7 2025 Car Models Parents Should Stay Away From
Not every vehicle will fit your needs, especially if you have kids. When car shopping, parents typically prioritize budget, safety features, reliability, fuel efficiency and space to make sure there’s enough room to fit every member of the family.
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While there are plenty of 2025 models to fit a family’s needs, there are also several models that may be better off avoided. According to experts, here are seven 2025 car models that parents should stay away from.
Also see the best four cars for Gen Zers and millennials starting a family.
Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue is a great compact SUV at an affordable price, starting at just $21,395, according to Car and Driver. However, there may not be enough room depending on the size of your family.
“The Venue has very limited rear legroom, so if you have children in a rear-facing car seat, there may not be adequate room,” said Melanie Musson, an auto industry expert with CarInsurance.org. “While forward-facing children may not need much legroom, the lack of space may still be an issue if they are taking a road trip and need cargo space for luggage.”
Several reviews of the 2025 model mention the small dimensions of the interior. Edmunds said the back was “cozy but livable.”
Models from prior years have also had range of other issues, from the transmission to seat belts, according to Musson. “When you’re transporting a family, you need to know you can rely on your vehicle’s safety features, especially the seat belts,” she said.
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Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wranglers prioritize off-road performance and comfort, but they may not be the most reliable vehicle for a family.
“Good on the trails, but not fully reliable due to a bit too frequent breakdowns, and most notably suspension and electrics,” said Alex Black, chief marketing officer of EpicVIN and an auto industry expert with over 15 years of experience. “The repair costs, especially for off-road equipment, are quite high.”
Consumer Reports estimates the 2025 model to be less reliable than the average new car, including similar models like the Toyota 4Runner, Ford Edge and Subaru Outback.
Kia Soul
If you’re looking for an affordable crossover, the Kia Soul may be the car for you. Its starting price is just $21,665, per Car and Driver. However, its tight space may not make it a good match for families with kids who need the extra room.
“The Soul has limited interior space, making it hard to fit passengers and gear into the vehicle. The interior lacks quality and includes a lot of hard plastics, which kids can bump into and aren’t comfortable,” Musson explained.
When reviewing the 2025 model, Kelley Blue Book noted cheap plastics in the car’s interior.
Chevrolet Corvette
“It just makes sense that a sports car is not a family car,” Musson said. The Corvette is a fun car, but there’s not enough space for car seats. Plus, its cost may be a bit much for growing families, with a starting price of $69,995 for the 2025 model, per Car and Driver.
“The Corvette is built for power. It doesn’t have adequate space for infant and child car seats. It’s a fair-weather vehicle and not dependable in adverse weather conditions,” she explained.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is a minivan with plenty of space for big families, but Black pointed out that this model has had persistent problems with the hybrid systems and the engine.
“Two systems translate into an increase in possibilities that something may go wrong and hence an increase in cost regarding maintenance,” Black said.
In fact, Consumer Reports estimates that the 2025 model will be less reliable than other new cars, receiving a score of only 23 out of 100 for reliability.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
This is another vehicle with a good amount of space, but according to Black, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L has had suspension and electronics issues that impact its reliability.
“It’s also known to be quite noisy and to leak fluids, which is both annoying and costly to fix,” Black said.
Based on data from models from previous years, Consumer Reports estimates that the 2025 model will be less reliable than almost all other similar models, receiving a reliability score of only 22 out of 100.
Ford F-150 Lightning
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric pickup truck that Ford halted production on until early 2025 to address high inventories and narrow losses, CNBC reported.
“Without a doubt, this all-electric truck does not convince consumers of its practicality and reliability,” Black said. “Even the production of Ford has been brought to a temporary stop, which reflects far-reaching concerns.”
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