5 Helpful Tips For Buying a Family Car

"How you define comfort is individual, but everyone needs to fit comfortably, first and foremost," said Teresa. But physical space doesn't necessarily guarantee comfort. If you're a family who spends a lot of time in the car together, consider what your kids will need to be comfortable beyond there being enough space.

A few things to ask yourself as you shop: Will all of your children's car seats and boosters fit in the back seat of the car? Is there enough additional room for shopping bags or luggage when everyone is riding in it? If your kids are prone to backseat brawls, can you keep them far enough apart to avoid World War III? Are features like seat warmers, air conditioning vents, and cup holders things you want in the back for the kiddos?

"I do the morning drop-off at two different schools every morning," Teresa told POPSUGAR. "We need kids to be able to get in and out, to be self-sufficient." She said this fact went hand-in-hand with product planning at Mazda, and should be something that all parents consider. If your kids are getting in and out of the car on their own, they need to be able to do so safely and easily.

A few things to ask yourself as you shop: Are there footsteps on a tall car you're considering? Are the seat belt buttons easy to snap in and release with small hands? Is the door light enough for your grade schooler to push open and shut on his own to ensure you're not the family who holds up the carpool line?

"There are still people who want a minivan in the interest of making things easier for their children and their family," Teresa said, but for decades it's been a joke — albeit one that has some truth to it — that minivans are "soccer mom" cars. Car brands are now moving toward making their SUVs more accommodating to families so that adults don't have to compromise on the aspects of car buying they cared about before having kids — aesthetics and cool features — but can make sure there's enough space for the whole gang.

A few things to ask yourself as you shop: Are you looking for third-row seating and other qualities some SUVs also possess, or are minivan sliding doors your main necessity? Do you care about the aesthetics of your car more than its features and size?

There are a ton of tech and safety features in cars now — things like lane assist, brake assist, and blind-spot indicators — that can either lend a hand to you while you drive with your family or distract you. "There are people who prioritize different features," Teresa said. "Some people love lane assist because their children are distracting and it provides an extra level of safety. Most people are just happy to have the extra features for peace of mind." You know who you are as a driver — and who your kids are as passengers — so be sure to address all of these features in each car you look at.

A few things to ask yourself as you shop: Do you find any of the tech features distracting? If so, can you turn them on and off easily? Is not having a certain feature a deal-breaker? If your kids were being distracting in the back seat, would a certain tech feature put you at ease?

Teresa believes that one of the best ways to make sure you purchase a car that the whole family will love is to "take the family with you and let them be a part of the process." It may seem easier to let the adults handle everything, but having input from your kids — and letting them explore the cars in person — will not only help them to feel included, but could help ensure that you really are making the best choice for everyone.