The dad-car phenomenon

Sexy, low-riding sports cars be gone. New-age dads (NADs) value versatility over virility – and mums of the world are sitting up and taking notice.

Slightly sceptical of even our own headline and determined to prove its validity, we probed three suburban NADs and their families who, between them, boast nine kids aged from four to 16 and own a golden retriever, toy cavoodle (it’s a real breed – look it up) and a bunny rabbit.

Combined, their children’s extra-curricular activities make Michelle Bridges look like a slouch… rowing, AFL, basketball, netball, dance, athletics, swimming, stage school, drama, nippers, taekwondo – need I go on?

With this much happening on a weekly basis, functionality is king. It appears that what women really want is a man with a van… or at least seven-seat capacity! And smart dads are getting on board, reaping the rewards.

Is big, is good
Two-seater sports cars and their 20-inch alloys have no place in the world of busy NADs. Forget the narcissistic undertones and mid-life crisis gossip – they’re just downright impractical.

For starters, how do you manage school pick-up?

Mother of five, Emma, ponders that very problem.

“You’d have that eternal dilemma of which children you leave behind at school pick-up… and there’s definitely no room for friendships in your kids’ lives which will potentially leave them scarred for life and crying under the lunch tree every recess.” she warns.

Mum of two, Natasha, addresses practicalities of a different nature in her takedown of the sports car.

“All romance requires is a backseat, not a bucket seat!” she says, while partner Rohan strongly defends the rugged dad-car, his Land Rover Discovery: “It costs roughly the same as a Stuttgart stormer anyway, but my bum crack doesn't show when I get out.”

Following the flesh theme, mum of two Chriss cautions anyone attempting a graceful exit from the once-popular sports car. “There are some things you can’t unsee. One wardrobe malfunction and someone can be scarred for life,” she says.

It seems people-mover passion is a thing, people…

Friends with benefits
The power of a car that is capable of kid car-pooling should not be underestimated. For the driver it’s a bit like offering to be the sober, designated driver… but worse.

With five kids in the mix, Emma sings the praises of the modern dad-car and the selfless message it sends.

“It means [Matt] a 40-something dad has foregone his years of surfing and picking up chicks in his van for a car-load of children, most in car seats, and potentially a dog,” she reflects.

On the other hand, landscape gardener and poster boy for active NADs, Matt is working on a soldiers of fortune vibe, suggesting their Mercedes-Benz V-Class is reminiscent of the crack commando unit, the A-Team.

“A man with a van is a man with a plan!” he boasts.

The fact it can carry eight people and six full-size mini-mal surfboards makes it even more appealing, he tells motoring.com.au.

Natasha channels old-school family values and finds herself drawn to the dad-car’s seven-seat capacity and its ability to bring the family together.

“It means he puts his family first. He'd rather take the whole family with him than go alone” she says.

Conversely, Rohan spruiks the engineer-approved HVAC functions of their seven-seater Disco. The best feature? “High air-flow vents for when someone does a smelly,” advises the known-to-be-flatulent father of two.

Family matters aside, looks count. As a Toyota Prius-driving father of two girls, and one of our more eco-friendly NADs, Adrian faces years of pulling his hair out and needs no image-car pressures.

“The sportier the car the more likely you are to need hair replacement. Sad but true and I don’t want to risk it,” Adrian confesses to motoring.com.au.

Sensitive New Age Dads win
With family values top of mind, the new-age dad breathes fresh air into an otherwise stale, predictable mid-life motoring phase. This Father’s Day we give NADs the two thumbs up. We’re moved.