Trying to decide on a new car

[Anonymous]

We have a luxury SUV (XC 90) and a minivan for three kids under 10. We just gave away our third car which sat idle throughout the pandemic, and we need a third as we both begin to return to the office and our nanny carts the kids around in the minivan.

I'm having a very hard time finding something that seems like a good fit. We don't want a luxury sedan, maybe something smaller that will really only be used to drive around town and probably less than 5k/miles per year. But it needs to fit three kids in a pinch and have room for things like groceries for a family of 5.

I've looked at cars like the Audi A6 Quattro Wagon, and the A5 sportback, which is kind of cool. I don't like the small mercedes models (and do not want to drive an S class). Any other ideas that i should consider? I've thought about a Tesla 3 or Y, but it seems the benefit of a tesla is highway driving and this will not be a highway car.

[Anonymous]

A5 has good looks, great interior and pretty versatile with the hatchback. Only downsides are Audis depreciate rapidly and cost a lot to maintain after the first few years.

Tesla isn't a bad idea--I think they are actually great as a second or third around-town car because you can plug in every night and never go to the gas station. You can use your other cars for long road trips, and will never have to worry about range anxiety on the Tesla. Only downsides are Teslas still have some quality control issues where they arrive from the factory with poorly aligned body panels and other (typically cosmetic) issues, and if you do need maintenance or repairs due to an accident it can at times take them awhile to get the repair done.

I say test drive the Audi A5 and the Tesla Model Y.

[Anonymous]

Subaru Outback. Tons of cargo space, practical, reliable. And you can get the high-end model with all the bells and whistles for less than the entry point of a similarly-sized Audi.

[Anonymous]

PP adding that the Subaru Impreza or Crosstrek may be smaller options, depending on how big your kids are. (3 husky teens might be challenging, but younger kids would fit fine 3 across in either).

[Anonymous]

Volvo V60 or V60 cross country.