An SUV, or sports utility vehicle, is an automobile that combines the features of a passenger and off-roading vehicle. Over the past few years, small-size, mid-size, and crossover SUVs have gained immense popularity, accounting for 45.9% of the world’s passenger car market. With top-notch safety features and spacious interiors, SUVs make for the perfect family cars. If you are looking for one, here are a few top-performing SUVs for families:
Are SUVs ideal family cars?
SUV is a loose term that covers a broad range of vehicles with a four-wheel drive system. Even within SUVs, crossovers are a distinct type characterized as SUVs with a unibody construction (as with passenger cars). SUVs are ideal vehicles for families, both big and small, owing to multiple features; for instance, the latest mid-size and full-size SUVs provide ample cargo space, a third-row seating arrangement, and ample leg room. This, when paired with easy access, all-wheel drive, and smooth automatic transmission, makes for the perfect family vehicle. While bigger SUVs are ideal for larger families, compact SUV models are among the top choices for nuclear families.
Key features to consider
Now that you know the different types of SUVs and why they are convenient for families of all sizes, the next step is to shortlist the best vehicle based on your requirements. It is important to consider key aspects of the vehicle that would make your life easier. The criteria, of course, vary for every family depending on its size and specific requirements. However, some key factors to consider would be the cabin and cargo space, which is vital for booster and child seats. This space can be even better utilized with third-row seating arrangements, especially when it comes to big or growing families. Apart from this feature, key factors to consider include engine performance, cargo volume, safety ratings, pricing, and fuel economy of the SUV.
Top SUVs for families
Based on the abovementioned key factors, here are the top-performing SUVs for families you can find today:
Honda CR-V and CR-V Hybrid: Offering a flexible range of engines, including gasoline, diesel, and an electronic hybrid, Honda CR-V is a powerhouse that gives great mileage. Moreover, CR-V variants come with a choice of manual and automatic transmission. This 4-cylinder car, which can comfortably seat five people, has an all-wheel drive system that eases overall handling. The left camera helps in keeping an eye on the lane, while the instrument cluster facilitates ease of control. First launched in the mid-1990s, the CR-V has a high safety score, making it one of Honda’s best-selling vehicles.
Kia Sportage and Sportage Hyrbid. A reliable vehicle, the Kia Sportage makes for a great pick when it comes to family SUVs. First, it has a lot of space with a decent-size boot. The engine in the Sportage line-up comes in 1.6-liter and 2-liter petrol variants and the 1.7-liter and 2-liter diesel variants. The low-powered engines have been combined with the Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG) stop-start system. The high-powered engines come with a four-wheel drive. Further, you can pair any of the engine options with an automatic transmission. The Sportage Hybrid comes with key safety technology like forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.
Ford Expedition: The largest Ford SUV, the Expedition, has been in production since 1996. The vehicle offers 3-row seating for standard or extended-length Max body styles. While the space is a huge selling point, the Expedition also comes with new technology, self-driving capability, and big infotainment displays. The vehicle’s construction allows it to move in a refined way, considering its size and body-on-frame construction. The overall ride is smooth and quiet, with accurate steering. Further advantages include ample air vents, USB ports, and cup holders. Additionally, Ford Expedition comes with handy driver assistance technology and safety features like front automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring.
Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid: The Toyota RAV4 is the SUV that led to the obsession with crossover models you can observe today. It introduced the concept of car/SUV part sharing to the world. The car became highly successful and is still considered among the highest-selling SUVs in the world. This stems from perfect customer satisfaction over the years. The unique selling points of the vehicle include fuel efficiency, a somewhat eccentric design, and bulletproof engines. The engines come in capacities of 1.8, 2.0, and 2.4 liters that can generate 125, 150, and 160 horsepower, respectively.
Additional considerations
Features other than safety and space can be overlooked when choosing a family car, but they can significantly enhance daily functioning and convenience. Here, handy features like USB ports, connectivity, blind spot detectors, and parking cameras can enhance the safety and utility of the vehicle. Some other important features to look for are favorable price points, lift-over height (how high you have to lift to load luggage), H-Point (driver’s seat height), outward visibility, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ratings. EPA ratings indicate a vehicle’s fuel efficiency on the highway and city roads. These are just a few aspects that will help you choose the most appropriate vehicle for your family.
