Family Car Buying Guide

Ford's all-new 2012 Focus is rock-solid, giving you a whole lot for just a little. The Focus is great for small families looking to keep things compact and affordable. Parents will enjoy a great driving experience and a higher quality of materials. If you're looking for a car that your teenager can drive as well, you can rest assured that Ford's exclusive MyKey feature will give you some piece of mind. MyKey allows you to designate a key that will restrict the Focus's top speed to 80 mph, and limit the volume of the car stereo to 44 percent of maximum volume. The upscale Titanium model can be equipped to stop the Focus in an astounding 110 feet from speeds of 60 mph. Not only is that best-in-class, but it bests many luxury sport sedans.

The 2012 Honda CR-V is the top selling crossover in its segment for several reasons: it has ample power (185 hp), nice fuel economy (26 combined mpg), and Honda's legendary reliability. It doesn't offer three rows of seating, but it has a spacious interior and rests higher than most sedans. If you're looking for passenger space and cargo room, the CR-V has you covered. With room to fit four comfortably and 37 cubic feet of cargo space, it's got more room than most crossovers in its class. Parents will love the sleek exterior and tech upgrades of the redesigned CR-V, while kids will keep busy with the optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system. The 2012 CR-V was the recipient of several awards, earning Top Safety Pick honors from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), and being named the 2012 Best Redesigned Vehicle and a Top 10 Best Resale Value by Kelley Blue Book.

Families looking for more seating and cargo space can't go wrong with the 2012 Highlander crossover. The Highlander boasts a roomy cabin that seats up to seven, with a small third row that is perfect for kids. With the third row stowed, the Highlander provides 42.3 cubic feet of cargo space so you can accommodate both kids and cargo with ease. Cargo space can also be customized by sliding the second row back and forth, giving more legroom to the second row passengers. The removable center section stows under the center console for easy, on-the-fly access to the third row. Choose between an efficient four-cylinder engine and a capable V-6 and four-wheel-drive that will allow you and your family to explore new frontiers together.

There are several reasons why the redesigned 2012 Passat makes sense for a growing family. Named Motor Trend's 2012 Car of the Year, the Passat has best-in-class rear legroom, making it easy to accommodate children no matter what their age. Even the trunk is big, at 15.9 cubic feet. The Passat is for families who pine for BMWs and Audis, but can't necessarily afford them at this point. The Passat offers almost the same level of build quality, but most importantly, safety isn't an afterthought - it's in the DNA. There are several Passat models to choose from, ranging from $19-33k, allowing you all of the goodies and fuel economy of a TDI diesel for less than comparable luxury sedans. It's safe, spacious and fun to drive.

Unlike Camrys of years past, the redesigned 2012 model offers styling that mom and dad will appreciate. Yes, it's a family car. But family cars can be fun and safe. The Camry does offer the best reliability and smoothest ride among its peers, with class-leading combined fuel economy of 28 mpg. Add 10 standard airbags (which is also best-in-class) with free scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance, and you can rest assured knowing that you and your loved ones will be taken care of. According to Polk, ninety percent of all Camrys sold since 1996 are still on the road, so you know you'll have it for a long time. The Camry can fit two children comfortably in the back seat and has earned Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS.

The Mazda5 is a mini-minivan for families who don't need the space of a full-size minivan. It's completely redesigned for 2012 and seats six passengers in three rows of two seats. The second row utilizes captain's chairs, so the kids can have plenty of space without feeling crowded. There is 44.4 cubic feet of cargo space when the third row is folded. An optional DVD rear-seat entertainment system will keep kids occupied during long road trips. Because the Mazda5 is smaller than traditional minivans, it has better maneuverability and handling for tight city driving. It doesn't have the most pop, but it does get 21/28 mpg, which is good in these troubling times at the pump.

Get minivan-esque seating and space without the minivan look with the fun and unique 2012 Ford Flex. The Flex seats up to seven and has best-in-class second and third-row legroom, making it easy for your tall kids to sit comfortably in all three rows. A fold-flat third-row bench is standard; while the PowerFold second-row seat lets you flip and fold the seat at the touch of a button, making it easy to access the third row. The box-like shape isn't for everyone, but it does allow for extra interior space. The Flex has an optional second-row refrigerated console, and a dual-screen entertainment system, which is great for road trips. A Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, the Ford Flex has side curtain airbags across all three rows, providing a cushion between occupants and the windows.

Unlike most minivans, the 2012 Sienna is a pleasure to drive while accommodating up to eight passengers. Not only is the Sienna a leader in almost every important metric, but it is extremely affordable at $25k. With a second row bench or La-Z-Boy-esque captain's chairs, you can seat your kids in the most comfortable and practical way. The Sienna is the only minivan on this list with an available four-cylinder engine and all-wheel-drive for confident handling. What really impresses us is that the Sienna gets its best-in-class fuel-efficiency ratings (18/25 mpg) from its 266-horsepower, V6 engine. The IIHS named the 2012 Sienna a Top Safety Pick with "Good" ratings in every category. A pre-collision warning system tightens seat belts and braces the Sienna for impact so there is less damage to your precious cargo.

Versatile seating design that can accommodate children of all ages is at the heart of the 2012 Odyssey minivan. Parents with small children will love the mobile second row that accommodates up to three car seats. A sliding middle section moves forward 5.5 inches so that parents can easily reach their kids. The rear cargo area dips down so you can easily stow the 60/40-split third row flatly with just a quick tug. Nasty, wrapper-filled minivans are a thing of the past with the Odyssey's flip-up trash-bag ring behind the second row. The Odyssey scored perfect marks for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (5-Star Overall rating) and Top Safety Pick honors from the IIHS.