The Top Five American Family Cars For 2022
All of those cars were once just a dream inside somebodies head – Peter Gabriel
Part of what people from outside the United States all have in common about our country is that most wonderful feeling of patriotism that grips the heart of every American, at every football game, whenever the national anthem is sung, or whenever one of our most iconic images make an appearance.
The Golden Gate Bridge, The Statue of Liberty, The Grand Canyon – and those big old American Motorcars that gripped the imaginations of generations of fans both inside these United States, and beyond our borders. After all, we have some of the world’s best road trips right within our borders, so it stands to reason that American ingenuity would extend to our motor vehicles too.
But these days, the grand old era of the mighty gas-guzzler are at something of an end (and we all agree that it’s for the best, but still), and the cost of gas seems to be heading in a never-ending upward trajectory, it has become more of a consideration than ever to find the best car for your family that not only makes sense to your lifestyle, but works for your pocket, and the environment, too.
So we’ve taken a look at a few different sources and cross-referenced some online reports and articles to compile what we think are the top five family cars, for the average American family, this year, to help you find your next car.
1 THE DODGE CHARGER – AMERICA’S FAMILY-MUSCLE-CAR
We start with a brand that is as much Americana as apple pie and the fourth of July! The Dodge Charger is super roomy and comfortable for sure, but the cabin itself is a real pleasure. Heated seats in both the front and back make for fabulous driving on long trips in cold months or at night, and the seats up front have ventilation too. All of the fabulous “nice-to-haves” are coupled with Dodge’s 8.4” uConnect infotainment system that is fresh, super easy to use, and with the BeatsAudio system – you’ll have tunes coming out of places you never knew you had, with the quality you didn’t know existed. Oh, and just to be clear – it looks…amazing.
2 THE LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID
So as far as hybrid motor cars go, not all are created equal and the name can be somewhat misleading if you don’t know your stuff -and this is where many not so ethical brands get to claim kudos that are not really there’s to claim, but that’s a different story altogether.
Thankfully, when it comes to the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, you won’t have to worry about any of that. This car isn’t just one of the most luxurious family sedans on the market currently, it is also one of the most fuel-efficient cars in America right now.
The EPA rates the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid at 41 city/38 Highway MPG – that’s not bad going, not at all and the Hybrid has a starting recommended price of around $35 000 which while not cheap, is hardly out of the reach of the average family. It’s also fast, has loads of handling ability, and churns out 400 horsepower in all-wheel-drive.
3 THE CHEVROLET IMPALA
Another one of those classic American brands that never says die, the Chevvy Impala has been around in one-way shape, or another for decades and is also a particularly recognizable American export in places as far-flung as Central Africa.
First released in 1958, our Impala has the longest-running nameplate on our rating of top American family sedans. Previous versions have been somewhat generic but the model most recently released onto the market is absolutely fabulous. It has a super distinctive exterior design that you’ll love and the interior is stylish, chic, and enjoys a sense of luxury without being pretentious. A 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder in the base model offers more than enough power for the car, but with that being said – you’ll want the 305 horsepower, 3.6-liter V6. Trust us.
4 THE CHRYSLER PACIFICA
We think, as do many other sources, that the 2017 Pacific could well crack the top of the “greatest American minivans even built’ list when that becomes a thing one day. First built way back in 1984, the model has gone from strength to strength and as SUVs have grown in popularity, sales have skyrocketed.
The car is just loaded with awesome goodies and items you won’t even want to live without. The 3.6-liter V6 delivers a respectable 287 horsepower and the EPA rates the car with 18 city/28 highway. Now, that’s not an industry leader in fuel efficiency, but fear not – the hybrid version is coming soon.
5 THE FORD FLEX
The Flex is well classified as a full-size crossover, it is still in ways the closest version of the much loved, vintage station wagon of days gone by. It’s not to everyone’s taste design-wise and much younger, ‘hipper’ American families are put off by its ‘slab’ exterior design, make no mistake, the interior is incredibly spacious and comfortable. For active families with hectic schedules, the Flex is ideal. It’s big enough for cellos, camping gear, shopping, and the dogs and the optional PowerFold third-row seats easily flip between normal, stow, and tailgate modes.
Ultimately you have to decide what works for your family on several levels, and since it is the beginning of the year, we thought we’d throw in some sage financial advice for you too – don’t be sucked into 0% offers. Sure, not all 0% deals are dodgy, so take the time to check them out but always remember that in the world of finance – there is no such thing as free money, and if there is any place where that motto is specifically true, it is in motor finance and leasing deals.
With all of that being said, some dealerships offer great deals, click here for more on that.
Whichever route you choose to take, both in the purchasing of your vehicle and the enjoyment of your vehicle on the road, we wish you and yours many years of safe, and happy motoring.
