Best Small Family Cars

Finding the perfect small family car is essential. Whether you're zipping through city traffic or embarking on a family road trip, the right compact car can make all the difference. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top small family cars that could be the perfect choice for your family in 2024. 

Why Choose Small Family Cars?

Small cars are great for families for a few reasons. First, they don't use as much fuel, so you spend less money on petrol and help the environment by polluting less. They're also easier to drive in cities because they're small and can fit into tight spots when parking. This makes it less stressful to get around town, especially when you’ve got your hands full! Plus, they're cheaper to run overall, which means you save money on things like insurance and repairs. The best small family cars are a smart choice for families looking to save money and make life that little bit easier.

 Key Features to Consider

Choosing a new family car is a big deal, so it helps to keep a few things in mind, including: 

• Space: Think about boot space as well as interior space for your family's comfort. Think headroom, knee room and space for car seats. 

• Safety features and ratings: Look for cars equipped with advanced safety technology like airbags, anti-lock brakes, and collision avoidance systems, along with high safety ratings.

• Technology: Consider the technology and connectivity options, such as infotainment systems, smartphone integration, and navigation systems, to keep everyone entertained on the go. 

• Reliability: Look for a reliable brand to ensure peace of mind and minimise the risk of unexpected repairs or maintenance issues down the road. 

Top small family cars in the UK 

Where do you start when you’re looking for a small family car? Let us help! Here are our top 5 picks for small family cars in the UK:

1. Ford Focus

A brand that’s been a go-to name in the family car sector for a few decades, the Ford Focus takes the top spot for families needing a more compact model. You can choose from that standard hatchback option or an estate body shape if you need that extra bit of space. The Ford Focus is a great example of a practical car that doesn’t compromise on style — it’s easy on the eye and can still tackle being loaded up with shopping bags, car seats, or a pair of muddy paws. 

At a glance 

• 5-Star NCAP rating 
• Room for growing teens with plenty of legroom in the back 
• Usable boot with flat-loading floor to make loading up easier 
• Wireless phone charging with the X model 
• Great reputation for reliability 

Let’s cut to the chase – how big is the boot? It’s on the higher side of the average for a smaller car, so you don’t have to worry about leaving anything behind. With the seats folded down, the loading lip disappears, so you can slide your things in with ease and get going. 

The Focus feels roomy inside when it comes to headroom, suitable for the tallest of teens. It also has armrests, cupholders and covered storage to keep even the fussiest of passengers happy. With a 13.2-inch infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can enjoy your favourite songs — well, at least before they get skipped by the kids. 

Enjoy peace of mind with driver assistance systems like rear parking sensors and pre-collision assist, as well as pedestrian/cyclist protection as standard. For a stylish, reliable model, explore the Ford Focus. 

1. Volkswagen Golf

What would a list of the top family cars be without the Volkswagen Golf? A hatchback perfectly suited for everything family life has to throw at you, the Golf is great for the school run, commute or longer-distance travels. A staple on the roads, the Golf still manages to look stylish with each update. Choose from 1-1.5 litre engine options or a plug-in hybrid with 40 miles of all-electric driving to enjoy. 

At a glance

• 5-Star NCAP rating 
• Comfortable and roomy with plush-feeling materials 
• Boot space for 5 suitcases and no loading lip 
• Built-in Sat Nav and Head-up Display to keep you on the right track
• A range of engines including 1-litre petrol and hybrid options 

The Volkswagen Golf would suit families of all shapes and sizes — it’s a truly versatile choice. And don’t let its compact shape fool you, the inside cabin is roomy and feels more luxurious than you might expect. The backseats are wide so you’ll not have to struggle to fix the kids’ car seats into the ISOFIX points — the wide opening doors can also help with this! The tallest passengers can travel comfortably with loads of knee room and with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can keep everyone happy on the go. 

The boot is deceptively spacious with room for 5 suitcases — just imagine how many shopping bags that is! It doesn’t have a loading lip, which means you can simply slide any heavy luggage into the space without a fuss. 

Stay safe with a range of safety assistance features including adaptive cruise control that brakes and accelerates automatically, as well as driver alert sensors that can tell if you’re beginning to flag. 

3. Toyota Corolla

One of the best small family cars that just made a comeback to the hatchback scene, the Toyota Corolla is competing with the best of them! A well-known, reliable brand, the Corolla has had a bit of a face-lift — by looks alone, this car is likely to attract parents looking for something a little more stylish. And it’s a hybrid car, which means you can save money on fuel while saving the planet. You can choose from two engine options, perfect if you’re looking for extra power. 

