Back to school, back behind the wheel

HONDA Odyssey

June means that it’s back to school for many kids. Transporting kids and families safely and securely is a demanding task.

Let’s take a look at some of the criteria that excellent school transport must satisfy:

Safety

A minimum expectation for family transport these days include active safety features like stability control and ABS, and passive features like a full complement of airbags, including side curtain airbags.

Family vehicles that have the full safety suite include the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Alphard.

Compact

Roads around schools are infamously tight and choked with traffic come drop-off and dismissal time. Consider getting a car that has the smallest possible footprint, for easily slotting into parking spaces that four-wheeled behemoths won’t fit into.

Cars that fit: the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, and Honda Jazz are small and easily maneuverable.

Seating seven within a small footprint are the Honda Mobilio and Toyota Avanza.

Easy entry and exit

Given the MMDA’s and schools’ pleas to limit drop-off time to 15 seconds to ease traffic flow, getting the kids quickly in and out of the vehicle is a must.

This is where the minivan reigns supreme, particularly if you have two rows to unload.

These vehicles with a view (and sliding doors) include the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Starex.

Capacity

Most minivans max out at eight passengers, so if you need to seat more, you have to look at refrigerator-type vans.

The Nissan Urvan and Toyota Hi-Ace lord it over this category.

Also worth considering are the Foton View Traveller and the Isuzu i-Van.

Fuel efficient

This usually means a diesel-powered vehicle. The usual choices are pickup-based MPVs like the Toyota Innova, and SUVs like the Ford Everest.

As an alternative to these, Mazda is offering a pair of diesel-fed passenger-car based vehicles: the Mazda6 midsize sedan and the CX-5 SUV, both powered by the company’s innovative diesel engine.

Flood resistant

High ground clearance is a must particularly with typhoon season coming. Tall SUVs like the Ford Everest and Foton Toplander are tops here.

TOYOTA Fortuner

There are also some cars that don’t look that high, but thanks to their high ground clearance, can be safer in a flood: the Ford EcoSport and the Subaru Outback come to mind.

Smart interior

Cars with flexible interior spaces, phone and audio connectivity are the basic requirements.

Cars like the Honda CR-V add features like a backseat mirror, while the new Toyota Innova has available foldout tables for scribbling some homework while driving.

Fun to drive

Family vehicles have to be practical but don’t have to be boring. Cars that look good and feel great from behind the wheel can help parents stay sane while driving.

Rewarding the driver are cars like the Honda HR-V and Chevrolet Trax.

FUEL efficiency comes from Mazda CX-5’s innovative diesel engine.