So my wife and I have our first baby on the way, and we are thinking about purchasing a new car for her within the next few months. She currently drives a Volvo S40 T5, which she loves, but the back seat and trunk are pretty small. We want something that is safe, fuel efficient, has a good amount of rear seat/cargo room, and a nice interior. Right now if we take off for a week to the beach, we can barely pack our things in the Volvo. Between my golf clubs and her luggage, we fill the trunk and back seats. This obviously won't work when we add a child.

Parameters as follows;

Must be a sedan or suv (no wagons, hatchbacks or vans....wife will not consider any of these)
Must be automatic
Nice interior on par with current car
Large back seat and trunk (would like for an adult to ride comfortably in the back seat, and also have a generous amount of cargo space)
Memory driver seat (I am a foot taller than her, and it's annoying to adjust the seat everytime I drive)
Good warranty (prefer new or certified)
30+ combined MPG (might be willing to compromise some on this, but it's the goal)
under $30k (will be financing, so low interest rate offers are a plus and could allow us to spend more)

We haven't actually driven anything yet, and are currently still in the internet shopping phase, but are considering the following;

Passat TDI (cost of diesel makes it a bit more expensive to drive than a hybrid)
Fusion Hybrid (wife doesn't really like them, not sure if I can convince her...)


Suggestions/Opinions?

12/6/2013 12:01:30 PM

Four cylinder Toyota Camry or Honda Accord with electronic seat controls option

[Edited on December 6, 2013 at 12:09 PM. Reason : add note]

12/6/2013 12:07:55 PM

Have you sat in a Fusion? I thought the front seats were pretty terrible and uncomfortable, but I'm not sure what trim level it was or if there are better seats (it was a corporate fleet vehicle so probably had the cheapest options).

But I also think the new Accords are one of the most uncomfortable cars I've ever driven, so maybe I just fit weird in cars.

What about a used Volvo S60? The mileage is probably closer to 25mpg than 30mpg though.

12/6/2013 12:55:36 PM

Yeah I came to say since you like the S40, what about the S60, or even the S80.

You won't really get any SUVs with adequate space that meet your 30 mpg goal. XC90?

12/6/2013 1:02:39 PM

Mazda6

Roomy, nice to drive, quality interior materials (for it's price range) and EPA rated 28/40 mpg (Grand Touring package) or 26/38 mpg in other model trims.

forget a hybrid, that's just silly.

[Edited on December 6, 2013 at 1:07 PM. Reason : k]

12/6/2013 1:02:48 PM

We basically went through the same decision. Family planning and all, looking to upgrade.

We went with a 2013 Rav4. Excellent interior/leg space...only issue is the trunk size...it's still a bit on the small side but I think we can manage.

12/6/2013 1:11:22 PM

Rear seat room is key.

Passat TDI is a good choice. You could also get a good deal on a Buick LaCrosse (never thought I'd suggest a Buick 5 years ago).

My wife is due for a new car soon and we're sort of in the same boat. We take the Land Cruiser for family trips but she needs something for us all to ride in occasionally. Her IS250 simply is too small for the car seat and a passenger in the seat in the front of it.

She's currently driving a CT200h as a loaner because her car is in the shop. It actually fits all our stuff better but I'd never consider buying a hybrid and I'm not interested in leasing. Which brings me to another point, I have been extremely impressed with every Lexus dealer I've ever dealt with. Their customer service is excellent and it didn't matter if I showed up in my wife's then new IS250 or my old beater LS400. They give out loaners, no questions asked, even for oil changes.

I suggest getting your wife a car that's more upmarket because most of those dealers are sooo much each easier to work with when the car needs to be serviced. I'm fine juggling between my cars when I'm working on my own stuff, but I'm not dealing with it with her. Our local VW dealer is a nightmare. I've never dealt with Ford, but they don't give out loaners cars.

[Edited on December 6, 2013 at 2:56 PM. Reason : .]

12/6/2013 2:47:04 PM

Up to this point, the Passat has been the front runner in my mind I think. The interior is very spacious. I hadn't looked at Buick...

