Choosing the right family car is a big decision that can impact your daily routine and future plans. With many different options available, it’s essential to understand the factors that make a car suitable for family life. This handy guide will help you navigate the process of choosing the right car for your family’s needs.
Why is buying a good family car important?
Choosing the right car for your family goes beyond just looks. You need to find a vehicle you can rely for your family’s daily activities and adventures. Your new family car should:
- Ensure safety for all passengers: prioritising a car with high safety ratings and advanced features protects your loved ones on the road.
- Handle daily commutes and school runs: a dependable car can ensure timely arrivals, making school runs and commutes stress-free.
- Accommodate family holidays and hobbies: a good amount of space for transporting equipment for hobbies along with comfort for those long roads trips is a must.
- Adapt to changing family needs: a versatile car can grow along with your family, accommodating new family members and evolving hobbies or activities.
What factors should you consider before browsing family cars?
Before diving into the vast market of family cars, there are a few initial things you need to consider to help guide your search before you start shopping around.
Family size
The number of family members that will be using the car will influence the size and type of car you need. Larger families may require a vehicle with seven seats, such as the Kia Sorento, which offers spacious seating and a generous boot. Smaller families might find a five-seater car or family hatchback like the Volkswagen Tiguan sufficient, providing extra space without the size of a larger SUV.
Future plans
Thinking ahead is important when considering a big investment like a family car. Your new vehicle needs to fit your lifestyle now and into the future. When looking for your new car, you should consider potential additions to the family, job relocations or increased commuting distances. Choosing a vehicle that accommodates these changes ensures longevity and value in your purchase.
For example, opting for a hybrid or electric vehicle could be a forward-thinking choice, aligning with evolving environmental considerations and potential fuels cost savings.
Budget
Establishing a clear budget is helpful to narrow down your search early on and can help prevent overspending. Remember to factor in not only the purchase price of the car, but also ongoing expenses such as insurance, maintenance and fuel costs. Exploring used car options can prove helpful to getting the most out of your budget. Check out our top tips for buying a used car.
What should you look for in a family car?
When evaluating potential family cars, you should focus on the features that will play the biggest role for your family.
Size and space
Having enough space ensures comfort during long journeys, as well as the ability to accommodate luggage, sports equipment and shopping. Cars like the Kia Sorento offer a spacious third row and plenty of boot space making them suitable for larger families or those requiring extra room.
Safety and reliability
Prioritising the safety of yourself and your family is a non-negotiable. You should look for cars that come equipped with high reliability ratings and effective safety features. Brands like Skoda have been recognised for their reliability and safety features in recent reviews, offering models that ensure peace of mind for families.
To be sure the car you’re considering has passed safety assessments, you can check the Euro NCAP scores online. The official website has a full database of safety scores for vehicles, allowing you to search by the make and model.
Comfort and practicality
Long journeys call for comfortable seating and practical features to keep both the driver and passengers safe. You should consider vehicles with high-quality seat materials, ample leg room, durability and that are easy to clean. There are many cars that balance luxury and practicality, making them the perfect family car.
Running costs and fuel economy
Efficient fuel consumption and manageable running costs are vital for family budgets. Hybrid and electric vehicles, such as the Skoda Octavia, provide excellent fuel economy, reducing your long-term expenses. Additionally, factors like road tax and insurance premiums should be considered when assessing overall affordability of a car.
Functions and features
Modern family cars generally come equipped with various features to enhance the driving experience, such as infotainment systems, parking cameras and sensors and driver-assist technologies, however it’s worth checking what each car offers to be sure. For example, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers advanced infotainment along with a spacious interior, making it a good choice for tech-savvy families.
Test drive family cars with temporary car insurance from Dayinsure
Test drive your favourite car before committing to a purchase to make sure it really is right for you and your family. Dayinsure offers flexible, short-term car insurance, allowing you to test drive various vehicle to see what works best for you. Get a quote today and you can be covered and test driving a car in minutes.
