5 Soccer Mom Vans and SUVs for the Modern Parent
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 4 min read
- Kia Carnival: For the parent who wants a modern minivan
- Dodge Grand Caravan: One of the fastest soccer mom vans
- Honda Odyssey: A powerful minivan
- Chrysler Pacifica: A favorite soccer mom van
- Tesla Model X: The electric option
Load full table of contents
We admit the term “soccer mom” seems a little outdated (dads can take on the chauffeuring, too!) But when you say “soccer mom van” almost everyone immediately knows what you are talking about—it’s a car for a family that needs comfort, room, and flexibility to drive around multiple kids to school and different activities.
But the other problem with the idea of a “soccer mom van” is that it makes people think of bulky, outdated vehicles. The good news is that today there are lots of modern options for parents who need functional transportation but still want to drive a cool car.
If you’re in the market for a
new car
, check out these options if you need a spacious and comfortable ride for your family. 
Kia Carnival: For the parent who wants a modern minivan
The 2022 Kia Carnival is being marketed as an SUV when it’s really more of a minivan. It offers sliding doors, good visibility, flexible seating for eight passengers, and luggage room behind the third-row seat. But we think there’s nothing wrong with minivans and they still have their place in the market.
The Kia Carnival is perfect for parents who need to shuttle the kids around but still want some speed and power. The car has a 2.2-liter inline-four cylinder engine that produces 276 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, according to
Hot Cars
. Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Dodge Grand Caravan: One of the fastest soccer mom vans
This minivan has some serious power, with its 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that produces 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It’s a good family car because of its safety features, including seven airbags, active front-seat head restraints, child protection locks, and more.
There’s also a rear-seat entertainment screen if you need to keep any kids in the second row busy. It can be accessed via a phone as it supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Honda Odyssey: A powerful minivan
MORE: J.D. Power Had a Surprise Pick for Best Family SUV
The Honda Odyssey boasts a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It also has a 10-speed automatic transmission and a pretty good fuel consumption rating of 22 mpg.
The three-row minivan is roomy enough to fit two adults in the third row, and it also has great safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Chrysler Pacifica: A favorite soccer mom van
This is a popular choice for families because it offers plenty of cargo and passenger space, according to
Car and Driver
. In addition, safety features like Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Electronic Stability Control, and Full Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking make this vehicle an even more attractive option for families. Another advantage of the Chrysler Pacifica is it has an available all-wheel-drive system.
Tesla Model X: The electric option
If you’re looking for an electric family car, look no further than the Tesla Model X. As Car and Driver points out, the price tag is a little higher than other SUVs, but it might be worth it for families who are trying to be more eco-friendly.
Seven people can fit comfortably in the Tesla Model X. If you do go with this vehicle,
Edmunds
recommends going with the Long Range trim to save money, get better performance, and have a longer driving range (just as the name implies). No matter which car you get,
Jerry
can help you save money on car insurance. The free Jerry app compares rates from 50 name-brand companies to get you the best price for the coverage you need.
