Kbb.com Names 2008 Best New Family Vehicles

The expert editors at Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com (http://www.kbb.com/), the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, today announce their picks for the distinguished honor of Kelley Blue Book's 2008 Best New Family Vehicles. After driving and reviewing many 2008 family-haulers for kbb.com, all of which qualify in varying degrees as safe, roomy and affordable, the kbb.com editors selected this year's Best New Family Vehicles by evaluating each on factors like resale value, fuel efficiency, capability and, most importantly, family-friendliness.

Half of kbb.com's 2008 Best New Family Vehicles list is made up of three-row crossover vehicles, which have come to represent the standard for family vehicles in 2008 by combining SUV-like functionality with car-like ride and handling. The rest of the list is comprised of a range of vehicles that includes a sedan, a wagon, an SUV and two minivans.

                 Kbb.com's 2008 Best New Family Vehicles

          2008 Chevrolet Malibu           2008 Hyundai Veracruz
          2008 Chevrolet Tahoe            2008 Mazda CX-9
          2008 Dodge Grand Caravan        2008 Saturn Outlook
          2008 Ford Taurus X              2008 Subaru Outback
          2008 Honda Odyssey              2008 Toyota Highlander

              Vehicles listed in alphabetical order by brand

"Each of the models on the kbb.com 2008 Best New Family Vehicles list represents the best package of what families really look for when choosing a new car; kid-friendly options combined with the value, safety and capabilities that parents require," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "As Americans spend more and more time in their vehicles each year, auto manufacturers are increasingly providing great family vehicles across multiple segments. In 2008, the three-row crossover vehicle has succeeded the wagon of the seventies, the minivan of the eighties and the SUV of the nineties as the quintessential family vehicle."

     Kbb.com Editorial Comments on the 2008 Best New Family Vehicles

  2008 Chevrolet Malibu

Winner of our Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com 2008 Best Redesigned Vehicle award, the all-new Malibu brings together sophisticated exterior and interior styling with five-star safety ratings in one of the most well-rounded family sedans on the market. For added peace of mind, the Malibu features a crash notification system that automatically contacts an OnStar representative immediately after an accident, who can then quickly dispatch local emergency services.

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe

For some families there's virtually no viable alternative to the full-size SUV. The Chevy Tahoe and its extended Suburban sibling deliver the interior volume and towing capacity required of big families with big toys. Comfortable accommodations and surprisingly buttoned-down ride and handling help to deliver capability without compromise.

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan

The minivan remains the ultimate troop transport for families focused on functionality, and none is as kid-friendly as the new-for-2008, fifth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan (and its Chrysler Town & Country sibling). Kid favorites include an available Swivel 'n Go seating setup that configures into a table for four people, plus dual, independent video monitors that can display DVD movies, video games or satellite-based SIRIUS Backseat TV.

2008 Ford Taurus X

With a lower stance than most of its competitors and a comprehensive set of passive and active safety features, the Taurus X has won accolades as one of the safest seven-passenger vehicles available. First introduced as the Freestyle, the name change was accompanied by the introduction of a more refined powertrain. Available all-wheel drive and a surprisingly accommodating third row are two more positives that make the Taurus X a family-friendly pick.

2008 Honda Odyssey

We like Honda's minivan for the confidence-inspiring driving dynamics, premium-like accommodations and class-leading value. The Odyssey has taken top honors in the Minivan category in our Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Awards every year since 2003.

2008 Hyundai Veracruz

If you're intrigued by the idea of treating your family to premium accommodations at mass-market prices, you'll want to check out the seven-passenger Veracruz mid-size crossover. The quiet, comfortable, well-appointed Veracruz starts just under $28,000, offers a long list of desirable options and is backed by a reassuringly comprehensive warranty that includes 100,000-mile powertrain coverage and five-year, 24-hour roadside assistance.

2008 Mazda CX-9

Family cars carry a lot of baggage, both literally and figuratively. For drivers concerned that upsizing to three rows means downgrading in fun, Mazda has created the CX-9. Its sporty sheet metal accurately conveys its athletic demeanor, while the interior delivers all the features and functionality a family requires of such a vehicle.

2008 Saturn Outlook

Combining more interior room than a Chevy Tahoe with superior ride, handling and fuel economy, the seven- or eight-passenger Saturn Outlook full-size crossover represents the latest step in three-row family transportation. Compared with its GMC Acadia counterpart, the Outlook's lower starting price makes it easier to add options like rear-seat entertainment, panoramic sunroof and all-wheel drive.

2008 Subaru Outback

Combining SUV-like versatility with car-like ride, handling and efficiency, the oft-overlooked wagon makes a great family hauler. Long popular in northern parts of the country for its proven all-wheel-drive systems, the Subaru Outback is just as attractive for its premium-like accommodations and proven reliability.

2008 Toyota Highlander

Think of the Toyota Highlander as a grab bag of what's good throughout the automotive industry. It's one of the most fuel-efficient three-row vehicles on the road, delivers car-like ride and handling and offers an impressive set of available in-cabin technologies. Few families would need more than that.

  Family Research Tools Available on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com

  -- Full expert reviews of 2008 model year vehicles
  -- 2008 model year safety data
      -- Crash test data
      -- Rollover ratings
      -- Air bag information
  -- Pricing, specifications and information on optional features,
      including:
      -- Child door locks
      -- Rear entertainment systems
      -- Cup-holders
      -- Optional third-row seating
  -- Side-by-Side Comparison Tool

For more information about the 2008 Best New Family Vehicles, visit http://www.kbb.com/Family2008.

About Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/sitemap)

Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. Kbb.com is rated the No. 1 automotive information site by Nielsen//NetRatings and the most visited auto site by J.D. Power and Associates eight years in a row. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com; nearly one in every three American car buyers performs their research on kbb.com.

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SOURCE: Kelley Blue Book

CONTACT: Robyn Eckard, +1-949-268-3049, reckard@kbb.com, or Joanna
McNally, +1-949-268-3079, jmcnally@kbb.com, both of Kelley Blue Book

Web site: http://www.kbb.com/
http://www.kbb.com/Family2008