Chevrolet

2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT

What it Is: A five-passenger, four-door small midsize sedan.
Who it's For: Budget conscious families who need no more than two LATCH points and a good-sized trunk.
What's Hot: Many luxury amenities not usually found in this class are available.
What's Not: Price can climb quickly.
Family Friendly Options: Bluetooth, USB input, back-up sensors, navigation.
How It Got Its Score: Crash tests have not yet been conducted on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, but the Cruze only needs to equal the performance of its predecessor to be one of the highest-scoring compact sedans available.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.7

2011 Chevrolet Cruze LS

What it Is: A five-passenger, four-door small midsize sedan.
Who it's For: Budget conscious families who need no more than two LATCH points and a good-sized trunk.
What's Hot: Many luxury amenities not usually found in this class are available.
What's Not: Must move up to more expensive LT models to get them.
Family Friendly Options: Bluetooth, AUX input.
How It Got Its Score: Crash tests have not yet been conducted on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, but the Cruze only needs to equal the performance of its predecessor to be one of the highest-scoring compact sedans available.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.6

2011 Chevrolet Volt

What it Is: A four-passenger extended range electric vehicle.
Who it's For: Small families who want to save a lot of gas, and make an environmental statement.
What's Hot: Gas engine gives Volt the same range as a gas-powered car.
What's Not: Electric-only range of about 40 miles.
Family Friendly Options: Navigation, Bluetooth, USB input, OnStar
How It Got Its Score: The Volt's primary handicaps as a family car are its four-passenger seating configuration and its 10.6 cu.-ft. of cargo space. Note that the high price listed here doesn't take into account tax incentives, which can total more than $7,500.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 6.8

2010 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan LS

What it Is: A compact four-door sedan.
Who it's For: Families who value low price over anything else.
What's Hot: Extremely low base price.
What's Not: Poor crash test scores.
Family Friendly Options: Keyless entry.
How It Got Its Score: The Chevy Aveo doesn't offer much for families. While the price is low, stability and traction control aren't available, anti-lock brakes are only an option, and it gets a "Poor" in the IIHS impact crash test.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 5.4

2010 Chevrolet Aveo5 LS

What it Is: A subcompact five-door hatchback.
Who it's For: Families who value low price over anything else.
What's Hot: Extremely low base price.
What's Not: Poor crash test scores.
Family Friendly Options: Keyless entry.
How It Got Its Score: The Chevy Aveo5 is Chevy's smallest offering, but it lacks many modern features, such as stability and traction control. It also gets a "Poor" rating in the IIHS rear impact crash test.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 5.3

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan LS

What it Is: A compact, four-door sedan.
Who it's For: Families on a tight budget who need no more than two LATCH positions.
What's Hot: Big trunk, low price.
What's Not: Stability control not available.
Family Friendly Options: USB port, Bluetooth.
How It Got Its Score: The Chevy Cobalt offers up a very big trunk, but this dated compact sedan lacks many modern features, such as stability control, and NHTSA crash test scores trail the competition.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 6.6

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan XFE

What it Is: A compact, four-door sedan.
Who it's For: Families on a tight budget who need no more than two LATCH positions.
What's Hot: Excellent fuel economy, low price.
What's Not: Stability control not available, XFE only comes with manual transmission.
Family Friendly Options: USB port, Bluetooth.
How It Got Its Score: The Chevy Cobalt XFE gets very good fuel economy, even for this fuel-conscious class. Unfortunately, stability control isn't available, and NHTSA crash test scores trail the competition.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 6.6

2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT V-6 All-Wheel Drive

What it Is: An entry-level small crossover utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Flip-down DVD screens available on LTZ models.
What's Not: V-6 models can get pricey.
How It Got Its Score: The V-6 Equinox offers the same safety and utility as four-cylinder models, but scores lower because of its higher price and less fuel-efficient engine.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.9

2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT V-6 Front-Wheel Drive

What it Is: An entry-level small crossover utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Flip-down DVD screens available on LTZ models.
What's Not: V-6 models can get pricey.
How It Got Its Score: The V-6 Equinox offers the same safety and utility as four-cylinder models, but scores lower because of its higher price and less fuel-efficient engine.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.0

2010 Chevrolet Equinox LS All-Wheel Drive

What it Is: An entry-level small crossover utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Flip-down DVD screens available on LTZ models.
What's Not: All-wheel drive erodes fuel economy.
How It Got Its Score: The all-wheel drive versions of the Equinox LS score slightly lower due to the added expense and lower fuel economy of all-wheel drive.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.2

