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Used Hatchbacks that Provide Great Safety Features for Families

Used Hatchbacks in Fort Smith, AR | Rath Auto Resources
When it's time to go car shopping, we all have our list of must-haves. Some buyers like cargo room, while others want best-in-class fuel economy. One top priority for most people is safety. Whether your family's new car is big, compact, or sporty, it's important to make sure it's loaded with safety features. Here are four used hatchbacks that provide superior safety features for families on the go.

2017 Chevrolet Spark

The Chevrolet Spark's 2017 model earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest rating of Good on the only two exams conducted: moderate overlap front and side crash tests. This organization also gave this model Spark's LATCH child-seat system their second-highest rating.  For 2017, a rearview camera comes standard on the Spark, and it offers great maneuverability to help keep you on the road. With plenty of available technology, this small Chevy delivers the connectivity you want to stay in touch with family. It's reliable and earned a stellar predicted reliability rating 3.5 out of five from J.D. Power.

2017 Hyundai Accent

The 2017 Accent is an appealing choice for those who want a safe, no-frills daily driver with a low average price. It's just as reliable as the Spark, earning 3.5 out of five from J.D. Power, and boasts 47.5 cubic feet of cargo room. IIHS rated this model year's Accent Good in the top three categories: moderate overlap front trial, rear crash protection, and roof strength test results. They also reported that LATCH tether anchors for the Accent's child safety seats were in an easy-to-find location.

2017 Kia Soul

The 2017 Soul ranks among the best in this competitive hatchback class. The IIHS gave it their highest rating of Good in all categories, except the passenger-side small overlap front test, which resulted in the second-highest grade. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded this hatchback a perfect five-star score for overall, front, and side-impact tests. The 2017 Soul's rollover crash test resulted in an impressive four-star performance. The Soul is available with a slew of standard safety equipment, including a rearview camera, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. You'll also get blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alerts, and available parking sensors.

2014 Chevrolet Sonic

Agile handling and a roomy interior help make the 2014 Chevrolet Sonic one of the top used subcompacts on the market. It also touts some of the best safety scores in its class. Chevy gave the Sonic a nice package of active safety features for the 2014 model year, like the available rearview camera, forward collision warning, and lane departure alerts. It also features some of the highest safety scores in our rankings. The NHTSA gave the 2014 Sonic a perfect score of five in all but one test: the four-star rollover evaluation. The IIHS awarded the 2014 Sonic its top rating of Good in all trials, except the small overlap front crash test. Active safety features help drivers make quick stops while maintaining control. With these four used hatchbacks, get superior safety features for your family.   Photo by M 93: „Dein Nordrhein-Westfalen“ | Licensed under cc BY 2.0
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Which Pre-Owned Kia is Best? Discover the Top Performing Used Kia Models on the Market

Over the decades, Kia has grown from strength to strength in popularity, especially among used-car buyers. If you're wondering which is the best pre-owned Kia to buy, consider one of these models. more Which Pre-Owned Kia Is Best? Discover the Top Performing Used Kia Models on the Market Kia Sportage This good-looking, family-oriented compact crossover is renowned for exceptional reliability, which makes it a steal on the used-car market. The Sportage handles nimbly for a five-seater SUV and is a pleasure to drive about town. The comfy, spacious, passenger-friendly interior keeps kids safe and happy on the way to school. The model has always been packed with a generous range of functional, entertainment, and driver-support features, including excellent safety tech. Kia Sorento Do you have a larger family but still need easy maneuverability in city traffic and parking lots? Then you'll love the handsome, spacious, seven-seater Sorento. Despite being a midsize crossover, the Sorento manages three comfortable rows of seating inside with plenty of cargo room to spare. These seating configurations are flexible, and the Sorento's handling, gas mileage, and in-cabin tech are all excellent as well. Kia EV9 You'll save even more on energy with the large, sophisticated, all-electric EV9, a three-row EV SUV with an incredible price tag for its segment, even when new. The standard rear-wheel drive and single electric motor grants huge power and torque for effortless acceleration, and you'll find AWD trims on the used-EV market, too. Every edition of this fantastic electric SUV has won a perfect 10/10 score with Car and Driver. If you find a used EV9, snatch it up before someone else does! Kia Forte The fashionable Kia Forte has always been an in-demand compact sedan among drivers who value high-quality driving at a low cost. The Forte handles wonderfully and has exceptionally good fuel efficiency, with highway MPG ratings of 40 and over. It's also a very tech-rich car, with an impressive range of standard features for its class and price tag. Kia Soul This small SUV has an elegantly bold, boxy demeanor that grants a great deal of legroom and headroom inside its cleverly designed cabin. As the name suggests, the Soul has a lot of character and charm, with textured inside door panels and other tasteful in-cabin touches matching the confident exterior. It's an agile, feature-rich, highly capable front-wheel drive crossover that overdelivers on value. Kia Optima As with all the Kias listed here, the Optima is a remarkably low-maintenance vehicle for its segment. This reliable, eye-catching, family-focused sedan has a great deal of cargo space and plenty of engine options, including a hybrid trim, any of which you may find when you start browsing pre-owned models. The Optima comes filled with standard driver-assist tech, and you may find additional optional features pre-installed by the first owner. If you'd like to take a used Kia for a spin, visit Rath Auto Resources Fort Smith in Fort Smith, AR.