I had actually considered the HS 250h, but after looking up the dimensions online, I don't think it's much bigger than her Volvo. I'm also cautious about buying a hybrid.

She has seen the new Mercedes CLA250 and really likes it, but again, way too small I think. She also likes the BMW X1. I think the cargo space in that would be better than the Volvo, but I'm not sure the rear seats would be much different.

12/6/2013 3:00:52 PM

The X1 is basically a taller (and uglier) 3-series. It's not a bad option, but its going to be under your 30mpg too.

12/6/2013 3:10:51 PM

^^the Passat is a good choice, but I'm curious why you didn't even acknowledge my Mazda6 suggestion? I thought it was a good option.

12/6/2013 3:52:25 PM

Chevy Impala? The newest ones are actually good-looking cars and I've heard they've improved dynamically as well. Pretty good-sized so it should have the rear seat room you're looking for.

Obligatory Accord/Camry (though in my opinion the Camry is always the more "appliance-like" of the two.)

I've had my eye on the Kia Optima SX for quite a while but I haven't a clue what kind of rear seat room there is. The Cadenza is bigger but might not fit under $30K (and has a silly name).

12/6/2013 3:59:17 PM

^^Dude nobody wants a Mazda sedan

You should definitely go for a midsize. 3 series are nowadays midsize, but I'd still go for something bigger. What about a used E class? I think MB's powertrain warranty is 4 years of 50k miles and you can get a low mileage E350 in your price range. I also like the GLKs if your considering an X1s but my wife doesn't like them.

[Edited on December 6, 2013 at 4:14 PM. Reason : .]

12/6/2013 4:11:36 PM

^^^ I hadn't considered the Mazda 6 either, but it's not a bad option. I think I will have the same trouble getting my wife to buy into it as the Fusion. At least worth looking at though...

12/6/2013 4:54:45 PM

So she only wants a luxury European vehicle, is that an accurate conclusion?

12/6/2013 4:56:12 PM

Haha...that is fairly accurate, although it doesn't mean that is for sure what we will buy. With a baby on the way, she's pretty willing to go after the best option, whatever that may be. If it turns out something else really will fit our needs much better, I think that's what we will go with.

12/6/2013 5:02:40 PM

If "rewarding driving experience" is not super-high on your list, then the ES350 should be on your list, perhaps at the top. Not known as a driver's car but reasonably spacious, super-reliable due to its Camry roots, and has the Lexus badge appeal/owner experience/interior appointments. Out of your price range new, but probably could be had under CPO.

12/6/2013 5:38:56 PM

We have a 7 month old and did the same thing.

I got a 2013 Honda Accord. I went for the LX base model but it comes with A LOT for being base model.

The base includes: alloy wheels, CVT transmission (I'm averaging close to 40mpg easy), backup camera, bluetooth connect for phone, steering wheel controls, pandora compatibility, cruise control, power everything, big trunk, comfortable backseat.

I was surprised with how much came with the cheapest LX model.

My wife drives a 2011 Honda CRV and loves it. It doesn't get the gas mileage that my Accord does, but it has more room obviously since it is an SUV.
I hear the 2013/2014 CRVs have even more features just like my 13 Accord does.

12/7/2013 3:19:36 PM

Isn't backup camera mandatory standard equipment on all cars now? Or did that get delayed?

12/7/2013 3:26:43 PM

Pack less shit!

an S40 being too small for a couple with one child is a little crazy in my mind.

12/7/2013 7:00:35 PM

Quote :

" (no wagons, hatchbacks or vans....wife will not consider any of these)"

... really? I kinda get why someone would avoid the van image but this is a little bit silly considering a van or wagon may be your ideal vehicle.

12/7/2013 7:41:01 PM

Chipendave have you seen my thread along similar lines from a couple months ago? We ended up with an E320 wagon. While I did see you mention "no wagons" above, in our case it checked all the boxes, plus made all the other moms at my daughter's playgroup jealous, it was less than $10K, I mean wayyy less, and its clicking off 25ish mpg to boot. 2004 model.

