We would love to give a simple answer to your seemingly simple question, but you gave too little information about your situation, including how much you can afford and whether this would be your only vehicle.
The best suggestion we can give is to think ahead because those babies will grow fast, as will the amount of stuff you need to carry to keep them clothed, fed, hydrated and entertained on the road. You could be amazed by how much space you will need in a few years, and for that reason maybe the best "car" for you is a minivan or SUV.
Minivans are especially well suited for families because of the passenger and cargo space they provide and the ease of herding everyone in and out through their dual sliding side doors. The recent Cars.com Minivan Shootout, conducted by our team of car experts who also are parents and a family of five, is one valuable resource you should explore, here.
If you're operating at a lower price point, the $25,000 Compact SUV Shootout is another helpful resource that evaluates six current SUVs that might work well for your situation. Check out that comparison here.
If you want to stick with sedans, we suggest you look at midsize models such as the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry because you will probably outgrow a compact or smaller sedan in a couple of years. If you would rather have a compact car, you might consider hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra Touring and Toyota Matrix, as well as "box cars" like the Nissan Cube or Scion xB, which have roomy cargo areas that make it easier to load bulky objects like strollers.
Another stop on your digital car-shopping trip should be the Cars.com Car Seat Check, here. Cars.com checks each vehicle it tests to see how well a variety of child-safety seats fit and how easy it is to use the Latch system.
Learn more
- Cars.com's Ultimate Minivan Shootout (KickingTires)
- Cars.com's $25,000 Compact SUV Shootout (KickingTires)
- Car Seat Checks (KickingTires)
- Research New and Used Cars (Cars.com)
