Top 10 Family Friendly CUVs for 2009

Crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) are just made for families with their incredible versatility. What other vehicle drives like a car, yet can have space for up to eight passengers and loads of cargo room? CUVs, baby!

I’ve road tested dozens of CUV models over the year and I’ve developed quite a fondness for them. In fact, if I were to consider buying a new vehicle today, I’d probably buy a CUV for my family of five’s mobile suburban lifestyle.

Besides picking my Top 10 list of family-friendly CUVs below, here are some tips to consider when making your purchase.

Price: Fortunately, CUVs come in a very wide price range from entry-level vehicles starting around $11,000 to top-of-the-line luxury models. Most car companies these days are hungry to lower new car prices for consumers, so check out the latest cheap CUVs for quality, warranty, safety, performance and even job-loss programs such as Hyundai’s Assurance Plan.

Passengers: Like SUVs, you can actually pack lots of passengers into CUVs. But you usually pay a higher price for seven or even eights seats. Just remember, getting only five seats out of your CUV

Cargo: One of the best things about CUVs is that they are versatile cargo holders. When purchasing a new CUV, you gotta really make sure the seats easily fold both down and back upright. Also, if you haul around equipment or your kid’s bike, bring it with you to the dealership and try packing it up in your potential new ride.

Design: While SUVs are rather clunky, CUVs can actually have some style on the outside. However, be way more wary of the CUVs interior. Sit inside the front and back cabins and check for overall ergonomics in arm rests, cup holders, mobile niches and storage bins.

Performance: Some CUVs, such as the Acura MDX, still drive more like a SUV with truck-like suspensions and heavy initial acceleration. Others CUVs drive more sporty like your typical car. So, make sure you pick the performance style you prefer: heavy-duty truck or zippy passenger car.

Options: Make certain you consider all the options and add-on packages into your drop-dead price. Don’t compromise on basics like power windows, doors, locks and seats. Also, if you live in a cold climate, heated seats are a must.

Only 10 CUVs made my “family road test” cut here. Each vehicle was carefully chosen for good overall value and family-friendly characteristics.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Read more articles by Sheryll Alexander at Driving Smart.