Best Family Haulers of 2014

Once you start having kids, no longer does every purchase decision you make revolve around you. Thoughts of buying cool sports cars must be set aside for the good of the family (at least for the foreseeable future). It's time to buy a sensible vehicle with room for the whole gang, a reputation for safety, reliability and good mileage, and all at a reasonable price. That's a lot to ask of one vehicle, but here we have 15 cars, crossovers and minivans that will deliver on those criteria — and more.

2014 Honda Accord

Midsize cars are popular choices for families and the best of the bunch is the Honda Accord. It's midsize on the outside, but full-size on the inside. Buyers can opt for power with the available V6 engine, exemplary fuel economy with the 4-cylinder models, or eco-consciousness with the new hybrid. We'd opt for the Sport trim, which adds 18-inch alloy wheels and a 10-way power driver's seat to the LX trim's features, which include Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera and dual-zone climate controls.

2014 Mazda Mazda5

Price: $20,140 - $24,670
A minivan is the ultimate family vehicle, but small families don't need the room and seating capacity offered by class leaders. That's where the Mazda Mazda5 comes in with seating for six, but the third-row seat is small so it's best for families of four. The Mazda5 drives like a compact car rather than a big van, and its 4-cylinder engine goes light on gas. For about $22,000 you can get a Sport trim with automatic transmission, alloy wheels and Bluetooth connectivity.

2014 Dodge Grand Caravan

Price: $19,995 - $29,995
We concede they don't look cool, but no vehicle is more convenient for a family than a minivan. Among segment leaders the Grand Caravan is the most affordable choice. The Stow 'n Go seating lets owners configure the van for passengers or cargo — or both — and the 3.6-liter V6 engine is powerful and reasonably efficient. We recommend the SXT, which has a power liftgate and power sliding side doors.

2014 Dodge Durango

The platform architecture of the Dodge Durango, which was developed by Mercedes-Benz, makes it the best driver among large crossovers, and Dodge adds a quality interior and brawny good looks. The Durango is a fine choice for families with towing needs; it can haul 6,200 pounds with the V6 engine and 7,400 pounds with the V8. We'd pick an all-wheel-drive base trim starting at slightly more than $32,000, although we'd be tempted to drop $7,000 for the leather upholstery, Alpine stereo and rear DVD entertainment system of the AWD Limited.

2014 Toyota Prius V

Price: $26,750 - $30,395
Saving money on gas is an excellent way to stay within budget, and no car does that better than the Toyota Prius hybrid. While the Prius liftback is the most efficient gas-powered car on the market and a fine choice for families, we prefer the larger Prius V. You give up 8 mpg overall but gain lots of rear cargo space, making this wagon a great alternative to a minivan or crossover. We recommend the Prius V Three, which has navigation and Toyota's Entune infotainment system.

2014 Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevrolet Traverse stands out among large crossovers for its cavernous space. It has seating for eight, and with 116.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats it's roomier than anything other than a van. The Traverse is luxury-car quiet on the inside, and the quality of the interior materials is top-notch. The 3.6-liter V6 engine is powerful and reasonably efficient, and the price is competitive. The LS trim has a starting price slightly more than $30,000 and comes well equipped.

2014 Subaru Outback

Minivans and crossovers have surpassed wagons as the vehicle of choice for families, but we still like the good ol' wagon. The Subaru Outback combines the space of a traditional wagon with the adventurous spirit of standard all-wheel drive. The 2.5i Premium trim is an affordable choice for families on a budget, but the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is a bit low on power for buyers who are going to haul the gang and their camping equipment. The 6-cylinder-powered 3.6R Limited remedies that problem.

2014 Toyota Avalon

A 2013 redesign gave the Toyota Avalon a dynamic look and a larger rear seat. Well equipped, quiet and smooth-riding, Toyota's flagship Avalon sedan is basically a luxury car without the luxury sticker price. We are impressed by the power and legitimate 40 mpg city and highway combined offered by the Hybrid XLE Premium, but we also like the XLE base trim that features the smoother and more powerful V6 engine.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Like its Dodge Durango cousin, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is based on a Mercedes-Benz platform that gives it a sophisticated balance of ride and handling. It also boasts traditional Jeep off-road capability, making it the best choice for adventurous families of five who like to vacation off the beaten path. The 3.6-liter V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission provide both power and fuel economy. We recommend a base Laredo with 4-wheel drive.

2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI

The Volkswagen Passat TDI stands out among a strong group of midsize sedans for its fun-to-drive character, spacious interior and diesel power. Families will like the 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine, which delivers lots of torque to get the car moving and a combined Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy rating of 34 mpg. A base TDI SE comes with features such as vinyl upholstery, a rearview camera and heated front seats. The topline TDI Premium adds leather upholstery, a sunroof, navigation and a Fender audio system.

2014 Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is at the forefront of a new breed of compact crossovers that are better equipped and more sophisticated than ever before. The crossover stands out for its sport sedan handling, exemplary fuel economy, and spacious room for a family of five. We'd opt for a front-wheel-drive Touring trim, which comes with the more powerful 2.5-liter 184-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, as well as features such as a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity and blind-spot monitoring.

2014 Chevrolet Impala

The Chevrolet Impala has been a fleet special for more than a decade, but a 2014 redesign makes it a legitimate contender in the full-size sedan class. We prefer the Impala over its Malibu sibling for its elegant good looks and high-quality, spacious interior. Four-cylinder power is standard, but we would opt for a 2LT trim, which features the smooth and powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine. It also comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system and alloy wheels.

2014 Acura RDX

Luxury crossovers can be a fine alternative to the family sedan. Audi, Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer strong competitors, but the Acura RDX strikes us as a genuine bargain. Like its many rivals, the Acura is powered by a muscular V6 engine and drives like a sport sedan, but its competitive advantage is reasonable pricing. The base trim comes well equipped at just north of $34,500, but families in northern climates might want to opt for all-wheel drive, which adds another $1,400.

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek

Despite its compact size, the XV Crosstrek covers many bases that a small family needs. The hatchback body style offers room for cargo, and the standard all-wheel drive and raised ride height make it reliable transportation when the elements won't cooperate. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine also provides outstanding fuel economy, and pricing is reasonable across the board. Unless you want leather upholstery, the 2.0i Premium comes with the features most buyers want, including Bluetooth connectivity and alloy wheels.

2014 Toyota Sienna

Offerings from Honda and Toyota are at the top of the minivan class for reliability and resale value. The Honda is more fun to drive, but the Toyota Sienna is more affordable and therefore it gets our nod. Starting at around $34,500, a Sienna XLE with leather upholstery costs about $2,000 less than a comparably equipped Odyssey EX-L, although the Honda has more safety features, including forward collision warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Either way, you can't go wrong.