Normally, the prime features that distinguish a good family car are safety, spaciousness, affordability and fuel-efficiency. Of late, there has been a deluge of cars from the leading auto manufacturers who have scored so highly on all of these accounts that it is almost impossible to pick out a single vehicle of choice. The parameters to judge a good family vehicle is constantly changing – factors like resale value, performance on rough terrains and kid-friendliness should also be taken into consideration nowadays. Let’s have a look at the top 10 new family cars that have been picked by Kelly Blue Book (KBB) this year.

Honda Odyssey

What every growing family needs nowadays is a minivan; and there is none better in the current market than the 2010 Honda Odyssey LX. Ample space, solid design, great style and all modern amenities included, this is the car every family should be looking forward to. With a $27,515 price tag, it surely doesn’t come dirt cheap, but it sure has the longevity to outlast many of its current rivals.

Ford Flex

Armed with a 355-horsepower twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, this crossover can provide comfortable seating arrangement for seven people. The handling is smooth and driving is easier than most of the contemporary mid-sized sedans. The interior has a bevy of entertainment and connectivity features. The 2010 Ford Flex SE even has a small refrigerator inside it. Priced at $29,725 this car would be an ideal family car to own.

Ford Taurus

This car has graduated from being a competent full-size sedan to become the International Car of the Year at the Los Angeles Auto Show this year. Major car experts have voiced high praises about the good looking, powerful, all-wheel drive Ford Taurus. With a large cabin size, bulbous trunk and sporting the most stylish interiors in its class, this car connects emotionally with the driver. Priced at a competitive price of $25,995 this car remains the best choice for the full-size sedan category.

Chevrolet Equinox

The Equinox has a really great exterior, an attractive layout and added functionality to make it a great car to drive. It has recently received the Best Small Utility vehicle award from MotorWeek at the Chicago Auto Show. With a very impressive mileage of 32 miles per gallon on the highway, the Chevrolet Equinox is priced at $23,360.

Honda Accord Crosstour

This new hatchback from the Honda stable has almost twice the cargo capacity than the sedan version of the Accord. Apart from this one difference (which can be a big one when it comes to a choice for family car), the Crosstour version is the same as the normal Accord sedan- the same V6 engine, great styling and comfortable interiors. The car is now priced at $30,380.

Ford Fusion Hybrid

Slated to return a mileage of 41 miles per gallon on highways, this hybrid car is currently one of the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans in the market. Apart from that, how can you possibly resist the SYNC voice-activated iPod and phone technology in the interior? This Ford Fusion Hybrid is currently priced at $28, 675.

Chevrolet Traverse

The new 2010 Traverse scores considerably higher than its predecessor Chevrolet Tahoe in the aspect of cargo storage space. It is the one of the biggest cross-over vehicles on the streets now, and has the additional advantage of having a low starting price of $29,999, a factor that immediately puts it ahead of rivals like Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia.

Subaru Outback

This sport wagon combines the best elements of a station wagon and a cross-over. It is the longest, widest and the toughest vehicles on the road yet. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and symmetrical all-wheel drive, this car can make it to the destination in the most challenging of circumstances. The family friendly 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i comes with a price tag of $23,690.

Hyundai Elantra Touring

Starting at a very low price tag as compared to its other rivals ($16,715), the Elantra Touring has a spacious interior and a flexible cargo area, many safety features and an outstanding warranty. It is undoubtedly one of the most family-friendly cars, with a good fuel-efficiency.

Chevrolet Suburban

There’s not really much to say about this favorite American vehicle of all time. The new Suburban looks great, can comfortably accommodate 9 passengers, and still packs in an enormous 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The car can easily tow up to 9,600 pounds. This utility vehicle has a lot of nice features in the interior. The car is priced at $41,585.