It may take a few months or a few years, but eventually most growing families decide they just need more space. That mid-sized sedan or SUV just doesn’t have the room you need for all of the car seats, strollers and luggage required for long car trips. It’s time to shop for a minivan.
Minivans are generally very spacious and family-friendly vehicles, but a few things to consider before purchasing one include:
- Safety features – A lot of safety features now come standard, but there are some extras that are worth considering, like rearview cameras and side curtain airbags.
- Crash test scores – It’s always a good idea to know where different makes and models stand as far as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are concerned.
- Family-friendly features – Again, a lot of nice features now come standard on most minivans. However, there are some great additions to think about adding, such as a navigation system and a remote that can open your trunk and sliding doors with a button push.
- Storage and cargo space – Many rear seats fold into the floor to provide space for cargo, which is a must-have. The other thing to look at is how the second row seats can be moved and rearranged if you need additional cargo space.