With gas prices starting to come down, more families may be planning road trips. Some may be heading down the coast or even across the country.
When on a road trip, you'll be spending a lot of time in the car, so it is important to have a vehicle that functions well and is comfortable, especially for families with children.
David Champion, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports told the Associated Press that large sedans and minivans make great family road trip cars because windows are lower, making it easier for kids to look out. He also recommends station wagons which make it easy to reach in the back and grab a snack or a comfort.
Champion also recommends having a passenger using a hand-held GPS or smart phone as a guide rather that splurging on a built-in navigation system because it can be hard to talk to these systems with noisy kids in the back of the car.
If you're looking for a new car to take out on your road trip, here are some recommended new or recently designed cars and SUV's that make great family road trip cars. They are all rated high by the government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Many of them have family-friendly features or they're great for those trying to get more mileage out of the gas tank.
1. TOYOTA PRIUS V
The Toyota Prius V is a great car for those who are concerned with gas prices. This five-seat car, which went on sale last fall, get about 42 miles per gallon in the city and highway driving, which is much more than non-hybrid cars. Standard Prius' get about 50 miles per gallon, but the Prius V is roomier than older models. It has 13 cubic feet of additional space for belongings and luggage, behind the rear seats. There is also an option to fold down the seats, providing you with even more space.
Champion said that the Prius V isn't the most comfortable option for long trips, but it does have reclining seats for kids who want to nap along the way.
The vehicle is reportedly a bit noisier than competitiors, but it's high mile per gallon rate will mean less reasons to stop to fill up on gas, meaning there will be less delays on your long road journey.
This hybrid car starts at $26,550, but you can get additional features like a sunroof and a hands-free parallel parking system that parks the car by itself for $30,140.
2. HONDA CR-V
This compact SUV went through a redesign last fall, but it continues to be one of the best-selling crossovers in the country. This five-seater vehicle also has pretty good fuel economy, with an average of 26 miles per gallon. It also has plenty of storage space, with a 37 cubic feet truck-enough to fit 52 bags of groceries.
The CR-V is family friendly as it contains mirrors that make it easy for parents to see what their children are doing in the back seats. It also has a backup camera which makes parking and reversing easier, as it shows what's behind you.
The CR-V starts at $22,495. If you want the family-friendly rear entertainment system of the EX-L model, which includes a 7-inch mounted screen above the rear seats and wireless headphones, it will cost you $27,945.
3. MAZDA5
The Mazda5 is a great choice for minivan fans. The new 2012 model offers dual sliding doors on this small package. It seats six and it's middle row seats can recline or fold down, making access to the third row easier. This model is a bit less roomy than competitor's and its four-cylinder engine has less power than their V6s. However, it's small size means better fuel economy, with 28 miles per gallon, which is 4 more gallons that the rival Toyota aienna.
This minivan starts at a low price of $19,625 for manual transmission and you can get its television and wireless headphone entertainment system for another $1,200
4. HYUNDAI AZERA
The new Azera boasts the most leg and head room of any large sedan. It also contains a 16-cubic-foot-trunk, which it more than the competitor, Toyota Avalon.
This sedan also has a backup camera and heated from and rear seats. The only downside is that the fuel economy isn't the best, with only 23 miles per gallon.
The Azera starts at $32,000.
5. FORD FLEX
Champion's favorite road trip car if the Ford Flex. This seven-seater 2013 model was released earlier this year.
Ford claims that the Flex has the most second- and third row leg room than any other large utility vehicle. When the third row is folded down, there is 43 cubic feet worth of cargo space.
This car comes with a unique safety feature of inflatable rear seatbelts that give kids extra protection in the event of a crash.
It also has one feature exclusive to Ford: inflatable seat belts in the rear that give extra protection to kids in a crash.
The Flex gets 23 miles per gallon and starts at $30,885. Extra features can really bring the price up. The inflatable seatbelts are $195. You can also opt for a two 7-inch DVD monitor entertainment system for $658. The greatest family feature, a refrigerated center console in the back, is a $795 option in the $42,000 Flex Limited.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
