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Got a litter of kiddies and can’t figure out what vehicle to buy? We’ve some recommendations for you! So, what are the best vehicles for families? Well, that depends on what kind of family you’ve got. There are big families and small ones, fashion-forward families and eco-friendly families. Rather than, like, recommending 10 of the 18 million crossover vehicles available right now, we mixed things up a little by selecting the best vehicles for different kinds of families. For Everyday Families: Honda Accord For your typical, everyday family that can live with a four-door car, Honda’s Accord cannot be beat. It’s probably our favorite model in the sedan segment. The Accord has a roomy and high-quality interior, TONS of standard equipment including Honda Sensing, (the automaker’s suite of advanced driver aids) and it also offers a pair of refined turbocharged engines, not to mention a fuel-efficient hybrid model as well. The Accord is safe, efficient and reasonably fun to drive. For a sedan, it just about does everything. SEE ALSO: 2018 Honda Accord Review – VIDEO Get Honda Accord Prices For Fancy Families: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon But for all its virtues, that Honda is still a mass-market model. Certain families demand more luxury, an extra slathering of prestige. For them, we wholeheartedly endorse the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon. It’s far more versatile than your typical four-door and it seats up to seven (yay jumpseats!) Beyond that, it’s beautifully finished inside and out. Oh, and it even comes with standard all-wheel drive. The entry-level version features a twin-turbocharged V6 that delivers 362 horsepower, but you can also get a super-sporty AMG version with 603 ponies and an advertised zero-to-60 time of 3.4 seconds! Now that’ll haul some groceries! Get Mercedes E-Class Prices For Outdoorsy Families: Ram 1500 Of course, certain families eschew life’s finer trappings. They love nothing more than getting down and dirty in the great outdoors. And for these sorts, there’s the new Ram 1500, currently our favorite full-size pickup. Rugged, capable and astonishingly premium across the range, this truck is more versatile than a proverbial Swiss Army Knife, and A LOT less neutral. With a maximum payload of some 2,300 pounds and the ability to tow up to 12,750, this Ram has no trouble hauling four-wheelers, loads of gravel, kayaks, you name it. And of course, it can drag massive campers without breaking a sweat. SEE ALSO: 2019 Ram 1500 eTorque Review – VIDEO Get Ram 1500 Prices For Eco-Friendly Families: Hyundai Kona Electric Families that want to minimize their carbon footprint, driving a big, burly, Hemi-powered truck isn’t going to cut it. For them, we endorse the Hyundai Kona Electric. This vehicle offers all the benefits of a small crossover, like easy maneuverability, decent interior space and energetic styling with zero tailpipe emissions and sprightly performance. The Kona Electric is more than capable of roasting its tires if you get too enthusiastic with the accelerator. A standard 64-kWh lithium-ion battery pack juices a 201-horsepower motor and provides an electric driving range of up to 258 miles. All around, this vehicle is a fine choice. Get Hyundai Kona Prices For Urban Families: Honda Fit But in some instances, even the little Hyundai Kona might be too much vehicle. An ideal option for families that live in densely packed cities is the Honda Fit. You’d be hard pressed to find a vehicle twice its size that’s more versatile than this little runabout. With a wheelbase measuring under 100 inches and an overall length of around 161, it’s a snap to parallel park, maneuver in underground garages or dart in and out of traffic. A 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides up to 130 horsepower, while the second-row Magic Seat flips and folds to transform this subcompact hatch into a tractor-trailer-rivaling hauler. Get Honda Fit Prices For BIG Families: Ford Expedition And at the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Honda’s Fit is the Ford Expedition. This massive body-on-frame SUV is ideal for BIG families that love BIG adventures. This is one of the few vehicles on the road today that offers a truly usable third-row seat. In fact, way back there it’s roomy enough for six-foot-tall adults to be comfortable all day long. For EVEN MORE space, you can step up the Expedition MAX, which is about a foot longer overall and offers commensurately more cargo space. No matter the version, you get a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 tuned to deliver 375 horsepower with a walloping 470 pound-feet of torque, all of which gets sent through a 10-speed transmission. Get Ford Expedition Prices For Fashion-Forward Families: Kia Stinger Serving fashionable families is the dramatic Kia Stinger. This fastback five-door features sporty styling and an upscale, Audi-esque interior. Add in pleasant