So, you’re a new parent and in the market for a new car. With so many advanced features available in today’s vehicles, it is easy to get overwhelmed when choosing the right one for your growing family. While you might be attracted to certain cars for their unique features, safety and security are your top priorities. Here are several features to look for if you are a parent looking for a new car.
1. Spacious Interior
Having kids means you’ll never just leave the house without carrying along a lot of stuff. You’ll need more than enough room for your baby’s car seat, strollers, diaper bags, all the toys your kids will want to tote with them, and other essentials. Having a spacious interior will also ensure a comfortable ride for everyone in the car.
2. Easy-to-Clean Interior
You want something that will be easy to clean when you have kids in your car. Crumbs and bodily fluids are just part of having kids. So, you want to ensure the interior of your car is easy to clean. If possible, opt for leather or vinyl seats. It’s also a good idea to inspect other surfaces in the car to make sure they’re easy to clean as well.
3. Child Safety Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Something new parents should look for in a car is a LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. LATCH systems provide anchor points in cars that are designed to secure child safety seats. The LATCH system helps reduce the risk of injury should an accident occur, making it a key feature for new parents to look for.
4. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) should also be on your list of “must-haves” in a car. The features included in the ADAS are automatic emergency braking, landed departure warning, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Each of these ADAS features can increase the overall safety of the vehicle and help you avoid accidents with your precious cargo in the car.
5. Backup Camera
Backup cameras became mandatory in vehicles on May 1, 2018. This feature is important for several reasons. It can prevent you from backing into another car in the parking lot with your children in the car. More importantly, it can help prevent you from hitting your child or another child when you are backing out of the driveway or a parking spot at the park. Having a clear view of what’s behind your car can provide you with great peace of mind and improve the safety of your car.
6. Climate Control
You don’t want to be driving around with your children in a car that doesn’t have air conditioning or heat. An overly hot car can be extremely dangerous for young children. Similarly, because coats should not be worn in car seats, having heat that works is also important. A working climate control system is necessary for maintaining a comfortable temperature.
7. Quiet Cabin
As a parent, quiet time has likely become a luxury, but there are some reasons you want a quiet cabin in your car. If there is a lot of noise going on, it can irritate your baby. Or, even worse, it could wake them up if they’ve dozed off in the backseat. That said, most carmakers have done what they can to eliminate noise in the cabin, but you might want to test drive a few to see which has the quietest cabin of them all.
8. Power Sliding Doors
If you have more than one child, a minivan is probably in order. While there are certain disadvantages to van life, like its depreciation, there is one clear advantage to choosing a minivan. The sliding doors are a game-changer. Not only do they help with the easy loading and unloading of car seats, but they also have safety features that keep tiny hands from getting slammed in doors. So, if you’re eyeing up a minivan, this feature is a perk and definitely comes in handy for new parents.
9. Hands-Free Power Tailgate
Parents always seem to have their hands full, making the hands-free power tailgate a great option to look for in a family car. This is found in most newer SUVs and it allows you to waive your foot under the tailgate to open the back hatch. Whether you have groceries or babies in your hands, it can be extremely convenient. Honestly, anything that makes your life easier is a win.
The Advanced Car Features for Your Family’s Safety
Each of these car features can help you choose a car that prioritizes your growing family’s safety, comfort, and convenience. Remember, when you buy a car it needs to fit the entire family’s needs. So, take the time to research everything and test drive the cars you have in mind. Making sure you have these boxes checked can make a huge difference.