New York Family Brooklyn Family Queens Family Bronx Family Long Island Family Ultimate Guide to Afterschool Programs Annual Guide Long Island Special Child New York Special Child Ultimate Guide to Schools Ultimate Guide to Fall/Winter Fun Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp
New York Family Brooklyn Family Queens Family Bronx Family Long Island Family Ultimate Guide to Afterschool Programs Annual Guide Long Island Special Child New York Special Child Ultimate Guide to Schools Ultimate Guide to Fall/Winter Fun Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp
Shopping and Style

Top 10 Cars for New York Families

By Posted on

Owning a car in the city offers its challenges. Congestion and population density mean that car ownership costs in an urban area is typically much higher than in a suburban or rural setting. And at the same time congestion and population density often render a car less useful than in outlying districts where they have things like trees and free parking. But that doesn’t stop many intrepid New Yorkers from owning a vehicle anyway.

In an exclusive roundup for New York Family, the editors of Kelley Blue Book  have picked their top 10 cars for New York City families! So just which vehicles do the KBB editors think are most suited to the New York state of mind? Here they are:

 

 

 

 

  • Lexus RX 450h

    Lexus RX 450h

     The RX SUV offers Manhattan-friendly size and safety with hybrid credentials and fuel economy. At the same time, it's not cramped for five, and it comes with some very comfortable interior goods. If you've got weekend-getaway aspirations or winter fears, the available all-wheel drive will help. Not bad for well under $50,000.
  • BMW i3

    BMW i3

     This pure EV (zero-emissions) is a perfect city car, if you can figure out where to plug it in. It also offers the option of a gasoline-powered generator, which will make the hatchback practical for weekend jaunts outside the city when you might otherwise run out of juice. It could make looking for an open gas station a thing of the past. In EV-only form it starts at $39,000.
  • Subaru Outback

    Subaru Outback

     With standard all-wheel drive, the Subaru Outback offers confidence in any weather, while its unmistakable exterior shape translates to impressive room inside for busy families and their gear. Redesigned for 2015, the latest Outback also offers impressive fuel efficiency and advanced safety systems. The Subaru Outback starts just under $26,000.
  • Honda CR-V

    Honda CR-V

     Stylish, comfortable and well-connected, the redesigned Honda CR-V is more fuel efficient than previously thanks to its new direct-injected engine and CVT automatic transmission. The available Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assists makes it safer as well. With room for five and an all-wheel drive option, the CR-V starts around $24,000 and tops out just over $33,500.
  • 2015 Kia Sedona

    2015 Kia Sedona

     Big enough to take the kids upstate for whatever the heck it is New Yorkers do up there, it remains slightly smaller than other minivans. That compact size plus an all-around-view camera make it easy to handle in the city, and the SUV-like styling and high-end features help you forget you're driving a minivan. It starts at around $27,000 and well-equipped it comes in at $33,000 or so.
  • Honda Fit

    Honda Fit

     For starting families, the 2015 Honda Fit is an excellent choice. It easily slips in and out of tight city situations and is better on the open road than ever before. With a low price, fuel-sipping powertrain and a super-flexible interior it is tough to beat as a city dweller. Prices start in the low teens.
  • Toyota Prius V

    Toyota Prius V

     Roomy enough for five people and a surprising amount of cargo at once, the Prius V also returns city/highway combined fuel economy of 42 mpg. Tidy dimensions make it easy to park, and its hybrid powerplant makes you feel good about yourself. Prius V sticker prices start around $27,000 and top out close to $38,000.
  • Buick Enclave

    Buick Enclave

     If you want an upscale people-mover that can comfortably seat up to eight and boasts a quiet, comfortable ride, the 2015 Buick Enclave should be on your shopping list. It offers good road manners, and its 3.6-liter V6 boasting 288 horsepower delivers good acceleration and passing power. Big inside but not massive outside, it’s a good value starting at around $40,000.
  • Ford Fiesta

    Ford Fiesta

     The 2015 Ford Fiesta offers up great fuel economy, modern build quality and a stylish interior that belies its bargain price. Unlike many small cars its exterior looks are leading edge while not appearing weird, and its small footprint is made for urban parking spaces. Plus, there's the available 1.0-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which Ford says gives the Fiesta the best non-hybrid fuel economy in its class. Pricing begins well under $15,000.
  • BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

    BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

     Graced with coupe-like styling yet blessed with four doors and a wide-opening tailgate, the newest member of BMW’s 4 Series family has elegant looks and family-ferrying practicality. A compact footprint and an available multi-camera system make parking the new 4 Series Gran Coupe drama-free, while available all-wheel drive provides extra traction in New York’s snowy winter months. It starts just over $41,000.