driving dynamics with reasonable practicality and you have a vehicle that checks all the right boxes for those that appreciate seeing and being seen. A 2.0-liter turbo-four is standard, delivering 255 horsepower, but if you’re really in a hurry, opt for the silky-smooth 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6. It’s rated at 365 ponies. An eight-speed automatic is used to great advantage across the board, though all-wheel drive is offered for an additional $2,200. Get Kia Stinger Prices For Crossover-y Families: Subaru Ascent Families that can’t live without a crossover should check out the Subaru Ascent, an excellent all-around choice. With three rows of seats and room for seven or eight passengers, this utility can haul copious quantities of both kiddos and cargo. Naturally, all-wheel drive is standard, as is an invigorating 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Horsepower clocks in at 260, torque 277 pound-feet. Not only is Ascent the largest Subaru ever built, but it’s also one of the best vehicles in its crowded segment. Base price is right around $33,000. SEE ALSO: 2019 Subaru Ascent Review – VIDEO Get Subaru Ascent Prices For Sensible Families: Ford Transit Connect One option that’s sure to appeal to families that don’t care about having the fanciest or most-stylish vehicle, is Ford’s Transit Connect Passenger Wagon, our Wild Card pick. This commercial-van-turned people-hauler features a tall and highly versatile interior with seating for up to seven people. The standard engine is a highly efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivering 150 horsepower. It’s matched to a resourceful eight-speed automatic transmission. A 2.5-liter gasser and a one-five turbo-diesel should also be available for extra powertrain choice. Providing added versatility, you can get either a single, top-hinged rear door or barn-style double doors. It’s up to you! Get Ford Transit Prices For Road-Tripping Families: Chrysler Pacifica Rounding things out, our final selection on this top-10 list is the perfect vehicle for road-tripping families, families that love to get out and explore. Hands down, the Chrysler Pacifica one of our favorite minivans. It offers style, a premium interior, plenty of passenger comfort and loads of room for cargo, all in one very versatile package. The standard engine is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that provides 287 horsepower. It’s teamed to a nine-speed automatic transmission. But if maximum efficiency is a top priority, FCA also offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain, one that delivers 32 miles of electric-only range and an efficiency rating of up to 82 MPGe. Comfortable, quiet, smooth and graceful, the Pacifica will happily devour as many interstate miles as you care to feed it. Get Chrysler Pacifica Prices Check out more episodes of The Short List! 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Are you a young driver in need of a new car or the parent of one that will be making the monthly payments? If so, you’re probably wondering what are the best new cars for teenage motorists. Well, any recommendations need to be safe, so we picked cars with Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick + ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Affordability is also critical, as is reliability, efficiency, and even coolness. Anything we recommend can’t be a total snooze. Keeping all those important factors in mind, here are our picks for the best cars for teens. Get the Flash Player to see this player. Honda Fit The Honda Fit is a snap to maneuver, exceptionally efficient, and more versatile than some vehicles twice its size, thanks to that hatchback body and second-row Magic Seat. With a base price around $17,000, up to 40 miles per gallon highway, and good crash-test scores across the board from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, this car is a no-brainer. Oh, and for extra fun, they can even be had with a six-speed manual gearbox, which is great because we think it will help curb distracted driving. Get New & Used Honda Fit Prices SEE ALSO: Top 10 Least Reliable Cars Toyota Corolla Hatchback What is it that Toyota does better than practically any other automaker? Oh, that’s right, they make vehicles that last forever. With luck, the new Toyota Corolla Hatchback will provide decades of reliable service with minimal repairs. Versatile, stylish, and economical with a starting price around $20,000, this five-door just about does it all. And with 168 horsepower on tap, its performance isn’t too bad, either. Another bonus? It’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Get New & Used Toyota Corolla Prices Nissan Kicks Next up, a crossover, Nissan’s subcompact Kicks. One of this vehicle’s main advantages is its bargain-basement price, starting off around $19,000. But even though it’s exceedingly affordable, nothing about it feels flagrantly chintzy. The interior is reasonably nice, there’s plenty of cargo space and of course, the fuel economy is stellar, topping out at 36 MPG highway. Throw in good crash test scores and just 122 horsepower so no one can go too fast and it’s an ideal choice for teenage drivers. