Best family cars in 2024

    a ford kuga on the road

    Choosing a car for your family can be tricky. It needs to be able to handle all the challenges and journeys that a family faces on a day-to-day basis, be economical to run, be comfortable for each person, and keep everyone safe while still looking good.

    Top recommended family cars for 2024

    Skoda Superb

    a white skoda

    Price

    RRP £34,875 – £46,345

    Pros

    👍 Really practical

    👍 Good on the motorway

    👍 Interior is well-made

    Cons

    👎 Firm suspension at lower speeds

    👎 Engine’s a bit gutless

    Summary

    The Skoda Superb is a great family car. Its spacious interior and large boot are perfect for busy families who have to take lots of stuff with them. Its robust safety features, like multiple airbags and stability control, provide peace of mind.

    The Superb delivers a comfortable ride, making longer trips more bearable, and its efficient engines help keep running costs low. Overall, it’s a reliable and economical choice for families that need space and comfort.

    Tesla Model Y

    tesla driving over a bridge

    Price

    RRP £44,990 – £59,990

    Pros

    👍 Lots of interior space

    👍 Excellent driving range

    👍 Good acceleration

    Cons

    👎 Not that comfortable

    👎 Rubbish rear visibility

    Summary

    The Tesla Model Y is a strong choice for a car. Its spacious interior, large boot, and optional third-row seating offer practicality. The fully-electric SUV has advanced safety features like autopilot and collision avoidance, ensuring peace of mind.

    The Model Y provides a smooth, quiet ride with excellent comfort, and its electric powertrain keeps running costs low while being eco-friendly. It’s a fantastic option for families who love a bit of innovation and efficiency.

    Hyundai Santa Fe

    a red Hyundai

    Price

    RRP £46,775 – £58,635

    Pros

    👍 Lots of space inside

    👍 Amazing looks

    👍 Economical to run

    Cons

    👎 Not the most exciting of drives

    👎 Boot is a touch on the small side

    Summary

    The Hyundai Santa Fe is a practical family car. It offers oodles of interior space with optional third-row seating, making it perfect for larger families. Its solid safety features, including forward collision warning and lane-keeping assist, provide peace of mind.

    The Santa Fe delivers a smooth, comfortable ride with plenty of modern conveniences. The SUV’s efficient engine options balance performance with good fuel economy, making it a reliable and cost-effective choice for families and quite frankly, a fantastic all rounder!

    Volkswagen Golf

    a man driving a red VW polo

    Price

    RRP £27,035 – £37,135

    Pros

    👍 Great infotainment

    👍 Good build quality

    👍 Fun to drive

    Cons

    👎 Simple suspension

    👎 Not a super engaging drive

    Summary

    The Volkswagen Golf should be high on your list of family cars. It’s a solid choice, offering a compact yet spacious design that’s practical for everyday use. Known for its excellent safety features, like multiple airbags and stability control, the Golf provides peace of mind on the road.

    It’s comfortable for short and longer trips, with efficient engine options that help keep running costs low. Overall, the Golf balances comfort, safety, and economy for families. It’s a solid option.

    BMW X3

    two men in a BMW X3

    Price

    RRP £48,385 – £66,990

    Pros

    👍 Delight to drive

    👍 Spacious cabin and good boot

    👍 Smooth, powerful engine

    Cons

    👎 Bit of a firm ride

    👎 Expensive top-spec models 

    Summary

    The BMW X3 is a great option. Its spacious interior and large boot are convenient and perfect for carrying kids and gear. It has advanced safety features like collision warning and lane departure assist, ensuring family protection.

    The X3 family SUV delivers a comfortable, smooth ride, is ideal for long journeys, and has efficient engines that offer good fuel economy for an SUV. Overall, it’s a well-rounded choice for families seeking a stylish vehicle that does a job and can take you on a family holiday.

    Land Rover Discovery Sport

    a white land rover

    Price

    RRP £43,445 – £57,920

    Pros

    👍 An ocean of space inside

    👍 Handles bumps with ease

    👍 Impressive performance

    Cons

    👎 Noisy engine

    👎 Third row cramped for taller people

    Summary

    The Land Rover Discovery Sport is one of the best family cars with plenty of space, a flexible seven-seat option, and a generous boot. It may not be the most economical family car but it scores high in safety, featuring driver-assistance systems like emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.

    The Discovery Sport provides a smooth, comfortable ride on and off-road, perfect for family adventures. Its versatility, comfort, and safety make it a great option for family life

    Kia Sorento

    a kia sorento parked in a car park

    Price

    RRP £41,995 – £57,025

    Pros

    👍 Well-equipped

    👍 Spacious interior

    👍 Four wheel drive as standard

    Cons

    👎 Touch boring to drive

    👎 On the pricey side

    Summary

    When it comes to practical family cars, the Kia Sorento is a good shout. It offers seven seats for passengers and huge boot room for luggage or shopping.

