By Sam Blier

So you finally saved up a decent down-payment and were ready to take on a new car payment when the economy went and took a global dump. If you’re still up to taking the plunge, you might want to consider buying a car that fits your needs now, but that you won’t outgrow if your circumstances change (kids, dogs, even more gear for the band, etc…). Lucky for you, the crossover vehicle is one of the hottest segments in the industry right now. These vehicles combine the comfort and drivability of cars with the utility and flexibility of SUVs, often with surprisingly decent gas mileage.

Ford Flex
The Ford Flex features cool, retro styling, seating for up to 7 passengers, and optional all-wheel drive for our nasty New England winters. It comes with the requisite flip and fold seating that lets you convert people space into cargo space when needed, so you’re ready for any trip. One of the coolest features available on the Flex is Active Park Assist. Once activated, the system alerts you when you’ve driven past a parallel parking spot that’s big enough. As if that weren’t enough, once you’ve pulled up to the spot the system actually parks the car for you. And it doesn’t even expect a tip!

Chevrolet Equinox
The second generation of this Chevy crossover is very affordable, handsomely styled, and gets better gas mileage than many cars (32 highway mpg!), all while offering generous cargo space. A notable feature that’s sure to keep your passengers entertained on long hauls is the option that turns the Equinox into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Add available Bluetooth connectivity and your mobile Pandora account and the Equinox starts to look like the ultimate road trip/family vacation machine.

Kia Sorrento
Brand new for 2011, the sharp-looking Sorrento can be outfitted with some impressive kits for such a reasonably priced vehicle. You can add a third row of seats that fold out of the way when you don’t need them, voice-activated navigation to get you where you’re going and 7.1 surround sound audio to keep you and your passengers entertained. The Sorrento is the first Kia to be fully manufactured in the good old US of A, plus it comes standard with a 10 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. If that doesn’t encourage long-term ownership, then maybe getting up to 28 highway mpg in a vehicle that can carry up to 7 people will.