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Cheap AWD Cars and Crossovers Get New & Used Nissan Kicks Prices Hyundai Veloster But if young motorists want something with a little more visual pizzazz than provided by the Kicks, Hyundai’s Veloster delivers. This asymmetrical hatchback looks cool yet is still reasonably practical. Three powertrains are offered, including a base 2.0-liter engine with 147 ponies, though a 1.6L turbo with much more giddy-up is also available, as is a high-performance N model with up to 275 horsepower. We’re going to recommend the base version, which starts at right around $19,500 with a six-speed manual transmission. Yes, an automatic is offered for an extra $1,000. Get New & Used Hyundai Veloster Prices Kia Forte The Kia Forte is another excellent choice for youthful drivers. Not only does this compact sedan look great, but it also comes with an upscale interior and starts at right around $18,000. At that price, you get a standard eight-inch touchscreen, support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and much more. The Forte even earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, meaning it should perform well in practically every type of crash. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Most Reliable Cars Get New & Used Kia Forte Prices Mazda CX-3 Our next recommendation is the Mazda CX-3, one of the most stylish and upscale small crossovers available today. Not only does it look and feel far more expensive than anything that starts at less than $22,000 should, but it’s also great to drive and is extremely safe. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine provides the motivation, delivering 148 horsepower. It’s matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox and standard front-wheel drive. Of course, for extra grip, four-corner traction is also on the menu. ALSO SEE: Top 5 Best AWD Hatchbacks Get New & Used Mazda CX-3 Prices Subaru Impreza The Subaru Impreza’s biggest selling feature is standard all-wheel drive, but that’s not all this small sedan or five-door hatch has going for it. An IIHS Top Safety Pick+ thanks to its superior front-crash prevention technology, excellent headlights, and all-around structural integrity, this Subaru is a jack-of-all-trades. A 2.0-liter boxer-four provides 152 ponies, while an available continuously variable transmission helps deliver up to 38 miles per gallon on the highway. SEE ALSO: Why the Four-Cylinder Hybrid is the Best Powertrain in the Jeep Wrangler Get New & Used Subaru Impreza Prices Kia Soul Another top choice for young drivers is the Kia Soul. A style-focused hatchback-crossover-thing, this segment-blurring icon has been totally redesigned for the 2020 model year. Not only does it look cool, but it’s also versatile, well-built, and offers loads of technology, like standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Most models of the Soul feature a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter engine, but you can also get a 1.6-liter turbo with 201 ponies. No matter what’s under the hood, this Kia is an excellent choice for teens. Get New & Used Kia Soul Prices Volkswagen Golf The Volkswagen Golf has always been popular with young motorists, likely because it has cachet thanks to its buttoned-down looks and no-nonsense interior. Starting at around $22,000, this versatile VW gives you a lot for your money, like a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with 147 horsepower. There’s also standard blind-spot monitoring and even forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. But perhaps best of all, the Golf comes with a standard six-year/72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. It may not be as reliable as a Toyota, but that guarantee is tough to top. SEE ALSO: 5 Fun, Low-Horsepower Cars Get New & Used VW Golf Prices Honda Civic But perhaps the best new car for young drivers is the Honda Civic. This nameplate has a long track record of dependable and economical service, providing transportation to millions of people around the world. It’s super safe, starts at about $20,000, sips fuel, drives well, offers lots of tech, and is even available in a wide range of flavors. You can get sedan, coupe, hatchback, sporty Si and ultra-high-performance Type R versions of the Civic, meaning there’s something there for practically everyone, even teens. Get New & Used Honda Civic Prices Check out more episodes of The Short List The post Top 10 Best Cars for Teens – The Short List appeared first on AutoGuide.com. Lees volledige artikel