About the Author

More from Shopping and Style

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Explore MetroWest Boston

<p><span style="white-space: normal;"> </span></p> <h1>Turn Whining into Winning in MetroWest Boston</h1> <p>From beer gardens to corn mazes, state parks to beautiful art, MetroWest Boston is a great destination for a weekend trip! Enjoy <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/get-outside/?imgoing-place=hopkinton-state-park-61a91acef30b531a665ab64d">Hopkinton State Park</a>’s gorgeous foliage while kayaking on the lake or hiking, mountain biking, or snowshoeing on the amazing trails.</p> <p>In the evening, catch a play, musical, concert, art exhibition, dance performance, or immersive theatrical event at <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=hopkinton-center-for-the-arts-63c03d7e0d792d753263b4d1">Hopkinton Center for the Arts</a>.</p> <p>Get a great night’s sleep at one of the region’s hotels, such as <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/where-to-stay/?imgoing-place=the-verve-hotel-boston-natick-tapestry-collection-by-hilton-61aa4790f30b531a666119e4">The VERVE</a>, with its fun and funky pop art décor, or <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/where-to-stay/?imgoing-place=aloft-framingham-6216279ccc891d1d0862c8c2">Aloft</a> with their pool tables and lobby games. In the morning, visit the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=danforth-art-school-61a8e11cf30b531a66592d90">Danforth Art Museum</a>, a jewel box housing 3,500+ artworks from three centuries, including groundbreaking sculptures depicting the African and African American experience by Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller.</p> <p>Cross the street to the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=framingham-history-center-61a8e11cf30b531a66592d92">Framingham History Center</a> to explore their new multilingual exhibit that traces the city’s immigration story, from those fleeing the 1690s Salem Witch trials, to the Irish and Italian influx in the 1800-1900s, to the current migration of Brazilians. “Framingham’s Collective Journeys” includes oral histories, interactives, and artifacts.</p> <p>No visit to Framingham is complete without stopping at legendary <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/eat/?imgoing-place=jacks-abby-craft-lagers-61a8e11cf30b531a66592da0">Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers</a>, one of 17 breweries in MetroWest, where you can enjoy a flight with a schnitzel sandwich or their famous Framinghamburger. Afterwards, spend a few hours at <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/activities/?imgoing-place=level99-64a8389c51f92a351a6a3f06">Level99</a> testing each other with 50+ mental and physical escape rooms and challenges.</p> <p>The next day, tour the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/where-to-stay/?imgoing-place=longfellows-wayside-inn-61aa7aa3f30b531a66621f57">Wayside Inn</a>. The oldest inn in America’s 100-acre property includes the Old Barn, now a farm stand with displays of antique farming tools, the historic Grist Mill, and beautiful grounds containing the Longfellow Memorial Garden, the Redstone Schoolhouse from the poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, the Martha-Mary Chapel, and Josephine's Pond for fishing. Stay for a delicious gourmet meal in their historic dining room.</p> <p>Spend the afternoon at the <a href="https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/culture/?imgoing-place=american-heritage-museum-61a92852f30b531a665b17bf">American Heritage Museum</a>. Start your tour in the depths of a WWI trench listening to a nurse’s first-hand account from the Western Front while bombs explode above you and the floor begins to shake. This extraordinary museum features one-of-a-kind historic aircraft, tanks, cars and rare relics from the Revolutionary War to today, in immersive exhibits and living history events. Afterwards, wander the charming shops and boutiques of downtown Hudson.</p> <h3>MetroWest Boston offers these and many other attractions, activities and events for the whole family!</h3>

Plugged in Band

<div>Plugged In is a nonprofit program that offers online programs to student musicians (Ages 10-18) in a non-competitive environment and provides band and individual performance opportunities in support of community and charitable causes.</div> <div> </div> <div>Our programs include:</div> <div> </div> <div>Rock Band Classes</div> <div>Private Music Lessons</div> <div>Summer Camp</div> <div>Digital/Audio Production</div> <div>Songwriting and Recording Workshops</div> <div> </div> <div>Oh and hey parents, we are now offering private music lessons and our rock band program for adults too. Reach out to us for more information. </div>

USC Gymnastics & Baseball Training Facility

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">We offer sports activities, after school programs, birthday parties & private lessons for kids ages 3–13 years! Our gymnastics classes are a great way to keep your child active and healthy. We strive to empower and challenge children through the sport of gymnastics.</span></p>