5 Cars Working Moms (and Dads) Love That Are Alternatives to a Minivan or SUV
For working moms, cars have given way to crossovers, minivans and SUVs. But if your lifestyle requires room for kids and you’re not about the crossover life, these five cars offer an excellent set of alternatives.
Toyota Camry – A reliable car for working moms and dads
The Toyota Camry needs no introduction, but for working moms and dads, this car is one of the best. The newest Camry is available with a standard four-cylinder engine, a hybrid variant, and a powerful, 301-horsepower V6. Fuel economy rates at up to 53 mpg for the hybrid and 39 mpg in the four-cylinder, so efficiency isn’t an issue.
Beyond that, the Camry offers over 15 cubic feet of trunk space for bags and sports gear. And with a Car and Driver reported 38 inches of rear legroom, even teenagers will be comfortable in the rear seats.
Even better, the Camry comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Plus, the Toyota sedan earns top marks in IIHS crash testing for added peace of mind.
Honda Accord – Sporty and spacious
The Honda Accord received a major overhaul for 2023, and it’s now a better car for working moms and dads than ever before. Not only does it ace new IIHS safety tests, but nearly 17 cubic feet of cargo space beats every model on this list. It even approaches the cargo area of compact crossovers like the Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V.
Furthermore, nearly 41 inches of rear legroom and 56.5 inches of shoulder room mean plenty of room for kids of all ages. And with up to 46 mpg from the new hybrid powertrain, it’s efficient enough for all your travels.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Affordable luxury for working parents
For a more luxurious option, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is an excellent choice. Working moms and dads should love the luxury and serenity this car offers on the solo drive to the office. And while the kids are on board, the C-Class has high-end safety features and does well in crash testing.
The C-Class is smaller than some of the other choices here, but there is still 13 cubic feet of trunk space and 36 inches of rear legroom. And with a starting price of just under $45k, it’s both affordable and luxurious.
BMW 5 Series – High-class comfort for working moms and dads
The BMW 5 Series is yet another step up in luxury, but it’s hard to find a working mom or dad that doesn’t love this car. The spacious 5 Series delivers upscale luxury with premium leathers, heated and ventilated seats, and memory settings for the 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Furthermore, the 5 Series has an impressive 18.7 cubic feet of trunk space and 36.5 inches of rear legroom. Furthermore, the 5 Series is yet another four-door sedan that performs well in both IIHS and NHTSA crash testing.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – Luxury and efficiency in one affordable package
While the entire Hyundai Sonata lineup offers great cars for working moms and dads, we called out the Sonata Hybrid for one specific reason: efficiency. With up to 51 mpg highway and 45 mpg city, it’s easily the most efficient option available here.
All that efficiency surrounds a four-door sedan with 16 cubic feet of cargo space and nearly 35 inches of rear legroom. Shoulder room exceeds 56 inches, so sitting three across the rear shouldn’t be a challenge.
