[IMG]http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/rsrc/i/1/_/7_questions_to_ask_yourself_before_buying_a_kidf_4 67645719/4.gif?f=3dcb3160-01dc-11dc-32a2-0019bbc55f7f&s=AewyNia7NTvDvhaDemju5DEsbnVsbCwwLDA *[/IMG] 7 questions to ask yourself before buying a kid-friendly vehicle
Whether you?re in the market for a new car or evaluating future needs now that you have a baby (or babies), here are some questions to ask yourself that can help you choose the vehicle that?s best for you.
1. How many people will you be carrying? If you have one or two kids, a small or midsized sedan, which is usually less expensive and more fuel efficient than a larger car, will suffice. Keep in mind, though, that while most cars are equipped to accommodate five people, the center rear position is often uncomfortable. Check out the rear-seating quality of any vehicle you?re considering. There are still a few?but not many?larger sedans that can be equipped with a front bench seat, which allows them to carry six passengers, but it?s a tight fit and the center passenger has only a lap belt.
A roomier solution would be a minivan, or seven-passenger wagon or SUV. All seven-passenger vehicles include a third-row seat that can either be removed or folded down when not needed for passengers. (The latter is the better solution because you don?t have to struggle to get the bulky seat in and out, and because it?s always there when you need it.) No matter what type of car you choose, check out how easy it is to get in and out of all seats. That can vary a lot from one vehicle to another.
2. How old are your kids? Plan ahead. If you intend to keep a vehicle for years, your family?s space needs will change as your children grow. If you?ve got small children now, consider how much room you?ll need for child safety seats. Take the seats with you when you shop to see how easily they fit and install in the car you are considering buying. They can take up a lot of space, and having your seat kicked from the rear gets annoying.
3. How much cargo space do you need? For smaller families, the trunk of a sedan may provide adequate cargo space. A vehicle with more space may be a better choice for large families or those involved in outdoor activities, who tend to travel a lot, or who need extra room for home improvement supplies or baby gear such as a stroller. There?s a wide range from which to choose, from small wagons to SUVs.
4. How adaptable is the vehicle? In addition to cargo size, consider its versatility. Does the rear seat fold down? If so, is it a split design that allows one side to be folded separately from the other side? For carrying extra-long items, can the front passenger seat also fold down? If you?re considering a seven-passenger vehicle with a third-row seat, check whether the third seat needs to be removed completely when not needed or, better, whether it can simply be folded out of the way. Finally, remember that vehicles that sit lower to the ground are typically easier to load and unload.
5. What conditions will you be driving in? Where you live may influence the type of drive train you need. For most conditions, including very light snow, a two-wheel-drive vehicle will likely work fine. Front-wheel drive with traction control is the preferred setup for slippery conditions. All-wheel drive (AWD), however, can provide more traction to help keep you from getting stuck when conditions are slick, but doesn?t improve braking. AWD is always active so you don?t need to turn it on when conditions get slippery. Four-wheel drive requires that you activate it and often is accompanied by low-range gearing and additional ground clearance that can help you get over larger rocks and more deeply rutted roads. If you drive in a lot on snow and ice, switching to a set of winter tires will provide additional grip?and added safety for both steering and braking?with any vehicle. Both AWD and four-wheel drive will reduce a vehicle?s fuel economy.
6. How important is fuel economy? As a general rule, the larger the vehicle, the lower the fuel economy. Small, lightweight sedans typically get the best economy, while large, heavy SUVs get the worst. If you need more cargo room than a sedan can provide, consider a wagon. Some models provide as much usable cargo space as an SUV, but usually get better fuel economy. If you need a seven-passenger vehicle, keep in mind that minivans typically get better mileage than seven-passenger SUVs.

7. What safety equipment is included? By law, every new passenger vehicle comes equipped with dual front air bags. But some sophisticated systems have occupant sensors to determine if the air bag should deploy and at what strength. An increasing number of vehicles have side air bags and head-protecting side curtain bags that deploy to protect occupants in both the front and rear seats. In general, the safest place to put an infant car seat is in the center rear seat of the automobile, whether or not your car has air bags. (See more on car safety.)
Our auto experts also highly recommend a feature called electronic stability control (ESC), especially on SUVs. It selectively applies the brakes to the appropriate wheel when it senses the vehicle is sliding out of control and helps to keep the vehicle going in the direction in which you?re steering. It can help you avoid an accident in all kinds of weather and is especially valuable in slippery conditions and when swerving to avoid an accident. It can also prevent an SUV from getting into a situation where it could roll over.
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