5 of the Best Family Car Models to Buy Used

Extracurricular activities, grocery runs, road trip vacations: your family's busy. You need a ride to fit your busy lifestyle. With a family, you're also likely on a budget. Read on to discover the best-used cars in the running to become your next and best family car. more 5 Best Family Car Picks for Used Cars 1. Chrysler Pacifica Few autos are more reliable for family hauling than the minivan. The Chrysler Pacifica ranks top of its class. Three rows of seats provide you plenty of room to pack family members in a wide and comfortable space that won't make you feel like a can of sardines. If you don't need all that extra room, you can fold down both your second and third rows of seats to stow some other precious cargo for family outings. Families can be messy, so the built-in vacuum feature may just be a godsend for you. And to keep the “are we there yet?” and “I'm bored” chants at bay, take advantage of that theatre-style rear entertainment system. Better yet, you're teaching your family eco-consciousness by taking advantage of the rising-in-popularity hybrid style of automobile. 2. Honda Accord This mid-sizer has earned accolades for being a top pick for families and a bargain buy. The safety features make this car a great option for ensuring all your loved ones' security when you're on the road. The comprehensive safety package for the Accord includes front automatic emergency braking, rear-seat alerts, and even teen driver control for that burgeoning driver in your family. Wi-fi and USB ports will keep everyone connected and entertained. And for a mid-sized car, the comfort and cargo space are unparalleled. 3. Lincoln Navigator Do you want a luxury SUV for those family outings? If so, the Navigator is calling your name. A powerful durable 450-horsepower engine is made for the long haul. Those indulgent and potentially reclining seats give you and all your passengers legroom to spare. You'll also get all the tech bells and whistles like a ten-inch entertainment display. If you want to drown out the noise, though, and plug into some serenity (what family head doesn't?), simply turn on the noise-cancelling feature. And with an 8,300-pound towing capacity, take that family boat or other luxury along for the good times. 4. Ram 1500 Pickup trucks are made for hauling, but this reliable and powerful beauty can haul your family without sacrificing their comfort. That coil-spring rear suspension exclusive to the Ram makes the ride just as comfy and secure as that luxurious interior full of room to spare. With nearly 12,000 pounds of towing capacity, you can literally hitch your second home to the back of this gentle beast. And navigate the roadways and even packed parking spots with confidence via handy features like a rear backup camera and blind-spot monitoring. 5. Kia Sorento Optional captain's chairs and multiple rows of seating will help you keep the smallest members of your family safe and secure. You can fit up to three booster seats in this pick that's also packed with safety must-haves such as automatic high beams and lane assist. Plus, the price can't be beat for its class. Make your next big family investment matter. Visit Rath Auto Resources of Fort Smith and check out our inventory of affordable, family-friendly used automobiles. Image via Pixabay

2013 Toyota Highlander

Top 3 Used Cars For Families

Are you looking for a great new family vehicle but don't want to spend what a new car often costs? We've got you covered. These are a few of the many great used-car options to consider when buying your next family vehicle. Toyota Venza The Toyota Venza is a great midsize SUV that will keep your family safe and comfortable. The 2015 Venza model is your best option and offers a wide platform and five-seat configuration for passenger roominess and comfort. Its wagon-like appearance is a nice change from your typical crossover or minivan and keeps you looking stylish on the road. more The 2015 Venza has several competitive features you can enjoy, including the 6.1-inch touchscreen with enhanced infotainment options and a rearview camera to assist you when backing up. It's also equipped with a six-speaker sound system with voice controls, a navigation system, and smartphone compatibility. Honda CR-V The Honda CR-V has been a family favorite for years due to its efficiency, practicality, and high level of comfort. For this compact SUV, stick to models that were built in 2015 or later, if your budget allows, to ensure you get the most up-to-date features. Each new model sees new interior and exterior upgrades that make driving this SUV truly enjoyable. Great features of the Honda CR-V in 2015 models and later include LED daytime running lamps, projector-beam headlamps, a sunroof, and a push-button start. Other features of the CR-V include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and Honda LaneWatch, which is a passenger-side blind spot camera to prevent you from colliding with vehicles in your blind spot. The 2015 Honda CR-V and its predecessors are designed to earn top-level collision safety ratings and received a five-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Toyota Highlander The Toyota Highlander has long been loved by drivers for years thanks to its reliability and roominess. A great used Highlander is the 2012 model that boasts several storage spaces, a three-passenger second row, and upgraded interior compared to previous models. It gets great fuel economy with the standard base engine and has excellent maneuverability to make everything from sharp turns and to parallel parking a breeze. The 2012 Toyota Highlander can comfortably seat seven passengers with room to boot, so you won't have to worry about making two trips when you have extra cargo to transport. There are three different trim levels available for this model including the base Highlander, the SE, and the Limited. The SE tends to be the best bang for your buck and comes equipped with heated front seats, a multi-information display, leather upholstery, and satellite radio. Some 2012 Highlander models also include a rearview camera for added safety when backing up. These used vehicles are as reliable as they are comfortable and can easily accommodate both large and small families. From soccer games to cross-country excursions, these used cars can meet all of you and your family's automobile needs. Image via RathAuto.com