10 Cars for Single Moms, Single Dads and All Kinds of Kid-friendly Drivers

2015 Kia Soul ・ Photo by Kia

At this stage in the game, you might be wondering why a guy is picking 10 cars for single moms—or perhaps why car-shopping isn’t gender-neutral in the first place. But those are topics for another day, and for now, we’ll focus on some of the top vehicles for anyone who needs a little help handling the kids on an automotive basis.

Honda Odyssey

If ever there were a stereotypical No. 1 on a stereotypical list of “Best Cars for Single Moms,” it would be the 2016 Honda Odyssey. First of all, it’s not a car at all, it’s an award-winning minivan. Then there’s the built-in vacuum system for cleaning up kid-caused messes. It’s a brilliant idea, and for the 2016 model year, the HondaVAC feature also gets extended availability in the new Odyssey SE trim. That high-value configuration will be particularly family friendly, since it also bundles a rear-seat entertainment system and SiriusXM Radio to help keep kids happy on the road. Drivers chauffeuring young children puts a sharp focus on safety, too, and the Odyssey is up to the challenge with a 5-Star Overall Safety Score from NHTSA; additionally, though the 2016 model has yet to be tested, the 2015 Odyssey also was recognized as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

Dodge Grand Caravan

When considering cars for single moms, or single dads, or really most families today, budgets are a big deal. That’s why it’s nice to know that the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan does continue to offer a starting price of under $22,000. To put that into context, the Dodge is some $4,400 less expensive than the next-most affordable minivan in the country; its advantages against its Toyota and Honda rivals come to +$6,700 and +$7,000, respectively. And despite its pricing, the entry-level Dodge does offer everything you need for daily-driving duties, including air conditioning, second-row seating with in-floor storage bins, a third row with Dodge’s Stow ‘n Go capability, four-speaker audio with steering-wheel-mounted controls, and power windows/locks/mirrors. Dodge offers strong value moving up the roster as well, as only entry in the segment to provide dual power-sliding side doors for less than $28,000.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

station wagons have long had a certain Griswold-ian appeal for American families, but unfortunately, even as the definition of “family” has grown over the years, the number of wagons available has shrunk. In fact, if we want to add an affordable, true station wagon to our lineup of great cars for moms, dads and the full panoply of family units, we’re limited to the 2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. Luckily, the SportWagen offers relatively impressive levels of cabin space, with VW touting the car as being “as versatile as a compact SUV,” and that can be complemented by absolutely eye-popping fuel-economy numbers: When equipped with an available 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine, the automaker projects an EPA high point of 44 mpg in highway driving. It’s also worth noting that SportWagen will serve up a number of new safety features for 2016, highlighted by forward-collision warning with emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Subaru Outback

Tracing its roots back to the station-wagon variant of the Subaru Legacy mid-size sedan, the 2016 Subaru Outback is a predictable evolution of the form, combining recognizably wagon-esque proportions with the rugged trappings of a crossover-style SUV. It’s the kind of all-in-one versatility that’s much appreciated in cars for single parents, especially when the vehicle under discussion—like the Outback—also serves up a stellar track record for safety.

Thus, the current Outback combines Subaru’s standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, a robust 35.5 cubic feet of cargo space even with both rows in use, and the acclaimed EyeSight portfolio of driver-assistance measures. With the 2016 model as yet untested, the 2015 Outback relied on those advanced features to earn a “superior” grade for front-crash prevention as part of its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition. Moreover, available Starlink technology debuts for the Outback this year to add automatic crash notification, SOS emergency assistance and more.

Honda Fit

Another excellent value choice that delivers versatility, efficiency and affordability in the same stylish package, the 2016 Honda Fit stands out among its subcompact rivals thanks in large part to a massive interior: Although Honda’s small hatchback has a noticeably nimble footprint, there’s enough combined passenger and cargo volume for the Fit to qualify as a midsize car (according to the EPA’s current classification system). Of course, no one would mistake the Fit’s fuel-economy ratings—of up to 33 mpg city/41 mpg highway/36 mpg combined—for those of a typical midsize sedan. In terms of safety ratings, well, the Fit finishes well here, too, with both a 5-star overall safety score from NHTSA and Top Safety Pick status from the IIHs, and it’s that total combination of characteristics—paired with a pricing that starts from $15,790—

that make the Fit one of the nation’s best cars for single parents.

