Fall is soccer season, and, for many kids, the season is filled with weekend games and weekday practice sessions. Meanwhile, parents are tasked with hauling all that gear to and from the fields.
If mom and dad act as a coach, the car might be filled with nets, balls, and other equipment for practices and games. Parents of athletes might be lugging extra equipment, a cooler filled with snacks and drinks, or extra clothes for their children to change into after practice.
What is the best soccer mom car? While the choice of vehicle can vary depending on mom (or dad!), the car will need room for gear and other necessities. Here are a few picks for the best soccer mom car for practice, and tournaments and to hit the road for daily errands, too.
Volvo Station Wagons
As a nod to the song from Everclear, a Volvo station wagon (or any Volvo) might just be the ideal and perhaps even stereotypical soccer mom car. Wagons offer enough room for the family and extra team members, too (for the carpool). Plus the back storage provides plenty of space for coolers and equipment.
Opt for leather seats for easier clean up after games and practices.
Tesla Model 3 SR+
Why Tesla? Players whose teams are competing at the select level may be visiting multiple tournaments per season. And, for parents, these tournaments may or may not be near the home. If the team schedule requires that parents drive hours out of the way for tournaments or for seasonal games, opt for a Tesla.
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 SR+ boasts 140+ MPGe. In addition, other Tesla models also achieve more than 100 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Electric vehicles are the most energy-efficient options, and they can be the best choice for soccer moms and dads who need to travel cross-country for the next soccer tournament.
Honda Odyssey
As one of the most popular minivans on the market, the Honda Odyssey is the perfect family vehicle for shuttling kids to and from school and sports games. For soccer players who need space for extra gear, the Odyssey also has plenty of cargo room for equipment. Moms or dads in charge of carpooling players to practice and games also have enough seating capacity for multiple players. In addition, the 2021 model features Magic Slide seats for easy access to the back row of seating. And seats fold down, too!
Toyota RAV4
Kelley Blue Book ranked the RAV4 as best safety-rated SUV for 2020. The RAV-4 is considered a small SUV, but it still offers plenty of cargo space for basic soccer gear…plus enough seating for five passengers. While this might not be ideal for those with large families, the RAV-4 could be ideal for those with smaller families or who just need to carpool a few players. Buyers also could opt for all-wheel drive for additional control and performance…and for those field parking possibilities!
Audi e-tron SUV
Families who want a full-size luxury SUV to trek to games and tourneys in style can opt for one of IIHS’s top safety picks. The Audi e-tron is an electric-powered SUV, which means that this SUV isn’t prone to the gas-guzzling tendencies often associated with larger SUV models. The e-tron can get more than 70 miles per gallon (equivalent). The e-tron has space for five passengers. However, the full-size e-tron also features four-wheel drive. Do parents necessarily want to off-road with the e-tron? Likely not. But can the car tackle obstacles? Yes, it can!
Best Midsize Sedans for Soccer Moms
Looking for a moderately priced mid-size sedan to get to and from all those games and tournaments? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated these 2021 models as Top Safety Pick+ winners in the midsize sedan category:
- 2021 Honda Accord (4-door)
- 2021-2022 Kia K5 (4-door)
- 2021 Mazda 6 (4-door)
- 2021 Nissan Altima (4-door)
- 2021 Nissan Maxima (4-door)
- 2021 Subaru Legacy (4-door)
- 2021 Subaru Outback (4-door wagon)
- 2021-2022 Toyota Camry (4-door)
Budget-Conscious Choices
Some moms might just want a car that is ideal for the travel between practices, games and home. The car might just be a convenient commuter option with space for gear and the family. Every family might have a different budget, and when finances are a bit more limited, used vehicles can be the best way to save money.
Families need to figure out how much they can spend and their cargo/space needs, too. Soccer isn’t necessarily an equipment-laden sport, although for certain positions, there could be more gear. In addition, coaches may need space for practice nets, extra balls and cones for drills.
SUVs and minivans may be the best choices for those who need a lot of cargo space. Used vehicles can be found for a range of prices; while low, low prices might be available (less than $5K), these budget options could be older or have high mileage.
Parents who have a minimal budget also can find their safest model options by consulting the IIHS web site, which offers a tool for looking up the safety ratings.
Every family has their own preferences for what defines the ideal vehicle for their needs. Some may want luxury, others might want electric (and luxury!). There are those who are shopping on a budget and some who just want a safe midsize sedan.
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