Whether it’s the school run or a summer holiday road trip, family cars need to live up to the demands of our busy lives.
It goes without saying then that there is a lot to consider when you’re shopping for a new family car. In this guide, we explain how to find the best family car for your needs, outlining which essential features you should look out for.
Top Tips for Choosing The Best Family Car
You can still have a car that reflects you*
Just because you’ve started a family (or are planning to) doesn’t mean
you have to choose a car that isn’t totally you. Yes, you’ll need to
consider practicality and safety first, but there are plenty of options
available if you’re looking for a fast or sporty family car.
In fact, many family cars offer the best of both worlds, so you can
have all the practicality you require and still have the speed you enjoy
for faster journeys once you’ve dropped the kids off.
Bigger isn’t always better
Often, drivers assume that a family car needs to be a big SUV or MPV,
which isn’t always the case. In reality, the best family car for you is
one that works for you and your family.
For example, if your children are only in the car for the school run
and you do the majority of your driving alone, you may be wasting money
on purchasing and fuelling a larger vehicle. A smaller vehicle may be a
more practical option for you.
The right car for right now?
It’s so important to not only consider whether your family car is right
for your current situation, but also whether it will be suitable in the
coming months or years.
It’s easy to glaze over any potential issues when you’re enamoured by
a vehicle but if it’s not practical, it will become a chore to drive.
To avoid having to change it sooner than you’d like, make sure it has
the longevity to remain suitable as your circumstances change.
Bigger isn’t always better
Often, drivers assume that a family car needs to be a big SUV or MPV, which isn’t always the case. In reality, the best family car for you is one that works for you and your family.
For example, if your children are only in the car for the school run and you do the majority of your driving alone, you may be wasting money on purchasing and fuelling a larger vehicle. A smaller vehicle may be a more practical option for you.
You can still have a car that reflects you*
Just because you’ve started a family (or are planning to) doesn’t mean you have to choose a car that isn’t totally you. Yes, you’ll need to consider practicality and safety first, but there are plenty of options available if you’re looking for a fast or sporty family car.
In fact, many family cars offer the best of both worlds, so you can have all the practicality you require and still have the speed you enjoy for faster journeys once you’ve dropped the kids off.
The right car for right now?
It’s so important to not only consider whether your family car is right for your current situation, but also whether it will be suitable in the coming months or years.
It’s easy to glaze over any potential issues when you’re enamoured by a vehicle but if it’s not practical, it will become a chore to drive. To avoid having to change it sooner than you’d like, make sure it has the longevity to remain suitable as your circumstances change.
Bigger isn’t always better
Often, drivers assume that a family car needs to be a big SUV or MPV, which isn’t always the case. In reality, the best family car for you is one that works for you and your family.
For example, if your children are only in the car for the school run and you do the majority of your driving alone, you may be wasting money on purchasing and fuelling a larger vehicle. A smaller vehicle may be a more practical option for you.
You can still have a car that reflects you*
Just because you’ve started a family (or are planning to) doesn’t mean you have to choose a car that isn’t totally you. Yes, you’ll need to consider practicality and safety first, but there are plenty of options available if you’re looking for a fast or sporty family car.
In fact, many family cars offer the best of both worlds, so you can have all the practicality you require and still have the speed you enjoy for faster journeys once you’ve dropped the kids off.
The right car for right now?
It’s so important to not only consider whether your family car is right for your current situation, but also whether it will be suitable in the coming months or years.
It’s easy to glaze over any potential issues when you’re enamoured by a vehicle but if it’s not practical, it will become a chore to drive. To avoid having to change it sooner than you’d like, make sure it has the longevity to remain suitable as your circumstances change.
Vauxhall Astra
For a sporty family car that combines practicality with style, the Vauxhall Astra is a great choice. While its striking, edgy design doesn’t look like your typical family vehicle, the Astra packs a punch once you step inside.
Forget rummaging around in your bag or pockets for your keys; keyless entry takes the stress out of getting into the car, a handy feature when you’ve got the kids and the weekly shop with you!
Inside, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained; Apple Play and Android Car Play make it easy to hook up your phone and stream music everyone enjoys. Meanwhile, an in-built navigation system makes determining routes easy, so you’ll finally be able to answer their “are we there yet?” questions.
For a sporty family car that combines practicality with style, the Vauxhall Astra is a great choice. While its striking, edgy design doesn’t look like your typical family vehicle, the Astra packs a punch once you step inside.
Forget rummaging around in your bag or pockets for your keys; keyless entry takes the stress out of getting into the car, a handy feature when you’ve got the kids and the weekly shop with you!
Inside, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained; Apple Play and Android Car Play make it easy to hook up your phone and stream music everyone enjoys. Meanwhile, an in-built navigation system makes determining routes easy, so you’ll finally be able to answer their “are we there yet?” questions.
If you are looking for a safe family car, take a look at the Grandland. This stylish SUV is packed with technology to help make driving easier, such as Active Drive Assist, Front Camera System and Side Blind Zone Alert.
Available with a hybrid engine, opt for the Grandland Hybrid and enjoy up to 39 miles of pure electric power. Choose a model with the 7.4kW onboard charger and charge your vehicle at home in under two hours!
The Grandland is uber practical too. Not only does it boast a maximum of 1,652 litres of space, but the Elite and Ultimate models also offer a hands-free tailgate system. Baby in your arms or pushchair in tow? Waggle your foot under the rear bumper and the tailgate will open automatically.
If you are looking for a safe family car, take a look at the Grandland. This stylish SUV is packed with technology to help make driving easier, such as Active Drive Assist, Front Camera System and Side Blind Zone Alert.
Available with a hybrid engine, opt for the Grandland Hybrid and enjoy up to 39 miles of pure electric power. Choose a model with the 7.4kW onboard charger and charge your vehicle at home in under two hours!
The Grandland is uber practical too. Not only does it boast a maximum of 1,652 litres of space, but the Elite and Ultimate models also offer a hands-free tailgate system. Baby in your arms or pushchair in tow? Waggle your foot under the rear bumper and the tailgate will open automatically.
Larger families can find the perfect vehicle for every trip with the Combo Life Electric. Available as a 5- or 7-seater, you can carry up to seven passengers with ease, and still have an abundance of space left over.
Speaking of space, the Combo Life Electric is one of the most spacious family cars, offering a whopping 597 litres of boot space and a staggering 27 storage compartments within the interior cabin. That gives plenty of room for everyone’s luggage.
Safety is of course taken care of too, thanks to innovative onboard technology. Lane Keep Assist helps you maintain your position on the road, while Forward Collision Alert gives you advance warning of the road ahead. Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection alerts you of potential collisions, automatically braking if no action is taken, while Speed Sign Recognition informs you of changing speed limits as you drive.
Larger families can find the perfect vehicle for every trip with the Combo Life Electric. Available as a 5- or 7-seater, you can carry up to seven passengers with ease, and still have an abundance of space left over.
Speaking of space, the Combo Life Electric is one of the most spacious family cars, offering a whopping 597 litres of boot space and a staggering 27 storage compartments within the interior cabin. That gives plenty of room for everyone’s luggage.
Safety is of course taken care of too, thanks to innovative onboard technology. Lane Keep Assist helps you maintain your position on the road, while Forward Collision Alert gives you advance warning of the road ahead. Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection alerts you of potential collisions, automatically braking if no action is taken, while Speed Sign Recognition informs you of changing speed limits as you drive.
With family cars, some things are must-haves. But whether you choose a 7-seater, compact SUV or a 5-door hatchback, our family cars also deliver superior handling, slick styling and the latest tech on every journey.