Photo by Honda

Mazda Mazda3

What happens when you take one zoomy compact hatch, add more standard content than offered in 2015, and then subtract $400 from its MSRP? In the case of the 2016 Mazda Mazda3, you end up with one of the top cars for single mothers, but only because the Mazda3 makes one of the top cars for any rugrat wrangler. After all, that new content includes a standard rearview camera system for all models, furnishing an increasingly in-demand technology without a corresponding increase in cost.

Indeed, the lowered MSRP of the five-door Mazda3—set at $18,545—actually supplies yet more handy standard features, like filtered air conditioning, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and power locks/windows/exterior mirrors. The Mazda3 also meets owner preferences for occupant protection, backed by top safety scores from NHTSA and the IIHS, along with available advanced safety measures such as Smart City Brake Support.

Ford Fusion

Okay, trying to determine the perfect cars for single moms may seem like an unnecessarily gendered task, but it does make sense to buy a vehicle that’s suitable for kids if you do have them. Just remember that what’s suitable for a toddler may not work for a teen, which brings us to the 2016 Ford Fusion. The Blue Oval’s mid-size sedan—like a number of Ford products—boasts a standard MyKey system that can help younger drivers focus on their task. More specifically, MyKey allows the Fusion owner to limit the vehicle’s top speed and the audio volume, and mute the sound entirely until the seatbelt is engaged. Further MyKey functionality includes an audible seatbelt reminder, audible alerts for when the vehicle reaches different speeds, and an enhanced low-fuel warning that notifies the driver when 75 miles of range remain.  

Chevrolet Malibu

The brand-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is the Bowtie brand’s latest and greatest take on the modern-day family sedan, so it’s no surprise to find out it’s well suited for all of today’s modern families. Whether it’s as a delightful daily driver for single dads, as one of the most satisfying motor vehicles for single moms, or even as a nice choice for nuclear families.

In the next-gen Malibu, there’s also a new feature for families with teen drivers. Aptly called “Teen Driver,” it’s a suite of technologies that not only allows owners to set speed alerts and mute the audio system until front-seat safety belts are buckled, but also can display important data that lets those owners keep track of how far the Malibu has been driven, how fast it’s been driven and if it’s been driven in such a way that stability control or anti-lock brakes have been engaged.

Photo by Chevrolet Media

Chevrolet Traverse

Originally introduced to take the place of Chevy’s minivan at the time, the original Chevrolet Traverse has spearheaded an important industry trend: the rise of big three-row crossovers as the family hauler of choice for an increasing number of families. For our purposes, the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse finds itself in the vanguard once again with the addition of OnStar’s 4G LTE connectivity and mobile wi-fi capability; the chance to go online while on the road is a big-time boon for pre-adult passengers. That, in turn, sets the Traverse apart when it comes to shopping for crossovers for single parents, since they—like anyone who has to haul around kids—no doubt appreciate the benefits of Internet access as a virtual peace-keeper. The Traverse also touts a massive, minivan-style cabin that has room for up to eight occupants or 116.3 cubic feet of cargo—with a surprising number of configurations in between.

Kia Soul

If you want to take a crack at being the “cool parent,” the 2016 Kia Soul could be just the answer—even for readers who question the need for specific cars for single mothers or other gender-based buying approaches. No, it’s not that Kia is above objectifying the occasional female hamster, it’s that the funky design of the Soul complements what’s actually a fairly versatile vehicle.

There’s more than 60 cubic feet of available cargo space, for example, while the new model year brings a standard rear-camera display setup and available advanced safety technologies like forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. Also standard: a 5-star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA. Not standard, but plenty cool, are the Soul’s premium Infinity audio system and string-style LED speaker lights, heated and ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, and new two-tone Designer Collection exteriors.