Read on and know what you need to consider when planning to buy a car for your family.

The family that goes on road trips together, stays together. In this article, we will talk about the top 5 family-friendly cars that will cater to the youngest to the eldest members of the family.

Sometimes, road trips are the best part of a family vacation. It's best to choose a car where you will create those memories.

I. Factors to Consider When Buying A Family Car

Before we look at the list of the best cars for your family, let’s discuss some factors to keep in mind when you’re out in the market hopping for your family car. Buying a car for yourself is different than buying a car from your family. Your standards still count but the stakes should be higher this time.

1. How safe is the car?

Safety first, this should be your top priority. Safety features of newer cars get more advanced but we at Philcarnews.com believe that it’s also important that the car you’ll be buying will also be able to avoid any crashes. Look for cars that have digital dashboards, lane departure warning, reverse cameras, adaptive cruise control, airbags, and blind spot monitoring plus a warning. Structural integrity is also a key point to look for to keep your gang safe.

They may add a bit to the cost but they are a worthy investment. Features like the blind spot monitoring keep you alerted about other vehicles or any objects that are in the zone where not even your peripherals can reach. Reverse cameras make parking easier especially when you are in a tight spot, helping you avoid those annoying minor bumps and scratches.

Airbags prevent major injuries of the driver and passengers when a collision happens

2. How big is your family?

If you’re a family that only has one child then your needs are different from a family with several children. But then again you would have to consider driving extended members of the family and also the thought of your family expanding or getting bigger.

There’s also the consideration of your young kids getting bigger or having pets in the family. Think this thoroughly so the changes won’t catch you by surprise. There are cars with three rows or you can opt for a two-row car but with a bigger trunk.

Size and comfort come next when choosing a family car. How much space do you need?

3. How useful is the car?

You need to look at the functionality of the car that will suit your family’s needs and activities. You might want to check for a car that has screen monitors at the back of the seats to keep your passengers more entertained, or you might want to check on cupboards. There are also vehicles that have reversible backseats in case the passengers would want to face each other. These features are not critical but still helpful for your car’s operation.

Also consider if the car has enough space for bikes, a boat, more bags for hiking gears or camping tools. You and your family are bound to do one of these outdoor activities someday and your car better is prepared for them too.

4.  How much are you willing to spend?

Car salespeople will make it easy to make you think that you need to spend a lot when buying a family car so it’s important for you to weigh the features and the budget that you have. Ask yourself if you can really afford the car, if not, then what features are you willing to compromise to cut on the cost? Keep in mind what you can pay for in order to cater to other financial needs of your family at present and in the future.

II. Top 5 Family-Friendly Cars in the Philippines

1. Ford Edge SUV

Specs:

• Transmission – Automatic
• Passenger Capacity - 5 Cloth Seats, 2 rows
• Car-seat Capacity - 3
• Fuel – Gasoline
• Adjustable Steering Wheel
• Power Door Locks
• Cruise Control
• Keyless Start, Keyless Entry
• Airbags
• Brake Assist
• Daytime Running Lights
• Traction Control
• Electronic Stability Control
• Child Safety Locks

The right number of seats, comfort, plus it’s affordable. What’s not to love about this model?

2. Volkswagen Santana

Specs:

• Manual Transmission
• Gasoline Fuel
• Car Capacity – 5 tough fabric seats, 2 rows
• 480-Liter Trunk
• 2 Airbags
• 2 Speaker Stereo

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The Volkswagen Santana is a small hatchback that’s affordable but hasn’t been stripped off of its family-friendly specs

3. Chevrolet Traverse

Specs:

• Automatic Transmission
• Car Capacity – 8 versatile seats, 3 rows
• Car Seat Capacity – 4
• HID headlights
• Cruise Control
• Keyless Entry
• Steering Wheel Controls
• Power Door Locks
• WiFi Hotspot
• 6 USB charging stations
• Gasoline Fuel
• Airbags
• Electronic Stability Control
• Traction Control
• Child Lock Safety
• Daytime Running Lights

For a car that’s roomier than the 2 first listed but still comfortable, fuel efficient, and easy to drive, you'll never go wrong with the Chevrolet Traverse

4. Ford Expedition

If you have the budget for it, why not invest in another Ford entry on our list, the Ford Expedition. 

Specs:

• Automatic Transmission
• Sun/Moonroof
• Alarm
• Cruise Control
• Luggage Rack
• Steering Wheel Controls
• Remote Trunk Release
• Vehicle Anti-theft System
• Power Door Locks
• Keyless Start
• Rear Parking Aid
• Trip Computer
• Universal Garage Door Opener
• Keyless entry
• WiFi Hotspot
• Hard Disk Drive
• Smart Device Integration
• Satellite Radio
• Navigation system
• Airbags
• Brake Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Adjustable Pedals
• Child Safety Locks
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Electronic Stability Control

The Ford Expedition has a powerful engine, three rows of spacious seats, huge cargo space for your bags and other equipment

5. Mitsubishi Xpander

For families which need extra room but are still frugal about expenses, the Mitsubishi Xpander is the best choice for them. The Mitsubishi Xpander offers seven-seat capacity plus a fold-flat third-row feature. It’s definitely larger and roomier than its competitors and the most valuable one too.

Specs:

• Automatic Transmission
• Driver and Front Passenger’s Airbags
• Immobilizer
• Electronic door locks
• ISOFIX
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution
• Cruise Control
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Steering Wheel Audio Control

The Mitsubishi Xpander offers seven-seat capacity plus a fold-flat third-row feature

III. Conclusion

Choosing the perfect vehicle for your own family is all about knowing what’s important to you and what’s critical for your brood. It’s also important to know how much you are willing to invest in the car. The car should have a decent mileage, enough space, and most importantly, safety and comfort features.

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