How to Choose the Right Vehicle for Your Family and Lifestyle

Purchasing a vehicle is a major financial move. A new car, truck, minivan or SUV may cost tens of thousands of dollars. Considering your family’s size and lifestyle can help you decide which type of vehicle to buy. 

How Many People Will Ride in the Vehicle?
If you’re looking for a vehicle to drive to and from work and to run errands, a car may suit you fine. A two-door coupe may work if only one or two people will usually ride in the car, but a sedan will be more practical if you have kids.

If you want a vehicle that can transport you, your partner and several kids, a more spacious minivan or SUV may better suit your family. Those types of vehicles can have two or three rows of seats that give the occupants plenty of room to spread out. If you plan to expand your family, it may be a good idea to buy a vehicle that’s larger than you currently need so you will be prepared for the future.

What Will You Transport?
If you’re mostly concerned about hauling goods for work or home improvement projects, a pickup truck may be your best bet. If you use a vehicle for work and you have to transport boxes of products, equipment or other objects that take up a lot of space, a minivan or SUV will also be a wise choice. 

An SUV or minivan will be a good option if you have kids who are involved in sports or, if you like to take family camping trips, it will provide plenty of room for your family and your gear. An SUV is often powerful enough to tow a camper.

If a member of your family uses a wheelchair or has other special needs, a van will give you more space and will be more practical than a car. You may also be able to modify a minivan to suit your relative’s needs.

A hatchback or a station wagon may be right for your family if you value versatility. Each offers plenty of seating, and the rear seat can be folded down to increase the amount of cargo space when necessary.

How Far Will You Drive?
If you’re just looking for a way to transport your kids to and from school and run errands nearby, you may want to focus on vehicle size and amenities. If you have a long daily commute to and from work, gas mileage may be one of your top considerations. Cars generally get better gas mileage than larger vehicles, although those rates vary from one make and model to another.

Where Will You Drive?
For routine travel, any type of vehicle can get you from point A to point B. If you enjoy off-road driving or you live in an area that gets a lot of snow in the winter, an SUV may be the best choice for you, as they are designed to handle rugged terrain and harsh weather.