Random Coolest 'Soccer Mom' Cars That Aren't Minivans (10 items)

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  (#1) Audi SQ5

  Everything about the SQ5 is surprising, especially because it's very reasonably priced (for an Audi) at $53,000. At 5.1 seconds to 60 mph, this deceptively quick, 354-horsepower sleeper is actually faster than the much more powerful Mercedes G63 AMG. It'll seat five including the center-rear seat position, and return 23 miles per gallon on the highway.
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  (#2) Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

  Do you have a spare $140,000 lying around? Then you should probably listen to Gwyneth Paltrow, who says you should hire a nanny, like everyone else. But, just in case you want to spend your hard-earned money on a 536-horsepower SUV that can hit 60 mph in 5.4 seconds - AMG has you covered. 
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  (#3) Tesla Model S

  • Tesla Motors, Tesla

  Apart from being all-electric, getting 70-plus mpg equivalent, and offering the fastest acceleration of any sedan in history (3.1 seconds to 60 mph in P85D form), the Tesla Model S's unique architecture allows you to seat three in the back seat, and an extra two kids in the rear jump seats. That's seating for seven, 70 mpg, insane speed, and one of the sexiest bodies on the road today. If you've got the budget, it's almost impossible to go wrong with a Tesla Model S. 
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  (#4) Tesla Model 3

  Pitched as the first affordable all-electric car from Tesla Motors, the Model 3 is a more reasonable alternative to the souped up Model S. For the $35,000 price tag, this one offers seating for five and a range that tops out at roughly 215 miles per charge. The base model has a bit of zip, accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. Of greater importance to discerning parents, however, is the spacious interior, the extra storage in both the front and rear, and abundant safety features such as the "auto-pilot" mode.
  
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  (#5) BMW 3 Series Sportwagon

  On a list unusually heavy with speedy station wagons, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the wagon that makes all others cool. With a 240-horsepower four cylinder, this car isn't going to keep up with the other two wagons on this list in a drag race. But it will give you respectable straight-line performance, BMW handing, all-wheel drive and a not-to-shabby 43 mpg. All for not much more than a fully spec'd Ford Flex EcoBoost. 
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  (#6) Mazda CX-5

  • Mazda

  Mazda designed the CX-5 to be the sports car of compact crossovers, and it definitely looks the part. With a 0 to 60 time of 7.7 seconds, the CX-5 isn't quite a demon in a straight line - but its incredibly nimble handling is on par with a lot of sports sedans we could name. Remember, this is the same company that brought us the Miata, RX-7 and RX-8; Mazda does know its way around some chassis tuning. Yours for a fantastically reasonable $24,000. 
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  (#7) Mini Cooper Clubman S

  Mini says you can fit five people in the Clubman S - though it definitely better fits children. It'll run to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, and handles about the way you'd expect a Mini engineered by BMW would. Top-end JCW models are a somewhat pricey $36,000, but $27,000 will get you into a more basic Cooper Clubman. 
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  (#8) Holden Commodore SS Sportwagon

  Holden is GM's go-fast division down under, and this is the car that the Pontiac G8 would have been if it had survived to the next generation and been turned into a sportwagon. You can't find this 350-horsepower beast in American showrooms, since GM doesn't import them. But you can pay the $44,000 buy-in price and have one imported for an extra $10,000 or so. It's basically just a Chevrolet SS with a wagon body, so you shouldn't have any trouble registering a Commodore SS in most states. Rest assured on this: You won't see another one among your local PTA membership. 
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  (#9) Ford Flex EcoBoost

  And they say wagons are dead - one look at this Ford begs to differ. Granted, the car in this picture is lowered and laden with aftermarket goodies, but there's no reason yours couldn't look just like it. While the stock Flex's ride height isn't a study in grace, a little lowering and the right wheels makes for a study in wagon perfection. The fact that it's also available with a 360-horsepower EcoBoost engine isn't exactly a drawback either. 
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  (#10) Nissan JUKE

  • Nissan

  It might not look it, but Nissan's funky little Juke will seat three across on its flat bench back seat, provided those three aren't adults. It's style is kind of love-it-or-hate-it; but at $22,000 to $27,000, the Juke probably is one of the biggest style statements you can make for the money. 
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  (#11) Ford Escape

  • Ford

  The last two generations of Ford Escape (aka Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner) might not have been anything to write home about, but this new version is one dead sexy beast. From most angles, anyway. It won't keep up with the Mazda CX-5 around corners, but it will beat it by a nose to 60 mph. In a dark paint color, with blackout trim and black wheels, this generation of Escape would simply ooze bad intentions. 

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