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Top Cars and Tips for Family Road Trips
By : Sheryll Alexander
Date : 11/09/2009

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

Top Five Boxy Toy Cars of 2009-2010
By : Sheryll Alexander
Date : 10/23/2009

Urban vehicles from Scion and Honda as well as newcomers Nissan and Kia are just super fun to own and drive. Why are these boxy and toy cars so popular?

First off, I believe building and marketing these cars to a younger market gives these truly modern rides more versatility, fuel economy, safety and signature style options.

Next, make sure you are willing to possibly sacrifice performance for funky, kooky or super functional design. While some of these boxy cars are super fun to drive, others aren’t so racy.

Plus, the hatchback design of boxy cars make them the perfect alternative to a sporty wagon, a boring family CUV, your father’s sedan or a subcompact dud.

Ready to drive a box or toy car? Take a ride here with my list of Top Five Boxy Toy Cars of 2009-2010:

No. 1: 2010 Scion xB
Not much has changed from the cool 2009 to next year’s 2010 Scion model except a better standard audio system and improved integrated technology. The 2010 Scion xB now comes standard with a six-speaker, 160-watt Pioneer audio system, which includes AM, FM, CD, USB, iPod, iPhone and USB connectivity. The system’s “advanced sound retriever” (ASR) has a subwoofer with RCA output. What could be better? The 2009 Scion xB was one of my most favorite cars to drive because of its versatility, overall excellent design and smooth performance. The second generation 2009 and 2010 models mark a more rounded shape to this boxy ride, but the curves just add to the Scion xB’s stylish good looks. As with all Scions, the 2009-2010 Scion xB can come equipment with factory tested, approved, installed and guaranteed interior, exterior and Toyota Racing Development performance accessories.
Base MSRP: $15,750
Fuel Economy: 28 hwy, 22 city
Safety: Four star NHTSA rating for driver crash test
No. 2: 2009-2010 Honda Element
The Honda Element has been credited with helping start the “boxy” movement. Like the Scion xB, the Honda Element is has excellent overall marks, especially in versatility and safety. The 2010 Honda Element comes with an all-new “pet accommodation” system. Made especially for dogs and their owners, the equipment was designed specifically to fit inside the Element EX. Some of the equipment includes a nylon-webbed car kennel, secure restraints, an easy-to-clean rubber floor, soft floor mats, a fan, a spill-resistant water source and an extendable ramp.
Base MSRP: $20,275
Fuel Economy: 25 hwy, 20 city
Safety: Five star NHTSA rating for driver crash test
No. 3: 2009 Nissan Cube
Although the exterior of the 2009 Nissan Cube looks like an English cab on acid, there is still lots to love about this ultra stylish CUV. Frankly, the 2009 Nissan Cube has it all: super cool design inside and out, excellent overall performance, a super fun drive, rather good safety marks, incredible versatility and lots of standard features. Yes, the 2009 Nissan Cube is a wonder of seemingly crazy design that all works together to create one really cool-looking ride. Like Scion, the Nissan Cube also has a bevy of factory built and guaranteed accessories to customize your Cube both inside and out.
Base MSRP: $13,990
Fuel Economy: 30 mpg hwy
Safety: Four star NHTSA rating for driver crash test
No. 4: 2010 Scion xD
The 2009-2010 Scion xD looks like a super cool station wagon with its four doors and hefty hatchback. Plus, it comes with fun-to-drive performance, cool technology, versatile cargo room, lots of standard features and the ability to customize using factory-built (and guaranteed) accessories at the dealership. The 2009 and 2010 Scion xD models are practically the same except the 2010 model comes with Scion xB’s aforementioned upgraded sound system and integrated technology.
Base MSRP: $14,800
Fuel Economy: 33 mpg hwy
Safety: Four star NHTSA rating for driver crash test
No. 5: 2010 Kia Soul
The 2010 Kia Soul looks almost like a toy car, yet this cool car has some good power and some overall good driving dynamics except for rather anemic acceleration even on the Sport model. The interior of the 2010 Kia Soul is not only funky and groovy, but definitely pleasing to the eye and ergonomically correct as well. Cargo space in the hatchback trunk, however, isn’t huge.
Base MSRP: $13,300
Fuel Economy:
Safety: Five star NHTSA rating for driver crash test

Boxy and toy cars are really cute, really funky and really versatile. And, they can be really fun to drive. Just make sure you road test them all before buying!

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

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