As a parent and a lover of pets, your choice of vehicle will probably be different from the selection made by a single person next door who commutes to work daily. If you’re looking for a vehicle that’s both comfortable and safe for your pets and kids, there are lots of vehicles that advertise themselves as family cars.
There are various features to look out for when buying a vehicle if you have kids and pets. One element to consider is a low chassis clearance. This ensures it will be easy for kids to get in and out of the car. Another is climate control vents in the rear seats that will provide an ideal environment for both pets and kids.
Pets can release unpleasant odors in the car, and a cabin filtration system will help clean the air inside the vehicle when this happens. A vehicle with a rear liftgate enables a pet like a dog to easily get in and out of the vehicle. A liftgate also makes it convenient to load pet items like crates, carriers, and kennels into your vehicle. Underfloor storage allows you to conceal your luggage away from pets and creates more space for the pet to ride comfortably.
Fold-down seats will keep your upholstery clean from scratches and pet dander while creating an ample space for your pet to sit. A sunroof allows fresh air and sunlight into the vehicle while still keeping your pets and kids from hanging out the window.
Here are four cars to consider with lots of family-friendly amenities.
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a family-friendly vehicle of choice for a family with kids and pets. Available with a turbocharged engine, it has major advancements in safety, a newly redesigned look and a tremendous improvement in the rear passenger and cargo areas. With an extensive high-end steel exterior, it has a high crash safety rating.
The vehicle has tie-down points combined with retractable crossbars to stow cargo for weekend gateways and camping. Safety features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and active lane centering. The heads-up display is customized for alerts with the LED headlights.
There’s also an advanced driver assistance system incorporated in all 2020 Outbacks to reduce rear-end collisions. When it comes to utility, the 2020 Outback doesn’t disappoint, as it offers a 32.5-cubic-foot trunk and 75.7-cubic-foot maximum storage space for your cargo. This is enough space for a dog kennel, kids’ sporting gear, or groceries for a large family. The automotive company’s dog-friendly seat covers improve the utility rating, and the vehicle also has a side step that attaches to a rear wheel.
The elegant interior has an 11.6-inch touchscreen as a part of their easy-to-use infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are in all 2020 Subaru Outback models as well as an available embedded navigation system with voice activation.
The Touring is equipped with heated steering and ventilated front seats, making this trim a perfect choice for people living in cold climates. Features offered by the 2020 Subaru Outback include, but are not limited to, blind-spot monitoring, push-button engine, power sunroof, heated steering, navigation, driver focus technology, reverse automatic braking, and approach lighting.
Under the hood of the 2020 Outback is a new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that puts out 182 horsepower. With an 18.5-gallon fuel tank, the boxer-engine design has a lower center of gravity that conserves gas by powering the front wheels until the rear wheels are needed. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $27,655 for the base model without options.
This crossover is designed with families and pets in mind, and the features from the latest upgrade definitely reflect this.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is a first-class family hauler offering room for up to eight passengers and a smooth and comfortable ride. As a popular midsize crossover SUV, it is roomy and surprisingly elegant compared to other previous models. The three rows of seating offer a great deal to individuals with kids and pets, and the amount of space can be maximized by lowering the seats. The pair of captain chairs in the second row offers improved comfort in the Touring, Standard, and Elite models.
The exterior of the 2019 Honda Pilot has been restyled, adding some curves to the original blocky design. The Touring and Elite trims come with roof rails for cargo mounting and a power-operated tailgate.
The Honda Pilot has five major trims: LX, EX-L, EX, Touring, and Elite. The least expensive LX trim includes lane and blind spot sensing safety, a driver-assist system, Bluetooth connectivity, push-button start, and a 5-inch color display. The EX takes things up a notch with intelligent traction management and heated front seats, while the EX-L has a moonroof and second-row passenger sunshades. These sunshades could be ideal for keeping the sun from glaring in your kids’ eyes.
All the 2019 models use a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and an EPA city/highway fuel economy of 19/27 mpg. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is about $32,500 for a base LX.
This versatile SUV is a great choice for large families and those whose storage configuration needs are constantly changing.
Volkswagen Atlas
The seven-seater crossover SUV offers a great driving experience with an advanced sports mode for family gateways. The dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, 6.5-inch infotainment display, and rearview camera express the cabin’s simplicity. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, rain-sensing wipers, and a six-speaker audio system are impressive standard features that come with the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas.
In the basic Atlas, seats on the back row fold to create a flat load space for your birdcage, dog, or cat. The 20.6-cubic feet available behind the third row can extend up to a maximum of 96.8 cubic feet for extra room.
The 2-liter 4-cylinder engine that puts out 235 horsepower is the first range available with an EPA city/highway fuel economy of 22/26 mpg. The second range is the 3.6-liter V6 generating 276 horsepower with an EPA city/highway fuel economy of 17/24 mpg. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price puts the Volkswagen Atlas S at $31,890.
This VW family car offers a wide range of customizations; choose features ranging from economical and simple to high-end luxury.
Chevrolet Traverse
The three-row Chevy in question here comes in a 2-liter turbocharged inline-4 that delivers 255 horsepower with an EPA city/highway fuel economy of 20/26 mpg. There is also a 3.6-liter V6 engine offering 310 horsepower at a city/highway fuel economy of 18/27 mpg. It comes in LS, LT, Premier, and High Country models that can be ordered with all-wheel drive. The L model is equipped with six USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android integration, a 7-inch sleek Chevy MyLink infotainment display and a rearview camera. These standard features come in advanced options in other trims.
The 2019 Chevrolet Traverse‘s aerodynamics give it an appearance that surpasses that of the previous designs with its attractive grille and bow-tie company logo. It has a maximum seating of eight occupants and cargo space of 98.2 cubic feet ample enough for pets, school-going children, and camping gear. The manufacturer’s standard retail price is just under $30,900.
The internet and infotainment options make this a great choice for families with technophiles, and the large carrying capacity makes it good for households with large dogs or lots of kids.
Choosing the Right Car for You
Ultimately, the best car for your family will be based on a number of factors. Reliability, fuel efficiency and adequate size are requirements for most families. However, ease of cleaning, convertible seats or technological upgrades like infotainment and driver assistance may be a priority for one family but not another. These four vehicles offer a great starting point for you to consider your own priorities for a family vehicle that works for you, your kids and your pets.
