Kristin Varela and daughters Catalin, 10, (top), Cade, 8 (left), and stepdaughter Grace Wiedt, 6, of Castle Rock, Colo., try out the 2012 Mazda5. / Cover and cover story photographs by David Yellen
The new Prius V is roomier than the original model. / David Yellen for USA WEEKEND
GUEST WRITER KRISTIN VARELA IS THE CHIEF BLOGGER AT MOTHERPROOF.COM, DEDICATED TO PROVIDING WOMEN AND MOTHERS IN PARTICULAR WITH USEFUL NEW-CAR REVIEWS.
The Ford C-Max seats seven and boasts a hands-free rear hatch. / David Yellen for USA WEEKEND
Hyundai's Blue Link (above) notifies parent drivers when their teen drives too fast or far. / David Yellen for USA WEEKEND
The all-electric Nissan Leaf has two ports for recharging. / David Yellen for USA WEEKEND
More
If you're in the market for a new car, spring can be an exciting — and daunting — time of year. A slew of new models, fresh from the big auto shows, is just now hitting showrooms.
Women influence 85% of car purchases in this country, so it's fair to ask, "What about us and our needs?"
________________________________
CLICK FOR A COMPLETE GALLERY OF THE LATEST MODELS.
PLUS! Tell us what you look for in a car in our comments section below.
________________________________
As an automotive journalist at Cars.com who also happens to be a woman and a mom, I've spent eight years scouring the planet for anything and everything family-centric as it relates to cars.
Here are some of the hottest new trends geared toward women and families that we'll see in 2011.
Hipper than minivans
What is it? Many parents are skipping minivans in favor of smaller "MAVs" — multi-activity vehicles. They're the ultimate blend of flexible seating, cargo capacity and passenger accessibility, without sacrificing drivability.
Who makes it?
Mazda: The Mazda5 is redesigned for 2012. It offers seating for six, and it has wide-opening sliding side doors. Bonus: It's quite zippy and fun to drive. Starts at $19,195.
Ford: The Ford C-Max seats up to seven. It comes with a center seat in the second row that can collapse and stow away when not needed. It also offers a hands-free rear hatch, allowing you to open it by swiping your foot under the rear bumper. Pricing not released at press time but expected to be competitive.
Toyota: This summer, Prius gets its first new sibling, the Prius V. It still seats five, but it's 6 inches longer, with more legroom and 60% more cargo space than the original Prius. Pricing not released at press time.
What's cool for families: Busy families will appreciate how easily a MAV can go from handling tight city streets to hauling kids and their friends. They tend to be less expensive, too.
What's not: These are for smaller clans. For big families with lots of stuff, MAVs will feel claustrophobic. And though MAVs are all about functionality, some drivers may not like the "squished minivan"
Always connected
What is it? For busy women like myself, life gets a little crazy. Now, I can buy a car that can help me manage my very full life. These in-car systems are designed to keep us connected to the Internet, our cellphones and safety services.
Who makes it? GM, Hyundai and Toyota offer various versions. GM's OnStar remotely connects to emergency responders and gives driving directions. This spring, non-GM drivers can buy it ($299 plus a subscription and installation fee). The Hyundai Sonata's Blue Link is like OnStar on steroids. It even lets parents receive text alerts if their teen drives too fast or too far. (Pricing not available at press time.) Toyota's Entune touch screen can send and receive texts audibly. It also lets drivers update their Twitter or Facebook status with voice commands. (Free with a downloadable smartphone app).
What's cool for families: Easy access to safety services and information you need when you need it.
What's not: Do you really want to be connected to the world 24/7?
Is it safe? If you're concerned about distracted driving, you might opt for OnStar, since all you have to do is press a button to get a live operator.
Green to the extreme
What is it? Early adopters and celebrities were quick to jump on the hybrid bandwagon. Now families want to shrink their carbon footprint, too.
Who makes it?
Nissan: The 2011 Nissan Leaf is the first U.S. mass-market electric car. The battery is non-toxic, the seating upholstery is made from recycled water bottles, and the vehicle is 96% recyclable! It seats five and boasts enough cargo area to swallow a double stroller. Drives 100 miles per charge and takes six to eight hours to charge on a home charging dock. $32,780 base MSRP; $25,280 with up to $7,500 federal tax credit.
Chevy: The 2011 Volt brags the benefits of an electric car with a range-extending gas-powered generator. Drives 35 miles on electric power only. Seats four. $40,280 base MSRP; $32,780 with up to $7,500 federal tax credit.
Toyota: The Prius PHV (plug-in hybrid vehicle) has a range of 13 miles in electric-only mode, plus a range-extending hybrid driving option of about 50 miles per gallon. It can be recharged in about three hours from a standard 110-volt home outlet. Pricing not released at press time.
What's cool for families: Great for small families willing to sacrifice SUV size for social responsibility.
What's not: For cars like the Leaf, your daily driving range will be limited.
Kristin Varela is the "Chief Mom at MotherProof.com and a senior editor for Cars.com.
POWERED BY USA WEEKEND Magazine & more than 
