If you just had a baby or are planning on expanding the family, your car will likely become an integral part of your life. When that happens, you need to start thinking about switching to a more family-friendly car that will meet the needs of everybody, including parents, kids and even the pets.
- Make sure your car allows you to attach a car seat or booster. Not all models have the proper formatting or settings for this, and you choose one that doesn’t you will need to make changes later on. This will mean additional expenses, so keep that in mind.
- Having enough cargo space is essential when you have kids. You will have to cart along a stroller, school gear, sports equipment and probably toys or a change of clothes. Whether that means getting an SUV with lots of space in the back or a car with under-floor storage, make sure you can fit enough bags and items to keep everybody happy.
- Comfort gadgets can be a lifesaver if you have kids. If you can get a car with a DVD player, you will save yourself the agony of having to answer “Are we there yet?” one more time. If the car has multiple headphone jacks, even better, so not everybody has to listen to the same Barney song over and over again. Fold-out trays are another great addition to help kids snack in style or spend time coloring their favorite book.
