Kelley Blue Book Names Best Family Cars Of 2018

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- After extensive testing and evaluation, with emphasis on safety ratings, overall value, versatility, amenities, comfort, drivability and technology, Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com expert editors name their recommendations for the Best Family Cars of 2018.

"The biggest news this year might be the mass proliferation of safety, assist and entertainment technologies across these mainstream people-movers," said Jason Allan, managing editor for Kelley Blue Book. "Features like push-button start, Bluetooth connectivity and blind spot warning have been widely available for several years now, but they're still new to the millions of shoppers who haven't purchased a new car in more than six years. And that's just the tip of the tech iceberg in this year's group."

The 2018 model year has been an especially exciting one from a technology perspective. Most of the SUVs and minivans on this list offer smart cruise control and automatic braking, for instance. A smaller number offer teen-driver monitoring, wireless phone charging and lane-keeping assist. And exactly two models, the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica minivans, offer built-in vacuum cleaners.

While many of these features are designed to deliver increased convenience or enhanced entertainment, more and more are protecting families with real-world crash avoidance and collision mitigation intervention.

Child car safety seats are a hugely important consideration for car shoppers with infants, toddlers or both. Is there enough distance between the front seat and the back seat to accommodate both the seat and the child? Can you fit all the seats you need? If readers are in or are near the child car seat stage, visit the accompanying car seat guide. The KBB.com editors strongly suggest taking your child's car seats and boosters along when shopping. How well they fit could make or break a car-buying decision.

For more information about Kelley Blue Book's Best Family Cars of 2018, including detailed editorial commentary, technology features, safety ratings, driving dynamics, photos, pricing information and more for each model, visit https://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/best-family-cars-suvs-minivans/2100001791/.

To discuss this topic, or any other automotive-related information, with a Kelley Blue Book analyst on-camera via the company's on-site studio, please contact a member of the Public Relations team to schedule an interview.

For more information and news from Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com, visit www.kbb.com/media/, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kelleybluebook (or @kelleybluebook), like our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kbb, follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kbb_com/ (or @kbb_com), and get updates on Google+ at https://plus.google.com/+kbb.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new and used cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies. Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a Cox Automotive™ brand.

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. is transforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars with industry-leading digital marketing, financial, retail and wholesale solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the overall automotive ecosystem worldwide. Committed to open choice and dedicated to strong partnerships, the Cox Automotive family includes Autotrader^®, Dealer.com^®, Dealertrack^®, Kelley Blue Book^®, Manheim^®, NextGear Capital^®, vAuto^®, Xtime^® and a host of other brands. The global company has 34,000-plus team members in more than 200 locations and is partner to more than 40,000 auto dealers, as well as most major automobile manufacturers, while engaging U.S. consumer car buyers with the most recognized media brands in the industry. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., an Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion and approximately 60,000 employees. Cox Enterprises' other major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Media Group. For more information about Cox Automotive, visit www.coxautoinc.com.

SOURCE Kelley Blue Book