Top 10 vehicles for Hockey Moms

Dec 12, 2009

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Special to the Star

Is there anyone on our highways who deserves more respect than our hard-driving Hockey Moms?

Battling before-dawn wakeup calls, rush-hour traffic, four-season driving conditions and unruly passengers – not to mention dealing with toxic cargo known as the "hockey bag" – Hockey Moms have one of the toughest chauffeuring assignments on the road.

As a reward for their tireless work, we've pulled together our 10 best Hockey Mom vehicles.

10. TOYOTA PRIUS

For all those Hockey Moms who also want to be friends of the environment, what better way to get to the rink than in the poster car of hybrids, Toyota's Prius?

At $27,500, the Prius isn't the least expensive hybrid on the market (that honour goes to the $23,900 Honda Insight). But if you can hang on to the fuel-efficient Prius until Junior graduates from Atom to Midget, you may save enough toonies for an extra hot chocolate or two along the way.

9. MINI COOPER CLUBMAN

Until the four-door Mini Crossover (or whatever they call it) arrives next year, the $26,500 Mini Cooper Clubman is available now for the Hockey Mom who wants to save money at the gas pumps (almost as much as in a Prius), have a little bit of fun while behind the wheel and maybe attract the attention of the occasional Hockey Dad (the unattached kind, anyway).

Granted, with only seats for four, the maximus Mini can't take the whole team to practice. But at least the Clubman's rear barn doors are perfect for the loading and unloading of skates and sticks.

8. SUBARU IMPREZA 2.5I 5-DOOR

For less coffee money than the Prius or Mini, the $21,895 Impreza 2.5i five-door offers practical Hockey Moms more room and traction.

Like a pair of freshly sharpened skates, instead of power going to the front wheels only (or to one of the those slip-then-grip systems normally found in this price range), all Imprezas get Subaru's symmetrical full-time AWD, one of the most sophisticated systems available.

7. PORSCHE PANAMERA TURBO

Just like the Impreza, the Panamera Turbo has all-wheel drive and a hatchback. So it's really practical and safe for winter driving.

Oh, and it also has a 500-hp engine that can haul the Porsche four-seater from rest to 100 km/h in under four seconds. It can go over 300 km/h (on a track, of course) and costs about eight Subarus. But if you're a Hockey Mom who's perpetually late, the Panamera Turbo is perfect for getting you to the rink on time.

6. BMW 328XI TOURING

The 3-series wagon is for all those Hockey Moms who want the performance and handling of one of the pre-eminent sports sedans you can buy, but also room for goalie pads in the back as well.

For $45,600, the 328xi Touring comes with a short-throw, six-speed manual standard – something you can't get in most SUVs. However, like most larger, more cumbersome-to-drive SUVs, the BMW hauler comes with AWD – BMW's excellent xDrive – which distributes engine output continuously and variably between front and rear axles.

5. CHEVROLET EQUINOX

A huge step up from its horrid predecessor, the new Equinox offers Hockey Moms much nicer interior materials and more advanced powertrains. Four-cylinder models are the way to go. They start at $25,995 and are relatively fuel efficient with a combined 7.8 L/100 km (36 m.p.g.) rating.

Plus the ads say Bobby Orr drives an Equinox. Nuff said.

4. LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

If you're a Hockey Mom who believes that Junior is a guaranteed NHL first-round pick, with millions soon to be rolling in, feel free to invest in one of the most capable vehicles available – both on- and off-road – the big daddy Range Rover, which starts at $98,830.

No out-of-town tournament will seem too far away in the big Landie. It possesses all the accoutrements of a luxury sedan but has the traction capabilities of a mountain goat.

3. FORD FLEX

Neither minivan nor SUV, the six- or seven-seater Ford Flex is a nice choice for the enigmatic Hockey Mom. Front-drive Flexes start at $35,499. But AWD is optional, and a new 355-hp turbocharged V6 will get the team to the rink on time – and in style. Inside, the Flex offers plenty of elbow room, with loads of safety features.

2. VOLVO XC90 3.2 AWD

Overly protective Hockey Moms (and Dads) can find solace in the minivan-like (seven-passenger) $51,995 XC90 and Volvo's inherent reputation for making some of the safest cars on the road.

Get your pencils out: roll stability control and protection system; dynamic stability and traction control; AWD; blind-spot information system; whiplash protection system; and enough airbags to float the Queen Mary are all standard.

The only thing missing from the Volvo is a protective cup.

NO. 1: THE HONDA ODYSSEY

There's a reason why your local rink's parking lot is jammed with minivans: Hockey Moms love their low step-in, sliding doors plus there's room for the starting lineup (and the backup goalie) and their gear.

So it goes without reason that the best minivan out there, Honda's $31,690 Odyssey, would also rank high as a Hockey Mom hauler.

For a minivan, the Honda's nimble, offers great steering and a firm suspension. Throw in excellent build quality and ergonomics, and you can see why the Odyssey is the perfect conveyance for you and your little stars of tomorrow.

Toronto Star