Choosing a family car

No matter your budget, experts say you can find a family sedan that's safe, reliable and spacious. However, you'll also find some seriously flawed cars in this crowded category. Here are a few important features to look for:

  • A family car should comfortably seat four and have adequate space for a fifth person, at least for short trips. Consider the passengers and the cargo you're likely to be transporting -- not just at present, but for the next several years. If you think the car may be too small, it's good to look elsewhere.
  • Look at the amount of storage space. Don't focus solely on trunk space; take time to inspect the car as a whole. Do the back seats fold down? Is there a luggage rack? All of these details can impact the storage capacity of your car.
  • Consider standard safety features. A full complement of airbags (six or more) is now standard on a number of cars, but plenty of others consider these optional equipment. An antilock braking system (ABS), traction control and electronic stability control are customary offerings as well. If you're having trouble deciding between two cars, this can be the issue that tips the scales.
  • Note the fuel statistics. With the rising cost of fuel, a car's gas mileage is increasingly important. It's also wise to determine what type of fuel a car requires before you buy it. A car that takes premium gasoline may cost hundreds more annually than one that relies on regular-grade fuel.
  • Take your time with the test drive. Nothing else about a vehicle matters if the driving experience doesn't work for you. The best method for a gauging performance is to expose the vehicle to as many different road surfaces and conditions as possible, so keep this in mind during a test drive.

Redesigned Camry, Malibu on the way

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu should go on sale in the U.S. in early 2012, Chevy says. It's designed to be sportier than the current model with a shorter wheelbase and wider stance, revamped inside and outside, with a new 190-plus-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

Few details are known about the upcoming redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry, but TheTorqueReport.com quotes a Toyota official as saying it's likely to launch in fall 2011.

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