Courtesy of Toyota
Best SUVs: Toyota Highlander
Price: $27,300 to $40,635
Mileage: 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway
Family features: The newly redesigned Highlander is bigger and more powerful than ever -- and better for families too. Simplified controls mean less fumbling to adjust the temperature or wiper settings. There's a heavy emphasis on backseat comfort, with standard rear heat vents and second-row seats that recline as well as slide forward and back. The middle portion of the second row converts from a seat to a console, providing extra storage (or separation between feuding siblings). And stability control and side-curtain air bags are standard.
Owner feedback: "We drive to Vermont every weekend during ski season, and there's room for all our gear. It's super quiet, so our kids stay asleep through the road bumps, and I'm getting even better mileage than the EPA estimates."
-- Peter C. L.; Southbridge, Massachusetts
Safety ratings NHTSA: 9 out of 10 frontal, 10 out of 10 side, 4 out of 5 rollover. IIHS: Good frontal, good side; also listed as a Top Safety Pick
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Courtesy of Hyundia
Best SUVs: Hyundai Veracruz
Price: $26,900 to $36,445
Mileage: 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway
Family features: If you like getting more features for the money, check out the Veracruz. The base model of this well-made "family-mobile" includes rear A/C controls, heated mirrors, and cushy carpeting. Add a sunroof, heated seats, and a backup warning system and you'll still spend less than $30,000. But this is more than a bargain SUV. It has a luxurious ride, and safety is a high priority, with side-curtain air bags and stability control included on all models. You'll also appreciate the deep cargo capacity and high, commanding view of the road.
Owner feedback: "It's a pleasure to drive and as easy to park as a sedan. The legroom is generous, we can fit two car seats plus a booster in back, and I like that the third row folds down for extra storage."
-- Lisa S.; Fallston, Maryland
Safety ratings NHTSA: 10 out of 10 frontal, 10 out of 10 side, 4 out of 5 rollover. IIHS: Good frontal, good side; also listed as a Top Safety Pick.
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Courtesy of Honda
Best Minivans: Honda Odyssey
For carpools and road trips, minivans still offer the most passenger space, storage nooks, and flexible seating options. And with their great safety ratings, you can drive with confidence.
Price: $25,860 to $41,245
Mileage: 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway
Family features: The Odyssey puts every square inch of space to good use. There are so many storage crannies (including two glove boxes, a well under the floor, and 13 cup holders) you may never find them all. The third-row seat folds flat in two sections with a flick of the wrist, so you can store all your luggage. Side-curtain air bags protect all three rows, and stability control is standard. The ride is supersmooth. And the convenient add-ons include power sliding doors and a three-zone climate system.
Owner feedback: "I love the nimble handling, the illuminated dashboard, and the fish-eye mirror, which lets me keep an eye on the kids in back. My wife and I appreciate the dual-zone climate controls, since I'm always hot and she's always cold."
-- Steve Peterson; Washington, Illinois
Safety ratings: NHTSA: 10 out of 10 frontal, 10 out of 10 side, 4 out of 5 rollover. IIHS: Good frontal, good side; also listed as a Top Safety Pick.
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Courtesy of Dodge
Best Minivans: Dodge Grand Caravan
Price: $22,470 to $40,455
Mileage: 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway
Family features: The redesigned Grand Caravan undercuts its top competitors by several thousand dollars. But it doesn't skimp on safety (side-curtain air bags and stability control are standard), cool features (including power windows on the sliding doors), or quality (the ride is stable and quiet). This van has generous storage space and mom-friendly touches, like removable cup-holder liners you can throw in the dishwasher. The second- and third-row bucket seats can fold flat, a plus for runs to Home Depot. For long trips, the optional "swivel and go" second-row seats -- which spin around to face back-row passengers and include a table that pops up for games or meals -- can turn this minivan into a mini RV. And the nifty options include heated seats and a remote starter.
Owner feedback: "The adjustable steering wheel and pedals make me feel more comfortable than I normally am driving a large vehicle. The back-up camera is great for parking. It's easy to put in our car seats. Plus I love the grocery-bag hooks."
-- Nicole M.; Union, New Jersey
Safety ratings: NHTSA: 10 out of 10 frontal, 10 out of 10 side, 4 out of 5 rollover. IIHS: Not tested.