5 Best Cars For Moms
Moms often have different priorities with cars. What are the best mom vehicles based on safety, access, visibility, passenger/cargo space, fuel economy, etc.? Here are 5.
Read time
5 minutes
Date
05.26.2023
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Moms (and dads) often have different priorities from other car buyers when choosing a car. The safety of the family is usually the prime concern.
The best cars for moms generally offer excellent driving visibility with technology-driven safety features. They’re easy to get in and out of for all the family, especially when mom or dad is holding a baby — and roomy enough to easily maneuver a child into and out of a child seat.
Families may also need to watch the running costs, so fuel efficiency is a key feature of cars for moms and dads to consider. With such a large array of options available that tick these boxes, it’s easy to nail down one of your desired cars, even if you’re using it mainly to transport the family.
Take a look at the five best mom vehicles currently available, either as subscriptions or to lease/buy.
5 best cars for moms
In this list of the best mom vehicles, there are some SUVs, a roomy sedan, an electric option and a luxury car option. These selections are based on safety, passenger room/number of seats, visibility and average miles per gallon (mpg), as well as the overall driving experience.
1. GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a midsize, four-door SUV that seats up to seven people, so it’s ideal for the family. With the easy access, high driving position and good visibility that you’d expect from one of the best mom SUVs, it also boasts excellent passenger space and 79 cubic feet of luggage space.
Some of the safety features you can enjoy with a GMC Acadia are frontal and side-impact airbags for the driver/front passenger, rear vision camera, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking.
- Body type: midsize SUV
- Average price: $40,000
- Seating capacity: 7
- Passenger volume: 143.8 cubic feet
- IIHS safety rating: Good
- Fuel economy (city/highway): 19mpg/27mpg
1. GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is a midsize, four-door SUV that seats up to seven people, so it’s ideal for the family. With the easy access, high driving position and good visibility that you’d expect from one of the best mom SUVs, it also boasts excellent passenger space and 79 cubic feet of luggage space.
Some of the safety features you can enjoy with a GMC Acadia are frontal and side-impact airbags for the driver/front passenger, rear vision camera, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking.
- Body type: midsize SUV
- Average price: $40,000
- Seating capacity: 7
- Passenger volume: 143.8 cubic feet
- IIHS safety rating: Good
- Fuel economy (city/highway): 19mpg/27mpg
2. Mercedes Benz GLS
The Mercedes Benz GLS is the luxury car option on the list. This is an SUV for moms who can afford a little more than the average — and want to feel regal behind the wheel. The GLS oozes quality and smoothness.
With the Rear Seat Plus package, the second row is converted into another “first row” with wireless phone charging, massaging seats and an iPad-like controller for the infotainment system. That will certainly wow the kids.
Safety features include multiple airbags (including for rear passengers), forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, high-beam assist, seat belt warning, child lock, anchor points for a child seat and overspeed warning.
- Body type: SUV
- Average price: $ 85,000
- Seating capacity: 7
- Passenger volume: 102 cubic feet
- IIHS safety rating: Not fully tested
- Fuel economy (city/highway): 18mpg/24mpg
2. Mercedes Benz GLS
The Mercedes Benz GLS is the luxury car option on the list. This is an SUV for moms who can afford a little more than the average — and want to feel regal behind the wheel. The GLS oozes quality and smoothness.
With the Rear Seat Plus package, the second row is converted into another “first row” with wireless phone charging, massaging seats and an iPad-like controller for the infotainment system. That will certainly wow the kids.
Safety features include multiple airbags (including for rear passengers), forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, high-beam assist, seat belt warning, child lock, anchor points for a child seat and overspeed warning.
- Body type: SUV
- Average price: $ 85,000
- Seating capacity: 7
- Passenger volume: 102 cubic feet
- IIHS safety rating: Not fully tested
- Fuel economy (city/highway): 18mpg/24mpg
3. GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain offers wide-opening doors and the ample passenger volume of an SUV but its “crossover” design makes it lighter and improves the fuel efficiency, which is always a plus for moms and dads (as well as its affordable price).
The Terrain provides excellent comfort for most small families even on longer journeys and comes with many standard safety features including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and a following distance indicator.
Interestingly, it also comes with a Teen Driver system, which allows you to limit speed and audio volume while your son or daughter is behind the wheel.
- Body type: Crossover SUV
- Average price: $30,000
- Seating capacity: 5
- Passenger volume: 103.2 cubic feet
- IIHS safety rating: Good
- Fuel economy (city/highway): 24 mpg city/28 mpg highway
3. GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain offers wide-opening doors and the ample passenger volume of an SUV but its “crossover” design makes it lighter and improves the fuel efficiency, which is always a plus for moms and dads (as well as its affordable price).
The Terrain provides excellent comfort for most small families even on longer journeys and comes with many standard safety features including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and a following distance indicator.
Interestingly, it also comes with a Teen Driver system, which allows you to limit speed and audio volume while your son or daughter is behind the wheel.
- Body type: Crossover SUV
- Average price: $30,000
- Seating capacity: 5
- Passenger volume: 103.2 cubic feet
- IIHS safety rating: Good
- Fuel economy (city/highway): 24 mpg city/28 mpg highway
4. Volkswagen ID.4
The Volkswagen ID.4 is a cool mom car with an electric engine. It’s a four-door SUV that’s priced lower than many of its electric counterparts, representing an accessible first step into EVs for families concerned about fossil fuel usage.
