Rating the best family vehicles

Shopping for a family car? You might consider the top 12 cars-for-families list just published by Parents magazine and the American Automobile Association. Parents and AAA test-drove dozens of vehicles, taking into account family-friendly features, value, and safety. The list:

SEDANS

1. Honda Accord $15,940-$25,300

2. Nissan Altima $16,889-$23,689

3. Ford Taurus $19,685-$23,950

SPORT-UTILITY VEHICLES

1. Chevrolet Suburban $36,208-$43,667

2. Acura MDX $35,180-$39,780

3. Hyundai Santa Fe $17,694-$23,794

STATION WAGONS

1. Volkswagen Passat Wagon $23,100-$32,925

2. Volvo V70 $30,650-$37,050

3. Ford Focus $17,265-$18,445

MINIVANS

1. Honda Odyssey $24,690-$30,690

2. Ford Windstar $22,995-$34,695

3. Toyota Sienna $24,385-$28,492