10 Cars Your Mother Would Approve Of

adult son with mom in car7 ・ Photo by Bigstock

Buying a car is a big deal, and so many factors come into play. Wading through the choices can become overwhelming, and you may start to doubt your own best judgment. So what do you do? Turn to Mom for her sage advice. This Mother's Day, we've culled a special list of vehicles we’re sure your Mom would endorse - and she has her reasons. Most of them rock-solid, of course!

The Family Mobile: Chrysler Pacifica

What brings a bigger smile to Mom’s face than the prospect of grandchildren? A minivan purchase will send her over the moon when she starts to imagine all of those sweet little ones to snuggle — at least when they’re not strapped into their car seats. Mom is sure to love the Chrysler Pacifica, arguably the most luxurious minivan on the market today, and she’ll relish every opportunity to ride along in style on the way to the latest little league game or dance recital. The Pacifica has a starting price of $28,995 and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Even better, the Pacifica is the only minivan available as a hybrid, so you’re sure to earn some extra points with Mom for being so environmentally conscious.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

The Safe Choice: Volvo S90

No matter how old you are, in Mom’s eyes, you’re always her baby. That means she’ll never stop worrying about you, even during that heinous morning commute. As a car brand that’s always been synonymous with safety, Mom will love seeing you behind the wheel of a Volvo. The Volvo S90 is the brand’s flagship sedan and comes with some of the most advanced driver safety systems available, including City Safety, which can detect and avoid collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists — and even large animals — who are sharing the road with you. The Volvo S90 starts at $46,950 and is not only another IIHS Top Safety Pick, but it’s a real looker, too. 

Photo by Volvo

The Sedan that Spells Success: Mercedes-Benz E-class

The day you roll up to Mom’s house in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, she’s sure to beam with pride. A Mercedes-Benz may be considered a status symbol, but the latest E-class is truly a smart purchase — the brand has debuted some of their most exciting innovations in safety and technology in the E-class, making it what the brand calls “the world’s most intelligent sedan.” In addition to the luxury features Mercedes-Benz is known for, this car will prove to Mom that you’ve got looks and brains.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz Media

The Conscious Crossover: Kia Niro

OK, ok — not all of us are ready to start a family just yet, and some of us are still working on building our careers. You can still show mom how savvy you are with a car purchase that is economical, responsible and practical all in one. The new Kia Niro is a compact crossover hybrid that averages about 50 mpg and starts at just $22,890, making it a bargain at both the dealership and the pump. The Niro may be a crossover, but it’s small enough to fit into any parking spot on campus, and large enough to pack up your laundry and leftovers Mom will send back with you after a long weekend visit at home. Even fully loaded, this hybrid still costs less than $30k. And with the way the Niro sips gasoline, Mom just might be open to spotting you for a little extra gas money.

Photo by Kia

The Classic Convertible: Buick Cascada

Not everyone is aware that Buick has begun a major brand transformation. Have you seen the trending hashtag, #ThatsABuick? Believe it or not, this brand is getting cool and now’s the time to get ahead of the curve and consider one of their newest offerings, the Cascada convertible. If Mom’s the nostalgic type, she’ll surely pat you on the back for supporting one of the brands from back in the day, and she’ll probably beg you for a ride with the top down, too. Not to worry, buying the Buick won’t make you feel like you’re actually driving your mom’s car. We recommend the Sport Touring model with sharp design details and snazzy touches that won’t age you. It’ll even play nice with your smartphone and can serve as a hotspot, so kick any of those old associations you have with the brand to the curb and get behind this Buick — even if your Mom is into it. The Cascada starts at $33,990.

Photo by General Motors

Road Trip to Mom's: Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL

Any Mom wants to see her kids and grandkids as often as possible. If you need to travel with a crew, consider the Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL — there’s seating for 8, and everybody’s stuff fits too. She’ll also get the warm fuzzies every time she stalks your Facebook posts and sees photos from your latest Sunday Funday. It's the perfect vehicle for family weekends at the cabin or beach house rentals during summer vacation. Watch out for the flipside, though — with a ride like that, Mom might be so filled with glee that she’ll start planning extended family vacations, or charter you for airport pickups.

Photo by General Motors

A Healthy Choice: Subaru Outback

Most Moms approve of a happy and healthy lifestyle, so she’d definitely support the purchase of a Subaru Outback. The Outback, long associated with active and adventurous types, has dual appeal: it can take you wherever you want to go, and it can get you there safely. The active wagon comes standard with symmetrical all-wheel drive, making it a safe bet on all types of terrain, and its elevated ride height makes it capable of tackling off-road trails. With a starting price of $25,645 and gas mileage averaging 28 mpg combined, it’s hard to imagine a car that blends practicality with adventure so well. Bonus points are also due to its versatile hatchback body style — the Outback can swallow a pair of skis in the back just as easily as the case of Kombucha on sale at Whole Foods.

Photo by Subaru

The Practical Pickup: Honda Ridgeline

You might not think Mom would be interested in a pickup truck, but everybody likes to have a friend or family member with a truck. For that, she thinks this sensible truck would be perfect. The Ridgeline has dual personalities that make it very practical; the body style means it can handle work duty like only a pickup can, but the sedan-like interior comes with all the creature comforts that will make it comfortable to commute in and not difficult to climb into. Paired with the reliable Honda badge, this pickup is a no-brainer. On the off chance your Mom wants a reference before you sign on the dotted line, just tell her the Ridgeline was chosen as the 2017 North American Truck of the Year.

Photo by Honda

The Domestic Darling: Ford Escape

Too many imports on this list? That’s ok – if you prefer domestics and Mom raised you to “Buy American,” the Ford Escape is a stellar option. The Escape has become the quintessential crossover; it’s the perfect size, it’s got good looks, and it comes packed with lots of technology inside. The new EcoBoost engine is so efficient that Ford stopped offering a hybrid model, and it’s priced fairly, starting at $23,750. The Ford Escape is comfortable, fuel-efficient and perfect for taxiing your friends, your kids or even your fur-babies.

Photo by Ford

The Reliable Ride: Honda Accord

Like Mom would say, sometimes, something reliable and practical is all we need. The Honda Accord may not be flashy, but it’s got a long-running reputation for being one of the best sedans you can buy. The Accord is affordable, safe, and comes in three different flavors to suit just about anyone – sedan, coupe or hybrid. With plenty of room inside for five, and enough creature comforts to make the ride enjoyable, this car is not only one Mom will love, it’s one you’ll love, too. We dare you to find something wrong with it.

Photo by Honda