Get the Flash Player to see this player. If vehicle dependability matters, you should probably avoid the following 10 models. Recently, Consumer Reports published the results of its 2018 Annual Auto Reliability Survey. Far and away dependability is the No. 1 purchase consideration of new-vehicle shoppers. That’s at least according to the influential watchdog organization. In fact, it beats out performance, price and even fuel economy. Moving on, here are some of the most problem-prone vehicles you can buy right now. 10. Honda Odyssey Landing in 10th place is the Honda Odyssey. Wait, WHAT? A Honda on a list of MOST UNRELIABLE VEHICLES? That’s just hard to believe. But according to Consumer Reports, body hardware and interior electronics proved to be major trouble spots. Somewhat offsetting these deficits, this minivan is comfortable, refined and economical. ALSO SEE: Top 10 Most Reliable Cars 9. Volkswagen Atlas Next on this list of underachieving autos is the Volkswagen Atlas. Despite offering respectable driving dynamics, a hushed cabin and even a third-row seat that adults can actually fit in, this three-row utility vehicle was savaged for its cantankerous climate-control system and troublesome transmission, among other minor issues. ALSO SEE: Volkswagen Atlas V6 Review 8. Buick Enclave Edging out the Atlas in projected unreliability is the Buick Enclave. Also a three-row crossover, Consumer Reports liked its quiet and spacious interior, easy-to-use infotainment system and comfortable ride. But minor transmission issues, as well as problematic climate-control and emissions systems, really hurt it. SEE ALSO: Is Tesla’s Elon Musk Crazy or a Genius? – The Short List 7. Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty Falling below these also-rans is the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD. It’s kind of weird seeing a big, tough truck on this list, but apparently, Consumer Reports subscribers said they’ve had major engine issues with these pickups as well as noises and leaks, plus troublesome in-vehicle electronics, a recurring theme on this list. 6. Kia Cadenza In the No. 6 position on this Bottom-10 List is the Kia Cadenza sedan. It competes with larger four-doors like the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon. The Cadenza is roomy and quiet, with easy-to-use technology, though problematic climate control, fuel and emissions systems were its undoing. 5. Chevrolet Traverse Moving along, the Chevrolet Traverse is also one of the most unreliable vehicles available today. Much like its sibling the Buick Enclave, minor transmission issues and problematic electronics landed it in the middle of this list, a pity, really, because it’s an attractive and highly functional vehicle. 4. Honda Clarity Surprisingly, the No. 4 finisher here is another Honda, specifically the Japanese automaker’s cutting-edge Clarity sedan. This futuristic vehicle is offered as an electric, a plug-in hybrid and even with a hydrogen fuel-cell drivetrain. Can you say complexity? Issues that dragged it down in reliability rankings include weaknesses in the climate control, fuel and emissions systems as well as problems with body hardware. SEE ALSO: 12 Facts About Alfa Romeo You Should Know – The Short List 3. Cadillac ATS Nimble and sharp, the Cadillac ATS is an absolute driver’s car, with a buttoned-down ride and peppy turbocharged four-cylinder engine or smooth-running V6. A convoluted infotainment system and cramped interior detract from the overall experience, as do glitches with its climate controls, in-car electronics and driveline. Perhaps this is why Cadillac is killing off the ATS. 2. Tesla Model X Tesla’s Model X is the second-least reliable vehicle according to Consumer Reports. Despite its driving finesse, futuristic interior and respectable all-electric range, it was failed by issues with body hardware, noises and leaks as well as cantankerous interior electronics. 1. Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Finally, we come to the most unreliable vehicle. Surprisingly, it’s another heavy-duty pickup, the Ram 3500 HD. Able to tow massive trailers and haul heaping loads without breaking a sweat, this tough truck is nonetheless undermined by issues with its steering, suspension, fuel, emissions and engine-cooling systems. It’s even dogged by various noises and leaks, again, at least according to Consumer Reports. Check out more episodes of The Short List The post Top 10 Most Unreliable Cars – The Short List appeared first on AutoGuide.com. Lees volledige artikel

