Finding the best family car doesn’t have to be difficult, the recent evolution of the traditional family car now means you now have many great options to choose from.
With the introduction and popularity of modern SUVs and crossovers, the range of family car option is as diverse as it’s ever been.
What’s the best family car to buy?
Naturally, when you’re considering a family car – you want something that offers plenty of space. A good size boot for awkwardly shaped pushchairs and plenty of depth for those impromptu weekend getaways or occasional trip to Ikea.
It should be practical, the ideal family car shouldn’t be expensive to run and will give you a great return on miles per gallon.
Most importantly, safety is a key consideration when it comes to family cars and we have ensured that the cars in our best family car list was awarded less than the maximum five stars for safety from European New Car Assessment Programme.
Best small family car
If you want to combine the practicalities of having a small run around with the comfort and quality you get from a family hatchback, there is one car that provides you with just what you need.
The Audi A1 is one of the best small cars on the market, however it’s the car’s versatility inside that makes it our top pick for best small family car.
The cabin isn’t just roomy, it also feels classy and uncluttered with high quality, soft-touch materials. It’s also comes with great specs, the iconic infotainment system that protrudes from the dashboard gives the car that extra technological edge that will make those family journeys run more much more smoothly.
The Audi A1 is noticeably firmer than a regular supermini, the battery is placed in the boot to improve weight distribution and the 17 inch alloy wheels gives you great handling on most road surfaces. There is a dynamic set-up to the Sport models, a softening off suspension and bump absorption that gives you more comfort for those occasions when it’s still safe to put your foot down.
You can explore our collection of Audi A1 currently from our stock, choose from the range of entry level 1.6 TDi SE Sportback which offers the best blend of equipment and economy in the range.
Best family estate car
The estate car has been a popular part of British family life for generations, arguably the most iconic British car, the Rolls-Royce is an estate.
The estate car is often top of the list for family car drivers because it’s very generous with how much space it offers. It also combines the comfort of a saloon car with the luggage capacity of a small can (yes a small van!).
The Mercedes E-Class has styling that’s more alluring and contemporary than any of its counterparts, there is a visual appeal that attracts drivers who have might not even be considering a family estate. It has a dynamic look, without being aggressive – more elegant than the smaller Mercedes C-Class but less restrained than the limousine-like Mercedes S-Class.
The interior of the E-Class has wisely used design cues from the S-Class. The E-Class Estate is fabulously well assembled, there are four circular air vents in the centre and with a tech version this can be accompanied by twin 12.3 inch displays giving you a high tech bank of monitors with really sharp graphics.
There’s more than enough interior space too, the boot is even bigger than that of the Volvo V90 estate, making it primed and ready for any activity and adventures family life throws your way.
The Mercedes E-Class has many engine options to suit your driving needs, you can opt for 2.0-litre diesel E220d or the more economical and less expensive – E200d. The E220d also offers the option of 4MATIC four-wheel drive, which adds extra grip for more challenging driving condition.
The 3.0-litre V6 E350d diesel model provides extra power and smoothness, while those after even more speed can go for the high-performance four-wheel-drive Mercedes-AMG E43 petrol model.
Find your Mercedes E-Class here.
Best large family cars
Traditionally, a list of top large family cars would mainly comprise of estates and hatchbacks. However the recent explosion in popularity of SUVs and crossovers have changed how we consider family cars.
A car true to its crossover name is the Nissan Qashqai, its popularity amongst family car drivers is down to the adventurous and rugged feel you get from looking at coupled with the comfort you get from being inside.
The Nissan Qashqai is also user friendly. The dashboard is simple to use, whether you have the standard layout or the touchscreen system – you get a premium feel from the smart and slick controls.
For a relatively massive car, it’s powered by a range of small modern engines – which gives you plenty of versatility when it comes to choosing the right engine for your daily needs. Petrol options are a turbocharged 113bhp 1.2 litre and 160bhp 1.6litre and popular 1.5 litre diesel can manage 74mph.
One of the reasons SUVs and crossovers are increasingly popular amongst family car buyers is the elevated position driving one puts you in. The high driving position gives you a better command of the road and you have an advantageous view of traffic ahead. Of course, The Nissan Qasqai is spacious with plenty of versatility. The boot is easy to access with a wide-opening tailgate – so you’d be sure to get some of the larger items in without any fuss.
You can search online now and explore our range of Nissan Qashqai or the roomier and more refined Nissan Qashqai+2 with excellent dCi engines.
Best second hand family car
There are plenty of good reasons to consider buying a used family car, apart from saving on costs there are plenty more ways to buy a second hand family car. The more options there are the more you control you have as a buyer.
Competitively priced, the Ford Mondeo is one of the cheapest car on the market. Considerably less expensive than BMW and Audi counterparts, this family estate takes family-friendly refinement to a whole new level.
There is a big boot space you could probably pitch tent in and changeable rear seats that gives you even more flexibility if you need it.
The cabin features high quality soft touch plastics, the myriad of trim levels ensure there will be an option packed with enough kit and tools to keep every family member happy.
Another reason why the Ford Mondeo is our pick for best second hand family car is the composure and agility it provides on the road. There’s a good range of petrol and diesel engines too, the 114bhp 1.6 litre diesel offers the best combination of performance and costs, closely followed by the 148bp 2.0 litre.
The Ford Mondeo is one of our lowest priced family car, and at Cargiant its popularity alone makes it one of our most stocked family car options.
You can find your perfect Mondeo today.
Best value family car
When it comes to picking the best value, the price of the car is not the only thing to consider. The running cost including servicing, fuel, depreciation and insurance is also a key factor. Basically, you need an efficient car.
No other manufacturer delivers efficiency as well as the Volkswagen, and the VW Golf estate epitomises this. If our choice of cars is a reflection of our life stages, then the Golf estate is a natural transition for the family focused driver.
The Volkswagen Golf estate retains all the familiarity you have from driving the smaller Golf hatch.
The interior is still refined and delivers a sense of calm and order you only expect from a German automobile. Surprisingly for a large car, there is a lower driving position which connects you closer to the clever layout and overall smarter use of space.
Speaking of space, there is a voluminous 605-litre sized boot and rear sears space that is very spacious for its range.
Another familiarity you’d find with the Golf estate is the engine line-up which it shares with the hatch, the value comes from the ingenious cylinder shut-off feature that lets it run as a two-pot when power demand is low.
It’s lightness in weight also gives it great fuel efficiency, and because it’s a Volkswagen it’s cheaper to run, safer and good on price retention.
Why don’t you see for yourself and book yourself in for a test drive in our of Golf estates.
Now that you have our top recommendations, we can help you find the best family car, just book a test drive in any of our cars in stock now and soon you could be planning the ultimate family road trip.