Best Family Cars

You need a lot from your family car. This includes practical space to make your life easier, affordability for a car that fits in with your budget, and of course, reliability because you don’t have the time to go back and forth to the garage for repairs. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or performance — keep driving enjoyment in mind for a bit of excitement when you’ve dropped the kids off!

The best family cars come in a range of body shapes and sizes, from compact hatchbacks to spacious SUVs. Whatever you think is best, be sure to keep your family's requirements in mind.Here are a few things to think about: 

• What are our needs? Whether your family is made up of a couple of little ones or just the two of you and your dogs, you’ll need to think about the number of passengers, how much space you need day-to-day, safety features and how much you’d like to spend. 

• What do we use the car for? Think about whether you’re using the car for quick trips to the shop, the commute to work or for regular, longer trips.

• What safety features are important to us? It goes without saying safety ratings and features should be high on the list of priorities when choosing a family car. Check NCAP safety ratings (the European safety standard) to see how your chosen vehicle measures up. Look for features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

• What is our budget? Think about how much you are willing to spend on the car, as well as insurance and maintenance. This will keep your search on track. 

• Will this car meet our needs in the future? Your family's needs may change over time as it grows or your kids get older — and buying a new car every few years might not necessarily be the best way forward. The best family car should adapt to your needs. 

• How reliable is the car? A car that doesn’t start when you’re already running late doesn’t bear thinking about. Research the car's reliability ratings, customer reviews, and manufacturer warranties for peace of mind it’s a dependable option. 

Keeping your family’s preferences in mind means you can find a good family car more easily. You’ve got your hands full, so let us do the leg work. Here are the top 10 best family cars on the market: 

The Top 10 Best Family Cars 

1. Toyota Rav4

The largest automotive producer in the world, the Toyota brand is known for reliability and practicality — two of the main factors you’re likely to have in mind when looking for the best family car. The Hybrid Toyota Rav4 takes the top spot on our list of top family cars. 

At a glance 

• 5-star NCAP rating 
• Plug-in and self-charging options for eco-friendly driving
• Flat-folding seats for boot storage from the floor to the roof 
• Easy-to-find ISOFIX points 
• Driver assistance features to prevent accidents on the road 

Why families love the Toyota Rav4

Described as a family SUV, the Rav4 boasts enough room inside for your kids and their friends — they can even recline the back seats if they’ve had a particularly taxing day! It’s perfect for family trips or daily errands, and with a boot that has a flat-loading floor, you can stack everything from pushchairs to shopping bags to flat-pack furniture with ease. 

The journey will be smooth and comfortable, whether you're driving around town or hitting the motorway. Plus, it's packed with safety features to keep your family protected on the road, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision system and front parking sensors. With ISOFIX points, you can secure your little one’s place for peace of mind on every journey. 

1. Honda CR-V

Renowned for offering families practicality and fuel efficiency no matter where they’re heading, the Honda CR-V remains a top pick for families looking for the best family cars for reliability and comfort.

At a glance 

• 4-star NCAP rating 
• Self-charging and plug-in hybrid engine options 
• Ample storage with USB connectivity for charging 
• Wide opening doors 
• ISOFIX points and loads of space for car seats 
• Big, comfortable seating 

Why families love the Honda CR-V 

The Honda CR-V has a spacious cabin that offers plenty of room for passengers along with everything else that comes with family life. The 2.0-litre hybrid engine comes with all-wheel drive for a noticeably smooth journey — no chance of disturbing the little one napping in the back seat! The plug-in hybrid option also means more affordable running costs. 

The Honda CR-V has Sensing 360 technology which means you’ll know exactly what’s going on around the car at all times and works with lane-keep assist and collision avoidance to keep the family safe no matter what. 

Keep everyone entertained on the go with wireless Apple Car Play, and with advanced models having extra speakers and a subwoofer as standard, even the kids’ music will sound great! 

1. Cupra Formentor

Let’s be honest, the Cupra Formentor looks completely different to what you might consider a family car. But don’t let its sleek, stylish exterior fool you! It’s safe, comes with a range of engine options and it’s fun to drive — what more could you ask for? 

At a glance 

• 5-Star NCAP rating
• Engine options including plug-in hybrid cars available 
• Rear parking sensors and rear-view camera 
• Driving modes including Sport and Comfort 

Why families love the Cupra Formentor 

At a glance, the Cupra Formentor looks stylish even to the most uninterested! Despite what it may look like, the Cupra Formentor is a family-friendly car tailored to meet the needs of modern families of all shapes and sizes.

