Becoming a parent brings many life changes. The vacation budget gets spent on diapers and formula, The Wiggles dominate household entertainment, and the speedy coupe you have driven since high school suddenly feels a lot smaller. Here are seven factors to consider when purchasing a family car.

1. Car Size

A four-seat sedan may not be enough for growing families. As for the minivan, with its multiple rows of passenger seats, it has long been dubbed the “mommy-mobile.” The few minivans left on the market, however, are extremely competitive. They can offer bigger cargo space than three-row SUVs and more spacious third rows.

The Kia Carnival, for instance, has best in class power, which will make a drive happy. It also has best-in-class passenger space and best-in-class cargo space.

Many parents have considered the extended-length SUV, with all the passenger space of a minivan, plus a more stylish exterior and higher ground clearance, filling the family-hauling niche.

2. Car Seat Capacity

Every car made in the US has been required to have at least one seat equipped with car seat latches. LATCH stands for lower anchors and tethers for children. Most cars will have two full sets. It would seem reasonable that three-row vehicles would have more. They do not always. So you need to check before you are in the middle of the car-buying process.

3. Cargo Space

Most three-row SUVs have very small cargo areas. The norm is around 18 cubic feet. You can find some that have more, such as the Kia Telluride with 21 cubic feet before the seats are folded. For thousands extra, you can get a sizable cargo hold by buying XL (extra-long) versions of certain large SUVs. Among others, these include the Hyundai Santa Fe and GMC Yukon.

Minivans are where its at when it comes to cargo space. The Kia Carnival minivan provides 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than rivals Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

From soccer cleats to strollers, laptops to luggage, large families bring a lot of cargo, and today’s autos have a variety of solutions to the problem of storage space. Many models of SUVs have rear seats that fold down, manually or with the push of a button, to create more space.

In addition, late-model SUVs often come with under-the-seat cubbies for items too small for rear storage yet best kept out of sight.

4. Safety

Interior devices such as airbags and seatbelts have been de rigueur for all drivers. The latest generation of safety features, by contrast, take full advantage of modern automation technology to protect passengers from the outside.

Back-up cameras and blind-spot sensors help prevent tragedies in the driveway, while adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking keep families safe on the highway.

These features often don’t come standard, however, so be sure to talk with your dealer about safety options.

5. Interior

New car buyers often put little thought into the material covering the seats. Several years, numerous mystery stains, and a few funky smells later, many end up regretting settling for the default fabric seats.

Leather and pleather seating, while it may cost a little more at the dealer, can be cleaned from most spills with the simple application of a napkin. If you can afford a bit of extra expense, interior vacuum cleaners may be a worthwhile addition for cleaning the occasional cracker spill.

6. Entertainment Features

In-car entertainment tech can be a godsend for a parent’s nerves during long road trips. Mobile gaming devices can keep the back row quiet, but when batteries run low, you’ll be glad to have those extra USB ports.

In addition, many automakers offer such things as integrated backseat tablets, movie players, and even wi-fi hotspot capability as available features. If you see several hours on the road in your future, consider investing in a quality entertainment suite.

7. Gas Mileage

Raising kids is expensive enough without having to worry about your next fill-up. Online fuel efficiency calculators are plentiful online.

Those looking to get even more out of their gas tank could consider getting a plug-in hybrid. With the ability to charge your car at home, and only refueling for especially long trips, many consider the additional up-front cost offset by savings at the pump.

Whether you’re a new parent looking for your first car with more than two doors, an expanding family that has outgrown their old sedan, or are looking to replace the old station wagon with something more modern, we hope this article helps you choose a car you and your family will love for years to come.

When you buy a car, you want to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible. You don’t want to spend more than you have to, or worse, get into a car you can’t afford. Here are a few things to think about when you’re looking to buy a car that you can afford.

Understand the Costs of Ownership

The first step to buying a car you can afford is understanding ownership costs. This includes purchase price, insurance, gas, and maintenance. Once you know how much the car will cost to own, you can start to compare that to your budget. Doing this first step will help you save thousands of dollars in the long run.

Look for Cars for Sale

Once you know how much you can afford to spend, you can start looking for cars for sale. There are several ways to find cars for sale, including in the newspaper and at dealerships. You may find vehicles for sale through private sellers.

Remember that you’ll likely get a better deal if you keep an eye on dealership incentives and manufacturer rebates. These can save you a lot of money on the purchase price.

Take the time to research and visit your local Bell Road Kia dealership. Oftentimes, establishing relationships and becoming familiar with Peoria car dealerships will open the door for more opportunities later. You’ll get a good idea for car prices in your area to avoid being overcharged.

Trading a Car

If you are lucky enough to have a car to trade, you may be all the way or part of the way to having a good down payment. Kelley Blue Book is the best source for finding out what your car is worth. You can even accept a cash offer on the spot if you want to.

Schedule a Test Drive

Before you buy a car, you’ll want to test drive it. This will help you get a feel for the vehicle and ensure it’s the right one for you. When you’re test driving, be sure to pay attention to how the car feels and how it handles.

You should also ensure that the vehicle has all the features you want. The last thing you want is to buy a car and then find out that it doesn’t have the parts you were looking for or doesn’t feel right.

What To Look For During Your Test Drive

When shopping for a new vehicle, it’s essential to take it for a test drive to get a feel for its handles and learn about its features. But with so much to think about during the test drive, it can be easy to forget some of the critical things you should be looking for. So here are a few things to keep in mind.

First, pay attention to how the vehicle feels when you’re behind the wheel. Does it feel comfortable? Does it have enough power? How does it handle on the road? Take note of anything that doesn’t feel right or you’re unsure about.

Next, familiarize yourself with the vehicle’s controls and features. Ensure you know how to operate everything, from the radio to the windshield wipers. If you’re unsure about something, ask the salesperson for help.

Finally, pay attention to your surroundings while you’re driving. Is the vehicle too loud? Are the brakes too touchy? Does it seem like there’s not enough visibility? If anything makes you feel unsafe, trust your instincts and move on to another vehicle.

Don’t feel obligated to jump on the first car you find at a reasonable price. Take your time to make sure you get a car that suits your needs!

Conclusion

Once you’ve test-driven the car and looked at all the factors, it’s time to make your decision. If you’re still not sure, take a step back. It’s a big decision, and you want to be sure you’re making the right choice. By following these steps, you can be confident that you’re buying a car you can afford.

Additionally, consider speaking to a financial advisor to get their opinion on whether or not the vehicle is a good investment. They can help you determine if you’re prepared to make the monthly payments and how long it will take to pay off the car. With professional help, you can be sure that you’re making the best decision for your financial future.