Navigating the Road to Your Ideal Family Car: Top Picks for Safety, Style, and Adventure

Subject: What Family Car Should We Pick? We Need Your Help!

Dear Zac,

My husband and I live in Seattle with our 3 kids, ages 14, 10, and 7. We are looking for a new car that will suit our family. We primarily drive around town, to and from school, but we love to take roadtrips. I've been considering the VW Atlas, but I also really like the price and reliability of the Honda CRV. I'm not entirely sure what the best option is for my family. I'd love your opinion, even if that means taking us in a new direction entirely. Your insights would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

A Seattle Parent in Search of the Right Ride

Re: What Family Car Should We Pick? We Need Your Help!

Dear Seattle parent,

Picking the right family car can be tricky. Choosing correctly could mean miles and miles of great memories driving to the Oregon coast, heart-to-heart conversations with your children, and even dropping them off freshman year of college in your family car. On the flip side, picking the wrong family car could cloud all of those memories with your hatred of your stupid family car. So not to stress you out, but the pressure to find the right car IS ON.

There are so many factors that go into picking the right set of wheels it can easily start to feel overwhelming. Luckily for you, I have a short list of personalized best daily cars for your family. First, it’s important for you to understand what is most important to you when looking for your next car.

It's different for everyone. Take, for example, the Mercedes G Wagon owner. If you buy a G Wagon, what matters most to you is looking better than everyone else. I know some G Wagon owners might argue: "Well, it's also incredibly comfortable, reliable, looks great, and is an excellent off-roader!" Well, so is a Toyota 4Runner, but at a fraction of the cost, and you won't feel sick with worry taking a 4Runner off-road.

So, start thinking about what genuinely matters to you. Is it safety? Is it looks? Modern luxuries? State-of-the-art tech? From what I gather, you're looking for a safe, reliable car with good gas mileage and plenty of storage. Luckily, there are some fantastic options out there for you.

First, let's examine the cars you're already considering. The Volkswagen Atlas is a handsome car with ample room inside for your husband and kids to navigate around town. Its third row means you can accommodate three additional passengers or give your kids some extra space to stretch out on your road trips. Speaking of road trips, the Atlas has a spacious trunk, allowing you to easily fit your family's luggage when you fold down the back row—mitigating the space your kids might require from each other. And since the Atlas comes standard with Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, and Lane Assist, you can rest assured that your family will be safe.

The Honda CRV is another exceptional automobile. Honda is renowned for reliability and build quality, and the 2024 model is one of the better-looking cars on the road. Its stylized grille, LED lights, and 18-inch wheels enhance its appeal. It also boasts impressive tech features. However, my main concern with you choosing the CRV is its limited interior space. CRV stands for "Comfortable Runaround Vehicle," which perfectly describes how your family might want to use it. With a relatively small trunk and no third row, it could leave your family feeling a bit cramped on road trips especially as your kids age. Nevertheless, it would excel at running errands, picking up kids, dropping them off, and going out for family dinners.

Obviously, there are pros and cons to any car you end up purchasing, but I'm about to present two of the best options for your situation.

In my opinion, the Kia Carnival is the perfect car for your needs. And if, for whatever reason, you can't bear the thought of driving a minivan, then a close second option would be the Honda Pilot.

The Kia Carnival is practical, comfortable, and, most importantly, looks great. From the outside, you're more likely to mistake it for an SUV rather than a minivan, making it an ideal choice for your family. Step inside, and you'll immediately notice its spaciousness, even in the back row, which you wouldn't find in the Atlas. Since its floor is lower and the roof is higher, getting in and out is much easier than with any SUV on the market today. Each model features a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers 290 horsepower which gets 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway and is paired with an 8-speed transmission that runs seamlessly. A modern infotainment center spans the dash and includes Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Kia is also very generous with its warranty, covering 100,000 miles or 10 years.

If you still have reservations about the Carnival, the 2024 Honda Pilot is a close second. Three-row SUVs are incredibly popular for a good reason. They look fantastic, offer ample space, and are enjoyable to drive. One look at the Pilot, and you'll understand why I think it would be a great fit for your family. Its sporty and eye-catching exterior stands tall, making it a commanding presence on the road. While front-wheel drive is standard, you have the option to upgrade to all-wheel drive, which is essential considering the rainy weather in Seattle and gets 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. Trunk space is limited, but this is a common issue with most SUVs, and you will feel the pinch on your road trips.

Ultimately, the car you choose should align with what matters most to you. Pick a car that makes you excited to be alive, one that you want people to inquire about. Think about someone who drives a Porsche 911; they drive one of the least practical cars on the planet, but they love it so much that it becomes a part of their personality.

Good luck!

Zac

If you have questions about what car you or a friend should purchase reach out to me at bestdailydrivers@gmail.com and I will respond to you as soon as possible!