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Find a model that best fits your needs
Begin by asking yourself some basic questions. Your objective is to find models that excel in the areas that matter to you.
At this point, you may find it helpful to subscribe to Consumer Reports Cars Best Deals Plus service. As you focus on the types of vehicles that best meet your needs, see our New vehicle Ratings comparison, (available to subscribers) to see the models within each category.
How many people will you carry?
Most vehicles will accommodate five people, although the center-rear position can be too uncomfortable in some cars to be considered a reasonable seating position. If you need to carry more people, you should look for a vehicle with a third-row seat. This includes all minivans and many SUVs. These vehicles can carry seven or sometimes eight people. Keep in mind that the third-row seats in some SUVs and wagons are small and appropriate only for children. It is possible to find a vehicle that can fit six-passengers by using a three-person front-bench seat. But the front-center position is small and typically equipped with only a lap belt which doesn't provide adequate protection in a frontal crash. A vehicle with a third-row seat is a better choice.
Anyone who has owned a two-door coupes will tell you that rear-seat passengers don't appreciate having to bend and twist just to get into a cramped and confined seating area. And folding the front seat forward so you can load groceries or secure a child safety seat in the back seat gets old fast.
How much cargo do you carry?
Most cars include a trunk that can accommodate luggage. For carrying more cargo or longer items, many vehicles have a rear seat that folds down, enlarging the trunk area. Some sedans have a front passenger seat that can fold flat to make it easier to carry extra-long items.
If you carry large items regularly, such as building or nursery supplies, or camping or sports equipment, you may find that a minivan, SUV, or wagon is better suited to your needs. These have a sizable cargo area that can be enlarged by folding down or removing the rear seats. Keep in mind that carrying passengers in a third-row seat significantly reduces the available cargo space.
A pickup is useful if you often carry loads that would dirty the interior or are taller than other types of vehicles can accommodate. A crew-cab model, with two full doors and two regular rows of seats, is an increasingly popular choice because it can seat up to five people.
If you prefer a smaller car but with maximized cargo-carrying ability, a hatchback is a good option. They often have more interior space than a similar-sized car with a trunk, and the rear hatch makes it easier to get large items in and out.