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2008 Mother Proof Awards
Feb 12 2008 by Kristin Varela
2/12/08
Mom-Reviewers Pick the Best of 2008
Back by popular demand, here are the 2008 Mother Proof/Spoof Awards. Our team of mom-reviewers has been busy all year, loading child-safety seats, carpoolers, teenagers, groceries and the occasional gaggle of giggly gal friends into all the latest and greatest cars.
With all that done, here are our picks for the best family cars of the year. Just like our diverse group of Mother Proofers, we know that all moms are different and have their own unique vehicular taste, so we've spanned lots of categories in hopes there's a little something here for everyone.
2008 Mother Proof Award Winners
Minivan
First place: Chrysler Town & Country ($22,510-$35,670)
What makes Mom happy? We LOVE the Swivel 'n Go second-row seats that turn around to face the third row, with a living-room-like table that sits between them to create a conversation zone in the back. There's also an automatic tailgate, automatic doors, an automatic-folding third-row seat that can flip back to create a tailgate seat, Sirius Satellite TV, a smooth crossover-like ride and uber-funky ambient lighting. And you thought minivans weren't cool — tsk, tsk!
SUV or Crossover (three rows)
First place: Hyundai Veracruz ($26,900-$35,750)
What makes Mom happy? Thoughtful ergonomics (i.e. a handle to help kids climb into the third row), plus a backup warning system, conversation mirror, power tailgate, lighted compartments and cupholders, chilled center console to keep snacks and drinks cold, under-floor storage in the cargo area, a quiet ride, luxury-like fit and finish, and all safety features standard. What's not to like?
Second place: Mazda CX-9 ($29,400-$34,655)
What makes Mom happy? It drives like a dream, and for a car that can pack in so many people, it sure feels sexy. There's also flexible seating and cargo options thanks to easy-fold seats, a sliding second row to adjust legroom, a low cargo floor with under-floor storage for easy loading and unloading, and an available Blind Spot Monitoring System — because you know it's always nice to have a little extra help.
SUV or Crossover (two rows)
First place: Mazda CX-7 ($23,750-$28,000)
What makes Mom happy? Functional and fun! There's enough oomph in the turbocharged engine to get you where you need to go (quickly), super-cool styling (we love the sexy faux-croc suede detail in the leather seats), an optional rearview camera and touch-screen navigation system, and a center console big enough to store a purse or small diaper bag. Did we just use the word "sexy" a second time to describe a Mazda? Huh — fancy that!
Second place: Mercedes-Benz M-Class ($44,000�$87,000)
What makes Mom happy? Just like Janis Joplin said, "Oh, Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?" We don't know if Janis had kids, but she sure knew what she was talking about. A super-luxury SUV for deserving families, this car makes it easy for small kids and aging grandparents alike to climb in and out on their own.
Wagon/Hatch
First place: Volvo XC70 ($36,775)
What makes Mom happy? A rugged alternative to an SUV, the XC70 has available built-in two-stage booster seats and a slew of available high-tech safety features, including Collision Warning with Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Alert Control, adaptive cruise control, a personal car communicator with a heartbeat sensor — seriously, we didn't make that up — and Hill Descent Control that works in both Drive and Reverse.
Second place: Honda Fit ($13,950-$15,270)
What makes Mom happy? Impressively big smallness and great gas mileage. This car is easy to park and has enough space for two (and a half) kids and their stuff, with a low entry height that makes it easy for them to climb in and out on their own. The rear "magic seats" fold in lots of ways to create amazingly flexible storage space. This car is great for small families on a budget or folks who just love a bargain.
Sedan
First place: Chevrolet Malibu ($19,345-$26,795)
What makes Mom happy? Thoughtful interior features designed by and geared toward women (a large center console for a purse, plus center dash storage for your phone), plus an available rear window shade to keep the sun out of rear-facing infants' eyes make this car a winner. There's also acoustic glass to keep the interior incredibly quiet, and available remote vehicle start to heat up or cool down the car before you get in — a great feature for the more delicate mommies among us.
Just for Fun
First place: Volvo C30 ($22,950-$25,700)
What makes Mom happy? This car is Volvo safety in a chic little city hatch. It's fun to drive and has functional cargo space, a large glass panel on the rear hatch to create great visibility, an iPod interface for the stereo and easy-to-buckle rear seat belts for big kids. There are also cool design features, like an almost-lickably delicious java-colored trim and an available white etch inlay, that make this car a modern fit for hipster urban parents.
Overall Value
First place: Dodge Grand Caravan ($21,290-$27,000)
What makes Mom happy? How about the 35 new features that were added this year, plus readily available incentives that make this minivan a great bang for your buck?
Best Latch Connectors
First place: Mini Cooper ($18,050-$21,950)
What makes Mom happy? A flip-up hinged cover reveals easy access to the Cooper's Latch connectors. The ease of use is so good, we just might start a campaign to make these puppies the industry standard.
Best Hybrid for Families
First place: Toyota Highlander Hybrid* ($33,700-$39,950)
What makes Mom happy? More powerful than its non-hybrid sister, the Hi-Hy is fun to drive; the new Center Stow seat converts the middle row from a bench seat for three into two captain's chairs. An available automatic tailgate and auto-fold third-row seats make this car flexible and functional, plus it gives you that whole green-lifestyle cool factor that's all the rage right now (and will continue to be).
Second place: Chevy Tahoe Hybrid ($49,590-$52,395)
What makes Mom happy? This hybrid seats eight passengers, has a smooth, carlike ride and is amazingly quiet for a "truck." Standard leather seats and a backup camera are great for families, and the over-abundance of hybrid badges will let the world know your family is green and proud of it. If you have a big family, this is a swanky way to roll.
Mother Spoof Award
First place: Volvo's Latch connectors
What went wrong? Despite its attention to safety, Volvo continues to build its vehicles with Latch connectors that are incredibly difficult (and occasionally impossible) to access. It's aware of the problem (trust us), but hasn't fixed it. What's up with that?
*Second year mention.
User Comments
Ava,
You can click on the vehicle’s name to read the full review about each car, in case you didn’t notice that.
I love the new Volvo XC70
It’s a perfect balance of Luxury, Versatility and Safety !!!
Holy cow!! What was I thinking coming here? These recommendations are all over the board and pretty narrow-minded in primary selection criteria. I’m headed back to edmunds.com or cars.com.