Best cars for the school run
Choosing the right vehicle for busy school runs is essential!
You’re looking for a compact car that can weave in and out of the morning and afternoon rush hour traffic while still having ample room for your little ones’ assortment of school bags. It also needs to be a family car with adequate safety features, family-friendly features, and the ability to help you save money and look good at the school gates.
Read on to uncover your perfect vehicle for the school run.
Top picks for school run cars
Nissan Qashqai
Price
RRP £27,135 – £42,610
Pros
👍 Quiet and comfortable
👍 Good fuel efficiency
👍 Spacious interior
Cons
👎 Questionable reliability
👎 Interior looks a bit cheap
Summary
The Nissan Qashqai is a solid option for driving the kids to school. Its roomy interior has lots of space for children and their stuff. The elevated driving position gives you good visibility for navigating busy streets. The Qashqai’s compact SUV design makes it easy to park and is fuel-efficient and comfortable for short and long trips.
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
Price
RRP £36,955 – £49,410
Pros
👍 Versatile seven-seater
👍 Good equipment
👍 Good to drive
Cons
👎 Suspension too soft
👎 Fiddly infotainment controls
Summary
The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace is an excellent choice for the school run, offering seven seats and extra room for kids and bags. Its spacious interior provides flexibility for families, while the elevated driving position helps with visibility in busy areas.
Despite its larger size, the Tiguan Allspace handles smoothly and is easy to park. It’s practical for short daily trips, with comfort and safety features that make school runs just that little bit less stressful.
MG ZS EV
Price
RRP £18,335 – £23,390
Pros
👍 Smooth, quiet driving experience
👍 Top-notch build quality
👍 Low running and maintenance costs
Cons
👎 Low range compared to other EVs
👎 Not the quickest charging rate
Summary
The MG ZS EV is a strong selection for the school run. It offers a fully electric drive that’s quiet, smooth, and eco-friendly. The spacious interior provides plenty of room for kids and school bags, and the large boot and rear parking sensors make drop-offs and pick-ups easier.
With zero emissions and lower running costs, it’s a practical and budget-friendly choice for families.
Kia Sportage
Price
RRP £28,710 – £45,775
Pros
👍 Lots of interior space
👍 Smooth hybrid engine
👍 Solid infotainment system
Cons
👎 Quite boring to drive
👎 Not the most comfortable for families
Summary
With its spacious interior and generous boot space, perfect for lugging about the kids and their gear, the Kia Sportage should be high up your list of cars ideal for the school run. It offers a smooth and comfortable ride, with excellent visibility for negotiating busy streets.
The Sportage’s safety features, like lane assist and parking sensors, make it ideal for families, while its reliability ensures relatively stress-free trips.
Peugeot 3008
Price
RRP £35,205 – £44,840
Pros
👍 Attractive inside and outside design
👍 Oodles of cabin storage
👍 Excellent boot space
Cons
👎 Visibility is poor
👎 Funny seating positions
Summary
The Peugeot 3008 is a great shout for the school run, with its roomy and comfortable interior that is perfect for families. Its elevated driving position provides excellent visibility, while its smooth handling makes city driving easier.
The 3008 also has useful features like parking sensors and a spacious boot for school bags and sports gear. Plus, its robust safety features offer extra peace of mind for parents.
Dacia Jogger
Price
RRP £18,295 – £23,995
Pros
👍 Simple to drive and park
👍 Comfortable ride
👍 Lots of space
Cons
👎 Average material quality
👎 Funny seating positions
Summary
The Dacia Jogger is a practical choice for the school run, with its seven seats and plenty of space for kids, backpacks, and sports gear. Its versatile interior can be easily adjusted to fit more passengers or cargo, making it ideal for busy family life.
The Jogger’s compact design makes it easy to park, while its excellent entry price and low running costs add to its appeal as a budget-friendly family car.
Hyundai Tucson
Price
Price
RRP £31,535 – £45,875
Pros
👍 Nice interior quality
👍 Smooth drive
👍 Big boot
Cons
👎 Not much base engine oomph
👎 Dodgy touch-style control centre
Summary
When it comes to choosing a vehicle for your school run, you don’t need to look much further than the Hyundai Tucson. Its spacious and comfortable interior gives you plenty of room for kids and their belongings.
