Top 10 Family Cars of 2011

Kelley Blue Book today named the Top 10 Family Cars of 2011.

More than ever, families now come in all shapes and sizes, so it only makes sense that the family vehicles of today follow suit. Whereas back in the dark recesses of time the typical family owned a sedan or station wagon, now contemporary families can choose among SUVs, crossovers, minivans, wagons and hatchbacks, in addition to the prosaic family sedan. While it certainly can be nice to have options, a wide variety of choices also can make the choosing all the more difficult
2011 Chevrolet Traverse - $29,219
No stranger to this list, the Chevy Traverse remains among the most family-friendly vehicles on the market. Practical features like seating for up to eight passengers, abundant cargo space, impressive fuel economy and a five-star overall crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) appeal to our pragmatic side, while the 2011 Chevy Traverse’s attractive exterior styling and surprisingly nimble handling help win over our emotions.

2011 Ford Explorer - $27,487
The 2011 Ford Explorer isn’t just new from the tires up, it’s different. Whereas every Explorer before it featured truck-style body-on-frame construction, the newest Explorer is a car-based crossover vehicle with unibody construction. The results? Better ride, better handling and better fuel efficiency, to name a few. It doesn’t offer all the towing or off-road capabilities of its predecessor, but it delivers far more than most families will ever need. Top it all off with sharp styling and a well-appointed interior and you’ve got the best Explorer ever.

2011 Honda Odyssey - $26,980
As the gold standard of minivans, the Honda Odyssey easily makes our list of family haulers. Designed to please the whole family, including the driver, the 2011 Honda Odyssey offers surprisingly responsive handling while maintaining a comfortable highway ride. The kids will be more impressed by the extra-wide 16-inch rear video display that can function as two side-by-side monitors and show two movies at once.

2011 Hyundai Sonata - $20,145
The all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata has taken the mid-size sedan market by storm with a compelling mix of design, quality and value. The Sonata also is chock-full of safety features, comes with one of the best warranties on the market, and even offers a fuel-sipping hybrid model. With enough style and versatility to transform effortlessly from child-hauler to client shuttle on a daily basis, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is an easy choice for someone who needs to impress while still being practical.

2011 Volkswagen Golf - $18,390
In much of Europe, where wagons and hatchbacks enjoy the same popularity that sedans have in the United States, the Volkswagen Golf is as much a family car as the Toyota Camry is here. With a starting price under $20,000, hatchback versatility, true European driving dynamics and an interior that rivals those of some much pricier cars, the 2011 Volkswagen Golf is a perfectly practical family car that also satisfies a desire for something nice and fun.

2011 Chevrolet Suburban , 2011 Honda Odyssey, 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, 2011 Ford Flex

• Toyota to launch new low-cost family car in China

• Toyota to launch new low-cost family car in China