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Step 1
Research crash safety information for sedans. The Toyota Prius, for instance, has an excellent safety record, but the Honda Civic hybrid beats it handily for rear-impact crashes. Children ride in the backseat, and are most likely to be injured in the case of a rear-impact crash; weigh out the research based on your driving patterns.
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Step 2
Consider a hybrid SUV. There are no hybrid minivans on the market as of the writing of this article, but there are sport utility vehicles such as the Ford Escape and the Toyota Highlander. Hybrid SUVs won't have the high MPG of a sedan, but if your family includes two or more children, animals that travel with you or many friends, then an SUV may be the way to go.
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Step 3
Think five years ahead. Will your now-12-year-old be driving the hybrid in five years? If the hybrid will become the primary car for a new teen driver in a few years, make sure it's safe for new drivers. Larger SUVs, for instance, can be much harder for new teen drivers to manage than a small compact car.
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Step 4
Look at the car seat situation. The back of a Honda Civic hybrid has molded seats. Two car seats fit easily in the backseat, but fitting a third is nearly impossible. In some cars, a booster and two infant seats will fit, but not two boosters and one infant seat. Bring your car seats with you to dealerships when car shopping, to see whether the car seats will fit.
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Step 5
Think about weight. While you may be able to fit three children in the back of a hybrid compact or sedan, will the weight lower your MPG? If so, would the SUV be a decent trade-off, as you gain space for nearly the same mileage? Consider your family's very unique needs when deciding the best hybrid for kids.
