Just because you’re a mom, you don’t have to look like one, and you most certainly do not need to drive a typical mini-van, no matter what anyone tells you. Just because you feel that you need the room to pack the kids in the car, including their sports equipment, their friends, and their sports equipment doesn’t mean that you can’t drive something fun and sporty. Somehow, functional moms managed to get their kids around before the inception of the mini-van.
SUV’s (Sport Utility Vehicles) have come a long way since the days of the Ford Bronco and it’s primarily “four-wheelin’” activities of the 1980’s. Many such vehicles can fit five to seven adults comfortably while still utilizing an abundance of cargo space, so just imagine what kind of room the kids will have. From mini size to the most luxurious vehicle imaginable, SUV’s have taken the floor right out from under of the minivan market, yielding a sportier feel to a mommy-mobile.
TOP Mini SUV—Toyota RAV 4- with an average sticker price of under $25,000 and the reliability that Toyota is world renowned for, this compact SUV offers the best of all mommy worlds.
TOP Standard-Sized SUV—Ford Explorer- 2002 brought new changes for the passengers of this median sized, SUV. A new rear suspension makes for a smoother ride, while room for a third row of seats can accommodate two more adults comfortably. Brand new, you can expect to pay between $25,000 and $35,000, depending on your options. Gas mileage is not that horrendous, with an average of 21 mpg while cruising down the highway.
Four-door sedans have made some improvements as well, taking into consideration overall space (including legroom), all while making some pretty intense advances in the fuel economy area.
TOP Compact Sedan—Honda Civic- with a base sticker price starting at only $15,000 and absolutely insane fuel economy (39 to 51 miles per gallon, not miles per tank), make this vehicle our pick of picks. The Civic technically holds five adults, making the back seat a bit snug. Kids will have more than enough room back there while leaving enough of a space between them to alleviate the “He touched me!” scenario.
TOP Mid-Sized Sedan—Toyota Camry- When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with the number one selling sedan in the country. A sportier style, a sportier feel, and the best track record for reliability make the Camry our favorite. Base prices start at around $20,000 and go up from there while averaging over 30mpg.
All of the above vehicles have had an excellent history, so don’t feel compelled to buy (or lease) a brand new vehicle. Certified pre-owned vehicles will cost significantly less than brand new and will carry some sort of manufacturer’s warranty with them. Of course, purchasing a non-certified, pre-owned vehicle will cost you much less than a certified one, and you can take your savings and buy an extended warranty, put the rest in the bank to cover your fuel costs for the next year, and buy junior new soccer cleats in the fall.
