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I'm talking about a car that is like, a normal car. Not a sports car, not a classic car, I'm talking about a regular, practical, modern car for just driving around anywhere.
I would, personally, get myself a 2020-2022 Nissan Versa. It's one of the few sedans on Brazil that has a 1.6 liter engine, and while the fact it has a CVT is kind of crummy I just really like how it looks and all the bells and whistles it comes with. And since I'm in Brazil, we get a dark blue version that looks amazing!
Anything besides a piece of shit Nissan
You are asking for "family car" suggestions, yet give zero details on the family in question. But since you're looking at a Versa as a realistic option, you should know that Nissan's CVTs (made by Jatco) have a horrendous track record. Stay far away from them.
I'd go with whatever equivalent Toyota is available instead.
It would be me, my mom, and my brother, and a bunch of cats being transported sometimes. The only other realistic option I'd have would be the Volkswagen Virtus (it's essentially just a sedan version of the Polo).
As someone who abhors water-cooled VWs, I would sooner drive a VW over a CVT-equipped Nissan.
I would buy another Toyota Camry. Had a 2005 model for almost two decades and in that time I had to replace the alternator and then the radiator got a hole in it right before we traded it out for a different type of vehicle.
Would have kept it if we had enough room to park it, as it was still in great condition and everything still worked including the A/C.
Volvo V90
Wagons are the answer.
As much Accord as you can afford.
It's a saying for a reason. It's a great car for a great price. My Dad was in the automobile business (service side) since I was born until he retired and this was always his advice and that of most of the people he worked with. There were a few that hated imports and would recommend American vehicles, none have lasted the test of time.
Suzuki X-90
Ever since we got rid of our more-or-less family cars and got a "real" van I'm not going back. We're driving a Mercedes eVito (which is an electric Metris in the US, iirc) but just any will do. Family travels need space. I got so tired of having to prioritise beach shovels and frisbees against each other; being able to simply throw anything we want to take into the trunk is godsent. Driving around whole birthday parties is just so much better than asking neighbours for a taxi service. And yeah, I wouldn't ever go back to combustion engines, but I guess that's a matter of preference.
Not a Nissan.
That is really dependent on a lot of factors more than just "for a family." What do you intend to do with your family in the car? How big is your family, and do you have room for "unplanned" additions? What region do you live in, are there a lot of good quality paved roads or is it only dirt and grass? What is your budget? Do you want a brand-new vehicle or a used one? How long do you plan on keeping the vehicle? What will its re-sale value be at that time? How expensive is the maintenance? When the oldest members in the family get older, will it be hard/painful to enter or exit the vehicle? There are a lot of factors one should consider before picking a vehicle for their family.
Depending on the number of people you have to carry - Toyota. Pretty much anything Toyota.
Fun comfy for a long trips with the family? BMW I7. If you live in a country where EVs are great
Going shopping at the local mall? Something cheap that you can scratch without breaking the bank.
For a good car I can get later I was thinking of getting a Volkswagen Virtus, which is the sedan version of the Polo here. BUT, if I can't afford that, I'm gonna get myself a first generation Hyundai HB20S (brazilian sedan version of the i20 sold in Europe).
Practical can mean a lot of things. If I could only have one car it'd be something at least somewhat offroad capable, as vehicles that can leave the pavement can go more anywhere than a vehicle that can't. Probably a Subaru. That said, I'd also consider a $2000 car more practical than a $50,000 car, so I'd actually go for an old Subaru, or, as it worked out irl, a 2007 Volvo XC70 that I've lifted 4 inches.
and while the fact it has a CVT is kind of crummy
CVT was invented for Formula 1 racing, literally the pinnacle of auto racing and extreme performance...
It's was banned because it was too efficient. It allowed the engine to operate at peak efficiency at any rpm and any speed. If it wasn't outlawed it would have been the end of shifting and manual transmissions at the highest level of racing
The problem average people have with it, is they first experienced it in the Prius where it was programmed to maximize fuel efficiency no matter what.
So don't write a car off just because it has a CVT, lots of performance cars have them. And it should be relatively easy to get the programming changed to make it feel sportier or be more fuel efficient. Lots just have a button these days that do it on the fly.
The only negative thing I am aware of with CVTs is that they are not nearly as reliable long term and are a pain to work on when they have issues. Kind of like rotary engines, they might be completely awesome in specific use cases but aren't great for long term reliability.
I've heard that Brazilian mechanics hate working with CVTs because they're a pain in the ass to fix and/or have tons of issues, so I'm probably basing my opinion off that. Keep in mind that we over here have a majority of transmissions be manual and relatively simpler so they're less expensive and/or difficult to fix. I guess it's just a question of taking care of it properly?
I googled it and apparently the Versa's are exceptionally bad...
But other companies make better ones. Same as with manual/automatic, they're not all equally reliable.
Yes, for now, always write off Nissan CVTs.
F1 cars aren't exactly the paragon of long term reliability and ease of maintenance though. Most people need a vehicle to metaphorically finish a marathon, not get first place in a single sprint.
Mazda 3. Just because it comes with a normal transmission
