Octomom and Jon and Kate notwithstanding, the average American nuclear family has 2.4 children, and that figure is inching downward. But to accommodate such a brood, we’ve found that in most sedans, stuffing two car seats plus a booster in the middle of the rear seat is a recipe for a monumental mutiny involving flying Cheerios and spurting juice boxes.
So we’ve compiled a list of family sedans starting under $35,000 with at least 56” of rear shoulder space to provide a buffer zone, and at least 16 cubic feet of trunk space for all their gear. And of course, every one of these vehicles gets great crash test ratings.
Sure, the name is a relic from our Aqua Netted, New Wave-worshipping past. But this redesigned sedan from Ford is anything but antiquated. Its 56.7 inches of shoulder space is enough to allow the kids to squirm. But the real draw is the huge 20.1 cubic feet of trunk space—enough to swallow up a double-wide stroller and luggage for a week-long road trip. And with your choice of a 3.5-liter, 263-horsepower V6 or a twin-turbo engine making 365 hp on the sporty SHO variant, it’ll get you to your destination faster.
Research the 2010 Ford Taurus
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Hyundai’s handsome luxury sedan has often been mistaken for a car bearing a German luxury badge, and that can be a very good thing. You can equip the 2010 Genesis (view photos) with a 3.8-liter, 290-horsepower V6 or a 4.6-liter V8 engine that delivers zero-to-60 mph launches in less than 6 seconds. Rear passengers will discover 57.9 inches of rear shoulder space and there’s a 16 cubic foot trunk. And with a luxuriously outfitted cabin, driving and riding in the 2010 Hyundai Genesis is a treat for Mom, Dad and kids alike.
Research the 2010 Hyundai Genesis
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