicles offer greater fuel economy and a superior car-like ride compared to those of previous generations. Even parents who swore they would never drive a minivan like those from their childhood may find themselves tempted by the built-in vacuum cleaner in the Honda Odyssey.
At Cartelligent, we help thousands of parents decide which vehicle will work best for them. We’ve used this data to compile a list of our top-selling family vehicles below:
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10. Infiniti QX60
Why we love it: The versatile QX60 provides seating for seven and fold-down second and third rows for additional cargo capacity. Infiniti offers a number of safety innovations including Backup Collision Intervention, Blind Spot Intervention, Intelligent Brake Assist and Lane Departure Prevention.
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9. Honda Pilot
Why we love it: The Pilot offers a large interior with fold-flat seating for eight as well as multiple storage bins. Every 2015 Pliot comes standard with a rearview camera and an intelligent Multi-Information Display.
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8. Ford Explorer
Why we love it: The Explorer provides folding second and third rows that seat up to seven. AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control comes standard; upgrade to Intellgent 4WD for those family trips to the mountains. Ford also offers an EcoBoost 2.0L or V6 engine for additional fuel economy.
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7. Acura MDX
Why we love it: The seven-passenger MDX is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with the optional front crash prevention system. New safety features include lane-keeping assist and forward collision avoidance. Upgrade to the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive for constant monitoring that sends power to the wheels with the most traction.
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6. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Why we love it: The seven-passenger GL-Class is both luxurious and comfortable—even in the third row! It comes standard with a power liftgate and power-folding third row that make it easy to reconfigure on the fly. Options include a BlueTEC turbodiesel engine, self-parking, and a 360-degree camera view. (For more on the benefits of diesel, see: Why you should consider clean diesel)
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5. Toyota Sienna
Why we love it: The ever-popular Sienna seats up to eight in comfort and is the only minivan to offer all-wheel drive as an option. The third row folds down easily to create additional cargo space when needed. Standard safety features include Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control and Smart Stop Technology; available safety extras include Blind Spot Monitor and Safety Connect.
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4. Audi Q7
Why we love it: The largest Audi SUV provides luxury seating for seven. Standard features include quattro all-wheel drive, power tailgate, heated leather seats and rear-sensor parking system. The available panorama sunroof and BOSE Surround System can add even more joy to the Q7 driving experience. Upgrade to the turbodiesel engine for additional fuel economy.
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3. Honda Odyssey
Why we love it: Our best-selling minivan, the Odyssey, seats up to eight and offers fold-flat seats and multiple storage bins to help keep everything in place. A rearview camera comes standard and when equipped with the optional front crash prevention system, the Odyssey is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
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2. BMW X5
Why we love it: Redesigned for 2014, the X5 offers a quiet, comfortable drive and an optional (but small) third row. Power tailgate, panoramic moonroof and heated front seats come standard. Available extras include all-wheel drive, self-parking and a rearview camera.
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1. Toyota Highlander
Why we love it: With seating for seven to eight and available second-row captain’s chairs, the Highlander is one our most popular family vehicles. (For the story of one mom’s Highlander purchase see: Client Experience: Michelle H). It’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with an available pre-collision system. Navigation is optional and a hybrid model is also available.
Whether or not the next car you want is on this list, Cartelligent can help you get a great deal on exactly what you want. Call our team of car-buying experts at 888-427-4270 or get started today.