A growing family will require a car with adequate seat space as well as boot space to make your journey a comfortable one.
Choosing the right car for your family can be tricky. But if you remember to consider the most important factors and functionality for your family needs – such as NCAP safety rating, clever storage and boot space – this will help to narrow down the search for your new family car.
12 BEST FAMILY CARS
1. Audi A3
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot capacity: 425 litres
The Audi A3 is a great family hatchback delivering a smooth ride, thanks to the Dynamic suspension handling even the poorest of road conditions.
Audi prioritise safety, putting your mind at ease when travelling with loved ones. That’s why the A3 received a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, with a strong 95% score for adult protection and 87% for child protection.
With responsive active technology that has been designed to think ahead, the A3 will help prevent and certainly reduce the effects of an accident. Plus, if the car becomes unstable, it will automatically engaging Electronic Stability Control and Anti Slip Regulation tech, to correct any loss of control and keep you safe.
2. Mercedes GLA-Class
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot capacity: 481 litres
The new Mercedes GLA-Class is a family sized crossover hatch-back, with all the comfort (and higher driving position) of an SUV. It is the smallest model in the Mercedes-Benz SUV range, but the stylish and sporty looking GLA has a surprisingly roomy inside, comfortable head and legroom and with of room for a family.
The impressive GLA’s safety system boasts an Active Brake Assist that will intervene and brake to avoid or reduce the impact of a collision, while the optional Driving Assistance package has an impressive array of extras including turning manoeuvre function, emergency corridor function and exit warning function to prevent opening doors into nearby cyclists or vehicles..
3. Volkswagen Golf
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot capacity: 380 litre
The next generation VW Golf family hatchback has over 45 years excelling as a highly desirable model – and it is ready to take a leap into the digital hybrid world.
Volkswagen didn’t just play catch up either, they are setting the bar in the latest safety tech, offering Car2X ‘swarm intelligence’ built-in 5G technology, to alert drivers to warn of jams and accidents in the area. And in the event of a significant impact, the sensors will first check to see if you can respond and if not, will automatically alert emergency services.
4. BMW X3
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot capacity: 550 litre
With a big boot and spacious interior, the BMW X3 is a roomy family car that’s both comfortable and easy to drive. From the school run to weekend adventures, you will find handling the X3 a breeze.
Equipped with plenty of driver-assist features to take the stress out of weekend adventures and long road trips, the X3 comes with an impressive suite of safety features. From full surround airbags to protect you should the worst happen, to automatic pre-tensioned safety belts, auto-closing sliding roof and automatically applied brakes until the car reaches a standstill - these features make the BMW X3 one of the safest family SUVs available.
5. Jaguar E-Pace
uro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot capacity: 425 litre
The Jaguar E-Pace crossover boasts an innovative driver-focused cockpit, surrounded by a family-focused interior. Taking the rewarding Jaguar driving experience, the E-Pace adds everyday practicality and impressive interior storage, to a five-star Euro NCAP safety rated family car.
Ultimately, the E-PACE will deliver ‘sports car looks with Jaguar performance’ in the form of a fabulous family car. With plenty of room for passengers and seat adjustment for very tall drivers. The only drawback being its sleek sloping roofline, which will be the price you pay for a stylish jaguar exterior, with a slightly smaller boot than other similar-sized SUVs.
6. MINI Countryman
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot capacity: 450 litre
The new style MINI Countryman launched in 2017 is a spacious new model, more comfortable than ever for adventurers with 20cm longer, allowing an extra 5cm legroom for rear seat passengers and plenty of headroom for everyone inside.
The SUV crossover handles rugged terrain with dexterity, navigating around winding roads and obstacles with ease. While built in safety is intelligent, sensors take the guesswork out of tricky driving situations and protect you in the event of a collision.
7. Porsche Cayenne
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot capacity: 772 litre
The Porsche Cayenne sits at the top of Porsche’s desirable SUV line up, with a heavy hint of the infamous 911 sports car design throw in for good measure.
The new Porsche Cayenne comes with a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 340hp, capable of reaching 0-62 mph in 6.2 secs and a top speed of 152 mph. While the Cayenne S model boasts 440hp and reaches 0-62 in just 5.2 seconds - all models are able to pull a max trailer load of 3,500kg, which is enough for a caravan or boat as you head to the coast this summer.
The Cayenne is also spacious and practical, great for tall adults as well as 3 adults comfortably sat in the back and a hug boot space too!
8. Toyota Corolla
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot capacity: 596 litre
Traditionally called the Auris, the Toyota Corolla combines performance and handling with an updated design and impressive spec for a mid-size family car. Unveiled in 2019 with a futuristic new look and comfy interior, the Corolla is an appealing, dynamic hybrid-only model – great for keeping fuel costs down.
Putting your safety first, safety features are a given with the Corrolla too - so all models come with a pre-collision system that detects pedestrian and bicycles, lane assist and adaptive cruise control to name a few.
THE BEST LARGE FAMILY CARS - 7 Seaters
9. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot capacity: Up to 1775 litre
The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace offers a bigger boot and third row of seats, so that it can carry seven people or even more luggage than the smaller Tiguan – ideal for UK staycations or ferrying around the whole family.
You will however have to choose between additional seats or boot space, but flipping between the two is a breeze with easy toggle levers. And when opting for the 5 seater layout, the expansive boot can handle at least a couple of bikes!
Safety features like automatic lights, Front Assist with city emergency braking and rain sensitive wipers come as standard across the range. As well as scoring a maximum 5-stars under the EuroNCAP rating system, with 96 per cent adult occupant safety rating. Not to forget the very latest navigation and connectivity technology, the Tiguan Allspace also has a handy 3 zone climate control to keep all of your passengers comfortable on long journeys.
10. Land Rover Discovery Sport
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot capacity: Up to 1574 litre
The upper hand that the Land Rover Discovery Sport has over many other SUVs is its third row of seats – although tight for adults, they are ideal for a couple of extra children as well as the dog! Adapting from motorway to city, the Discovery handles bumps in a breeze and is goes the distance for a comfortable ride. Great for active lifestyle too, the Discovery Sport can tow up to 2,500kg* and offers an Advanced Tow Assist technology to make ease of reversing with a trailer safely.
Plus, its clever storage and a 4G WiFi hotspot, complete with connection npoints for all 3 rows makes for a happy and demanding family journey.
11. Audi Q7
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot space: Up to 2050 litres
The spacious highly capable not to mention desirable 7 seater Audi Q7 has the competition in a quiver. With a bigger boot space than many other 7 seaters, generous headspace for tal passengers and reclining seats to get comfy in the middle row, it’s hard to beat the Audi’s impressive practicality.
All Q7 models come as standard with Audi Pre-sense Front, which monitors the traffic in front of the vehicle for potential collision hazards Add plenty of modern tech and some exciting design refreshes and you’ve got a family car that makes light work of the added load.
The latest generation is also available in an economic hybrid option.
12. BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer
Euro NCAP testing: ★★★★★
Boot space: Up to 1820 litres
If you need seven seats but also value a premium interior experience and driving performance of a BMW, then the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer will please you!
Its extra 202mm in length (compared with the Active Tourer) allows for up to seven passengers, with a handy fold-down third row of seats ideal for families. Plus, when the back row is not in use, the rear seat bench both folds 40:40:60 and slides back for even extra legroom. Or there’s up to 1820 litres of luggage space with all seats folded. With the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer you can enjoy more space for your life.
Buying the perfect family car ultimately comes down to how many passengers and baggage you have to tow! If you need more head or leg room over additional seating, or a vast boot space over the latest design spec – there is a car for every family’s needs.
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