At a glance

• 5 Star NCAP rating
• Cheap to run 1.8 and 2.0-litre engines 
• ISOFIX points that are easy to line up with car seats 
• Boot space to fit an adult bike and a good number of boxes 
• Emergency braking, pedestrian detection and speed assist for your safety 

The Toyota Corolla is one of the best family cars on the market. As a hybrid car, it doesn’t cost as much to run — it also reduces your emissions for peace of mind that you’re doing your bit for the planet. Inside, the car comes with a luxurious-feeling interior with an 8.0-inch infotainment screen, as well as cupholders and pockets in the back for snacks, toys, and anything else you might need to keep the most restless passengers entertained. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, play your favourite songs on the go. 

When it comes to practicality, the Corolla has a range of features to make your life easier. The ISOFIX points are easy to access so you can be sure those car seats won’t move even on winding roads. Boot space is great — you can fit an adult bike in the back without having to take its wheels off and it even has hooks to keep everything in place. 

4. Honda Civic

At first glance, the Honda Civic doesn’t scream ‘family car’ — but looks can be deceiving! Its sporty exterior looks great on the road and could be one of the best small family cars for parents who are looking for a model with a bit of character. The Civic is a hatchback, perfect for up to 5 people, and the brand has a great track record when it comes to reliability — which could save you some money on repairs. 

At a glance

• 5 Star NCAP rating 
• Hybrid engine for fuel savings 
• Large boot with room for 4 suitcases (with the seats up!)
• Well-built, luxurious interior 
• Great visibility with a huge windscreen and low-set dashboard 
• Equipped with a reversing camera and parking sensors 

The Honda Civic has 5 doors so you can access the back seats easily — whether you’re fitting a car seat or helping the kids with their seatbelts. In the back, you’ll be impressed with the space. What the Civic lacks in headroom, it makes up for in legroom — there’s loads of space for the growing teen to stretch out without kicking the back of your seat.

The Honda Civic has one of the biggest boots to rival most of its competitors. Put simply, it’s huge. It does have a loading lip but this shouldn’t cause too much of an issue unless you’re regularly lugging bulky packages. It’s 410 litres, which equates to 5 suitcases or an adult bike. Plenty of room if you’re off on holidays or ferrying the dogs around.

The Honda Civic scored top marks in its NCAP test, scoring highly for adult protection and child and pedestrian safety. It comes with a SatNav, blind spot detection and a whole host of safety assistance features with Honda Sensing to keep your family safe.

5. Kia Ceed

When it comes to the best small family cars, the Kia Ceed is a top contender. The brand is well-loved and comes with some of the best reliability scores on the market. The Ceed is incredibly practical with ISOFIX to a roomy boot and a whole suite of safety assistance features. It’s a fuel-efficient choice that looks great too! 

At a glance

• 4 Star NCAP rating, upgraded to 5 stars for any car with an Advanced Driving Assistance Pack. 
• Two ISOFIX mounts for your littlest passengers 
• Comfortable amount of boot space, you could fit 3 suitcases. 
• Flat-loading floor with wide-opening boot door 
• Wide-opening rear doors so no more wrestling with car seats 
• Rear parking and reversing camera and Forward Collision Assistance 

The Kia Ceed is one of the best family cars on the market when it comes to practicality. Inside, the Ceed is comfortable with plush interiors perfect for parents looking for a more luxury option. There’s loads of room for tall passengers and drivers alike with an adjustable steering wheel to make your life easier. There are lots of cubby holes and storage areas within the car so you can carry water bottles and treats to keep everyone’s spirits up on longer journeys. 

Generally, the controls in the Ceed including the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system are easy to use for entertainment and information when you need it most. 

In the back, there’s room for heads, knees and feet — and even in the middle seat, there’s no need to feel squashed. Wide opening doors make positioning and fitting car seats simple with the help of ISOFIX — but we can’t say the same about getting your little one to sit still! 

And of course, the boot. There’s no loading lip so you can slide your things in easily. The door opens wide so you can manoeuvre and stack even the bulkiest flat-pack furniture. 

Comparing the best small family cars doesn’t have to be difficult! And while it might have seemed time-consuming in the past, we’re here to help. If you want to know more about small family cars with big boots, get in touch with our experts and we’d be happy to help you. 

Find out more about NCAP ratings and how they work, as well as car safety tech explained and your very own guide to car seats in our quick guides.