The Coolest Dad Cars Available Right Now

If you are like me when you found out you were going to become a dad you started looking for the perfect dad car to drive your family around in. When I did my first few searches several articles came up, but all of the cars for the most part were $50,000 plus. I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford a new $50,000 car to tow my family around. So with this list, we are going to do things a little bit differently. I am going to list cars and SUVs that are available used to a decent price, looking at a max of $25,000. So if you’re looking for a cool dad car for a decent price read on and let me know what you think about my choices in the comment section below.

But, before we get to the decent-priced cars, I couldn’t leave my absolute favorite family station wagon off this list. And the best part is, this car is finally available to us here in the USA. I am talking about the Audi RS6 Avant or wagon for us Americans. I have been in love with this particular car for as long as I can remember, but I am a huge Volkswagen Audi Group fan. But come one, who wouldn’t want an all-wheel-drive, 591 hp, twin-turbo V8 monster. If you can afford the ceramic disc brakes, then you could have the ability of 190 MPH top speed. So you could pick up the kiddos from school and get them home or to their after-school sports in no time. With a price tag of $109,000, it’s a little out of reach for most people, but I couldn’t have a list of cool cars and not have this one on it.

Alright lets get down to the real list of affordable cool dad cars that the average dad can afford. Most of these suggestions will be used cars, so make sure you do your own research if you are interested in any of them.

The first car on the list is going to be the car that I currently drive myself. It’s a VW Touareg. These SUVs are really starting to catch the eye of offroad enthusiasts for their durability and pretty capable in all weather conditions. If you find one in the first or second generation, like the one I have, they have a really good 4motionX system which is VW’s 4×4 drive. Some models even have air suspension that can be raised and lowered, as well as a rear and center differential lock. Plus you can fit so much stuff inside of it. We can get both dogs, Jameson, and his stroller with all the necessary baby essentials inside. And if you are into offroading, there are now two companies that are research and developing a lot of parts options for all of the generations of the Touareg. You can pick a Touareg up for anywhere between $4,000 and $25,000 depending on the year and model. And another option if you want more luxury is the Porsche Cayenne, if you went for an older model.

The next car on the list is…big surprise another VW. This time it’s the VW Golf GTI or Golf R. These are such fun little cars to drive around, whether it’s around town or you’re hugging the corners of a backcountry road or mountain pass. While the GTI seems small, there is a surprising amount of room in the hatch for a stroller, dogs, or groceries. A car seat would fit a little snug in the backseat, but if you have older kids then it’s perfect for them. A plus of this car is not only the great handling and the turbocharged engine, but it also gets great gas mileage when compared to the last VW I talked about. With 220 hp in the GTI or 300 hp of the R, there will be something for everybody with this car. And if a four-door isn’t for you, there were two-door models available from the early 2000s to 2016 if you can find one. You can pick up a GTI or R for anywhere between $8,000 to $25,000 or more depending on the options and trims.

Next on the list is another SUV, but this one can come with a Hemi engine squeezed into it. That’s right, I’m talking about a Dodge Durango R/T trim. If you want a powerful engine and the ability to fit a couple of kids and dogs in the back then it’s the perfect SUV for you. With 300 plus horsepower and optional AWD, you could take this SUV almost anywhere you could want to go. But if the V8 isn’t up your alley there are also several V6 trims available as well. And if you really have the need for speed and money, there is a new SRT version available as well. Depending on your location and the year you buy, you can pick one up between $10,000 and $25,000 and up.

Now, stay with me on this next one, I’m not going crazy I promise. But the next cool dad car is the Dodge Caravan or Chrysler Pacifica. I know, I know, it’s a minivan, how can I put this on a cool rides list. But if you have never seen it before, their stow-and-go seating is amazing, and that’s why I’m putting it on the list. As far as I am aware this is the only car that everything can fold completely flat, and I mean completely. And there is no need to remove the seat, they literally fold right into the floor like magic. It is the only minivan I have ever considered buying and owning. When we moved to the states we rented a few of them to transport all of our luggage and the dogs to Vegas. And that is what sold me, it was comfortable and had all sorts of awesome, features. But the fact that you can just fold the seats into the floor just blows my mind, and the fact that no other car manufacturer does this is beyond me. You can pick up one of these magic minivans for between $8,000 – $25,000 plus.

Next on the list is a classic muscle car, the Ford Mustang. It’s not a practical car by any means, but if you have older kids then it may be ok. I have heard some dads say that they found it easier to put a car seat in the back vs a normal car, but I don’t know how true that is. But you do have to admit the Mustang is a really cool iconic car. Depending on the year you have a few choices of engines, from a V8 to a V6 to now a 4 cylinder eco-boost turbo. And if the rumors are true in a few years there may be a four-door version of the Mustang. But if you don’t need something that holds a ton of stuff, and want to look good while you cruise around town, then this may be the one for you. These can be picked up for anywhere between $10,000 and $25,000 plus depending on the year and model.

This list is far from complete. But the other cars I would include in this list are far out of reach for the average person. All of these cars offer something for everyone, and some of them have a classic styling that will age well with time. If you happen, to have one of these picks, let me know what you think about them in the comments below.

And remember it’s ok to overthink, we all do it.