Finding the best car for a family (not just for fun) can be something of a challenge. New parents want what is best for their family - in terms of safety, and also space. They search for the cars with the best fuel economy, seat space, and most of all, protection. Any car that can get between 20 to 30 miles to the gallon combined is a great start. A bigger plus is mainly safety. Cabin space is only affected by how big the family is. Here is a list of 10 cars that suit the needs of the new family for under $30,000.
10 Subaru Legacy
The Subaru brand has been around for decades. As customers flock to dealerships to get a new model, the company really looks after what matters most: safety. Every new Subaru was given the "2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick" with Subaru's "EyeSight" option and steering responsive headlights. It barely adds anything to the amount on the price of the vehicle. For the Legacy, it also gets impressive fuel economy and space. The fuel economy on the Legacy is roughly 25 miles to the gallon in the city and about 34 miles to the gallon on the highway. As for the winter, have no worries. The Legacy comes standard with all-wheel drive.
9 Honda Accord
Honda has earned quite a reputation with Kelley Blue Book's "2019 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award." The Accord has received this award for a few years straight now. The Accord gets around 30 miles to the gallon in the city and almost 39 miles to the gallon on the highway.
But remember, this isn't necessarily the real world, even though these numbers are astounding. The overall safety rating on the 2019 Accord from the NHTSA is "5 Stars." That makes it safe and great on fuel. Space isn't an issue either since the Accord is a mid-size sedan. Almost perfect for a new family.
8 Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen has always been known to be the innovative genius of making cars more fuel-efficient while having safety be a critical factor. The Passat gets around 25 miles to the gallon in the city while it gets nearly 36 miles to the gallon on the highway. The NHTSA also gives the overall rating score "5 Stars." The good thing about Volkswagen is that they are known for being quite reliable since Volkswagen likes to make sure reliability is never an issue for anyone. Seat space is abundant throughout the cabin and even in the trunk. The Passat is a worthy car to not be overlooked.
7 Toyota Camry
Toyota has been known for decades to be one of the most reliable cars on the entire globe. The Camry is another embodiment of Toyota's reliability. The Camry not only receives a whopping almost 29 miles to the gallon in the city and nearly 41 miles to the gallon on the highway, but it also received the high "5 Star" overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Seating space inside the cabin is just as much as it could be found in the trunk. It is definitely worth looking at the Camry for a choice for those who have just started a new family.
6 Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet has been around for what seems like forever. As for the Mailbu, it came and went, then came back again. First being a muscle car and now a four-door sedan for the family. The 2019 model hasn't been tested yet but the 2018 model received the desired "5 Star" overall safety rating by the NHTSA.
There is no evidence safety has declined since. The fuel economy is impressive. The Malibu nearly gets 29 miles per gallon in the city and almost 36 miles to the gallon on the highway. The Malibu is also one of the cheapest cars on this list at an MSRP of around $22,000.
5 Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a great specimen for the new family. It receives around 28 miles to the gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway. As for the safety, the Sonata received the desired "5 Star" overall rating score by the NHTSA. Hyundai has had a few hiccups in recent years, but luckily the manufacturer has been able to get back on its feet. Since the Sonata is a mid-size sedan, the space for the interior is great as well as the trunk. The new family should definitely consider the Sonata as a buying option for the family car. Great fuel economy, space, and safety all are checked off here.
4 Mazda Mazda6
Mazda has upped its game in recent years, especially with the Mazda6. A car that has a base MSRP price just shy of $24,000. Fuel economy roughly gets 26 miles to the gallon in the city and 35 miles to the gallon on the highway. That is one of the better fuel economies from other cars, but not the greatest. The NHTSA gave the Mazda6 an overall safety rating of "5 Stars." A bonus for the Mazda6 is that the ride comfort is impressive and it is a little more luxurious feeling. Even for the price tag. Overall, the Mazda6 should not be dismissed from the list of a new family.
3 Ford Fusion
Ford has been around for over 100 years. At this time, the company has created a vast amount of cars. One of them being the Fusion. Expected to give the driver approximately 23 miles to the gallon in the city and 34 miles to the gallon on the highway, it doesn't seem like it is the best for fuel economy.
But the MSRP of a base model starts at $23,170. This makes it one of the cheapest cars on the list. Gladly, the NHTSA gave the Fusion the coveted "5 Star" overall safety rating. As for interior space, the new family shouldn't worry at all. The new family shouldn't take the Fusion off the list just yet.
2 Kia Optima
Kia is pretty much identical to Hyundai, except for the luxury feel Kia has to offer. With an MSRP price of slightly under $23,000, the Optima is another one of the cheapest models on the list. The NHTSA gave the Optima the desired "5 Star" overall safety rating. As for the fuel economy, the Optima gets around 27 miles to the gallon in the city and around 38 miles to the gallon on the highway. Since the Optima is a mid-size sedan and is related to the Hyundai Sonata, on slightly more luxurious, expect plenty of space. New families should keep the Optima on their list to feel a bit more pizzazz.
1 Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is known to be a bit on the pricier end of the list having an MSRP just under $30,000. This is for the new family who wants almost every bell and whistle that can be thought of for less than the budget. It does not necessarily receive the best fuel economy either. Around 19 miles to the gallon in the city and roughly 30 miles to the gallon on the highway. That could be because the base models come with a V6. The NHTSA gave the 2018 model 300 a "4 Star" overall safety rating. So, it is not necessarily the safest on the list either, but it is one of the better vehicles to buy in the price range. Not only that, but this means the safety can only increase as the FCA produces more 300's. There is plenty of space inside for a family though. The 300 is more of a preferred choice though for the new family.