With the holidays upon us and all the trips
from this house to that house, you
may be wondering if your car is up to the task.
Or maybe you're in the market for a vehicle
and you want to make sure that it can accommodate
all of your future trips wherever your grandmother's
house may be.
Well, you're in luck.
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Today we've picked three of the best family haulers in three
different vehicle segments.
And we're going to tell you why they might just
be perfect for your family this holiday season.
Hi.
I'm Yomary from Edmunds.
At Edmunds, we painstakingly test and review hundreds
of cars, SUVs, and trucks each year,
while CarMax buys, sells, and expertly appraises thousands
upon thousands.
We've combined forces to help you make the right choice
for your next car.
Before we pack them up with presents, be sure to click,
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If you'd like more information about any
of the vehicles in this video, click
the link in the description.
And if you have a great vehicle story
from when you were growing up, let us know in the comments.
Short of buying a full-sized passenger van or maybe
a tour bus, well, there's really no family hauler
that can compete with the sheer space
that you get in a minivan.
And at Edmunds, one of our favorite minivans
is the Honda Odyssey, in fact, the 2021
Odyssey is our top-rated minivan this model year.
Passenger space is just one of the reasons
we love the Honda Odyssey, so let's talk about it.
It's easy to get in and out of the Odyssey using
either of the sliding doors.
And once you get inside, the seats are nice and comfy
and there's plenty of adjustability.
Now, I don't mean just for the driver,
I mean for all of the seats.
The second row has that track system
that allows you to configure your space,
whether you're trying to accommodate passengers
and cargo, or maybe you're just trying to slide those seats out
of the way to make it easier for your passengers
to get into that third row.
Now, did you notice that the third row has cup-holders?
Yeah, there's cup-holders all throughout the vehicle.
And there's actually enough space for adults back there.
Amazing, right?
Well, now that we're talking about space,
they have an amazing amount of space.
When you fold down the second and third row seats,
you get an amazing 155.8 cubic feet of space.
Honda also does a great job with small item storage
all throughout the cabin.
And that's in addition to this huge center console.
There are some great family-friendly features
throughout the cabin, like the easy to use
controls, lots of USB ports, and I don't mean just
in the front or the second row.
For this year, they've even added USB ports
all the way to the third row.
And then there's an available in-cabin camera
instead of a mirror, which lets you keep an eye on the kids,
even in the third row, plus an optional intercom
so that you can stop hearing things like, I didn't hear you,
when you know they did.
Now let's see how it does on the road.
Out on the road, the Odyssey is super comfortable, quiet,
and easy to drive.
The seats feel nice and comfortable
for long road trips.
And there isn't any vibration from the car.
It feels isolated and serene.
The steering and handling is like a car.
It's much more fun to drive than some of the large SUVs that
accommodate as many passengers.
The 3.5 liter V6 provides 280 horsepower and 262 pound feet
of torque, which feels like enough power
to get up to speed on the highway
and to pass other vehicles with confidence.
The 10-speed automatic transmission is responsive.
When it comes to fuel economy, it's not stellar.
The EPA estimates put it around 22 miles per gallon combined,
which is average for minivans.
But in our 115-mile evaluation route,
which is mostly highway driving, we
got closer to 21 miles per gallon.
There's also no hybrid available.
So its mileage is the Honda Odyssey is the biggest
drawback, even though 22 miles per gallon
is still respectable.
OK, so maybe the minivan image isn't
quite what you were hoping for.
Maybe you want something a bit more rugged, maybe
something with all wheel drive.
It could come in handy if getting to grandma's house
takes you through some snowy terrain.
Well, the Telluride fits the bill, and then some.
When it comes to passenger space, minivans have the edge.
But this Telluride has plenty of space in all three rows,
with adults fitting comfortably, even in the last row.
Now, I do realize that 87 cubes behind the first road
is almost half of what you get in The Odyssey, with its 155.8.
But it's still pretty impressive for an SUV,
plus you have plenty of storage for small items,
including a large center console.
