Is the Kia Telluride Right for Your Family?
Growing families need a car that offers ample passenger room and cargo space, and is equipped with the latest safety tech. With every new addition to your family, your driving needs change, and you must decide which car is ideal for your family, and which models are best for bachelors. Here are the 10 best cars for growing families and 10 of the worst.
1. Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey is a long-standing favorite for families because it offers spacious three-row seating, sliding doors, and strong safety ratings. It also features flexible seating arrangements, rear-seat entertainment options, which your kids will love, and lots of cargo space.
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2. Toyota Highlander
This mid-size SUV is ideal for families who are looking for space without getting a vehicle that's too big. It received top safety ratings and offers three-row seating and industry-leading reliability.
3. Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is one of the most popular SUVs for families on the market. It boasts an interior that's more elegant than many of its competitors, a lot of cargo space, and user-friendly technology. It's a premium feel at a mid-range price point.
4. Chrysler Pacifica
This versatile minivan was designed and engineered with families in mind. Owners will enjoy comfortable seating, sliding doors, and a hybrid option. It's the perfect blend of efficiency and practicality.
5. Subaru Ascent
The Ascent is a great first SUV for growing families. It offers standard all-wheel drive, top safety scores, and plenty of legroom for kids in the second row. The Subaru Ascent is a comfortable ride that's great for city driving and weekend road trips.
6. Honda CR-V
The CR-V is a compact SUV that feels like a luxurious ride. Its roomy seating, large cargo capacity, and enviable safety tech make it a top choice for many families. It's especially good for families that don't want a huge vehicle, but appreciate reliability, fuel efficiency, and intuitive tech.
7. Toyota Sienna
This standout minivan is family-focused thanks to its sliding doors, spacious interior, and safety features. Recent models offer all-wheel drive, which further increases their versatility. Parents love its hybrid powertrain, roomy cabin, and entertainment options.
8. Ford Explorer
The Explorer is a well-rounded SUV with solid towing capacity, perfect for families who own a boat or camper. Its cabin space is spacious enough for growing kids, and its safety tech includes driver-assist systems and entertainment options that will keep your kids calm for hours.
9. Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade is a three-row SUV and a direct competitor with the Kia Telluride. It has some unique flair, however, with an upscale design, intuitive tech, and spacious interior. Its high crash-test ratings make it extra appealing to parents.
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10. Chevrolet Traverse
The Traverse is a spacious SUV for families. It is designed with one of the largest third rows in its class, and is comfortable for passengers of all ages. The wide cab can easily fit multiple car seats.
1. Fiat 500
Sure, this Fiat is a stylish city car, but it's impractical for even a small family. It features a tiny interior, which makes installing a car seat a nightmare. Also, the cargo space is virtually nonexistent. A good option for solo travellers, but families should look elsewhere.
2. Mini Cooper
This iconic small car is loved by many drivers for its quirky design and solid handling. Regardless of its positives, it's far from family-friendly. The backseat is cramped, it offers only limited cargo space, and fitting a car seat in it is nearly impossible.
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3. Smart Fortwo
It shouldn't come as a surprise to say that the smallest car ever sold in the U.S. is not a great fit for families. Its seating is only for two passengers, making it useless for even small families. It could work as a secondary vehicle for city driving and running errands, but even that is stretching it.
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4. Mazda MX-5 Miata
This Miata is a lovely little roadster, but it only has two seats, zero backseat space, and limited trunk space. It can't serve the basic needs of a family, since it can't even fit a car seat or stroller.
5. Jeep Wrangler 2-Door
This car is iconic for off-road drivers, but it would be a frustrating experience for families. Its tiny backseat is tough to access, and the cargo space is pretty much useless. Even a normal school drop-off will be a challenge with this car.
6. Chevrolet Camaro
Any sporty muscle car isn't a strong match for families. You would have to truly prioritize style and performance to even consider buying this car for your family. Kids won't be comfortable in it, and it doesn't offer the safety tech that every family should crave.
7. Ford Mustang
The Mustang has undeniable driving appeal, but it's built for car enthusiasts, not families. Long trips with kids will feel cramped, and it can't handle any level of carpooling. For families, practicality must outweigh performance and style, so cross the Ford Mustang off your list.
8. Volkswagen Beetle
This retro icon is charming and sleek, but it won't work for a family. With a small backseat and limited cargo space, you won't be able to haul soccer gear, strollers, or even a large grocery shop.
9. Toyota Yaris
The Yaris is affordable, but its compact size makes it useless for families or anyone who values interior and cargo space. Inside is a tight fit, and it's not built for long road trips.
10. Dodge Challenger
This car looks beautiful, but it sacrifices practicality to deliver an amazing ride. Its large body doesn't hint at the cramped interior and limited trunk space.