It can handle 250 miles between charges so, with a little planning, it will be easy to handle longer trips. It’s also got plenty of space for packing children’s toys, walkers, strollers, etc.
Safety-wise, it’s difficult to beat. The 2023 model won the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and standard features include a lane-departure warning, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control, active blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, front assist and emergency assist.
- Body type: SUV
- Average price: $40,000
- Seating capacity: 5
- Passenger volume: 130.2cubic feet
- IIHS safety rating: Very good (2023 Top Safety Pick+)
- Fuel economy (city/highway): 104 MPGe/89 MPGe*
* Miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent.
4. Volkswagen ID.4
The Volkswagen ID.4 is a cool mom car with an electric engine. It’s a four-door SUV that’s priced lower than many of its electric counterparts, representing an accessible first step into EVs for families concerned about fossil fuel usage.
It can handle 250 miles between charges so, with a little planning, it will be easy to handle longer trips. It’s also got plenty of space for packing children’s toys, walkers, strollers, etc.
Safety-wise, it’s difficult to beat. The 2023 model won the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and standard features include a lane-departure warning, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control, active blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, front assist and emergency assist.
- Body type: SUV
- Average price: $40,000
- Seating capacity: 5
- Passenger volume: 130.2cubic feet
- IIHS safety rating: Very good (2023 Top Safety Pick+)
- Fuel economy (city/highway): 104 MPGe/89 MPGe*
* Miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent.
5. Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is another of the best mom SUVs with many family-friendly features. It wins the day for pure seating capacity for larger families (eight) and the 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space is ideal if you like campaign trips away.
While it falls away a little with fuel economy, the average buy price is lower than for many SUVs on the market.
Great visibility from its high seating position is accompanied by excellent safety, supported by a very healthy IIHS safety rating report. Key safety features include automatic emergency braking and rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitor, and LATCH-equipped seats. Moms will also appreciate the easy-to-clean seating, floor mats and surfaces.
- Body type: SUV
- Average price: $35,000
- Seating capacity: 8
- Passenger volume: 148 cubic feet
- IIHS safety rating: Good
- Fuel economy (city/highway): 14mpg/19mpg
5. Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is another of the best mom SUVs with many family-friendly features. It wins the day for pure seating capacity for larger families (eight) and the 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space is ideal if you like campaign trips away.
While it falls away a little with fuel economy, the average buy price is lower than for many SUVs on the market.
Great visibility from its high seating position is accompanied by excellent safety, supported by a very healthy IIHS safety rating report. Key safety features include automatic emergency braking and rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitor, and LATCH-equipped seats. Moms will also appreciate the easy-to-clean seating, floor mats and surfaces.
- Body type: SUV
- Average price: $35,000
- Seating capacity: 8
- Passenger volume: 148 cubic feet
- IIHS safety rating: Good
- Fuel economy (city/highway): 14mpg/19mpg
How to choose a car for moms
Whether you’re a mom or dad thinking of buying a new or used car — or another convenient option like a car subscription or leasing a car online — these are the features you’ll need to check before committing.
Safety features - Many of the hi-tech safety features of the past are now standard. Look for a lane-departure warning system, automated emergency braking, blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, front assist and emergency assist, as well as plenty of airbags.
Number of seats/passenger room - For larger families, extra seating above the standard four or five may be needed. Pay attention not only to the number of seats but the EPA passenger volume guidelines.
Visibility - A clear unobstructed view with a large windscreen and windows, as well as a high seating position, can help moms drive safely and with confidence both in the city and on the highway.
Ease of access - Getting into and out of the car and accessing child seats in the back is important for mums and dads. Handy features like step-ups and handrails on the interior can help.
Fuel efficiency - Most moms and dads will want a vehicle that can provide a minimum fuel economy of around 18 mpg for the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
- Cargo space - Check cargo space as you may need to fit in strollers, walkers, and toys as well as the usual luggage for trips away.
The ideal solution for busy moms: a car subscription
Safe, spacious cars that are easy to get into and out of and cost-efficient to run are the best vehicles for moms and families. You should have no problems finding suitable candidates like those on our list but have you considered the advantages of a car subscription over buying?
Busy moms and dads may not want to deal with the day-to-day issues of owning a car. Subscriptions offer a way to avoid these issues. For a fixed monthly fee, drive the car you want with registration, insurance and roadside assistance included.
Try a FINN car subscription. It’s a quick, convenient and cost-effective way to drive the family around — and it’s more flexible than leasing. The car you choose will be delivered right to your doorstep.
How a FINN Car Subscription Works
1. Choose your perfect car
Pick your next car and select the term and mileage package that’s right for you.
2. Get approved in a few clicks
Submit your information and get the green light in under five minutes.
3. Enjoy free delivery to your home
FINN delivers your new car right to your door so you can focus on the road ahead.
4. Just hit the road and swap when you’re done
All that’s left to do is drive. When your term is over, you can return the car and pick out something new, or simply walk away.
How a FINN Car Subscription Works
1. Choose your perfect car
Pick your next car and select the term and mileage package that’s right for you.
2. Get approved in a few clicks
Submit your information and get the green light in under five minutes.
3. Enjoy free delivery to your home
FINN delivers your new car right to your door so you can focus on the road ahead.
4. Just hit the road and swap when you’re done
All that’s left to do is drive. When your term is over, you can return the car and pick out something new, or simply walk away.