Ideally, the vehicle you invest in should be an extension of your passions and personalities as a family. If your family has athletes, you might consider factors such as space for passengers and equipment. However, you don’t have to compromise on comfort, safety features, and other qualities you would like your family car to have. Regardless of which sport you or your family member plays, here are top recommendations that would wholly meet your needs.
1. 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse has an impressive performance and some family-friendly features you can’t miss. The model is available in seven trim levels: L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country. All trims come with an array of standard features, such as HID headlights, three-zone climate control, and a 7.0-inch infotainment system. With the Traverse’s truck-inspired design, there is so much room for you, your family, and cargo. There is 23 cubic feet of space behind the third row of seats, which you can increase up to 98.2 cubic feet by folding the back seats.
It also boasts advanced safety equipment, found on the High Country trim as well as the Premier. Lower trims, however, also come with incredible safety features, such as blind-spot monitors. Teen Driver and Family Link systems are standard for all trims. Performance is also impressive. The standard engine is a 3.6-liter V-6 with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The 2018 Chevy Traverse will fit all your young athletes with room to spare.
2. 2019 Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is an ideal vehicle for families with athletic kids. If you are looking for a spacious car that can comfortably fit cargo and everyone in the family, it would be an excellent choice. With the eight-seater minivan, your kids can even tag along with a few friends to their game. With its spacious legroom, even taller kids can have a comfortable ride. In case you want to create more room for gear, you can easily remove or rearrange the second- and third-row seats.
Its impeccable safety features make it all the worthier investment. The Honda Odyssey comes with a rearview backup camera and blind spot warning to lower the chances of you getting involved in an accident. Furthermore, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking protect you and your family from severe injuries in case of a crash.
The vehicle also has an excellent fuel economy. With a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, it is quite powerful and can hit 60 mph in under eight seconds. Besides, the vehicle has the latest technology features, such as CabinWatch, which allows you to keep an eye on the kids without shifting your attention from the road.
The 2019 Honda Odyssey is a practical choice with lots of technology and generous cargo space.
3. 2019 Ford Transit
The 2019 Ford Transit might not sound like the conventional family car. Nonetheless, families with athletes might appreciate the versatility that comes with it. In some cases, you might have to tag a few friends or teammates along. With the passenger van having room for up to 15 people, the convenience is unmatched.
It has three distinct engines, all of which are quite powerful. The standard engine is a 275-horsepower V-6. All versions come with a six-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.
The 2019 Ford Transit does not fall short in the technology category. Some of the outstanding features include lane-keeping alert and rear parking sensors. It also has a 6.5-inch touch screen.
With only one trim level, decision-making is pretty straightforward. Nevertheless, there are options when it comes to height and length. You can choose configurations that best align with your needs.
You can’t go wrong with all of the cargo space you’ll have with the 2019 Ford Transit. Take the whole team to the game and back with ease.
4. 2019 Ram 1500
Being a family with athletes, you probably spend significant time on the road in between tournaments. The 2019 Ram 1500 would be a great pick due to its adequate space and outstanding safety features. The redesigned vehicle is technology-rich and among the most capable trucks in its class.
You can choose your Ram 1500 from the four types of engines available. The good news is, they all come with eight-speed automatic transmission. The Ram is also a towing giant, with a towing capacity of over 11,000 pounds. The 2019 model came with a few improvements, such as a lighter frame and a 12-inch touch screen.
The 2019 Ram 1500 is a supremely functional truck that feels more like a luxury vehicle.
5. 2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
If you are looking for a smaller alternative to drive your family of athletes around, the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen would fit the bill. It is practical and offers the much-needed utility. With the car’s 53.9 cubic feet of cargo space, your family can comfortably accommodate all the needed gear. Besides, the rear-seat pass-through comes in handy when you want to carry long objects, such as hockey sticks.
The SportWagen is fuel-efficient, with EPA ratings of up to 37 mpg on the highway. Although the second row of seats is quite low, kids or relatively short people could enjoy long rides.
Besides, the SportWagen also comes with safety and driver-assistance features, such as pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning.
Like any other Volkswagen model since 2018, the warranty is longer and transferrable to subsequent owners. The SportWagen also carries more weight than a standard Golf and has a few extra inches in length.
The SUV-like versatility of the 2019 Golf SportWagen makes it remarkably functional.
6. 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country
The name itself sounds athletic, and the elegant styling is a bonus. The 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country is only available in one trim level, saving you the trouble of comparison. Nevertheless, there are other options. For instance, you can choose the Premium package, which has stunning features. These features include four-zone climate control, ventilated leather seats, and much more.
The car is well-equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with an all-wheel drivetrain. It also has a wide range of driver-assist features, such as hill descent control. With its incredibly comfortable seats, driving to tournaments miles away shouldn’t be a problem. It also handles rough roads well, and cargo space is nothing to worry about.
The 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country wagon makes a great choice as a car that can handle all your athletes’ gear.
7. 2018 Kia Soul
The 2018 Kia Soul is a compact wagon to look out for. It offers three engines: a 1.6-liter l-4, a 2.0-liter l-4, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter l-4. This model’s standard features include a six-speaker audio system, cloth upholstery, and split-folding rear seats. Higher trims have additional features such as HID headlights, LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, and alloy wheels of up to 18 inches.
The 2018 Kia Soul has an impressive five-star safety rating. Some of the safety features include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert available to higher trims.
The cargo space is generous, with 24.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Folding the rear seats scales the space up to 61.3 cubic foot.
The 2018 Kia Soul will satisfy most drivers with its interior space and comfortable ride.
There are so many factors to consider when choosing a car if you have athletes in your family. While making a decision, consider factors such as available cargo space and your family’s size. From the above recommendations, you can find a vehicle that meets your needs.
