The Most Mom-Friendly Cars of 2005

Sept. 28, 2005 — -- The automotive model year is coming to an end, and Car Mom Kristin Varela has compiled the MotherProof / MotherSpoof Awards for 2005. Varela test drives vehicles looking for design details, storage and safety features that make a mom's life easier.

Is there a minivan out there that can get a mom and her kids out of the driveway and on the road feeling safe, and sexy? Which SUV makes it easiest to stow strollers? Varela looks at minivans, SUVs, crossover vehicles and sedans, and offers comments on her favorite family-friendly features.

Varela rates first- and second-place winners in five different categories: Minivans, SUVs or crossovers with three rows, SUVs or crossovers with two rows, wagons, and sedan/hatchback categories.

She also offers her picks for the most extravagant family car, best overall value, best latch connector design and best hybrid for families.

The vehicle with the least family-friendly feature wins the dubious "MotherSpoof" Award.