Tops luxury cars

It's a boy! That's the big news from proud parents Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. Sure, the royal couple will have plenty of help to care for their infant son, but life will be different, too. New parents, royal or not, must make accommodations for life with babies. Often, choosing a new car that's safe and practical for families is on the to-do list, right alongside assembling the crib.

Our top-five luxury cars for new parents are fit for royalty, but affordable enough for more common folks, too. All but one is available on both sides of the pond; the only exception arrives in the U.K. early next year.

2013 Range Rover Evoque

If William and Kate were of a more modest background, the couple might choose the Range Rover Evoque to shuttle their newborn son around town and country. It's stylish and well-equipped, and it's British, too. A compact SUV, the Evoque is small and nimble enough for city life, but the 5-door version is still practical enough for a small family. With a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, the Evoque is the most fuel-efficient Range Rover at 20 miles per gallon city/28 mpg hwy. All-wheel drive is standard, contributing to better traction in wet or snowy weather. The base Evoque Pure starts at , 995.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL350

Larger families will find luxury in the Mercedes GL350 BlueTEC, a 3-row SUV with a starting price of $62, 400. The all-wheel-drive, diesel-powered GL350 is efficient for its size, with Environmental Protection Agency-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg city/24 mpg hwy. A long list of standard safety features includes a collision warning system and front, rear-side and curtain airbags. Standard luxury features include leather seats, a moonroof, dual-zone climate control and a power lift gate. Kid-friendly stand-alone options such as rear entertainment and rear sunshades are also available.

2013 Tesla Model S

William and Kate won't be able to buy a Tesla Model S in the U.K. until next year, but U.S. buyers with green sensibilities are already taking delivery of the luxurious electric vehicle that outclasses other plug-ins. First, the Model S is bigger than most EVs, with generous space for five passengers and optional rear-facing child seats that bring capacity up to seven. It boasts a considerably longer range than other electric-only vehicles, too. The base model can travel about 208 miles before recharging. With an optional 85-kWh battery pack, range jumps to 265 miles while the price increases by $10, 000. The Model S starts at $71, 070 before a $7, 500 federal tax credit for U.S. buyers.