Logo
No matching results

Recent Articles

Popular Makes

Body Types

10 Family Vehicles to Get Summer Started

Benjamin Hunting
by Benjamin Hunting
March 28, 2011
5 min. Reading Time
fallback

For millions of people across the country, summer time means one thing: family vacation. The warmest season of the year is peeking just around the corner, and when it comes time to load up the family truckster with kids, luggage and plenty of snacks, you want to make sure that the vehicle you choose for your trip is up to snuff. There are a lot of good options out there that can eat up the miles in comfort and style, allowing you to focus on planning the truly important part of your vacation - making sure everyone has fun.

Let’s take a look at 10 family vehicles that are perfect for getting the summer started.

01. 2011 GMC Acadia

The 2011 GMC Acadia is the roomiest crossover in the GMC lineup. This eight-passenger hauler offers three rows of seating and it can also swallow an impressive 24 cubic feet of cargo with all positions occupied. The Acadia also has available an optional rear entertainment system and surround sound. This should help keep the kids quiet and happy for hours at a time. Additionally, an available navigation system makes any extended trip go that much smoother.

In terms of fuel economy, the 2011 GMC Acadia also offers 24-mpg on the highway from its 288 horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6, making it a relatively frugal choice among full-size crossovers. A six-speed transmission is standard. All-wheel drive is also available.

fallback

02. 2011 Ford Taurus

The 2011 Ford Taurus is the Blue Oval’s flagship sedan, which means that it offers the largest interior room of any four-door automobile built by the brand. The Ford Taurus provides comfortable seating for five passengers, and it also throws in a 20.1 cubic foot trunk that can swallow golf bags, backpacks and anything in between. The Taurus also offers the Sync interface for controlling the optional navigation system with voice commands and a three-year subscription to the Sync Traffic, Directions and Information service is also included free of charge.

2011 Ford Taurus drivers can choose between all-wheel (25-mpg highway) and front-wheel drive (28-mpg highway) versions of the sedan, matched with a 3.5-liter, 264 horsepower V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. For those who want all-wheel drive and more power without paying a heavy fuel mileage penalty, a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost edition of the same engine is also available, offering up 365 horses and 25-mpg highway.

fallback

03. 2011 Buick LaCrosse

The 2011 Buick LaCrosse provides mid-size accommodations with a more premium feel, making it perfectly suited for families who want to bring the finer things in life along with them on their road trip. The LaCrosse comes with a deep 13 cubic foot trunk, and it also features options such as heated and ventilated leather seats, a navigation system, a rear seat entertainment system and adaptive suspension.

The 2011 Buick LaCrosse can be had with either a 182 horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 280 horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6. Each is offered with a six-speed automatic transmission, and the four-cylinder model will see 30-mpg in highway driving. The V-6 turns in 27-mpg on the highway, and can also be ordered with all-wheel drive.

fallback

04. 2011 Subaru Forester

The 2011 Subaru Forester has grown into its role as a mid-size crossover that features a high safety rating, accommodations for five and as much as 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space lurking behind the rear row of seating. The Forester can also be loaded up with automatic climate control, a TomTom navigation system and satellite radio in order to help the miles pass with as little drama as possible.

The 2011 Subaru Forester is offered with two four-cylinder engines. The first displaces 2.5-liters and generates 170 horsepower, while the second features a turbocharger to generate 224 horses. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic, although the turbo model is auto-only. All-wheel drive is standard equipment, and highway fuel economy ranges from 27-mpg (entry-level engine) to 24-mpg (turbo edition).

fallback

05. 2011 Ford Edge

The 2011 Ford Edge offers a significant facelift for the current model year, bringing with it improved cabin amenities and a quieter, more comfortable ride. Slicker styling is paired with two rows of seating for as many as five occupants, and 32 cubic feet of space can be taken advantage of between the rear seatback and the Edge’s hatch. The available Sync system acts as a bridge between occupants and the vehicle’s stereo system, while the MyFord Touch active gauges and interface adds a futuristic feel to the mid-size crossover’s driving experience.

Those seeking the best possible highway fuel mileage would do well to stick with the 2011 Ford Edge’s base 285 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 (27-mpg). The Edge Sport comes with a 3.7-liter V-6 that offers up 305 horsepower, dropping highway fuel economy by two-mpg. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on all editions of the Edge, and all-wheel drive is available as an option.

fallback

06. 2011 Mazda CX-9

The 2011 Mazda CX-9 is a full-size crossover that provides a little bit of extra handling prowess for road trip drivers who want to enjoy each and every corner during their summer vacation. The CX-9’s well-tuned chassis is offered alongside seven passenger seating and 17.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear row. Top end editions of the crossover come with a blind-spot warning system and HID headlights, and options include a navigation system, Bose surround sound and a DVD player for backseat passengers.

The 2011 Mazda CX-9 is outfitted with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that is good for 273 horsepower and 24-mpg on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission is included free of charge, and all-wheel drive can be specified as an option.

fallback

07. 2011 Nissan Murano

The 2011 Nissan Murano is positioned as a stylish mid-size crossover alternative for families not interested in driving a minivan. The Murano provides seating for five as well as 31.6 cubic feet of storage space while carrying a full load of passengers. Key options include a navigation system that offers voice controls and a Zagat restaurant guide feature to help keep the whole crew eating right on the road. A rear seat entertainment system and a digital music storage system are also available with the Murano.

The 2011 Nissan Murano’s 260 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 returns a highway mileage rating of 23-mpg, thanks to its continuously-variable automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available to add extra traction for those who are concerned with the possibility of rain-slicked roads on the way to their vacation destination.

fallback

08. 2011 Ford Expedition

The 2011 Ford Expedition allows you to “go big” on your next road trip. This full-size SUV’s available eight passenger seating and up to 42.6 cubic feet of luggage space between the rear row of seating and the vehicle’s hatch (in extended wheelbase EL editions) place it near the top of the practical vacation hauler list. The Expedition can also be had with Sync voice controls, a high-end leather interior and a touchscreen navigation system.

The 2011 Ford Expedition is the only vehicle on our list to offer V-8 power, with its 5.4-liter unit generating 310 ponies. A six-speed automatic transmission helps to keep highway fuel mileage at 20-mpg, and the SUV can also tow 9,200 lbs of camping trailer if properly equipped.

fallback

09. 2011 Honda Pilot

The 2011 Honda Pilot is the largest SUV available from the Japanese brand, and it combines three rows of seating for as many as seven passengers with 18 cubic feet of room for stowing vacation gear. Top spec editions of the Pilot also come with crucial features like navigation and a DVD player designed to keep rear seat occupants happy once they get tired of playing the license plate game.

A 3.5-liter V-6 churns out 250 horsepower in all versions of the 2011 Honda Pilot, and it also offers 23-mpg on the highway when ordered in front-wheel drive trim. All-wheel drive can also be had as an option, and a five-speed automatic transmission is standard with both drivetrains.

fallback

10. 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

The 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is the latest in a long tradition of spacious American family wagons. The CTS Sport Wagon heaps on the luxury (options include heated and cooled leather seats, HID headlights, navigation system, and a sport suspension) while also providing a whopping 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat.

The 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon offers two V-6 engine choices: a 3.0-liter, 270 horsepower unit and a 3.6-liter, 304 horsepower mill. Each can be had with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, and both return 27-mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive is also in the cards as an option.

fallback

`

Interested in Getting a New Car?

Used Cars Near You

No Data Available

Powered by Usedcars.com
©2024 AutoWeb, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Some content provided by and under copyright by Autodata, Inc. dba Chrome Data. © 1986-2024.