A vehicle plays a huge role in a family’s life. From soccer practices to road trips — it’s an extended member of the family and needs to fit both kids’ and parents’ needs. Plus, it has to be safe, reliable and have a bit of a cool factor too. But with so many options to choose from, it can be harder than you may think to find that ideal fit. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you!
Every year, Kelly Blue Book reviews the best vehicles based on safety, value, comfort, features and versatility (among many other characteristics). They consider these the key elements for what makes a “Good Family Vehicle.”
We’ve reviewed the Kelly Blue Book list as well as several reviews to see what real families had to say. Compiling all our research, we’ve put together our list of the best family vehicles in 2018, in the hopes of helping you find the perfect four-wheel addition to the family.
Best Family Vehicles in Canada
Honda Odyssey
Year after year, Kelly Blue Book has named the Honda Odyssey one of the best family vehicles of the year. And it’s obvious why. This mini-van is fully loaded with all the bells and whistles, including Magic Slide seats that move front, back and side-to-side as well as a roomy three-person third row. Parents Magazine loved the Odyssey’s engine, which is 15% more powerful than the 2017 model. Overall, there’s too many awesome features on this ride for it to even be considered a mini-van.
Honda Pilot
Based on its almost perfect 5/5 consumer rating on Cars.com (it scored 4.8 overall), drivers are loving the Pilot for a variety of reasons. The overall consensus is that it’s the midsize SUV’s practicality that makes it a top contender for best family vehicle. What we love: it can haul eight passengers comfortably, has extra cargo space for unexpected trips to the grocery store and is fully loaded with convenient features, like USB ports and touch screens.
Ford Expedition
Calling it a “definite add to the shopping list,” Kelly Blue Book says this full-size SUV has 2018 upgrades every parent will love. The sleek styling disguises it, going from family vehicle to trendy SUV. The Expedition’s massive interior space, extensive leg room and spacious seats make it an ideal fit for large families. Some might even say it has too much space, but with hockey equipment, backpacks and carpooling, we’re sure you’ll find a way to fill it.
Toyota Sienna
There’s three things that make the Sienna a great family vehicle; features, reputation and resale value. Among many features, it’s the Sienna’s available all-wheel drive option that customers love. With an 8.2/10 consumer rating on Kelly Blue Book, it has a long lasting reputation for reliability. And this front-runner also made our list of 6 Cars with the Best Resale Value, give it a read!
Chrysler Pacifica
As the only hybrid-crossover to make our list, the Pacifica is basically in a category of its own but for reasons other than just its fuel-efficiency. Whether it’s basic transportation or luxury your family’s interested in, this mini-van has it all. Not only does it hold space comfortably for seven passengers, it also features high-tech safety features, like a 360-degree camera, blind spot warning and active cruise control, which means the Pacifica’s the extra eyes you need when you’ve got precious cargo in the vehicle.
Chevrolet Tahoe
What tops our list with the Tahoe is its “old-school” solid build and body construction, meaning it’s as durable as they come — even if your kids are rough on stuff. It takes the last spot on our list because of its price, coming in at a costly $78,000! Though it’s comparable to a sports car in cost, it is a smooth ride and makes Kelly Blue Book’s list because of its Teen Driver technology, a unique safety feature that sends parents updates on their teen’s driving habits. Now that’s cool.
If you’re thinking of buying a car from a family member, there are ways you can save money on the transaction. One of these ways is gifting a vehicle. Instead of buying from a family member, they can “gift” you the vehicle and you won’t have to pay certain taxes. Learn more about gifting a vehicle in Manitoba.
Birchwood Credit Solutions is the only Winnipeg in-house financing dealer that lends its own money, with approvals based on different factors than the banks and other traditional lenders. This means we can approve people who have been previously turned down elsewhere and offer more flexible loan terms and interest rates. We started our business to ensure that everyone, regardless of credit history, can have a reliable vehicle to get around in.
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