What do families want from their cars?
We all need cars that are reliable, practical and comfortable to drive but having a family puts extra demands on your vehicle. Extra space is always handy and carrying your loved ones safely is high on the list of priorities for many people.
Thankfully, car companies have been working hard to maximise cabin and luggage room and minimum safety standards in most new cars are very good indeed. We've found the best family cars of the year, leaving no questions but "which one should I choose?".
There’s so much choice
There certainly is! To give you an idea, Audi makes 17 different models. Six of them can be chosen in the form of a four-door shape with a boot. And it sells seven SUVs.
Now, consider that Škoda, SEAT, Volkswagen and Cupra are all part of the same company and build cars on the same platforms. That’s another 14 SUVs in the mix (excluding a convertible SUV and a longer version of one of them!).
But don’t worry; the good news is we have hand-picked our favourites from five categories of family motors which tick all the boxes for us - and hopefully for you too.
We like the i20’s sharp design, great practicality and high equipment levels: all models in the new i20 range come with auto lights, cruise control, autonomous emergency braking for forward collision assist. Good boot space and a five-year warranty complete the i20’s appeal.
2. Best medium family car
Škoda Octavia
We’re picking the new Octavia for the best medium family car because it’s one of the biggest hatchbacks on the market. Elegant looks plus a good range of engines - including plug-in hybrid - make it our pick of the mid-sized bunch.
3. Best large family car
BMW 5-Series
Adding driver appeal to the large, luxurious family motor, the 5-Series ticks all the boxes. Petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, two- or four-wheel-drive, saloon or estate, there’s a model for every family.
4. Best family estate car
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
This is possibly the toughest category because so many car companies offer estate versions of their hatchback models. They’re given far more impressive names than merely ‘estate’ these days; the Corolla Touring Sports wins for us, offering a full hybrid system with family-friendly load space.
5. Best 7 seater family car
KIA Sorento
How we have moved-on from the 1970s when a 7-seater often meant two rear-facing seats in the boot of an estate car! The ultra capable new Sorento not only offers civilised space for seven but adds all-wheel-drive. It is a very able tow car too, should you need to pull a caravan or horse box.
What’s important to you
There’s almost certainly a suitable model from most manufacturers which would suit your family needs. In fact, there is a huge choice, even within each brand.
Need more space? Look for the estate or Tourer versions. Want something a little more rugged? Check out Ford’s Active range or Škoda’s Scout models. And you’ll find sporty and eco variants of many models too, all with the same practical space.
Arguably the one type of car which ticks all the boxes is the hatchback. Having been around for half a century, the ever-popular hatchback is practical, spacious yet sensibly compact: just as well suited for the school run as the annual family holiday. Head over to our list of hand-picked hottest hatchbacks for 2021 to see which manufacturers are taking lead in the hatch race.
Head over to our guide for information on car leasing with insurance.
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