Get the Flash Player to see this player. Another Geneva Motor Show is in the rear-view mirror, which means it’s time for us to start making fun of all the stuff we didn’t like. Accordingly, here’s our obligatory list of winners and losers, a specially curated selection of vehicles hand picked by the AutoGuide.com staff. For a little extra balance, we’ve also included a few undecided options. SEE ALSO: 2019 Geneva Motor Coverage WINNER: Vanquish Vision Concept Aston Martin is firing on all cylinders, debuting a trio of design studies in Switzerland. Arguably the coolest of the bunch is this, the Vanquish Vision Concept. Despite the McLaren-esque proportions, it previews the British Brand’s first mid-engine production model. In typical fashion, it features an aluminum structure, but what’s not expected for Aston Martin is the power source, a turbocharged and hybridized V6. ALSO SEE: Aston Martin Unveils Three Stunning New Concept Cars WINNER: Honda e Prototype Next up, something at the opposite end of the spectrum. Honda’s e Prototype hints at the Japanese brand’s first battery-electric production vehicle. An urban runabout, it offers a driving range of 200-kilometers – about 125 miles – and can be charged to 80 percent capacity in as little as 30 minutes. Unusual for a Honda, this car is rear-wheel drive. The production model is slated to debut later this year as a 2020 model, possibly at the Frankfurt Motor Show. WINNER: Alfa Romeo Tonale crossovers, Crossovers, CROSSOVERS! The world just can’t get enough of these things. Helping satiate demand, Alfa Romeo unveiled a new premium compact SUV in Geneva. Smaller than their acclaimed Stelvio, Tonale is the Italian brand’s first plug-in hybrid. Basically, zero details about its drivetrain have been shared at this time, but it promises best-in-segment dynamics, which we’d expect it to deliver. With classic styling and a sweeping interior, it at least looks like a winner. WINNER: Bugatti La Voiture Noire Now for what was perhaps the star of this year’s Geneva show, a mega-pricey, one-off creation from Bugatti. Called La Voiture Noire, which translates rather fittingly to “the black car,” this creation was clearly inspired by Darth Vader, or the legendary Type 57 SC Atlantic. Your pick… Power is provided by a 16-cylinder engine that delivers about 1,500 horses. This one-of-one grand-tourer sold for nearly $13 million. Whoever bought it can sleep soundly at night knowing that nobody else is going to roll in in a La Voiture Noire at their local cars and coffee. UNDECIDED: Mazda CX-30 Shifting gears, let’s focus on a few of Geneva’s UNDECIDED reveals. And the new Mazda CX-30 crossover is a bit of a head-scratcher. Size-wise, it’s intended to slot between the CX-3 and CX-5 models. But this raises a couple questions: One, why do they need a vehicle sandwiched in the middle of these two offerings? And two, shouldn’t it just be called CX-4? On the plus side, this thing is beautifully styled and will likely be brilliant to drive. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Best Engines of 2019 UNDECIDED: Subaru Viziv Concept The Subaru Viziv Adrenaline Concept is yet another installment of the automaker’s Viziv range of design studies. It showcases the bolder, more exciting direction Subaru styling is supposedly heading. While we certainly wouldn’t call it ugly, neither is it breathtaking. Of course, since this is a concept, powertrain, pricing and other details are unknown, but we’d still bet this is an early look at the next-generation Crosstrek. Your thoughts? UNDECIDED: Volkswagen ID BUGGY The last UNDECIDED vehicle on this list is the Volkswagen ID BUGGY concept. A battery-powered dune-hopper, it demonstrates what the company can do with its advanced MEB electric-vehicle architecture. This thing’s got a 62 kWh battery and a 201-horsepower motor, both of which can deliver 62 miles an hour in as little as 7.2 seconds. The ID BUGGY is kind of cool, and there are rumblings they’ll actually build it, but we shall see if it makes it to production without being completely watered down. LOSER: Imagine by Kia Moving on to the LOSERS, we start with the Imagine by Kia concept, which may have the worst name of the entire Geneva show. Predictably, it’s an all-electric design study that vaguely resembles a crossover. It’s got a six-layer paint job, 22-inch wheels and even a continuous piece of glass that forms both the windshield and roof. Upping the ridiculousness, it’s gussied up with 21 individual screens inside, like someone shuffled a stack of smartphones. According to the press release it’s “designed to get your pulse racing.” Yeah, OK. SEE ALSO: 2019 Detroit Auto Show Winners and Losers — The Short List LOSER: Ginetta Akula With supercars, you expect certain design flair, but the Ginetta Akula is just too friggin’ weird. This thing’s got more gills than a school of sardines! Unsurprisingly for an exotic, it’s made of carbon fiber and features a mid-mounted engine. It also brandishes 600 horsepower and can hit 200 miles an hour. Aside from the design, there’s another BIG downside. It costs more than half-a-million dollars. LOSER: Smart Forease+ And the last LOSER we’ve got here is the Smart Forease+, which made its official debut in Geneva. If you remember back to the Paris show last fall, the automaker revealed a concept called the Forease. Well, this is essentially the same thing but with a removable roof. It’s kind of like microwaving leftovers, right? Check out more episodes of The Short List The post Winners and Losers from the 2019 Geneva Motor Show – The Short List appeared first on AutoGuide.com. 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