2009 Best New Family Vehicles

If safe, roomy and affordable are the characteristics that qualify a vehicle as a family car, then the American family has never had so many choices. While a sea of options is ultimately a good thing, it can also make it more difficult for families to pick a winner. To help ease the pain, every year we put together a list of the Top 10 Family Vehicles, evaluating an ever-lengthening list of eligible vehicles on such factors as resale value, fuel efficiency, capability and kid-friendliness. This year, we put extra emphasis on fuel economy. Gas prices have dropped sharply from their record highs, but the economy still dictates smart spending and the environment continues to receive more focus. Comprising a wide range of vehicles that includes a compact sedan, a full-size SUV, hybrids, non-hybrids and even a diesel, our list of Top 10 Fuel-friendly Family Vehicles features something for everyone. Here they are, listed in order of overall passenger/cargo roominess.