10 Best Cars for New Parents

2016 nissan murano exterior profile ・ Photo by Nissan

The thing that stands out about great family cars these days is that you don’t have to sacrifice your fun-loving soul for one. New parents will find plenty of automotive options that combine the safety, practicality and fuel efficiency they need with the design, excitement and luxury they want. Whether it’s a hybrid sedan, 5-door hatchback, compact crossover or midsize SUV on your mind, this list of the best cars for new parents will show you the way to start your new life on the right foot. There’s even a—dare we say it—fun minivan to be found. So strap in your kid's rear-facing car seat and dive into this list to learn more.

Mazda Mazda3

Growing your family doesn’t mean you need to go big on the road. A perfect case in point is the 2017 Mazda3, which is a great mix of safety and practicality with enough personality to keep new parents with a spring in their step. Starting at just $17,845 base price, the Mazda3 comes with plenty of standard equipment like a rearview camera and touchscreen infotainment system. Opt for the hatchback, which boasts room for all the new toys and furniture you’ll be bringing home. Fuel economy is a breeze, too, with up to 41 MPG—even 37 MPG with the larger 184-horsepower engine. The Mazda3 also has plenty of the most important tool for parenting: fun.

Photo by Mazda

Chevrolet Volt

With its 2016 refresh, the Chevrolet Volt made the difficult leap from being a great car “for a hybrid” to simply a great car—period. The Volt starts with a $33,170 base price, but rebates and incentives can easily bring it down into the mid-$20,000 range. Fuel economy is an obvious strong suit, with up to 53 all-electric miles and 43/42 MPG for the plug-in extended-range hybrid. Rear seats and cargo space are tight, but more than enough for car seats and the assortment of diaper bags and extra toys that parents will need for weekend outings. The IIHS also recently named the 2017 Volt a Top Safety Pick+, its highest rating possible.

Photo by Chevrolet

Chevrolet Malibu

Another recently redesigned winner for the General is also a total score for parents, who can bring home a well-rounded midsize sedan for $21,860 MSRP. Higher trims still run in the $25,000 range while maintaining a 27/36 MPG rating, and even the 250-horsepower Premier asks $30,975 and returns 22/33 MPG. The roomy rear seats are perfect for fitting a baby, diaper bags and even a grandparent or two, and both the 6-speed and available 9-speed transmission provide a supple ride. The Malibu is another IIHS Top Safety Pick+, its highest rating available. Front crash prevention technology like collision warning and automatic braking should put parents at ease, as well.

Photo by General Motors

Jeep Renegade

Parenting is an adventure, so why not come equipped for the challenge? With the Jeep Renegade, all the essentials are present: strong safety ratings, a heap of cargo space and a fuel economy rating over 30 MPG highway. But as with any Jeep, it’s the eccentric side of the Renegade that really sings. Its looks are quirky and fun, lending more character than the gaggle of crossovers parents will pull up alongside at the daycare every morning. And should the call of the wild necessitate a trip into the unknown, the Renegade is a brilliant off-roader that will help parents create unforgettable family memories. You buy this car to stay young, as good a reason as any.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Honda CR-V

Lots of crossovers are good family cars—the Honda CR-V is simply an all-star. Honda safety and reliability are legendary, and parents won’t mind the near-luxury interior comfort and materials either. Cargo space is stellar with the rear seats standing up or folded flat, and easy door access and an available power liftgate make loading and unloading a breeze. Power and handling are strengths, and all trims exceed 30 MPG on the highway. Parents have plenty of ways to CR-V, too, with five trim levels and either FWD or AWD that tops out at $33,495 MSRP. Some competitors are more exciting, but none make more sense for parents than the CR-V.

Photo by Honda

Subaru Crosstrek

There’s a reason Subaru has struck a chord with millennial buyers in recent years: standard all-wheel drive and loads of personality go a long way with this bunch. As they become parents, those ideas are just as valuable. In the Crosstrek, you’ve essentially got a raised Impreza that’s much less expensive than the venerable Outback. Passenger space is generous, and fuel economy can reach 26/34 MPG. Parents will find the standard 6.2-inch touchscreen and Starlink infotainment system easy to use, and the Crosstrek comes in several Skittles-type colors to delight the little ones. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert are available, making the Crosstrek a safety star on or off-road.

Photo by Subaru

Dodge Durango

As your family continues to grow, extra space will quickly become a necessity. That’s what makes the Dodge Durango one of the best cars for new parents—an accessible third row and truck-based platform that's perfect for hauling trailers, campers, boats, and anything else you’ll need to lug around. The base V6 engine returns up to 19/27 MPG and now comes with start-stop for greater efficiency, while the optional V8 provides up to 360 horsepower. The Durango is the performance machine in the midsize SUV segment, and it oozes testosterone with a tasteful touch of class to boot. From $30,495, pricing is competitive and a great way to break from the crossover mold.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Nissan Murano

One look at the Nissan Murano and it’s clear the company’s brass took a leap of faith with its design department. You can do that when the product is good enough to back it up, and new parents will find the Murano is an exceptional option in the 5-seat midsize crossover class. Interior space is strong, and the Murano features plenty of handy features that make accessibility a breeze. The real hallmark is its quality and craftsmanship, and the V6 is delightful at 260 horsepower and 21/28 MPG. While other models like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot are also great choices, the Murano offers traditional family function in a package that looks to the future.

Photo by Nissan

Mazda CX-9

Here’s the Mazda CX-9 in a nutshell: in all of its uncompromising brilliance, Mazda decided to make the best-handling 3-row SUV on the market even though almost no one buys a 3-row SUV for the handling. Why? Because someone will. Someone will accept the smaller cargo space for superior balance and driving fun. While they were at it, Mazda brought efficiency up to 28 MPG highway and drizzled genuinely luxurious touches throughout. Pricing is strong from $31,520, but this is a tough class. Some new parents will fall head over heels for the CX-9. If all those someones happen to work at Mazda, that doesn’t seem to bother them one bit.

Photo by Mazda

Chrysler Pacifica

It’s time to face the facts: you might need a minivan. Fear not, new parents, because the Chrysler Pacifica may have finally made the minivan cool (and not in an ironic way). Great looks, tons of entertainment and safety features, and fuel economy that reaches 28 MPG highway all push the Pacifica to the top of its class. It can even be fun to drive, with a 287-horsepower V6 engine and surprising handling capabilities. Both the second and third rows fold flat into the floor, a feature called Stow ’n Go, which provides 140.5 cubic feet of available space. Minivans may taste like medicine, but the Pacifica is a 3-row spoonful of sugar.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles