NEWS from AAA Oklahoma, March 20 2007 – Nine new vehicles have been added to the AAA and Parents magazine Best Cars for Families list for 2007. The 15-vehicle list, now in its fifth year, appears with detailed model-by-model reviews in the April issue of Parents magazine, which hits newsstands today.

By combining the 50-million-member AAA’s auto-safety expertise with Parents’ understanding of what families want and need, the team of reviewers created a list of sedans, economy cars, vans, SUVs and crossovers perfect for all types of road trips, from shuttling kids to doctors’ visits and soccer practice to weekend getaways and longer road vacations.

“Safety, convenience and lasting value are especially important to parents shopping for a family vehicle,” said Bill Davis, vice president of Member Services, AAA Oklahoma. “The vehicles on this year’s list provide the whole package – comfort, practicality and performance with options for every size of family.”

“We put the vehicles through real-life road tests that include everything from running errands to carpooling, to taking an extended family road trip,” said Sally Lee, Parents editor-in-chief. “With many parents and children spending several hours per week in the car, it’s important that it’s a safe, happy place.”

AAA and Parents test drove hundreds of vehicles, considering safety devices such as restraints, headrests and air bags, amount and size of cargo space, convenience features, such as cup holders, and everything in between. The reviewers also installed a variety of child safety seats into every car, testing ease of use and safety. AAA/Parents picks are among the top performers in crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Here are AAA/Parents Best Cars for Families 2007. (* = new to list.)

Sedans

Honda Accord – Does virtually everything right; incredibly smooth ride; simple easy-to-read dashboard design.

Mercury Milan * – Quiet steady feel on the road; impressive package of standard safety and convenience features.

Toyota Camry – Spacious back seat with fold-down center armrest; advanced frontal,side-impact, side-curtain and driver’s knee air bags come standard.

Crossovers

Dodge Caliber * – Stain-resistant upholstery; refrigerated beverage holder; kid-friendly options.

Ford Edge * – Rugged feel of an SUV but with cushiony seats and responsive ride; sizeable cargo area.Toyota RAV4 * – Quick and nimble like a sedan yet roomy; side-curtain air bags and stability control.

SUVs

Chevy Tahoe * – Room to spare even with third row of seats; quiet; quite maneuverable for its size.Honda CR-V * – Reclining rear seats; crisp handling; super-smooth ride.Hyundai Santa Fe * – Lots of safety technology; low price; second-row A/C vents.

Minivans

Honda Odyssey – Effortless driving; options include second row captain’s chairs or three seats; third-row seat folds flat into floor.Hyundai Entourage * – Three-row, side-curtain air bags, stability control and antilock brakes all standard; three-zone climate control.Toyota Sienna – Carries eight passengers with room for groceries; second-row seats slide forward; standard three-row, side-curtain air bags.

Economy

Honda Civic – Space-saving emergency brake; rear heat ducts; scuff-resistant materialbehind front seats.

Mazda 3 – Sports car ride but cabin remains quiet. Hatchback version provides extra storage for strollers and suitcases.

Volkswagen Rabbit * – Advanced frontal, side-impact and side-curtain air bags standard, along with antilock brakes and stability control.