[Edited on December 7, 2013 at 10:12 PM. Reason : plus, gives you room to grow if/when you have kid #2]

12/7/2013 10:08:41 PM

Wagons do have a lot of advantages. Hell, I'm thinking that I'll probably get one when we have kids. I'm in the same boat as you that the wife doesn't want one, but I don't want an SUV and neither of us want a minivan, so I'm thinking that if she doesn't have to drive it very often I can get away with it.

Of course, the one I'd be most interested in would be a Caddy CTS Sportwagon, which are both a)hard to find and b)don't have a lot of space for a wagon, so I might have to give that particular idea up. Audi A6 avant could be fun too.

12/8/2013 2:36:01 PM

Unfortunately in the US wagons are considered to be soft, old-fashioned, and middle-aged people's cars. Not so in Europe.

Considering that nearly 600 hp stock wagons exist, I can't see them in the same light as minivans, which are definitely soft and middle-aged people's cars.

A Volvo (or other European) wagon would be perfect for the OP, but alas, he won't consider them!

12/8/2013 3:19:51 PM

Quote :

"minivans, which are definitely soft and middle-aged non-shallow and utilitarian people's cars"

[Edited on December 8, 2013 at 3:50 PM. Reason : ]

12/8/2013 3:35:30 PM

I wouldn't even consider dragging a stroller in and out of anything with a trunk. That no wagons/hatchbacks/SUV notion is pretty foolish IMO.

12/8/2013 7:43:35 PM

Wagons and hatchbacks are where it's at.

12/9/2013 12:09:21 AM

A wagon makes perfect sense in this scenario. Amazing how people (mainly women) have been brainwashed into hating wagons.

12/9/2013 8:29:26 AM

I convinced my wife to like wagons by showing her lots of pictures of sporty/luxury wagons, including some that were subtly and tastefully tuned or customized. Now she thinks the Explorer is too big and wants a wagon, she even said I could put it on airbags

12/9/2013 8:43:04 AM

was in the same boat re: wagons, and both my wife and I were against them.

then we drove a 530xi.

my view of wagons that was formed in the mid 80's was changed, and we took that bitch home.

12/9/2013 10:12:03 AM

Get a gently used 3-series and teach that woman to drive stick!

Quote :

"Isn't backup camera mandatory standard equipment on all cars now? Or did that get delayed?"

Is this true? I don't think it is that difficult to turn around look where you are fucking going. Seems something silly for the government to "mandate".

[Edited on December 9, 2013 at 12:18 PM. Reason : l]

12/9/2013 12:12:28 PM

http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1084882_nhtsa-says-if-youre-waiting-for-mandatory-back-up-cameras-keep-waiting

12/9/2013 12:35:15 PM

WAY too much shit is already mandated. We don't need to add backup cameras to the list.

12/9/2013 12:44:04 PM

To add some further clarification in regards to what we are looking for;

The S40 we currently have is at the point of needing replacement. It is a 2005, and the miles have stacked up on it, so packing less isn't really a valid point. We also own a full-sized SUV for towing/hauling that can also be used for an annual trip if needed. So basically, if we are replacing the S40 anyway, we want to do so with something similar, but that will fit our new lifestyle a little better. The rear seats in the S40 are nearly useless (especially the one behind me), and I'm not sure I would even be able to fit a carseat in the back and still have a large adult ride in front. However, I don't want to go totally overboard and get a huge car that takes up a ton of space in my garage. I would like to get the smallest car I can that has a functional amount of rear seat/cargo space for a growing family.

I might be able to talk my wife into the right wagon, however, I don't know how many options we have that meet the 30mpg guideline. The X1 I mentioned is essentially a wagon, and is rated at 28mpg combined, which is higher than most wagons. I may be willing to sacrifice that much, but I'm not interested in buying something that gets low 20's combined MPG.

12/9/2013 1:21:19 PM

In fairness s40's are fucking tiny. The backseat of an s60 of that vintage barely qualifies as useable.