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10 things you should know before adopting a puppy
Read moreApproximately three million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized every year in the country. So if you decide to adopt a puppy rather than buy one from the breeder, it is certainly a praiseworthy decision. You would get a new furry friend while the puppy would get a second chance to live. However, to make dog adoption a rewarding experience, following are 10 important things you should know before you adopt puppies.
Your decision can save a life
There are pet stores and breeders who continue producing and selling dogs despite the increase in the number of puppies up for adoption in animal shelters. Under such circumstances, your decision to adopt puppies is highly helpful and appreciable. You can be proud of your decision, as it can save a life.Healthcare
Adopting a puppy from an animal shelter and buying one from a breeder is different. Many times, adopted puppies require more care as they might have been abandoned by their owners. All this can lead to some medical expenses, which you should consider before adopting puppies.Food
When you adopt puppies, provide them with high-quality food and treats to make them healthy and happy. Avoid foods such as chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes, onions, raisins, and more, as consumption of these food items, can cause major health problems in dogs,Pup-proof your home
You are required to make your home ready for the arrival of your new pup. Hide wiring, sharp objects, chemicals, and just about anything potent of causing trouble to your puppy.Give them time to adjust
A shelter dog is likely to act overly shy or anxious in its new surroundings because of its experience. Therefore, give it ample time to ease in your home’s environment.Training
You should start training your adopted puppy as soon as possible. Praise the pup for its good behavior and punish when it misbehaves.Temperament
It is wise to pick a dog breed whose temperament matches your nature and lifestyle. Make sure your adopted puppy is active and this depends on you as well.Budget
You can adopt puppies from the shelter free of cost, but you do require money for raising them up. Therefore, it is good to consider your budget before you make a conscious decision to adopt puppies.Responsibility
Your new furry friend would be a lifetime commitment. So, be prepared to take up the responsibilities of taking care of them.License
You will be required to get a license for your adopted puppy as per the rules and regulations of your area. -
Buy accent furniture to make your home more functional and inviting
Read moreYou existing home furniture can be best complemented with the help of accent pieces and occasional furniture. The first preference for most people is to furnish the home with tables, chairs, cabinets, other furniture, and sofa as well. You have to buy this furniture and sofa, table and chair are all inevitable items for your home. Several people complain that even after having purchased all these stuff, things look plain and according to them, something is slacking. They could not figure out what exactly it is. When you feel something lacking, you have realized that it is the time to purchase individual items of accent pieces and occasional furniture.
- Different types of accent furniture
One perfect example of these types of products are elegant bookcases. You can find these products crafted in hardwood using an appealing walnut veneer or rosewood. You can fill an empty corner with the help of a tall and majestic corner cabinet, and there are also excellent collections of consoles available. What about having elegant semi-round tables standing against a wall? You can have nice telephone tables with the help of these types of furniture and sofa like seatings as well. - Learn about accent chair and chest
Some people consider an accent chair as extra furniture. The fact of the matter is that you need them when you have some extra guests. Also, you can use them for sitting and enjoying reading a book. What can you do for keeping your living room organized or uncluttered when keys and papers found scattered around the floor? In such a situation, you can use an accent chest to keep them safely so that the room looks tidy. Chests are highly beneficial to store many important things that you use daily. - Some vital tips on buying accent furniture
You must be aware of the purpose of purchasing accent furniture. When you buy other types of bed furniture and sofa, you always assess your needs. The same method of approach must be employed here as well. You need to decide whether you want accent furniture for storage or holding things or filling the bare spaces. When you have an idea about on what do you want to do with this type of furniture, you can easily arrive at the right decisions. If you are interested in placing a flower vase or night lamp in the corner of a room, you need to select an accent table according to that specific need. For these types of purposes, you can buy side tables or console tables for bed like furniture and sofas as well. If you intend to fill in some bare spaces, it is a good idea to purchase accent chairs. These types of furniture are available in different designs and styles to meet various types of interiors.
Many people are interested in collecting home furniture curios and accent pieces. Best discount stores sell these types of items at reduced prices. Whenever you feel there is a gap in your home that has to be filled, these are the types of furniture you should buy. They can also be used for storing things and make the room more functional. Accent furniture makes your space look inviting and inspiring, and you can feel proud of your home when the guests arrive. You need to identify the best store that sells these types of products and performing an online search can help you find out some of the best online discount stores that offer all types of bed, shelves like furniture and sofas as well at affordable prices. Excellent variety can be found in these stores, and they deliver the products to your doorstep without any unwanted delay.
- Different types of accent furniture