When you find yourself on a tight budget at Used Cars Providence but need to get a vehicle that can carry the whole family, your choices might seem really limited.  There are plenty of great cars out there for less than $30,000 or so, but then you have to look at how much bang you are really getting for your buck.  There are several great import choices, but there are also some amazing deals to be found at GMC Dealers Saginaw.  One thing you need to look at when shopping for a new car are the different features that come with each trim level.

A great family car is the new 2011 Durango from Dodge Dealers South Carolina.  With a base price of only $28,130, the 2011 Dodge Durango has abandoned its rough around the edges truck platform and conformed to the popular car based platform for SUVs.  The result is a larger crossover with the ability to seat eight passengers and there is plenty of power in the different powertrain options.

If that price point is a little steep for you, consider the 2011 Kia Sorento.  The base price is $19,995 and Kia vehicles come with the best warranty in the industry by far.  You get more space than your standard compact SUV, tons of safety features, and the ability to carry up to seven passengers plus some cargo.  The base engine is a four-cylinder that offers plenty of power and comes with far better fuel economy than a lot of the larger engine SUVs.  Like most SUVs, that third row back seat is going to be a little squished, so if you use it on a regular basis, you might want to keep shopping.

For shoppers looking for something a bit smaller but still tons of functionality, check out the 2011 Subaru Outback.  The base price is a mere $23,195 and that gets you all the great safety features that Subaru is known for.  The Outback can comfortably carry five passengers and there is still tons of cargo space.  Drivers love the all-wheel drive, continuously variable transmission, and the increased height of the vehicle for off-road needs.

According to kbb.com, vehicles were chosen for this year’s list based on factors such as resale value, capability, kid-friendliness and fuel efficiency.

Kbb.com editors praised the Escape Hybrid for its improved – more powerful and more efficient – gas-electric powertrain and its fuel economy rating of 34 mpg in the city.

The Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet. It offers families value and versatility with five-passenger seating and plenty of storage capability.

Safe

Safety – the most important consideration for families – comes standard on the Escape Hybrid. All vehicles are equipped with a number of safety features, such as AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control®, Safety Canopy™, Personal Safety System®, tire pressure monitoring system and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system for rear seating positions.

Connected

In addition to SYNC, the Escape Hybrid offers family-friendly features such as SIRIUS® Satellite Radio and Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS® Travel Link™.

Environmentally Friendly

The Escape Hybrid meets strict Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV II) and Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards. The 2009 model also features new comfort-designed seats with soy-based foam and eco-friendly seat fabrics made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials.

Quotes

“Not only is the Ford Escape Hybrid the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet, it also offers families the perfect combination of value and versatility. The Escape Hybrid offers the convenience and flexibility that many families need in an ultra fuel-efficient vehicle. You can fit five passengers plus a lot of cargo, such as sporting and camping equipment. It’s a fully functional SUV that happens to be a hybrid as well.”
- David Finnegan, Ford Hybrid Marketing Manager

“After undergoing a major overhaul for the 2008 model year, the Ford Escape Hybrid is improved again for 2009 with a more powerful and more efficient gas-electric powertrain. Its fuel economy rating of 34 miles per gallon is even better than that of the Toyota Camry Hybrid.”
- Jack R. Nerad, Executive Editorial Director and Executive Market Analyst, Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com