    The vehicle is equipped with safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision warning to provide extra peace of mind. The Sorento delivers a comfortable ride for long trips, and its efficient engine options help keep running costs low, making it a reliable and economical choice for families.

    Ford Kuga

    a fod kuga parked in a public car park

    Price

    RRP £32,095 – £42,455

    Pros

    👍 Good fun to drive

    👍 Great price for what it offers

    👍 Relatively cheap to run

    Cons

    👎 Smallish boot

    👎 Interior could be plusher

    Summary

    As family cars go, the Ford Kuga is a great one. It gives you loads of space inside and a large boot for hauling stuff around for those everyday adventures. Its advanced safety features, like lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking, are tip-top while giving you a comfortable ride and a well-designed interior to make longer journeys more enjoyable.

    With efficient engine options, including hybrids, it balances performance and fuel economy, making it an economical choice.

    Nissan X-Trail

    a blue Nissan X trail

    Price

    RRP £32,925 – £44,480

    Pros

    👍 Quiet engine

    👍 Quality driving dynamics

    👍 Robust safety features

    Cons

    👎 Less boot space than competitors

    👎 Tight on space in the third row

    Summary

    The Nissan X-Trail is a fantastic family car. It has generous space with an optional third row of seats, making it great for larger families. It comes with advanced safety features like lane-departure warning and emergency braking.

    The X-Trail provides a comfortable and smooth ride, ideal for long trips. With efficient engine options and good fuel economy for its size, it’s a practical and economical choice for those everyday family adventures.

    Peugeot 3008

    a Peugeot 3008 being driven in the rain

    Price

    RRP £34,660 – £38,160

    Pros

    👍 Easy to drive

    👍 Excellent interior

    👍 Very practical

    Cons

    👎 Not that quick 

    👎 Some may find the seats uncomfortable

    Summary

    The Peugeot 3008 is an excellent choice for families. Its roomy interior and ample boot space make it ideal for everyday use and family outings. It has advanced safety features like lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking.

    This family transport provides a comfortable, smooth ride with a modern, well-designed interior. It’s an economical family car with efficient engine options that help keep running costs low, making it an economical and practical choice for families.

    The key features to look for in your next family car

    Innovative safety technologies

    Innovative safety technologies are essential when choosing a family car. Look for features like automatic emergency braking, which helps prevent collisions, and lane-keeping assist to ensure the vehicle stays on track. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control add extra layers of safety. 

    These technologies provide peace of mind, making driving safer and easier, especially with kids on board.

    Comfort and space considerations

    Comfort and space are essential when selecting the best family car. Look for:

    👉 Roomy interiors with plenty of legroom and headroom, especially if you have growing children. 

    👉 Adjustable seating and flexible boot space make long journeys more comfortable and practical. 

    👉 Climate control, comfortable upholstery, and quiet cabins enhance the overall driving experience, ensuring the whole family enjoys the ride.

    Fuel efficiency and economic value

    Fuel efficiency and economic value are crucial factors when choosing a new family car. Look for vehicles with high miles per gallon (MPG) ratings to keep fuel costs low, especially if you frequently drive long distances. 

    Also, consider the overall cost of ownership, including:

    📜 Insurance

    🔧 Maintenance

    💷 Resale value

    A car that balances good fuel economy with decent running costs will offer long-term savings while meeting your family’s needs.

    The different uses of a family car

    A family certainly puts their vehicle through its paces! We’re talking:

    🎒 Doing the school run twice a day.

    🏢 Driving to and from work.

    🛒 The big weekly shop at the supermarket.

    🩰 Getting to and from kids’ activities at the weekend.

    🍦 Day trips to the beach and the like.

    🧓 Going to see extended family.

    🤷 And so on!

    A family car certainly has to be able to handle all it’s asked to do.

    The importance of safety, comfort, and economy

    Safety, comfort, and economy are essential when choosing a family car. Robust safety features, such as airbags and driver-assistance systems, provide peace of mind. Comfort ensures everyone enjoys the ride, especially on long trips, while good fuel economy keeps running costs manageable for the whole family.

    FAQs

    What’s a good family car brand?

    A good family car brand typically offers reliability, safety, and practicality. Brands like Toyota, Honda, and Ford are known for their durable, family-friendly vehicles, providing ample space and advanced safety features. Look for models with solid safety ratings and positive reviews from other families for a dependable choice.

    What’s the best type of car for doing the school run?

    A compact SUV or a spacious hatchback is ideal for the daily school run. Look for features like easy access to the back seats, ample bag storage, and good fuel efficiency. Models with high safety ratings and user-friendly technology can make daily trips smoother and more convenient.

    Is it time to sell your car?

    Ready to learn more about valuing, maintaining, and selling your car? Check out our other guides here, covering everything from hybrid and electric car depreciation to converting your vehicle to dual-LPG fuel.