There’s been somewhat of a decline in the number of American drivers in recent years.

A study last year found that Americans using cars has hit its peak, and another discovered that Americans overall are cutting down on car usage.

The Atlantic also analyzed the two studies, and found that the average American household no longer has two cars in its garage and driveway: “So, technically speaking, the two-car garage is no longer average,” The Atlantic’s Jordan Weissmann wrote.
But for families who are still buying cars, what’s the right option? Is it these driverless cars that have begun popping up? Or is it these new talking cars?

Or is it something else entirely?

Here are 11 cars that are perfect for you and your family:

Honda Accord
The Honda Accord was ranked by parents.com as one of the top sedans for families. Not only is it a low $22,745, but it’s got quite the trunk space — good enough for “two suitcases plus a stroller and a Pack 'n Play,” parents.com reported. The car’s touch screen also offers drivers a look at the sides of the roads, too, giving total safety to the driver.

Honda CR-V
Honda’s reign of the king of family cars continues with the CR-V. Sure, it’s a smaller SUV (or a larger-sized sedan, depending on how you look at it), but the car does well to be a safe ride for family and friends. It’s got daytime lights, side airbags and a rollover sensor that helps unleash the side airbags in case of a rollover, according the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Honda Odyssey
Parents.com ranked the Odyssey as the best minivan on the market. It’s a top safety pick from the IIHS, and it gets decent mileage for a van at 28 miles to the gallon during highway driving: “Reassurance is what the Odyssey affords best, from its confident car-like handling to its terrific resale value,” parents.com wrote.

Mazda 6
The Mazda 6 was picked as one of the best sedans on the market by parents.com, and the Kelley Blue Book also listed it on its top list of family cars. The car gets 28 miles to the gallon in the city and 40 miles to the gallon on the highway. Not bad. It also comes with plenty of space for you and the family: “Rear seats fold individually to accommodate your kids and bulky gear as well; a backup camera comes standard,” according to parents.com.

Nissan Altima
The Altima made the Kelley Blue Book’s top 12 family cars list, mostly because of the features that the car comes with — the power ports that are good for charging your cellphone or other electronic devices.

Nissan Rogue
The Rogue has got an ace up its sleeve that makes it great for families. Instead of just a simple crossover vehicle that dwarfs in comparison to a van, the car does have a surprise third row that can pop-up and offer more seats, according to parents.com. “Nissan made lots of other improvements too: This version is dramatically quieter, smoother-riding, and more fuel-efficient than last year's,” according to parents.com.

Nissan Pathfinder
Why is the Pathfinder such a good pick for families? Much like the Rogue, the Pathfinder has got a petite exterior and looks like a rather simple mini-SUV — but it’s also got a third row of seats to fill the car with the rest of the family.

Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta will seriously help you save on your budget. The car, with its excellent 32 city/45 highway miles per gallon, is a solid $14,925. It also offers plenty of room for the family, according to parents.com. “Forget the chintzy economy cars of yore. The Fiesta isn't merely affordable but Euro-chic fashionable and surprisingly roomy in back, even for grown-ups,” parents.com reported.

Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe is cute, stylish and yet surprisingly spacious for a big family. Parents.com had it listed as one of the best SUVs in the nation, especially given its $30,750 price tag: “With striking features for the dollar, the Santa Fe warrants prime placement on any big family's shopping list,” parents.com reported.

Kia Soul
Sure, the Soul, mostly famous for those commercials with the loveable hamsters, is small, but it actually is a great car for your family. It costs $15,695 and gets decent gas mileage (24 mpg in the city, 30 mpg in the highway), which gave it a push to be in parents.com’s honorable-mention list for family friendly cars: “With its funky styling and sophisticated, space-efficient cabin, this subcompact proves that practicality doesn't have to be boring,” according to parents.com.

Toyota Sienna
“Toyota minivan is a pretty good synonym for family car,” according to Kelley Blue Book. The van boasts a lot of space inside — good enough for parents, kids and any adorable cousins who may be coming along for the ride.

Email: hscribner@deseretdigital.com
Twitter: @herbscribner