This model has a spacious cabin that provides loads of room for passengers and everything that comes with them. Whether navigating city streets or embarking on long road trips, choose a driving mode to suit — whether that’s Comfort mode for the kids in the back, or Sport mode for parents to enjoy. 

The boot has room for around 5 carry cases but if you do need a little more space, fold down the back seats quickly and easily with levers on each side. You’ll notice a slight loading lip on the boot, but this shouldn’t cause too much of a problem. 

The Cupra Formentor has a range of safety features for your peace of mind on the move including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with emergency braking.

1. Ford Explorer

It’s unlikely you’ll go a day without seeing a Ford model — that’s how popular they are! The Ford Explorer makes it onto our list of the best family cars. An all-electric option, you can enjoy lower running costs with the brand’s stand-out design. 

At a glance 

• 5-star NCAP rating 
• 335-mile range with the largest battery option 
• Available with a towbar for caravans 
• Practical, square-shaped boot 
• Flat-floor in the back for more space for passengers 

Why families love the Ford Explorer 

The Ford Explorer stands out as a midsize SUV. The Explorer offers ample room for passengers of all sizes, and if you’re using the middle seat, the flat floor makes the car more roomy. It also has head space for 6-foot-tall passengers, making it perfect for growing kids. 

The Ford Explorer is available with a tow bar making it an ideal option for families heading off on holiday with caravans. It also comes with a ski-hatch so you can store long, thin items and bag hooks to keep things tidy, which can come in handy whether you’re travelling or just heading to the supermarket. 

From its intuitive infotainment system including Apple Car Play and Android Auto, to its comprehensive suite of driver assistance features like auto braking and rear and front parking sensors, the Explorer is a practical SUV for families of all shapes and sizes. 

1. Renault Scenic E-Tech 

Winning the award for 2024 Car of the Year, the Renault Scenic is a great option if you’re looking for a stylish family car. With a roomy interior to suit the smallest to the tallest passengers, the Scenic E-Tech comes with a range of efficient electric motors and a more modest price tag than you might find with other SUVs on the market. 

• 5-Star NCAP rating 
• 260-379 mile range 
• Roomy boot to fit 4 suitcases 
• Underfloor boot storage for charging cables
• Digital rear-view camera and surround view camera to make parking a breeze 

A modern, electric SUV, the Renault Scenic E-Tech has developed a new look, so you can enjoy a spacious car without compromising on style. The car has slim headlights and a grille that will turn heads on the school run. Inside, the model is known for its practicality. It has door bins and storage in the centre console so the kids can travel with everything they need to keep them occupied! There are also 2 USB slots so you can charge your phone on the go. 

Need to fit a car seat? This is made easy with ISOFIX points that are easy to reach, and with wide-opening back doors, there’s no need to struggle. There’s loads of knee room in the back too, so everyone has enough space to get comfortable. The boot is a good size with enough room for 4 suitcases or a couple of pushchairs — and plenty of space for the weekly shop! You can also fold the seats down if you’re travelling with more than usual. 

As for safety, drive with peace of mind with the help of blind spot monitoring and emergency lane-keeping assistance to keep you on the right track. With a rearview mirror and surround camera, getting into those tight parking spots has never been easier.

1. Peugeot 408

A brand with a strong reputation for reliability, which is great when looking for the best new family cars! The Peugeot 408 looks sleek and sporty but boasts everything you need to make family life easier. 

At a glance 

• 4-Star NCAP rating 
• Hybrid options available with good fuel economy 
• Excellent legroom in the back of the car 
• A range of storage solutions in the boot 

Why families love the Peugeot 408 

The Peugeot 408 doesn’t look like any other family car on the market, it has sloping lines and a sleek style which might appeal to parents who would prefer a combination of practicality and style.

Inside, the Peugeot 408 boasts enough boot space to rival other family cars on the market, but you should keep in mind the hybrid version of this car has less boot space because of the battery. Take advantage of levers to fold the seats down easily to stack shopping and pushchairs, as well as nets and hooks to keep everything in place. 

Legroom is plentiful with spacious footwells to keep even the tallest passengers comfortable. Seats are also comfortable making long journeys feel like a breeze. 

Keep your family safe with lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking as well as long-range blind spot monitoring. The car scores an NCAP rating of 4 stars out of 5. 

1. BMW 3 Series

One of the best family cars on the market comes in the form of this luxury family saloon. The BMW 3 Series would be the perfect option for parents prioritising comfort and space for their family while also looking for an executive car they can enjoy while the kids are at school. 

