Nine new vehicles have been added to the AAA and Parents magazine Best Cars for Families list for 2007. The 15-vehicle list, now in its fifth year, appears with detailed reviews of each model in the April issue of Parents magazine which hits newsstands today.

By combining the 50-million-member AAA's auto-safety expertise with Parents' understanding of what families want and need, the team of reviewers created a list of sedans, economy cars, vans, SUVs, and crossovers perfect for everything from shuttling the kids to doctors' visits and soccer practice, to weekend getaways and longer road trips.

 "Safety, convenience, and lasting value are especially important to parents shopping for a family vehicle," said John Nielsen, director, AAA Vehicle Acquisition and Consumer Information. "The vehicles on this year's list provide the whole package – comfort, practicality and performance with options for every family size."

"We put the vehicles through real-life road tests that include everything from running errands to carpooling, to taking a family vacation," said Sally Lee, Parents editor-in-chief. "With many parents and children spending several hours per week in the car, it's important that it's a safe, happy place for everyone in it." 

AAA and Parents test drove hundreds of vehicles, considering everything from air bags and fuel economy to cupholders and cargo space.  The reviewers also installed a variety of child safety seats into every car, making sure it can be done easily and securely.  Of those vehicles that have been tested, the AAA/Parents picks are among the top performers in crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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