Family Car of the Year Nominees
Best Car for Small Families
2009 Subaru Forester
With great visibility and a boxy cargo area, the Forester is one of the more practical small crossovers on the market. With its 2009 redesign, Subaru moved the once-quirky five-seater closer to the mainstream with the sort of congenial styling a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V owner could appreciate. The second row now has room for adults or teenagers, and conveniences like a flip-out storage console and push-button reclining backrests should keep them happy, or at least quiet. Throw in top crash-test ratings, a reasonably fuel-efficient four-cylinder and a sub-$20,000 starting price — with standard AWD — and the Forester presents a terrific small-family value.
Best Car for Big Families
2009 Ford Flex
Ford finally answered the question many have been asking: "How do you get minivan capability without having to be seen in a minivan?" The answer is this Mini Cooper-looking family-hauler that is as big as any minivan. It won us over with both its easy-to-drive manners and its fuel efficiency for such a large vehicle. During a long summer vacation drive, it impressed family members young and not-so-young. It also drew rave reviews/gawks from passers-by. This definitely is not a minivan in terms of styling, and it drives better than one, too.
Best Car for First-Time Drivers
2009 Honda Civic
Whether you're a concerned parent or a sensible young person looking for a first car, the Civic can't be beat. It's safe, reliable, gets good mileage, retains its value and has a lot of standard features. Even if practicality isn't your priority, the Civic has sporty handling and a sharp-looking exterior in coupe and sedan models. The interior is futuristic and well-made. The Civic is one of the best cars on the market for any driver; first-timers certainly won't go wrong with it, though we recommend against the sporty Si for less-experienced drivers.
