Car comparison: Fun family cars

If you’re looking for a family-friendly car that packs a punch but won’t break your budget, WTOP has you covered.

<p>The Buick packs the desirable combination of a V6 and winter-ready all-wheel drive. Add a hidden rear hatchback into the mix, and it’s a great all-around vehicle.</p>

1/6

Buick Regal GS AWD
$44,110 as driven (WTOP/John Aaron)

The Buick packs the desirable combination of a V6 and winter-ready all-wheel drive. Add a hidden rear hatchback into the mix, and it’s a great all-around vehicle.

<p>The V6 provides the instant low-end grunt that four-cylinder turbos lack, and has a throaty exhaust note to boot. But the ride may be too firm for some, and the car itself is on the pricey side.</p>

2/6

Buick Regal GS AWD
$44,110 as driven (WTOP/John Aaron)

The V6 provides the instant low-end grunt that four-cylinder turbos lack, and has a throaty exhaust note to boot. But the ride may be too firm for some, and the car itself is on the pricey side.

<p>“A sedan with gusto” is how our Mike Parris described the Jetta GLI in August.</p>

3/6

Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition
$27,890 as driven (WTOP/John Aaron)

“A sedan with gusto” is how our Mike Parris described the Jetta GLI in August.

<p>The smooth manual transmission adds to the fun factor. The black and red exterior touches lend a meanness to the otherwise sedate car.</p>

4/6

Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition
$27,890 as driven (WTOP/John Aaron)

The smooth manual transmission adds to the fun factor. The black and red exterior touches lend a meanness to the otherwise sedate car.

<p>Mazda has upped its game with the Mazda6 signature. The Mazda6 now has the power it’s been lacking, but its healthy 250 horsepower is achieved with top-shelf, 93 octane fuel. Horsepower drops to 227 with regular, 87 octane. The ride is sporty, without beating you up.</p>

5/6

Mazda6 Signature
$36,520 as driven (WTOP/John Aaron)

Mazda has upped its game with the Mazda6 signature. The Mazda6 now has the power it’s been lacking, but its healthy 250 horsepower is achieved with top-shelf, 93 octane fuel. Horsepower drops to 227 with regular, 87 octane. The ride is sporty, without beating you up.

<p>To drive home its luxury message, our car came equipped with a white leather interior (just don’t spill anything, ever).</p>
<p><em>Mike Parris contributed to this report.</em></p>

6/6

Mazda6 Signature
$36,520 as driven (WTOP/John Aaron)

To drive home its luxury message, our car came equipped with a white leather interior (just don’t spill anything, ever).

Mike Parris contributed to this report.

John Aaron

John Aaron is a news anchor and reporter for WTOP. After starting his professional broadcast career as an anchor and reporter for WGET and WGTY in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he went on to spend several years in the world of sports media, working for Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network Radio, and WTOP.