Its smooth handling and good visibility make it easy to navigate busy streets, while helpful features like rear parking sensors make parking a breeze. With solid safety features and good fuel efficiency, the Tucson is practical and reliable for your family’s needs.
Audi Q3
Price
RRP £34,480 – £50,495
Pros
👍 Huge boot
👍 Lots of cabin room
👍 Solid interior build
Cons
👎 Quite expensive
👎 Not great on twisty roads
Summary
Because of its delightful blend of practicality and comfort, the Audi Q3 is a vehicle you should consider if the school run is part of your weekday routine. Its spacious interior offers ample room for children and their gear, while the high driving position provides excellent visibility.
Safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist ensure a secure drive. Its efficient engines and smooth handling make trips to school bearable, to say the least.
Jeep Renegade
Price
RRP £30,699 – £39,199
Pros
👍 Plenty of standard features
👍 Touchscreen is user-friendly
👍 Awesome off-road
Cons
👎 Fuel economy isn’t wonderful
👎 High entry price
Summary
Thanks to its rugged yet compact design, the Jeep Renegade is a terrific pick for the school run. Plenty of space is available for kids and their belongings. The elevated driving position provides excellent visibility, and its robust build ensures safety and durability. The user-friendly technology and good fuel efficiency make it a practical and reliable choice for busy parents.
Volvo XC90
Price
RRP £61,680 – £83,130
Pros
👍 Big boot, even with seven seats up
👍 Lots of space in the second row
👍 Full of safety tech
Cons
👎 Wind noise at high speed
👎 Suspension could be more forgiving
Summary
The Volvo XC90 excels on school runs with its spacious and flexible interior, comfortably accommodating up to seven passengers and their gear. It has advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, providing extra peace of mind.
The smooth ride and intuitive infotainment system make daily trips enjoyable for drivers and passengers. Additionally, its high-quality build ensures durability and long-term reliability.
What to consider when choosing a car for the school run
Safety ratings
Safety ratings are crucial for protecting your children when choosing a car for the school run. Here’s what to look for:
✅ Crash test ratings: Check results from organisations like Euro NCAP or IIHS for high safety scores.
✅ Safety features: Look for advanced features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control.
✅ Child seat compatibility: Ensure the car has LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) for secure installation of car seats.
✅ Airbags and safety systems: Make sure the vehicle has multiple airbags and stability control systems.
Fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness
When doing the school run, balancing fuel efficiency with eco-friendliness is essential to manage costs and reduce environmental impact. You can achieve this by choosing vehicles with high miles per gallon (MPG) ratings to minimise fuel expenses and the frequency of refuelling. Hybrid or electric vehicles are great options due to their lower emissions and sustainability.
Adopting efficient driving habits, such as smooth acceleration and braking, can further improve fuel efficiency. By considering these things, you can make a more eco-conscious decision while keeping your running costs in check.
Interior space and comfort
When selecting a car for the school run, ensuring that the interior space and comfort meet your needs is essential. This includes:
✅ Passenger space: Choose a vehicle with ample legroom and headroom to keep everyone comfortable during rides.
✅ Cargo room: Look for sufficient boot space for school bags, sports equipment, and other essentials.
✅ Adjustable seating: Features like adjustable seats and sliding rows can accommodate growing children and varying needs.
✅ Comfort features: Heated seats, climate control, and high-quality materials enhance overall comfort for both drivers and passengers.
Technology and entertainment features
Technology and entertainment features are crucial in keeping passengers (especially the smaller ones!) engaged when selecting a car for the school run. Look for vehicles with user-friendly infotainment systems offering touchscreen controls, Bluetooth connectivity, and navigation. Rear-seat entertainment options like screens and multimedia players can help entertain kids on longer trips.
USB ports and charging points are also essential for keeping devices powered up. Choosing a car with these tech features can ensure a more enjoyable and engaging passenger experience.
FAQs
What’s the most reliable car brand?
While reliability can vary by model, Japanese brands like Toyota, Honda, and Subaru are often noted for their dependability. They consistently receive high marks in reliability studies and customer satisfaction surveys, making them solid choices for those seeking a reliable car for the school run.
What’s a good 7-seater car?
An example of a suitable 7-seater is the Volvo XC90, which offers spacious seating and advanced safety features, and the Volkswagen Sharan, known for its practicality and comfort. Both options provide ample room for families and are highly rated for reliability and functionality.
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