Choosing a Vehicle for Your Expanding Family

In the market for a new car for your growing family? It can be overwhelming trying to fit your family’s needs with what the market has to offer, but the search isn’t impossible. Here are a few important things to consider as you search for the perfect car for your expanding family.

Safety

For anyone who’s in the market for a car, the number one sought-after feature across the board is safety. Thankfully, many cars come standard with the most up-to-date safety features, but some of the features to be on the lookout for include:

• Front and side airbags to help in the event of an accident
• Anti-lock brakes with brake assist to help slow down the car when they detect sudden braking
• Automatic braking to slow your car down in the event of a collision
• Integrated child safety harnesses which can easily secure the child seat in a car
• A rear view camera to watch the road when you back out of a space

For the safest family vehicles of 2016, check out these lists for Kelly Blue Book’s Best Safety Rated SUVs and Autotrader.com’s Top 7 Safest SUVs.

Ease of Access

Ease of access can be a forgotten concern when you are in the market for a new car, but it can make a world of difference in your comfort. Sliding doors in a mini-van or SUV will allow you to open your doors and load your car while in cramped spaces. If your family requires car seats, bring one along as you go out car shopping. The car doors should open wide enough to easily move and maneuver a car seat in and out. Another convenient feature that will soon feel like a necessity are doors that you can open automatically with a key fob. This will be an especially helpful feature when you have to juggle groceries, a car seat, and kids.

Size and storage

You want a vehicle that can not only accommodate your family and their possessions but one that offers flexibility. Do you need a large van to accommodate a big family with enough room to carpool a hockey team? Or would you prefer a spacious yet compact car for easier maneuverability?

Consider how much room your family will need for regular storage, including groceries, strollers, musical instruments, bikes, and more. Do you need room for car seats for the baby or sports equipment for your teen athlete - or both? Think about whether your family will use a vehicle for big excursions like camping trips and long road trips or if you are likely to need a more compact vehicle for life in the city.

Durability and upkeep

Simply put, cars are a big investment. You want to find a vehicle that can withstand years of wear and tear. In your search, consider car maintenance and family maintenance.

Car maintenance is the regular upkeep to keep your vehicle running safely and at its peak performance. Ask yourself, will this vehicle require more than regular car maintenance and checkups? How much of the regular maintenance will be covered by warranty? In the case of used cars, what is in the history report?

Family maintenance includes the steps you take to keep your car clean and good shape. Consider searching for easily cleaned or stain-resistant seat covers, removable floor mats, removable cup holder liners, or storage compartments for cleaning supplies.

With a list of your family’s priorities, you can successfully set out on a search for the perfect vehicle for your family. Of course, the friendly staff at Kuehn Motors are always available to assist you. So get your list ready and stop into Kuehn to begin your search!