Whether you’re buying your first family car or you’re upgrading to a newer vehicle, you’ll know that it’s a major investment, both financially and for every member of your family. Whether you’re taking the kids to after-school activities to hitting the motorway for a staycation, you need a car that can handle the school run as well as the annual outing to Scarborough.
How To Choose The Best Family Car
This is a collaborative post
To help you choose a car that fits the bill, here’s a look at some of the most popular family-friendly models, plus some tips if you’re buying your first family motor.
Popular family cars
Here are some of the best-performing family cars on the market right now:
- Vauxhall Astra
A classic family hatchback, the Astra has long been a favourite among families. Vauxhall has equipped all Astra models with PureSense, its active safety kit that includes smart driver assistance technology including auto-adjust LED headlights and a night vision feature.
- Skoda Octavia
This model comes up time and again in the top family cars lists and it’s easy to see why. As well as having impressive boot capacity, with the latest iteration delivering 600 litres, it was awarded a five-star rating for safety by Euro NCAP. This makes it, understandably, a go-to choice for drivers looking for a practical, safe ride for their families.
- Toyota Corolla
There’s plenty of storage in the Corolla, making it a great choice for families. There’s a large glovebox and good-sized door bins, while there’s ample passenger space up front and good space across the back – ideal for smaller people who need some leg room.
Safety features include automatic headlights, adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera.
Top buying tips
Once you’ve got an idea of the model you want, it’s worth looking at some of the finer details to make sure it suits your needs.

First, you need to look for a reliable motor. Research how dependable the model you want is and look out for any common issues that might require maintenance. After all, you don’t want your car to experience an electrical fault while you’re on a long journey.
Safety is paramount. We’ve already touched on the NCAP rating for one of the models on the market, but it’s important that you double-check the latest safety rating and the safety features onboard.
Also, ensure you have good quality tyres. These will need to stand up to the trip to school followed by the commute to the office every day.
Plan ahead too. You’ll need a car that will last a few years and that will continue to suit the needs of your family as the kids grow up.
Whether you know the car you think you want or you’re still looking, keep these tips in mind to ensure you find the perfect fit.
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