The kids will be happy because there
are USB ports in every row, and they
can keep their devices charged.
There's tons of glass giving you great visibility
and an outdoorsy feel, so they'll have fun playing I Spy.
And if your plans include a boat or a trailer,
the Telluride's 5,000 pound towing capacity
can definitely make it happen.
And you have to give Kia credit for creating a luxury feel
without the luxury price tag.
Out on the road, the Telluride offers
a smooth, comfortable ride.
These seats are supportive and nicely contoured,
so those long drives are comfortable drives.
Adding to the overall comfort is a climate control
that works really quickly.
So when it's 4 degrees out and you're
running from the front door to the car,
the Telluride cabin will thaw you out in no time.
Under the hood, you've got a powerful V6 that gives you
plenty of passing and merging power,
so there's no worries there.
The Telluride can handle eight inches of clearance
with its available all-wheel drive.
The EPA estimates are pretty respectable for a three-row SUV
with big capacities.
You get 21 and 23 MPG combined.
Unfortunately, there's no optional hybrid,
but there is a decent range on the highway.
So let's say your group isn't big enough
for a minivan or a three-row SUV,
but instead you want big adventure capability.
Those adventures include a big trailer
and payload capacity for all of your firewood.
You've got it.
That's where the Ford F-150 excels.
And it's why it's one of our favorite pickup trucks.
Trucks have been evolving from utility only
to everyday family vehicles.
And this F-150 is just the latest example of that trend.
In this crew cab, you have lots of room
in the front and the back, with lots of places to store items,
like underneath the seats and even the back pockets.
And that's in addition to this massive center console.
I mean, look at it.
It's amazingly large.
The F-150 is not necessarily the best for big families.
But for families that like to pack a lot,
the F-150 has you covered.
To keep the family happy, there are USB and USB-C ports
everywhere, so everyone can keep their devices charged.
In the very cool category, we have
optional mass-reclined seats for some very well-deserved
me-time.
And there's also an optional onboard generator
that can allow you to power tools, appliances,
and even outdoor lights for your holiday party
because, whether you're driving or not, it's still works.
Want to bring a trailer?
Why not?
Bring a big one and avoid sleeping on grandma's couch.
Because depending on how the F-150 is equipped,
it can tow up to 14,000 pounds.
Out on the road, the F-150 has a composed, comfortable ride.
The cabin is quiet and while isolated from outside noise.
To complement the excellent ride are
these super comfortable front seats
that stayed comfortable all the way through our 100-mile test
loop.
There's plenty of power available from a choice
of six different engines, starting with a 3.3 liter V6
engine producing 290 horsepower and 265 pound feet of torque,
and going all the way up to a hybrid powertrain
for its power boost, which combines a turbocharged 3.5
liter V6 with an electric motor and a battery pack producing
430 horsepower and 570 pound feet of torque.
Steering and handling are some of the best in the class,
so you'll have no trouble scooting up your local mountain
pass and having a bit of fun along the way.
With so many different engine options for the F-150,
EPA estimates vary widely, from 15 miles
per gallon combined with the Raptor off-road model
to 25 miles per gallon combined with the V6 versions.
The different towing an off roading packages
will affect these estimates too.
Thankfully, a big fuel tank and optional extra large fuel
tanks, meaning you'll have a long range for road trips.
So here are three different approaches to the family trip.
Each is packed with features and lots of comfort.
So I think it really comes down to the size of your party
and where your priorities lie.
If you're traveling with young kids who
need car seats, boosters, strollers, and entertainment,
you might find that the Odyssey is the comfortable and easy
solution.
If you're looking for a bit more rugged capability and style
and you don't need all of the massive storage space
that the minivan offers, well, then the Telluride
might be just right for you.
But if you're looking for full on adventure
and you don't need the third row seat,
well, then the F-150, with its ability
to accommodate boats, and motorcycles, and lots
of other toys, could definitely be the way to go.
Thank you so much for watching.
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