How do you pick out the perfect new family car that is going to be great for your family as well as being
a safe choice?
First, you will need to evaluate the new car’s safety features. You want to pay attention to make sure it has good results in crash tests. You also want to look for a vehicle that has low rollover statistics. Also,look for cars that have a latch system to tether in your car seat if that is applicable, an on-off switch for the front passenger airbag, advanced airbag features, front seat side impact airbags, rear seat side airbags that are safe for children, lap and shoulder belts for all seats, anti-lock brakes, interior trunk release and a backseat that can comfortably accommodate your car seat if applicable. Chances are your family will be the primary passengers and we need to make sure they are absolutely safe and secure in the car you choose.
Second, when looking for the perfect new family car consider how you will be using the car. Make sure you account for how many kids and pets that you have and may be transporting at any given time. Also,consider if you will be carpooling with other people’s kids. You want to make sure that there is plenty of room for your needs. This will help to make sure that everyone is safe and well accounted for. Also take time to consider where you will be doing most of your driving. If you are driving mostly in the city and doing a lot of errands perhaps consider getting a smaller car so it’s easier to park. Keep in mind gas mileage as well which is determined by where you will be doing most of your driving. Getting a car with a large tank, can help cut down the number of stops you will take to get gas which can be nice and more convenient. Keep in mind the weather of where you live. If you live somewhere with lots of snow, rain or ice get a car that has good 4-wheel drive.
It is important to have a car that can safely navigate through weather conditions where you live. This
can be a huge safety problem if not prepared for in advance. You want to make sure you can safely navigate through any weather that might arise. Utilize the test drive. Bring your whole family, because they can help determine what will be the best fit if they are there. Are you able to get your small kids in and out of the car easily? If you have kids who are a little older, will they be able to get in and out of the car on their own and safely? This is an important piece that often gets overlooked. You don’t want accidents trying to get in and out of the vehicle. Make sure both you and the kids are comfortable and everyone fits nicely. If you are looking for a specific dealer try Kia Utah. They are great and have lots of options of safe family cars for you and your family to explore and choose from.
![\\\\\\\"\\\\\\\"](\\\\\\\"https://d5nxst8fruw4z.cloudfront.net/atrk.gif?account=r2cEh1aAod000d\\\\\\\")
I really need to think about getting a new .. mine is getting old and this post makes me think about safety features.. thanks so much!
All good points. And I would add that a rear-view camera is especially helpful for making sure that no kids or dogs are behind the car when you’re backing up!
Great points! Gas mileage is especially important for me living out in the country. I want a car with good fuel efficiency. It’s also very important to have winter/snow tires for the winter season where I live.
A lot of great thing to consider, my mom is still trying to pick something new and she’s not happy with anything yet. Informative post-thank you
Great topic, informative and super useful as always.
They have shut offs for front passenger air bag? Why would anyone want to do that, if all kids are to be put in back seats anyway. Surprising!
Our van is 13 and farm truck is about 8 or more. We really need a new (used) one and after helping find a car for our 20 year old, I am very untrusting about buying used. The car fax they had lied as the car had def been in an accident and because the owner was friends with the dealer, the work was done on the side somehow and not reported. It was obvious when we saw the car in broad daylight that the whole side passenger panel had been redone. We were SO upset but they were not gonna listen to us. So, beware of buying used and even from a dealer. Some are shady. It’s horrible because we cant ever afford a new vehicle and never would buy new if we could, as the value depreciates so much as soon as you drive it off the lot…I have heard as much as 2k with hardly any miles put on it.
These are great tips for looking for a family car. We currently have a Jeep and a Truck so we will probably be changing that when we start our family.
Diana C
The part about getting ione that can handle the weather is especially important in snowy climates. Get a vehicle that is safe and the 4wd can be turned off and on inside without outside lockouts.
Safety is so important and often overlooked when getting a new car. We made sure ours had plenty of airbags front and back.
these are great tips. Safety is so important and cars are being made safer each year which is a blessing.
I like to use Consumer Reports for repair statistics and overall reviews.
thanks for the tips. i usually go through this process when selecting a car. i will be picking a new car soon so this will be a great list to take.
Very good tips for buying a new car, thanks for sharing, it will be a while before we buy another one, I hope anyway.
Good tips, yes safety definitely comes high up on my list when choosing a car. It’s probably also important to say that the weather and road conditions you’re likely to be driving in are also important. For example if you get a lot of snow where you live, then you will want to choose a vehicle that has four-wheel drive and possibly a centre-differential.
I agree with your conclusions and looking forward to your coming updates. Thanks for sharing