Top Family Cars Named in 2008 Mother Proof Awards

CHICAGO--Mother Proof, a website dedicated to helping women and mothers navigate the automotive world based on the features most important to them and their families, announced the winners of its 2008 awards for Best Family Vehicles today during Women’s Day at the Chicago Auto Show.

“There are countless family-friendly vehicle options on the market today, offering families a combination of style and features,” said chief mother Kristin Varela. “Our goal is to help women, and moms in particular, evaluate the options best suited for their unique needs. Our awards are unique in that evaluations are based on our own experiences with test vehicles -- taking our kids to school, loading up groceries for the week, commuting, even heading out for date night. We put each car to the test the way real families use them in their daily lives.”

Launched in 2006, the Mother Proof Awards recognize several of the best new vehicles on the market across a number of categories for families. Awards include Top Minivan, Top Three-Row SUV or Crossover, Top Two-Row SUV or Crossover, Top Wagon or Hatch, Top Sedan, Top Car Just for Fun, Top Overall Value, Top Hybrid and Top Latch Connectors.

“Often when people think ‘family car,’ they think only of the minivan,” Varela said. “While that’s a great selection for many people, moms no longer need to limit themselves to the van. The Mother Proof awards showcase a wide range of vehicle types and body styles, all well-appointed for families.”

Award winners are selected based on criteria deemed most important to families by the Mother Proof mom-reviewers, including ease of entrance and exit for all passengers, Latch connector usability, ease of seat belt use for kids in boosters and other relevant family-friendly features. The same criteria are taken into account in every Mother Proof vehicle review.

“The team at Mother Proof applauds our 2008 award winners for keeping families front and center in their designs,” Varela said. “All of these vehicles represent the best of the best for families and offer the complete package of safety, style and convenient features for families on the go.”

2008 Mother Proof Award Winners:

Minivan: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country

Mama Says: We love the Swivel ‘n Go seats with the living room-like table and conversation zone in the back. That’s in addition to the automatic tailgate, doors and folding third row, which flips backward to create a rear-facing tailgate seat. There’s also Sirius Satellite TV, a smooth crossover-like ride and funky ambient lighting.

SUV/Crossover (three rows): 2008 Hyundai Veracruz

Mama Says: Thoughtful ergonomics, luxurious fit and finish, and loads of standard safety features — including a backup warning system — make the Veracruz our pick. There’s even a cooled center console in front that keeps drinks and snacks cold, making this crossover extra cool for moms and kids.

Runner-Up: 2008 Mazda CX-9

SUV/Crossover (two rows): 2008 Mazda CX-7

Mama Says: This car is both functional and fun, with enough oomph from the turbocharged engine to get you where you need to go. Super-cool styling, an optional rearview camera, a touch-screen navigation system and a center console big enough to hold a purse or small diaper bag make this a favorite.

Runner-Up: 2008 Mercedes M-Class

Wagon/Hatch: 2008 Volvo XC70

Mama Says: A rugged alternative to an SUV, the XC70 has the option of built-in two-stage booster seats and a slew of high-tech safety features that are famously Volvo: a collision warning system with auto braking, a blind spot information system and a personal car communicator with a heartbeat sensor.

Runner-Up: 2008 Honda Fit

Sedan: 2008 Chevy Malibu

Mama Says: We love the thoughtful interior with features designed by and geared toward women: a large center console for a purse, center dash storage for your phone, an available rear window shade to keep the sun out of babies’ eyes, an incredibly quiet interior and available remote start, which not only fires up the engine but will also heat up or cool down the car before you get in.

Hybrid: 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Mama Says: More powerful than its non-hybrid sister, the Hi-Hy is fun to drive, and a new Center Stow system means you can convert the middle row from a bench seat for three into two captain's chairs. An available automatic tailgate and auto-folding third-row seat make this car flexible and functional.

Runner-Up: 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

Just for Fun: 2008 Volvo C30

Mama Says: Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean you have to give up the idea of a chic, fun-to-drive little hatch. The C30 features functional cargo space, a large glass panel on the rear hatch for increased visibility, easy-to-buckle rear seat belts for big kids, and a simple-to-use iPod/stereo interface.

Top Overall Value: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan

Mama Says: Dodge added 35 new features to the Grand Caravan this year, and it’s routinely available with incentives that mean it gives you great bang for your buck.

Best Latch Connectors: Mini Cooper

Mama Says: A flip-up hinged cover reveals easy access to the Latch connector. These things are so easy to use, we just might start a campaign to make them the new industry standard.

2008 Mother Spoof Award:

In addition to awards for the top family vehicles, each year Mother Proof also calls out a feature or vehicle that is worst for families. The 2008 Mother Spoof award goes to Volvo for its Latch connectors.

“This year’s Mother Spoof award may be surprising because in terms of safety and family-friendly design, Volvo is known for getting it right,” Varela said. “However, we’ve found that the Latch connectors in their models are much more difficult to use than any others we put to the test. This is an issue we have brought to the manufacturer’s attention in previous reviews and hope to see improvements in down the road.”

About Mother Proof:

Mother Proof™ (http://www.motherproof.com) provides online car reviews and information aimed at the fastest-growing segment of automotive consumers: women and mothers. The site was launched in 2004 by Kristin Varela, a young mother of two, when she was in need of a new car and couldn’t find information that was important to her and her family. Now part of the Cars.com family, Mother Proof’s team of mom-reviewers continues in a never-ending quest to help today’s women and families find vehicles that meet the needs of their individual lifestyles.