In 2016, Americans bought over 17.5 million cars, breaking a new record. When buying a vehicle for your family, there are several factors to consider before deciding which is best for you. These not only include the cost of the car itself and potential repairs or maintenance, but also its safety record and suitability for your daily needs. Here are a few key pointers worth bearing in mind when looking into family cars.

Is there enough space?

One of the first considerations when purchasing a family car is whether it is big enough. In fact, SUVS and truck sales reached new highs in 2016, showing how highly size ranks in the car buying process.  Different types of vehicles have pros and cons, but the comfort of those traveling in the car is a key factor. This not only means being able to sit comfortably in the car for the duration of the journey, but there also needs to be enough room for any luggage, shopping or equipment that may sometimes need to fit in the vehicle. Bear in mind too that young children are going to grow, so the car you buy needs to be able to cater for this.

Prioritize safety record

Whether you decide to buy a brand new car or go second-hand, the most important consideration for any car is its safety. Be sure to check out the safest cars of 2018, as selected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, all of which passed safety tests with top scores and have very good safety records. If you buy second-hand, do your research into the safety record of any model you are considering and be honest with yourself about how confident you feel behind the wheel on a test drive.

How cost-effective is the car?

It goes without saying that cars can cost a lot upfront, but don’t forget that they can cost a lot to maintain too. Be sure to do your research into how efficient the car is on gas consumption and how much insurance is likely to cost. It is also worth trying to find out if the car model is prone to any particular problems and how expensive parts are to replace. All these factors can obviously have huge implications for you and your family.

Put the time in to finding the right car for your family

Whatever vehicle you end up choosing for your family, make sure you do your homework. Safety is obviously a priority, so make sure the car you buy has a top safety record. It is obviously vital that you work out if you can afford not only the cost of the vehicle, but also the ongoing maintenance. Finally, bring your brood with you to any test drive if possible, in order to establish whether the car can accommodate you all comfortably. A family car needs to be able to suit your needs and it is important that you are all happy with it.