Best Cars for Families 2011

Hyundai Sonata

Sticker price:

$25,095 (SE 2.0T)

Invoice price:

$23,776

Resale value:

3 years: 48%; 5 years: 31%

MPG:

city: 22; highway: 33

Cargo space (cubic feet):

16.4

Hyundai's Sonata beat out the midsize sedan competition to earn Kiplinger's Best New Car award this year for an innovative redesign that's parent and kid-friendly.

The turbocharged SE 2.0T has the most horsepower in the segment and nimble handling for Mom or Dad. The back seat fits two child car seats easily, plus it has decent legroom and cup holders in the rear armrest.

Ford Fusion

Sticker price:

$25,805 (SEL)

Invoice price:

$23,830

Resale value:

3 years: 44%; 5 years: 29%

MPG:

city: 23; highway: 33

Cargo space (cubic feet):

16.5

Ford's Fusion is a smooth-riding, sporty-handling midsize sedan with more cargo room than most in its class. The Fusion also has a spacious back seat with easy to locate Latch anchors, as well as an extra storage compartment in the dash.

The hybrid model ($29,100) can run on battery power alone up to 47 miles per hour and gets 41 mpg in the city, but the battery pack cuts trunk space to 12 cubic feet.

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI

Sticker price:

$25,765 (manual)

Invoice price:

$24,765

Resale value:

3 years: 58%; 5 years: 40%

MPG:

city: 30; highway: 42

Cargo space (cubic feet): 32.8

The modest-size but still-roomy wagon is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market today, thanks to its clean-diesel powertrain.

Even when the price of diesel is north of $4 a gallon, you'll save $2,600 on fuel over five years versus the gas-engine model. Add an easy-to-access rear seat and a cargo area that fits all the kids’ gear, and small families are good to go.

Subaru Outback

Sticker price:

$29,220 (2.5i Limited)

Invoice price:

$27,455

Resale value:

3 years: 53%; 5 years: 35%

MPG:

city: 22; highway: 29

Cargo space (cubic feet):

34.3

Subaru's Outback grew to even more generous, family-friendly proportions with its 2010 redesign. Kiplinger's Best in Class wagon offers more rear legroom than any of its wagon peers, and its taller height makes installing safety seats easier.

The cargo area is roomy and comes with a removable tray to protect the carpet. The Outback is tops for resale value among wagons, too.

Toyota Highlander

Sticker price:

$29,505 (V6)

Invoice price:

$27,006

Resale value:

3 years: 50%; 5 years: 34%

MPG:

city: 18; highway: 24

Cargo space (cubic feet):

42.3

The Highlander's adjustable interior makes it a fabulous fit for families. Although the third row can be a bit cramped, the second row slides forward and aft depending on your legroom needs.

The center seat in the second row can be removed and stowed to create a walkway to the back seat. Or it can be replaced with a console that comes standard and adds more storage. Plus, rows two and three both fold flat.

Kia Sorento

Sticker price:

$32,990 (SX)

Invoice price:

$31,025

Resale value:

3 years: 49%; 5 years: 31%

MPG:

city: 20; highway: 26

Cargo space (cubic feet):

37

Because the midsize Sorento switched from a truck-like body to crossover construction for the 2011 model year, it now has more-agile, car-like handling.

Its four-cylinder engine is new, as is its lower starting price. The third row of seats is perfect for little ones but not unbearable for adults; it’s optional on four-cylinder models and standard on V6 models.

Ford Flex

Sticker price:

$32,775 (SEL)

Invoice price:

$30,705

Resale value:

3 years: 46%; 5 years: 31%

MPG:

city: 17; highway: 24

Cargo space (cubic feet):

43.2

Ford's Flex has love-it or hate-it boxy styling, but it has more second-row legroom than any vehicle in its class. This makes getting kids into car seats a snap and, for parents in the front, it makes getting kicked in the back of your seat a thing of the past.

All but the base model feature Ford's easy-to-use SYNC system for voice-activated entertainment, hands-free phone and turn-by-turn directions.

Chevrolet Traverse

Sticker price:

$32,675 (LT)

Invoice price:

$31,082

Resale value:

3 years: 47%; 5 years: 34%

MPG:

city: 17; highway: 24

Cargo space (cubic feet):

68.8

Do you want the space of a minivan, but not the stigma? Traverse fits the bill with sporty styling, plenty of legroom for up to eight, and killer cargo room -- nearly 70 cubic feet behind the second row.

And the second row slides forward so that parents in the front can more easily pass drinks and snacks to the little ones.

Honda Odyssey

Sticker price:

$28,580 (LX)

Invoice price:

$25,976

Resale value:

3 years: 51%; 5 years: 32%

MPG:

city: 18; highway: 27

Cargo space (cubic feet):

93.1

The Best in Class winner in Kiplinger's annual rankings, the Odyssey is made with families in mind. Its third row has even more legroom than in rows one and two but still has 38 cubic feet of cargo room behind it.

The Odyssey boasts five sets of Latch anchors to fit five car seats at the same time (EX models and above), numerous compartments, cup holders galore, and even an on-board drink cooler on the EX-L and Touring models.

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