Your family is special, so too should be your selection of a family car.

I remember when I first went to a dealership to purchase my first family car. A plethora of options was making me go all crazy!

While in the middle of the confusion, I came across a friend who guided me with the selection.

If you do not have such a friend, be glad you have a virtual friend to help you. That is me!

When selecting a family car, you have to make a few sacrifices. This means compensating comfort for speed, luxury for size, looks for sturdiness, efficiency for durability, and engine size for cost.

A family car is in all ways your car for the house. You need it for running daily errands, for picking your daughter from school, for taking your wife to the hospital, and for a family trip every weekend.

So, what type of car will work best as a family car?

I will tell you about what things to look for in a family car and what to avoid. It will help you make an aware decision about what type of car to select for your business.

Eight Things To Look for In Every Family Car

Here is a list of things you need to check in the car that you are going to buy as your family car:

1. Will The Pram Fit Your Car?

As a family car, the first thing you need to check is if you can fit a pram or a stroller in the car easily.

Most kid-friendly cars need to have a pram storage area available in the car, because if you have a small baby, you will be taking this pram everywhere you go with a child.

Most small models of prams can easily fit a car. However, the big ones require more space to fit them perfectly.

Moreover, you need to make sure that you have space for shopping bags and luggage available in the car even after placing the pram in it. A car that can fit all these things together with gets a badge of “the perfect car” from me.

2. What Is The Headcount Of Your Family?

Small families of 3 to 4 people can easily fit in a sedan car. However, families with 8 to 10 require minivans, SUVs, or MUVs like the Toyota Prado. These cars can seat 8 to 10 people with enough room for luggage.

Car experts have pointed out that one needs to check the car also and adequately ascertain the headcount before purchasing one for their family. It ensures that the whole family can easily fit in a single-car and that the people won’t need an extra car for fitting-in the rest of the family.

SUVs can usually fit 8 to 6 members of the family. These SUVs are smaller, faster, and also have room for luggage. APVs can fit even more family members. If the family has more than 10 members, then a minivan will be an ideal choice for that family.

3. Is This Family Car Safe For Kids?

The NHTSA and IIHS publish a list of safest vehicles on the road every year. This list is prepared after rigorous testing of these kids-safe vehicles.

For anyone who is trying to buy a car for their family, it is always better to go through this list.

The list also ensures that the family cars have adequate safety equipment available such as side impact airbags, backseats with seatbelts, and other safety features. If you are buying a car, then make sure to check this list.

According to most experts, the build quality of the doors of a family car matters the most. They need to be thick, solid, and impact resistant. Only then will they ensure that your kids remain protected in the car.

4. Will It Fit Three Seats In The Back At Once?

Families usually grow big. So, if you have only one child today, there will be two or three children in the future. So, while buying a car, make sure that it can fit at least three kids’ seats in the back.

Even if you don’t have kids today, there is a possibility you will have three kids in the future. A car will be with you for at least three to six years, so make sure you plan for the future. A car with three seats will ensure that all your children remain protected in the car.

5. Will It Be Comfortable During Long Trips?

Family trips and weekend getaways are a norm that we absolutely adore. That’s where a family car comes in handy.

It will be your companion for the whole trip taking you across places and to your favorite destinations.

Without the comfort you are expecting, you won’t be too happy in your car. So, while choosing your everywhere-car, make sure it is cozy, offers the best choice, and cruises effortlessly during long tours.

6. How Much Mileage Will It Give?

Well, this one depends on the type of engine your car has. An internal combustion engine (ICE) car will run on petrol and diesel. It can give around 10kmpl to 12kmpl.

Source: Omni Gas Calculator

You can use the Omni Gas Calculator to find the fuel consumption and mileage of your family car. It will tell you about how much fuel your car is consuming and how you can optimize it.

7. How Much Will The Car Cost?

Most cars in the US cost around $20,000 to $50,000. You can either buy an ICE car or a hybrid car.

The initial cost of the hybrid car will be a lot more than an ICE engine car. But it will not cost you much in fuel price because hybrid cars most run on electric mode for up to 20mph, making the stop-start of hybrid cars highly economical.

If you are looking for hybrid models, you can check the models of Tom Hartley cars for sale.

8. What Should Be The Height Of A Car?

Most people do not worry much about the height of their car. However, if you are buying one for your family, it should be a priority.

For starters, a car should have the practical height for putting babies with their couches inside it without waking them up.

You may also want to add other luggage in the family car for long trips. So, make sure that the car is of ideal height so that you don’t regret your decision later.

Source: Wightlink

Bottom-Line

We know we have provided a LONG list of pointers you need to check in your first family car purchase, but they all are necessary to get the best selection for your family car – a car that can keep your family safe, secure, and content.

After all, this car will be your partner for all types of family excursions.

Courtesy Of Capital Auto Auction