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Mitsubishi Outlander

The holidays are upon us and that means getting ready for family road trips. What can you do to make the trip more enjoyable? And, which cars work best for long trips with the kids and pets?

I’m a mother of two talkative daughters, a new car road test reviewer and a road trip lover. I’ve traveled thousands of miles with the kids in all kinds of vehicles. So, what cars do I like best for road trips?

See my list of super family-friendly vehicles below as well as great tips for traveling with kids from snacks to technology to cleaning up to keeping teens happy.

The best vehicles for road trips, of course, are minivans. However, if you can’t afford a gas-guzzling minivan, then look to more fuel efficient CUVs or full-sized sedans for family road trips.

My favorite CUVs for families are: Suzuki SX4, Mazda CX-7, Lexus RX 450h, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, Ford Flex, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Murano, Toyota Venza, Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander and Scion xB.

Fortunately, there are lots of affordable full-sized sedans with lots of great features for families. I have road tested each of these models and find each one to be fantastic for road trips, including Acura TL, Nissan Maxima, Mazda MAZDA6, Audi A4, Ford Fusion, Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI, Lincoln MKS, Mitsubishi Lancer, Saab 9-3, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

What about safety? For safer driving in winter, all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles equipped with electronic stability control (sometimes known as dynamic stability control) are some of the safest vehicles on the road.

All Subaru vehicles come equipped with AWD, but most others car companies offer AWD as an option or standard on more expensive trim levels. Electronic stability control now comes standard or as an option on many new cars, but by 2011, the government is making ESC standard.

Real Tips for Family Road Trips

Portable Tech: The best way to keep kids happy and quiet on long road trips is giving each child their own personal DVD player with headphones. To keep the players working, keep extra batteries on hand or a car adapter for recharging. And, buy each child a new DVD they’ve been wanting for some time.

Satellite Radio: Don’t think it’s worth subscribing to Sirius or XM satellite radio? Think again. The no commercials approach to satellite radio makes it the most peaceful and rewarding in-car experiences of all time. Plus, you can get regional weather and traffic reports. My husband prefers Sirius because it carries 24/7 NFL coverage.

Get Cozy: Do you think bringing pillow, blankets and stuffed animals on road trips is a big hassle? For kids, nothing is better than putting their head down on their own pillow and wrapping their blanket around them for a nice nap in the car. Don’t leave the comforts of home behind!

Play Games: Some families love car bingo. Others like to count out-of-state license plates, play cards or sing songs. For my hyperactive family, I play Drivetime Yoga. This CD uses yoga increases energy and decreases stress with yoga movements for drivers and passengers such as neck releases, shoulder stretches, spinal twists, pelvic tilts and ankle rolls. To purchase, visit, www.DrivetimeYoga.com.

Snacks: Always fill a cooler with healthy drinks and snacks such as spring water, apples, grapes, bananas and low-fat cheese. Healthy bars are a good idea too, but some get squashed rather easily. Try Clif Bar’s Kid Organic Z Bar. These bars are virtually indestructible and can stay in your glove compartment for months. Another good way to get kids interested in healthy foods is to stop at a produce stand and let them pick their own fruit. If you are staying at a hotel, call ahead and request the mini-bar be completely emptied so you can pack the mini-refrigerator full of your healthy food and drinks.

Got Teens? My teenager just loves her iPhone. So, make sure your teen has fully charged her phone before your road trip. Also, buy a car adapter for easy recharging. And don’t let them forget headphones!!

Keep Clean: During winter flu season, it’s best to carry lots of sanitary hand wipe packets in the glove compartment and in your purse. That way, you can wipe the kids clean quickly and easily as well as kill germs.

Stop A Lot: Are your kids restless on road trips? Before you go, research your trip’s half way point and find a great public park on Mapquest or Yahoo maps. If you bring a football, soccer ball or baseball equipment, you’ll be ready for a pick-up game, which will give everyone some exercise and then tire them out for a long nap.

On-the-Go Wireless: Work, play and watch Hulu on the go when you have a wireless card. But does your wireless card really when you are driving? Yes! Although the signal does wane at times, I have found working on my laptop while being a passenger is very rewarding and more than possible.

Hide the Candy: Don’t believe in giving kids candy? When you are really desperate for some quiet time or for the fighting to stop, bring out a few special treats. It will keep them happy and you will have a bargaining tool for the rest of the trip.

With a family-friendly vehicle and some good planning, you and the whole family can have a fun on your holiday road trips!

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow me! @sheryllalexande

Click here for all new car rebates and incentives.

2009 Cadillac CTS-V
0.0% Interest or $5,000 Cash Back

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is one of the most exciting performance sedans currently available anywhere in the world. Cadillac has stuffed the Cadillac CTS-V full of as much go-fast gear as possible, transforming the standard Cadillac CTS mid-size sedan into a virtual rocket ship when it comes to acceleration and handling. Inside, the car also offers ample seating for up to five passengers, along with the full complement of the luxury gear that Cadillac has become known for. Dual climate controls, leather seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel, parking assistance and of course GM’s OnStar system are standard equipment. Power adjustable Recaro racing seats that are heated and cooled can be ordered as an option, along with a sunroof and a navigation system.

Underneath the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V’s hood lies a rumbling 6.2-liter V-8 engine that is fed by a supercharger in order to produce a mind-numbing 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft of torque. Sending all of this power to the rear wheels is either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, with the latter featuring shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Brembo brakes are on board to help haul the big Cadillac CTS-V down from limit-breaking speeds. Despite this impressive performance, the Cadillac CTS-V’s fuel economy comes in at a decent 13 miles per gallon in the city and 19 miles per gallon on the highway.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $5,000.00 cash back on the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V effective until 11/02/2009.