2010 Chevrolet Equinox LS Front-Wheel Drive

What it Is: An entry-level small crossover utility vehicle.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points.
What's Hot: Best-in-class highway fuel economy.
What's Not: Base price is more expensive than some competitors.
How It Got Its Score: The Equinox LS scores highest of the four models on Family Car Review thanks to its excellent fuel economy and competitive price.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.4

2010 Chevrolet HHR 1LT 2.4-Liter

What it Is: A small, five-passenger four-door wagon.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points and plenty of cargo room.
What's Hot: Inexpensive and fuel efficient family hauler.
What's Not: Retro styling may be a turn off
Family Friendly Options: Dual-screen rear seat DVD entertainment system, USB, Bluetooth.
How It Got Its Score: Under the 2010 Chevrolet HHR's retro styling is a useful small wagon, with good cargo space and decent fuel economy at a good price. The bigger engine adds power, but fuel economy drops.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.7

2010 Chevrolet HHR LS

What it Is: A small, five-passenger four-door wagon.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points and plenty of cargo room.
What's Hot: Inexpensive and fuel efficient family hauler.
What's Not: Retro styling may be a turn off.
Family Friendly Options: Dual-screen rear seat DVD entertainment system, USB, Bluetooth.
How It Got Its Score: Under the 2010 Chevrolet HHR's retro styling is a useful small wagon, with good cargo space and decent fuel economy at a good price.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.7

2010 Chevrolet HHR SS

What it Is: A small, five-passenger, performance-oriented four-door wagon.
Who it's For: Families needing no more than two LATCH points, plenty of cargo room, and want a high-performance car.
What's Hot: Turbocharged engine really makes it scoot.
What's Not: Fuel economy takes a hit, pricey.
Family Friendly Options: Dual-screen rear seat DVD entertainment system, USB, Bluetooth.
How It Got Its Score: Under the hood of the 2010 Chevrolet HHR SS is a turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out lots of power, but drinks more fuel too. The price is also higher than the standard HHR.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.3

2010 Chevrolet Impala LS

What it Is: A low-priced full-size sedan.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points, but want a sedan.
What's Hot: A traditional American sedan that's comfortable to drive.
What's Not: Only so-so crash test scores from the IIHS.
How It Got Its Score: The Impala didn't do too well in IIHS crash tests. Fuel economy could also be better.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.6

2010 Chevrolet Impala LTZ

What it Is: A low-priced full-size sedan.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points, but want a sedan.
What's Hot: A traditional American sedan that's comfortable to drive.
What's Not: Only so-so crash test scores from the IIHS.
How It Got Its Score: The Impala didn't do too well in IIHS crash tests. The LTZ's engine also gets worse fuel economy than the LS and LT.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.4

2010 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT

What it Is: A class-leading midsize four-door sedan.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH positions and are OK with a sedan's smaller cargo space.
What's Hot: Crisp styling inside and out, and a very fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine.
What's Not: Some features available in competitors can't be had here.
How It Got Its Score: The Malibu's combination of fuel economy, low price and excellent crash tests make it a solid performer in our rankings.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.0

2010 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT V-6

What it Is: A class-leading midsize four-door sedan.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH positions and are OK with a sedan's smaller cargo space.
What's Hot: Crisp styling inside and out, and a comfortable and roomy interior.
What's Not: Some features available in competitors can't be had here.
How It Got Its Score: The V-6 Malibu's safety is just as good as four-cylinder models, but its lower fuel economy and higher price bring it down a few notches.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 7.5

2010 Chevrolet Malibu LS

What it Is: A class-leading midsize four-door sedan.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH positions and are OK with a sedan's smaller cargo space.
What's Hot: Crisp styling inside and out, and a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine.
What's Not: LS gets worse fuel economy thanks to its older transmission.
How It Got Its Score: The Malibu LS has worse fuel economy than the other four-cylinder Malibus, which is offset by its lower price.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.0

2010 Chevrolet Suburban LS Half-Ton Four-Wheel Drive

What it Is: A full-size long-wheelbase, four-wheel drive body-on-frame SUV.
Who it's For: Those who need lots of passenger and cargo hauling, four-wheel drive capability and maximum towing.
What's Hot: Huge cargo area, lots of passenger space.
What's Not: Lackluster fuel economy.
Family Friendly Options: Navigation, Bluetooth, USB, rear-seat entertainment system.
How It Got Its Score: The Suburban is the king of the SUVs, with lots of cargo and passenger space, and four-wheel drive capability. However, it's still not as cargo-efficient as a minivan, and much more thirsty, too.

Quick Specs

Family Friendliness: 8.5