The Family Wheels: 5 Cars Families Will Be Looking For in 2015

Deciding to purchase a new car is overwhelming enough before you even begin to consider your options. When you have a family you need to think about, the process becomes exponentially more time-consuming. A great family car needs to be not just comfortable and spacious, but also safe, reliable, and affordable. It's important to do research on the makes and models you're considering, but it can be hard to even figure out which you should be considering. To help you along, we've compiled a list of the top 5 family cars of 2015. Hopefully, this will serve as a strong jumping-off point for your car buying adventure. 1. Honda Odyssey Reimagined with some super nifty features, the Odyssey offers some real convenience. If you can't keep your kids from spilling for more than 30 seconds, the built-in vacuum will be a life-saver. Like to take long trips? Keep the family entertained with the theater-quality backseat entertainment. Another great perk of the Odyssey? The second row can be reconfigured to fit three booster seats at once. Large families with lots of young ones, rejoice! The sleek minivan is also extremely safe, earning a 5 star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 2. Honda CR-V For a family that enjoys variety, the CR-V is an easy winner. Well-rounded and reliable, the CR-V has been at the top of the crossover SUV market for years, and it's easy to see why. The car has the power to handle the average family's off-roading needs, while still providing an effortlessly smooth ride on highways. At 27 mpg city and 34 on the highway, the CR-V manages to be economical and efficient, while maintaining the capability to perform in just about any situation. 3. Subaru Outback The Outback has long been a staple of active, outdoorsy families, and it's no wonder. A Subaru specialist says the Outback’s combination of crossover SUV power and station wagon roominess makes it both capacious and tough. Standard all-wheel drive, X-MODE for better traction, hill descent control, and horsepower above the average SUV makes this the perfect car for the family who likes to take the road less traveled-- especially if said "road" is actually a rocky dirt path through the middle of nowhere. It can easily provide you a comfortable and safe ride on highways as well, coming in at 24 city/30 highway miles per gallon with a 5 star safety rating. 4. Chevrolet Tahoe For those with safety on the brain, the Tahoe is widely regarded as the safest family car on the market. Boasting such innovative features as rear backup camera, side blind zone alert, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, Safety Alert Seat, crash imminent braking, and more, the Tahoe will have you cruising with confidence. The only downfall? Not all these features are stock, so the extra options will end up costing you. 5. Hyundai Tucson Hyundai just does family cars right, though the Tucson makes the list for different reasons. It's here because it boasts an impressive 29 miles per gallon highway, a feature important for economical families. A specialist with Findlay Hyundai in St George, Ut says the Tucson is extremely reliable and has high resale value, making it a car that can last long enough to feel like part of the family. On top of that, it's roomy enough that you won't regret choosing a crossover over a minivan. Buying a car may be exhausting, but it's important to know what you're getting from your vehicle. Do your research, go for test drives, and don't be afraid to ask the dealer questions! These days, there are so many cars on the market, there's no doubt one tailored to perfectly fit your family's needs.