What to look for when shopping for a family vehicle (versatility, storage, seating, safety)

What is the key to a great family vehicle?
While purchasing a car for yourself is a big deal, finding the right vehicle for your family raises the stakes because it will provide transportation to multiple people.

Things to look for when making the big decision?

Whether you choose a large sedan, minivan, sports utility vehicle (SUV), or something else, make sure it has these four things:

• Versatility
• Storage
• Seating
• Safety

Family-sized shopping
Shopping for a great family vehicle is a lot different than shopping for your first car. Sure, there are similarities, but this takes into account the needs of different individuals in the family and, of course, the family itself. It also takes into account change and anticipating needs for the future.

Versatility
Just like you have different needs, so does your family. The trick is to find something that will accommodate everyone both as pieces and as the sum of its parts.

Do you buy a lot of groceries at the same time? Go on skiing trips transporting equipment for everyone in your family? Are you a fan of road trips?

Do your children play sports? Do you think they will when they are older? Are they in a band? Whether you need to haul hockey equipment or drum kits, looking for a vehicle with removable seating and plenty of storage space is a good idea. Also, make sure the seats are easy to detach and re-attach.

Storage
Do you go on vacations? Road trips? If you do, you know long trips amplify everything. If your teenagers don’t feel like they have enough leg room during a test drive, how do you think they will feel after a seven hour drive?

When you go on vacation do you bring a lot of stuff? If so, you’ll want to make sure there’s room for both gear and passengers to fit comfortably.

If you need a lot of space, look at minivans or SUVs with removable seating; these are great family vehicle options.

Seating
How many seats do you need? You may simply count the number of members in your immediate family. Done! However, maybe right now you have a toddler. In a couple of years, are they going to have a sibling? Are you going to get a family dog? Do you carpool? Consider how your seating and storage needs might grow over the years.

Will your kids want to bring a friend on a family vacation?

Do you play a caregiving role to your parents or will you soon? Consider a vehicle that’s easy to step into.

Safety
Safety is undoubtedly your number one priority. When it comes to finding a great family vehicle, you want the safest option out there.

You want to know that in a crash, the vehicle collapses in a way that minimizes impact on passengers.

Even though you might be a great driver, is your teenager? They might be cautious, but they aren’t very experienced yet. Also, young or old, you can’t control other drivers on the road.

Safety ratings

Look at:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) crash ratings and other information at https://www.safercar.gov/
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) vehicle crash safety ratings at http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings

Safety features

It’s even better to avoid accidents all-together. Check out these safety features:

• Adaptive cruise control with auto brake
• Adaptive headlights
• Airbags with deactivation control
• Anti-lock brakes
• Backup cameras
• Blind spot warning
• Child safety locks and windows
• Electronic stability control
• Head restraints
• Head injury protection
• Lane departure warning
• Parking assistance
• Reverse sensors
• Side-view assistance
• Traction control and all-wheel drive (These work well together)

Additional family-vehicle buying tips:

• Stay within your budget
• Research before visiting the dealership
• Consider fuel economy
• Select or add features to make your vehicle easy to clean
• Bring your family in for the test drive to see what they think
• Learn your vehicle’s features before you take it out on the road

The take (drive?) away
Think about each individual family member and what their needs will be over the life of the vehicle. Also consider everyday and every-so-often driving needs. What activities? Who will come? How much do you need to haul?

Contact us
At Thelen Auto, our staff is happy to discuss options that will best suit your family’s current and future needs. Stop by and today and talk to a friendly representative about finding a great family vehicle that fits your needs.

Links:

https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/25-tips-for-easier-family-car-shopping.html

https://www.parenting.com/family-time/money/10-tips-successful-family-car-buying

https://www.dmv.org/buy-sell/new-cars/buying-a-family-car.php

https://www.safercar.gov/

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings

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