New parents have a myriad of choices for new vehicles. These are five best bets for original parents, geared especially for young parents who may not be ready to jump to a minivan, although the Honda Odyssey, while expressionless, tops this list. Safety and top NHTSA ratings also are factors that improved a vehicle’s rating for this list.

While the Toyota Sienna is not involved in the ongoing recall for unintended acceleration malfunctions among Toyotas, the Honda Odyssey is the superior choice.

The top five cars for unusual parents are:

1. 2010 Honda Odyssey

One of the best cars for new parents is a minivan. Respect the van. The Honda Odyssey has five-star crash ratings all around from the NHTSA, but its ratings from CarSeatData.com are mixed. The site reviews how easy it is to put in a car seat. The Honda Odyssey gets on this list of the five best cars for recent parents because of its high crash ratings, effective stowing capabilities and its all-around performance as a family hauler. Safety features include standard side airbags in all three rows, electronic stability control and standard ABS. Higher trim levels of the Honda Odyssey also have sliding power doors and a power tailgate, which are lifesavers when your hands are full. Like most cars, the Honda Odyssey also comes with child-proof rear door locks for when your shrimp one becomes a toddler. A DVD rear entertainment center is optional on higher trim levels as well.

The Odyssey also has higher front crash ratings than its key competitor, the Toyota Sienna.

If you don’t mind being pegged as a boring parent clad in beige, a Honda Odyssey will race you at least $26,805. To derive an optioned Odyssey, expect to employ upwards of $29,000. The price guide is here.

2. 2010 Ford Fusion and Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Ford Fusion is a top rated all-around car that received near-flawless NHTSA ratings. It received five stars for every rating except for a four-star rating for rear passengers. The Ford Fusion offers electronic stability control, satisfactory driving safety and airbags for both rows in a stylish ride. Winner of the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the Ford Fusion offers optional all-wheel-drive and standard child release handles in the trunk. It also functionally can put down all seats, including the front passenger seat, for solo drivers needing to carry a great load. Obviously, Ford is doing something apt and this is a top five pick for new parents.

Gas-conscious families may opt for the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which gets up to 41 MPG on the highway. Families looking for a larger car may opt for the Ford Taurus, which received 5-star fracture ratings all around.

The Ford Fusion starts at $19,000 but, optioned out, interrogate a standard Fusion to have a $23,000 to $25,000 pricetag.

3. 2010 Dodge Caliber

The Dodge Caliber, which I recently reviewed here, is a surprisingly effective compact wagon that may be the cheapest option on this list for new families. AAA recently rated the Dodge Caliber a top crossover for families. CarSeatData.com reviewers call the Caliber easy to install car seats in and the NHTSA gave the Caliber 5-star crash ratings all around. It also has an acceptable amount of rear space for the urban family. The Caliber comes standard with multistage airbags in the front and side airbags are an option. Electronic stability control is standard on higher trim levels. Most models come with cloth seats.

The 2010 Dodge Caliber starts at $17.090 and most model levels stay under the $24,000 mark when optioned out.

4. 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
A fresh-looking sedan for the new family. The NHTSA gave the Malibu 5-star ratings all around and it comes with side air bags for both rows. It also, like almost all GM models, it comes with an automatic crash alert system called OnStar. If you are badly injured but your child is not, your child will be freaking out but will not necessarily know where to find your cell phone.

For a bigger car with bigger crush panels to ensure the safety of your child, the Chevrolet Impala is rated highly by CarSeatData.com and the NHTSA. The 2008 Impala is largely unchanged from the 2010 Impala, and CarSeatData citizen reviewers state that great for many different car seat installations. For every car seat they’ve put in it, they’ve experienced surprising ease.

The Chevy Malibu starts at $21,845 but optioned out expect a $25,000 pricetag.

The Chevy Impala starts at $25,000 and can raise to around $29,000 with more options and higher trim levels.

5. 2010 Chevrolet Traverse

A limited SUV with a carlike ride, the Chevrolet Travese gives the safety and capability a growing family needs. With 5-star NHTSA crash ratings and six airbags around the cabin, the Traverse is a winner. The Traverse also comes with electronic stability control standard. The Traverse seats up to eight but also has the ability to set all rear seats down, giving it best-in-class space. The Chevrolet Traverse was named a Best Family Car of 2009 in the SUV category by Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com and the 2009 Traverse is largely unchanged. Like almost all GM models, it comes with an automatic crash alert system called OnStar.

The Chevrolet Traverse starts at $29,000.

References
http://www.carseatdata.org/search
http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/press/148466/article.html
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/9+New+Vehicles+Named+to+Annual+AAA,+Parents+Best+Cars+for+Families…-a0163541119
http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu/
http://www.chevrolet.com/traverse/
http://www.chevrolet.com/impala/
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/
http://www.dodge.com/en/2010/caliber/
http://automobiles.honda.com/odyssey/exterior.aspx
http://automobiles.honda.com/odyssey/specifications.aspx
http://www.kbb.com/new-cars/ford/fusion/2010/specifications-safety? id=248367&filter=hasereview
http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site/safercar/menuitem.db847bd57e3dc1f885dfc38c35a67789/? vgnextoid=c95df2905bf54110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&vgnextrefresh=1&ID=8279
http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site/safercar/menuitem.db847bd57e3dc1f885dfc38c35a67789/? vgnextoid=c95df2905bf54110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&vgnextrefresh=1&ID=8383
http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site/safercar/menuitem.db847bd57e3dc1f885dfc38c35a67789/? vgnextoid=c95df2905bf54110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&vgnextrefresh=1&ID=8278
http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site/safercar/menuitem.db847bd57e3dc1f885dfc38c35a67789/? vgnextoid=c95df2905bf54110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&vgnextrefresh=1&ID=8299