The cars we'd love to give our moms

Did your mom drag race the family car back in the early 1960s, with bleach-blond hair and a cool pair of shades? Then she'll appreciate the Corvette Grand Sport.

With all of the handling characteristics of the big Z06 but with a more manageable 460 horsepower on tap, this classic in the making is the sports car mom deserves.

Imagine mom taking a drive through the country, wind in her hair, behind the wheel of the Mini Cooper Convertible. This car offers a carefree driving experience and loads of fun. At the same time, its compact size means it won't take up too much room in the garage, so it can work as a second car. Impressive fuel economy and responsive handling reward the engaged, but frugal, driver.

The Evoque Convertible has everything a sun-loving California mom needs: A drop top for the sunny days, a spacious interior for the grandkids and the dog that hates everyone but her. And it's got a taller ride height as she starts to shrink. Also, since it's a Range Rover, it has the added luxury and class that'll help apologize for all those times you were a jerk teenager.

The Volvo V60 is a great choice for a mom who wants all the practicality of an SUV -- but maybe not the size. Its AWD system and potent four-cylinder engine give it plenty of capability, and the wagon layout gives her plenty of capacity. And, being a Volvo, it's among the safest cars on the road. You want your mom to be safe, right?

Audi's latest Allroad is based on its latest A4, which might just be our favorite compact luxury sedan. Lurking somewhere between a crossover and a luxury wagon, the Allroad offers the best of all worlds, utility and a modicum of sport without the bloat. It also boasts one of the nicest interiors in the business, including Audi's dazzling Virtual Cockpit.

The Outback is the go-to car for those who love the great outdoors. Hiking and camping moms can use the Subaru to fit their gear and friends off the beaten track. Taking advantage of the car's 8.7-inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel-drive, mom isn't likely to get lost in the woods. The Outback serves as a perfectly comfortable onroad driver, too, with available features such as Subaru's EyeSight adaptive cruise control, which takes some of the stress from highway cruising while helping prevent accidents.

Since its inception in 2012, this has been one of our favorite small SUVs. Now in its second generation, the Mazda CX-5 boasts more mom-appeal than ever with a more premium cabin, amenities like a power liftgate and a much more comfortable ride. Through this latest evolution, it has maintained its wallet-friendly price, which means it's still a good choice for new families.

The XC90 is the softroader that put Volvo back on the map. With a minimalist, modern cabin and crisp exterior design, this handsome Swede will get the neighbors' tongues clacking. Thankfully, it's also nice to drive, with a sophisticated twin turbocharged four-cylinder and an available plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Toyota's Highlander is a smart choice for moms who want flexibility. There's plenty of room for up to 7 passengers and enough space to gobble up the most ambitious Costco runs. The Highlander also features parent-friendly technologies such as Driver Easy Speak, which subtly broadcasts the driver's voice through the car's speakers, so mom can chat with the kids in the third row without shouting at the top of her lungs.

For 2018, Land Rover's Discovery has come of age as a family hauler. It's more capable than ever off-road, but it's also more capacious, efficient, and sports a boatload of tech. You can even open the doors with an RFID wristband and configure the rear seats from your phone. Roughing it has never been so posh.

The sleek Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is one of the best choices for moms with large families. This plug-in hybrid boasts 33 miles of electric range per charge and, beyond that, 84 mpge combined, making it by far the most fuel-efficient minivan in the world. Plus, it's got Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment and plenty of tech up front to keep mom entertained, too.

For the adventurous mom, may we present the Ford F-150 Raptor. This bad-boy will take mom anywhere she wants to go, and we mean anywhere. 450 horsepower urges mom to let loose on the whoops, while the 510 pound-feet of torque can get her up and over those rocks. Why let dad have all the fun?

The Honda Ridgeline is the perfect truck for those moms who need a truck but don't want to drive a truck. Riding on independent suspension in the rear, instead of the traditional solid axle, the Ridgeline behaves like a crossover, but has all the benefits of a pick-up truck. Mom can tow up to 5,000 pounds and throw over 1,500 pounds of payload in the back, and with the in-bed audio system, she can host her own tailgate party.