In these tough economic times many American families are being forced to downsize, but it’s still necessary to have a vehicle that can make it back and forth to the store and still be comfortable for the whole family.

According to MSN autos, there are a number of vehicles families should consider if they’re looking to trade in the gas-guzzling SUV for a used car that’s more economical.

Jeff Bartlett, deputy online autos editor at Consumer Reports says there are a number of reasons families should consider taking a step down from the monstrous vehicles they thought they needed in more prosperous times.

“You save upfront, you save at the pump, you save in your annual maintenance and you’ll recoup a greater percentage on trade-in,” Bartlett told MSN autos.

One of the vehicles that makes the MSN auto list is the Toyota Rav4, which has been in production for over a decade. The site says the vehicle is tiny in comparison to other SUVs so it might be well suited for families with small children.

It appears that a growing number of people who would have normally purchased a new car are turning to used cars. A recent study from Edmunds finds that a half million people who would have normally purchased a new vehicle bought a used car in the three months leading up to February.

Find New York Used Cars with New Jersey State Auto.