When you’ve got a family to take care of, you want a motor that’s going to cater to everything you need – from extra safety features to plenty of space in the boot for a folded-up buggy.
On the hunt for the best family car and not sure whether to go for an SUV, a hatchback or something else? We’ve got some great suggestions to get you started, all with a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.
Safety, space and fuel efficiency are a few of the biggest factors to bear in mind when you’re looking for family. Then there’s comfort to think about too – especially if you’re planning long family trips. Check out a few family cars that tick all the boxes.
If you have a big family and space is top of your list, the GLE SUV is a great choice. It can seat up to seven and is focused on comfort over sportiness. When all seven seats are in use boot space is reduced, but when you’re travelling with five you can expect to be able to pack plenty of luggage with ease with 603-litres. You can also fold the second row away for 2,055-litres, handy for transporting bulky items. It also has a particularly impressive entertainment system, perfect for long family rides.
If you’re looking for a smaller family car that’s got great fuel efficiency, then the Toyota Corolla’s 1.8-litre hybrid could be a smart choice. It’s very comfy in the front although a little cramped in the back, so it might be a better fit for a young family than one with teenagers. It has a 361-litre boot and some nice extras, like adaptive cruise control and heated front seats.
Another small family car option is the Nissan Qashqai, a compact offering with a high seating position and less bulk than your average SUV. It’s got an eye-catching design and plenty of safely features as well as a decent 504-litre boot. The back seating isn’t as spacious as some of its competitors, but the seats are comfortable and adjustable, and the back doors open to make getting car seats in and out easier.
When you’re looking for a reliable family car, why not check out the Volkswagen Tiguan? It’s an SUV that seats up to five and scores high on comfort and practicality. The boot has 520-litres of space that you can push up to 615 if you slide the back seats forward and there’s lots of storage available in the glove box and seat bins. It comes with an 8.0-inch infotainment system as standard and the option for a 9.0-inch upgrade.
The A3 Sportback from Audi is a family car with a premium feel and a fresh, sporty look. Its interior is plush and spacious and there are a choice of diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engines. Most versions have a 380-litre boot although the PHEV only has 280, due to the space the battery takes up. It has top tether anchorages for all three rear seats and there’s plenty of room for baby seats.