For parents of active kids, driving can feel like a second job. Between sports practices, tournaments and away games, families may find themselves spending more time on the road than on the field.
Some vehicles may not cut it when it comes to the amount of space your family needs and the number of miles you’re logging. But before buying a car that can lug an entire cheer squad across the country, take some time to consider the features that will matter most for you and your young athletes, whether it’s game time or off-season.
Image Credit: FatCamera.
Take these six considerations into account when purchasing a car
Not every car is built for an active family. Before shopping, consider how you’ll use your vehicle throughout the year. You may want eight seats and room for bulky athletic gear during hockey season but need a more commuter-friendly car for the rest of the year.
Consider these features when determining your top priorities for your next car.
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1. Space
You’ll need enough space for passengers and equipment, but you don’t necessarily need an SUV or truck. One of the best ways to compare vehicle space is by looking at interior measurements, including:
- Inches of headroom and legroom
- Cubic feet behind each row
- Cubic feet of cargo space
The height, length and width of the vehicle can also be important measurements for vehicle owners who need to park in tight spaces like a small garage.
Not sure how much space you’ll need? Edmunds recommends buckling in the whole family and taking a test drive before buying anything new.
Autotrader also offers more helpful tips on comparing specs and measurements across vehicles.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
2. Versatility
What you need from a vehicle can vary greatly between on and off seasons. For a car that works year round, look for flexible and versatile features. These options can be a big help:
- Seats that split, fold down, rotate or can be removed for more storage space
- Rear seats that slide backwards
- Waterproof cargo space with a drainable floor
- Hidden compartments in the cargo floor
- Overhead storage
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
3. Fuel efficiency
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), transportation is now the second most costly budget item for U.S. households, second only to housing. With inflation at historical highs, fuel prices are a concern for every car buyer. Gas rewards cards can be part of the solution, along with the right fuel economy.
Buyers no longer have to search for subcompact cars to cut down on gas costs. In fact, the best fuel economy now comes from new full electric cars and SUVs. Some gas-powered minivans and small station wagons can also be amongst the most budget friendly choices.
Before buying, compare city, highway and combined fuel economy estimates across vehicles. You can find that information, along with annual fuel cost estimates and information on federal tax credits for electric and hybrid vehicles, in the DOE’s 2022 Fuel Economy Guide.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
4. Durability
Between long drives, hauling bulky equipment and eating meals in the car, sports families can be pretty hard on a vehicle. If you’re looking for a car your family can use for the long-haul, consider a vehicle that’s built to last. Here are some things to look for:
- Reliability rankings for different car types
- Total cost to own, including lifetime repairs and resale value estimates
- Availability and price of an extended manufacturer’s warranty or a tailored warrant
With low inventory and inflationary pressures, some dealerships have been inflating sales prices above MSRP. If your dealership quotes a high price, try negotiating to include an extended warranty or other special features in the cost.
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5. Safety
Newer vehicles can offer excellent safety features, like stability control, emergency braking and blind spot monitoring, but your budget may be restrictive. A good rule of thumb is to buy as much safety as you can afford.
If budget allows, a driver who’s navigating to sporting events away from home may want telematics, which can track your location and keep you connected to a central dispatch. Smartphone integration also allows drivers to connect map apps and respond to calls and texts by voice instead of looking down at their phones.
To best learn how safe a vehicle is, review safety ratings specific to the make, model, and year of the car you’re interested in buying.
Having trouble fitting the safety features you want into your budget? One way to make car-buying more budget-friendly is to take on a loan with a longer repayment term, which means lower monthly payments. Just note that this will mean paying a lot more in interest over time.
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6. Entertainment
On long drives, restless passengers can lead to distracted drivers. While top-notch entertainment isn’t a necessity, it’s worth considering.
If nice-to-haves are in your budget, consider newer features that keep back-seat riders connected and entertained, like smartphone charging, in-car Wi-Fi, video screens and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
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The Subaru Forester reigns supreme
According to research by LendingTree, the Subaru Forester was the most popular car for sports parents in 29 states. It was roughly 20% more popular than the second placed car, the Chrysler Pacifica. The Ford Expedition also took a top position, but the Volvo V90 was the least popular car. At the national level, it was just 0.5% as popular as the Subaru Forester.
Here are the most popular cars by state.
Image Credit: yocamon/ istockphoto.
Alaska
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: iStock / Mark Lee.
Alabama
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Ford Expedition
Image Credit: Ford.com.
Arkansas
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Arizona
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
California
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Colorado
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Connecticut
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
District of Columbia
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Delaware
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Florida
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Georgia
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Ford Expedition
Image Credit: Ford.
Hawaii
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Iowa
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Idaho
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Illinois
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Indiana
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Kansas
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Kentucky
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Louisiana
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Ford Expedition
Image Credit: Ford.
Massachusetts
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Maryland
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Maine
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Michigan
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Minnesota
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Missouri
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Mississippi
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Ford Expedition
Image Credit: Ford.
Montana
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
North Carolina
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
North Dakota
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: yocamon/ istockphoto.
Nebraska
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
New Hampshire
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
New Jersey
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
New Mexico
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Ford Expedition
Image Credit: Ford.
Nevada
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
New York
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Ohio
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
Oklahoma
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Ford Expedition
Image Credit: Ford.
Oregon
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Pennsylvania
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: ubaru ForesterS
Image Credit: Subaru.
Rhode Island
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
South Carolina
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
South Dakota
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Tennessee
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Texas
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Ford Expedition
Image Credit: Ford.
Utah
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Virginia
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: iStock / Mark Lee.
Vermont
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Washington
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Wisconsin
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Chrysler Pacifica
Image Credit: Chrysler.
West Virginia
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Wyoming
Most shopped-for car for sports parents: Subaru Forester
Image Credit: Subaru.
Methodology
Data pool represents those who shopped-for cars from January to December 2021. Data was then sorted and filtered to determine the most popular model per state. For this analysis, the best sport parent cars were determined using a list created by LendingTree to include the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Ford Expedition, Audi Q7, Volvo V90, Honda HR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota Avalon and Mazda CX-9.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Image Credit: Solovyova / istockphoto.
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