The 10 Best Cars for New Parents
Source: Pixabay
Protecting assets is something most parents keep in mind. But what about protecting your most important assets — your children? Safety is the number one factor new parents should consider when purchasing a vehicle, but safety doesn’t mean sacrificing style and amenities, at least not these days.
This article will explore the 10 best cars for new parents and some of the perks of each.
Honda Pilot
This midsize SUV scored a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for models from 2016 – 2021. Offering a ride that feels almost effortless, the Pilot boasts enough space to fit the entire family comfortably. It also sports significant storage for any major family outings or short weekend getaways for parents.
Certain trim levels of this family favorite come with second-row captain’s chairs to make the installation and removal of car seats more manageable.
FEEL SECURE IN THE CAR YOU CHOOSE
You don’t want to buy a car - you want to get the best deal on the car you’re looking for. The CoPilot app will notify you if there’s a similar vehicle in your area at a better price, so you’re always certain you got the best deal available.
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy is one of the best cars for new parents in a midsize sedan market. The Legacy has received 5-star safety ratings from the NHTSA year after year. All 2020 models are chock-full of features to keep you and your little ones safe, such as the EyeSight Assist Monitor. This monitor alerts drivers when they sway into another lane, improves cruise control, and monitors other traffic.
The interior in later models of the Subaru Legacy is modern and stunning, making it a pretty smooth ride for date night once the babysitter arrives.
Volkswagen Atlas
This midsize SUV is an excellent choice for new parents eyeing a larger family in the future. The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas utilizes six airbags in addition to an anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, and a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA.
The Atlas offers various entertainment sources to keep your kids happy during long (or short!) car trips. The Car-Net® Hotspot allows up to four devices to access the internet at the same time. This will come in handy as your family expands.
The standard 2021 Atlas has a three-passenger second-row bench seat and a two-passenger third-row bench seat. Specific models offer the option to replace the standard bench seat in the second row with two captain’s chairs making it easier to deal with car seats.
Honda Odyssey
The minivan of today is not the minivan of your childhood. To see why look no further than the Honda Odyssey. Voted the best family car in the world by Kelley Blue Book in 2018, this minivan has a sleek interior, space that seems to go on for miles, and second-row seating that moves forwards and backwards and to each side.
This second-row seating definitely comes in handy when separating siblings squabbling over who picks the next movie to put in the Odyssey’s DVD player.
A longtime winner of 5-star safety ratings from the NHTSA, the Honda Odyssey is an ideal combination of modern looks, safety features, and power. It’s also spacious enough for that future family expansion you might be considering.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
If life is an adventure, and parenting is the adventure of a lifetime, why not kick it off in a Jeep Grand Cherokee? Since this ride is built for the rugged outdoors, it boasts a more impressive ground clearance than other SUVs; this makes for a more comfortable ride and increases safety for your kids at the same time.
Thanks to multiple trim levels, you can more or less decide precisely how powerful you want your engine. After all, who knows when you scheduled your next parents-only off-road trip?
The 2021 and 2020 models are both rated five stars for safety by the NHTSA, so you’ll sleep better at night knowing your most important assets are protected.
THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET
When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
If you want to help save the planet for your children, this all-electric vehicle may be right for you. The money you save on gas will help offset the additional parenting bills you’re having the newfound joy of paying.
The storage space may be less than an SUV, but the rear seats fold down to create a much larger storage area than most sedans. And while there is ample space for a rear-facing infant seat, the Bolt is ideal for no more than four families.
Finally, the Chevrolet Bolt EV has received 5-star safety ratings from the NHTSA for years.
Chevrolet Equinox
A two-row SUV like the Chevrolet Equinox is a great choice among the best cars for new parents. The 2019 – 2021 models all scored NHTSA 5-star safety ratings, and the safety features in the more recent models keep improving.
For instance, several cameras, sensors, and radars are continually scanning for danger outside the vehicle. An example is the Forward Collision Alert feature that watches the road ahead, always ready to warn you of a potential accident so you can take action.
The Equinox comes with a LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. This system makes the complex tasks of car seat set up, securing, and removing easy with a few simple clicks.
Kia Sedona
The Kia Sedona consistently rates five stars for safety by the NHTSA. This minivan offers great value to any young family. The Sedona handles more like a smaller vehicle, which is ideal for maneuvering tight parking spaces during daycare pickup or trips to the grocery store.
If you upgrade to the rear entertainment package, your kiddos will be too busy watching movies on touch screens to become bored or irritable.
Perhaps you’re wondering about car seats? If you go with the LX model, there is room for four to five car seats, two in the back row and the possibility of three in the middle. The entry-level model offers space for two car seats.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
Toyota Sienna
For a slight price increase, the Sienna is the only minivan to offer all-wheel transmission. If you’re a new parent experiencing typical inclement weather, the Sienna could be right up your alley.
Captain’s chairs can be selected for the second row to aid in your ongoing car seat installations and removals. Of course, this sleek minivan is spacious, with storage space pretty much everywhere you look. To top it all off, the Sienna rates five stars for safety by the NHTSA regularly.
Subaru Crosstrek
Our final listing for the 10 best cars for new parents is the Subaru Crosstrek. The Crosstrek is perfect for new families looking to easily navigate the city during the week while taking advantage of standard all-wheel-drive to teach your little ones about the joys of nature on the weekends.
This vehicle is loaded with safety features like heated side mirrors that ensure visibility is constant even during the cold winter months. On top of all the safety features, the Crosstrek has a long history of receiving 5-star safety ratings from the NHTSA.
Get a curated list of the best used cars near you
If you’re ready to start a family and get a new car, the CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars 5 years or newer with low mileage - CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices - just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