At a glance 

• 5-star NCAP rating 
• 2 and 3-litre petrol engine and plug-in hybrid options available 
• Wide-opening doors make getting in and out easy 
• ISOFIX points in the back

Why families love the BMW 3 Series 

The BMW 3 Series is a luxury option but that doesn’t mean it’s not practical. The BMW 3 Series is the perfect option for families with 5 seats and a roomy interior for kids and adult passengers. With safety features like Active Guard Plus and stability control, as well as a 5-star NCAP rating, you’ll have peace of mind you’re not only travelling safely but in style. 

Travel with everything you need with large door bins, cup holders and a storage box to keep everyone happy on the road. The BMW 3 Series makes getting in and out of the car seamless with wide-opening doors — perfect for loading car seats and pushchairs. The seats are supportive with plenty of room, even in the middle seat. 

The BMW 3 Series has plenty of boot space, with seats that fold down almost flat so you can stack as much as you need — there’s even enough room to fit a mountain bike with the wheels still on. With the seats up, you can fit a buggy with ease. 

1. Nissan Qashqai

Another incredibly popular brand making it onto our list of the best family cars is the Nissan Qashqai. You’ll have seen this car on the road, as it’s popular with families for a range of great reasons, including the fact it’s both affordable and practical. It also tops the charts for reliability.

At a glance 

• 5-Star NCAP rating 
• A range of engine options in automatic and manual transmission
• Generous legroom and headroom 
• Wide opening rear doors (85-degrees) 

Why families love the Nissan Qashqai 

The Nissan Qashqai remains a top contender as an SUV family car, offering versatility, comfort, and efficiency for families on the move. The car has a solid interior that features 5 seats with comfortable legroom, making it a good choice for growing families and families with older children. The wide-opening rear doors make getting car seats in and out quick and easy so you’ll no longer need to juggle! 

The boot has a range of practical touches including an electric tailgate to make your life a little easier, as well as a low loading lip so you don’t have to struggle when loading the shopping. Slide pushchairs and suitcases into the boot with ease. There are also hooks and tethering points to keep everything in place. 

When it comes to safety, the Qashqai boasts a 5-star NCAP rating and features rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and lane intervention systems. 

1. Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tuscon might just tick all of your boxes when it comes to looking for a practical family car. Known for reliability and stylish design, the Hyundai brand is popular with families of all shapes and sizes. 

At a glance 

• 5-Star NCAP rating 
• A range of petrol, self-charging and plug-in hybrid options 
• High-quality infotainment systems 
• Loads of headroom and leg space 

Why families love the Hyundai Tucson 

A mid-size SUV, the Hyundai Tucson is stylish and packed with a range of practical, family-friendly features. With a choice of engines, you can choose to reduce running costs with a self-charging or plug-in hybrid — or stick to what you know and enjoy an automatic, petrol engine. 

Inside, the Hyundai Tuscon makes for a comfortable journey, whether you’re on the school run, or heading off on a longer trip. Access to the back seats couldn’t be easier, so you don’t need to worry about fitting bulky car seats. USB charging ports as well as net pockets mean your kids can enjoy the journey with everything they need to keep them happy. 

The boot size varies depending on the model you choose — the plug-in version reduces boot size due to the battery. But space is still generous! Fold down the seats easily for an almost flat loading floor. 

The Tuscon has blind spot collision warnings, lane-keeping assist and speed limiting to keep your most precious cargo safe. 

1. Skoda Octavia

The Skoda brand is known for its innovation when it comes to in-car tech, but it’s also a brand known for producing some of the best family cars on the market, including the Octavia. 

At a glance 

• 5-Star NCAP rating 
• A range of engine options including 1.5 - 2.0 litre engines 
• Space like no other 
• 2 ISOFIX points in the back 

Why families love the Skoda Octavia 

The Skoda Octavia makes it onto our list as one of the best family cars as it comes with unrivalled space both within the car and in the boot. Kids, family members and grown adults can sit in the back of the car with plenty of head and leg room to keep them comfortable. 

With the seats up or down, the Octavia has enough room to travel with everything you might need — there’s a good reason this model is popular with taxi drivers! Think pushchairs, suitcases and ample room for the weekly shop. With tie-down points and hooks, everything will stay in place and in one piece on the way home. 

The Octavia comes with automatic emergency braking so you’re covered before you’ve even noticed the potential threat, as well as lane departure warning and eCall system so you can get in touch with the emergency services should the worst happen. 

So, whether you’re looking for a car with loads of boot space for pushchairs, top-of-the-range infotainment to keep everyone entertained on the road, or a comfortable interior for those longer journeys, the best family cars on the market have got you covered. For more information on any of our cars above, get in touch today.