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander
0.0% Interest or $1,000 Cash Back

The 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander fills the compact family crossover niche quite well, thanks to its combination of taut handling, good interior space and slick styling. The Mitsubishi Outlander stands out from some of the plainer crossovers in its price range thanks to aggressively sculpted body lines that put some of the sport back into sport-utility. The Mitsubishi Outlander can seat up to seven passengers thanks to the inclusion of a third row seat, or it can have its storage area expanded to accommodate a whopping 72.6 cubic feet of cargo. In terms of features, low-spec editions of the crossover come with air conditioning, cruise control and a CD player, while the top of the line XLS trim includes automatic climate control, nicer seats and access to options packages that include leather, HID headlights and a sunroof. An entertainment system and a navigation system can also be installed in the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander’s base engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 168 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque. Matched with a continuously-variable automatic transmission, the unit offers fuel economy of 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. A 3.0-liter V-6 engine is standard on the XLS, and it increases power to 220 ponies and 204 lb-ft of torque while diminishing fuel mileage to 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway. A six-speed automatic is the only available gearbox for this engine, and both the four and six-cylinder Mitsubishi Outlanders can be ordered with all-wheel drive.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $1,000.00 cash back on the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander effective until 11/02/2009.

2009 Chevrolet Impala
0.0% Interest or $2,500 Cash Back

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala functions as Chevrolet’s mid-size Toyota Camry fighter, a family sedan that aims to take on the big guns from Japan who typically dominate this section of the market. The Chevrolet Impala is certainly more than capable of meeting this lofty challenge, thanks to its combination of comfort, practicality and excellent build quality. The vehicle’s trunk provides 18.6 cubic feet of space, and the rear seat is quite accommodating, even to adults on longer trips. The base Chevrolet Impala comes with air conditioning, power windows and door locks, a CD player and keyless entry. Options include a remote starter, a rear spoiler and heated mirrors, as well as leather hides and a folding rear seat to increase the vehicle’s cargo capacity. An SS edition makes a performance suspension and larger rims available.

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala is provided with an array of competent V-6 engines and a range-topping V-8. Entry-level Chevrolet Impalas make do with a 3.5-liter unit that is capable of generating 211 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque. Fuel mileage for this engine is rated at 19 miles per gallon around town and 29 miles per gallon on the highway. Next up is a 3.9-liter six-cylinder that increases output by 22 ponies and 26 lb-ft of torque, while reducing fuel economy by only a small margin. The Chevrolet Impala SS engine adds two extra cylinders for a total of 5.3-liters of displacement on its way to 303 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque, and fuel mileage of 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon during highway cruising. Each edition of the Chevrolet Impala makes use of the same four-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $2,500.00 cash back on the 2009 Chevrolet Impala SS effective until 11/02/2009.

2010 Toyota Corolla
0.0% Interest or $750 Cash Back

The 2010 Toyota Corolla is a sensible, efficient and inexpensive commuter car, the type of four-door appliance that drivers can just add oil and gas to and then drive until the wheels fall off – about 20 years or so after the purchase date. The Toyota Corolla is an exceptionally well-built vehicle, and it provides a calm and assured ride to both driver and passengers. There are five different trim levels available with the Toyota Corolla, although even the most affordable edition of the compact car is offered with air conditioning, power mirrors and anti-lock brakes. Moving up through the ranks adds niceties such as power door locks and windows, wood trim, a navigation system and a better stereo. A moonroof can also be ordered.

Four of the five 2009 Toyota Corolla trim levels are matched with the same 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 132 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. These models also come with a five-speed manual transmission, although buyers can specify a four-speed automatic unit in its place. The sporty Toyota Corolla XRS trim provides a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that gives the compact more hustle thanks to its 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual or automatic transmission rounds out its choice of gear boxes. Fuel mileage for the smaller engine is rated at 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway, while the significantly quicker Toyota Corolla XRS makes do with 22 miles per gallon around town and 30 miles per gallon during highway cruising.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $750.00 cash back on the 2010 Toyota Corolla effective until 11/02/2009.

2009 Pontiac G8
0.0% Interest or $3,500 Cash Back

The 2009 Pontiac G8 is a full-size sedan that is meant to appeal to those looking for a large automobile that can swallow a ton of suitcases and family members for a weekend road trip, as well as anyone interested in a performance-oriented four-door that won’t break the bank. The Pontiac G8’s exterior styling is edgy and angular, making a break from some of the more anonymous Pontiac designs of the past. The vehicle’s interior also separates itself from the General Motors parts bin by relegating hard plastic to areas less likely to be seen or touched during driving. Although the Pontiac G8 comes well-equipped right out of the box, it can be personalized and upgraded through the addition of heated leather seats, dual climate controls, 19 inch alloy wheels with performance tires and a power sunroof.

The 2009 Pontiac G8 starts out with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine between the front fenders. This perky mill provides drivers with 256 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, and uses a five-speed manual transmission to handle the gear shifting duties. Choosing the Pontiac G8 GT trim level significantly improves throttle response, thanks to the 6.0-liter V-8 that replaces the V-6, and which offers a healthy 361 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque. True tire-smoking addicts will want to hold out for the Pontiac G8 GXP, which makes use of a 6.2-liter, eight-cylinder engine that grinds out a ridiculous 402 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque. The latter two engines are both available with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the GXP also benefits from an option six-speed manual. Fuel mileage for the V-6 shows as 17 miles per gallon around town and 25 miles per gallon on the highway, while the GT V-8 shaves one and two miles per gallon off of each respective measure. The Pontiac G8 GXP lowers fuel efficiency to 13 miles per gallon in stop and go driving and 20 miles per gallon on the highway.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $3,500.00 cash back on the 2009 Pontiac G8 effective until 11/02/2009.