12/9/2013 2:02:29 PM

Kids getting run over by cars backing up is Darwin in action!

12/9/2013 2:14:05 PM

^^disagree on that. The 850/V70 had plenty of rear seat room for 2-3 teenagers.

^^^For a wagon have you thought about the Acura TSX wagon?

12/9/2013 2:17:51 PM

I couldn't fit in the backseat of my sisters '04 s40

(but I'm also not an infant)

12/9/2013 2:39:45 PM

gmc terrain

12/9/2013 3:22:49 PM

The Terrain is actually nice. I still have philosophical issue with its SUV-ness but it's an attractive interior and pretty roomy for the outside dimensons.

As far as I can tell, for a sedan you're going to have a hard time beating the Passat if it's not too big for you overall. They did make backseat room a priority and it seems to be winning comparisons left and right. Unless it's not "premium" enough or just too big, that may be the way to go.

12/9/2013 4:36:50 PM

Quote :

"I'm not interested in buying something that gets low 20's combined MPG"

This, combined with a desire for space/room is crippling your options.



We developed our standard for what is "big enough" after having our first- obviously first and foremost the car seat must fit, and there are different car seats that take up less room if you don't end up with a lot to work with. Basically our standard is the "bad weather diaper test". You need enough space to take the kid out of the seat, access all the shit in the diaper bag, change them, and put them back in without getting wet on a rainy day. You can buy all the 30mpg cars you want, but I for one would submit that as a new parent, there is much more value to a vehicle that you don't have to pull into a parking lot and change the kid in the trunk... even if you have to pull into a gas station a little more often.

[Edited on December 9, 2013 at 6:58 PM. Reason : ...]

12/9/2013 6:47:09 PM

welp

we just chose a car based on space for diaper changing

i think we can officially declare The Garage dead now

12/9/2013 9:09:48 PM

can't change a diaper in an E320 wagon

but you sure can.. in a swagger wagon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4

12/9/2013 9:16:55 PM

^^^make sure to avoid bucket rear seats too if you change your mind on a SUV/van.

^^bunch of dudes in their 30s, what'd you expect?

12/9/2013 10:27:12 PM

Goddamn if I would let that be a metric for me, and I'm 34 and with a kid.

That's weak. The only reason my daughter and I don't still cruise in the Z06 is because it's expensive as hell to drive a car like that 30,000 miles per year. I really don't understand needing more than a mid-size sedan or wagon even if you have a couple of kids.

I'm thinking about an Audi A3 or A4 wagon when they release the PHEV versions, as long as the VAG continues to eschew EDRs. As much as I drive, it makes sense for me to keep a track car and a DD.

12/10/2013 1:01:57 AM

Quote :

"welp we just chose a car based on space for diaper changing i think we can officially declare The Garage dead now"

amen

12/10/2013 9:19:18 AM

You can have a 3 way in the back of my galaxie.

12/10/2013 10:43:55 AM

Quote :

" I really don't understand needing more than a mid-size sedan or wagon even if you have a couple of kids."

haha, I think the part you're missing is the wife/mother of said kids. You don't have to deal with that shit in the car!

dude + 1 kid = Z06
dude + 2 kids = sedan
dude + 2 kids + wife = minivan with a roof rack and cargo hitch carrier



an exaggeration, yes. but damn women pack a lot of shit to go anywhere.

12/10/2013 2:58:40 PM

Yeah, they'll stop packing when they run out of room... Whether it's a 3-series or a Suburban.

[Edited on December 10, 2013 at 5:06 PM. Reason : So just get a sedan, and she'll stop when it's full, and still bring too much.]

12/10/2013 5:05:35 PM

With cars and SUVs, you are messing with buckling kids and car seats with your back wide open. In a van, you can bring all the kids inside, close and lock the doors behind you, and secure everyone much more safely. Big plus.

and you can change diapers much more easily

12/10/2013 7:14:24 PM

people actually walk inside the van, close and lock the door, buckle their children, open the door and walk around the car to the drivers door, get in and then drive away?

12/10/2013 7:59:08 PM