Not every vehicle has a quality reputation or fits 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. While there are plenty of 2025 models that fit a family’s needs, there are also several car models to avoid. According to experts, here are seven vehicles that parents should stay away from down the road.
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Hyundai Venue
MSRP: $21,695 to $24,945
The Hyundai Venue is a great compact SUV at an affordable price. However, you may want to take a rear seat in car buying when it comes to this model, as 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, and Edmunds reported that the back was “cozy but livable.”
Models from prior years have also had a 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.
Jeep Wrangler
MSRP: $34,090 to $101,990
Jeep Wranglers prioritize off-road performance and comfort, but they may not be the most reliable vehicle for a family. No matter how many times your teen driver has seen the movie “Clueless,” Jeeps are often one of the biggest names in cars to avoid when you ask experts.
“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.
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Kia Soul
MSRP: $21,885 to $26,965
If you’re looking for an affordable crossover, the Kia Soul may be the car for you. 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
MSRP: $70,195 to $88,945
“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. With a starting price of just around $70,000, its cost may be a bit much for growing families trying to set up college funds for their kids in high school.
“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
MSRP: $44,445 to $61,780
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
MSRP: $41,030 to $67,035
This is another vehicle with a good amount of space and all-wheel drive (AWD), 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
MSRP: $51,975 to $87,190
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.
“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.”
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Current Car Models Parents Should Avoid
