Ask H&H: Hot Wheels

Aug 3rd, 2010

Dear H&H Mom,

Do all moms have to succumb to the lure of the minivan when we have small tots and ginormous car seats? Maybe I am fighting the inevitable but aren’t there budget-savvy and kid-friendly alternatives to the “swagger wagon”? Or, can you be hot and drive a minivan full of kids? What rides does the Hot and Healthy Mom endorse? Thanks – Hot Wheels

Dear Hot Wheels:

Let’s begin by taking this back to 1983. It was a big year. National Lampoons Vacation hit theaters, the classic song “Mr. Roboto” from Styx was #1 on the pop charts and the ever-so-stylish Dodge Caravan was introduced to the nation, forever scarring me. I have a thing against minivans so when I received this question from a reader I was more than happy to air my opinion. I get the allure. They are spacious, beyond kid-friendly and you won’t throw your back out hoisting your 40 pound toddler into a jacked-up SUV seat. That being said, I can never imagine myself behind the wheel of one. Maybe it’s because those kids have already sucked enough ‘cool’ out of me that I won’t let them have my car too. I don’t care how many commercials try to make a minivan look cool. They aren’t. Or maybe it’s because it just feels so cliched. Whatever it is, I do know that there are other, more stylish options available for the family. Here are a few that I recommend before succumbing to the mini.

High-end: Audi Q7 $46,900. Super-hot right now.