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Many of us will have fond memories when we look back on our first car. No matter how battered or old it was, there was something special about that feeling of independence. We then end up selling our pride and joy by going on to buying more expensive, newer, more reliable or more stylish cars to meet the growing demands of our sophistication. Then you wake up one morning and realise that your car is no longer a means of transportation for just you, and the need for 4-wheeled sophistication is out ranked by a need for practicality and space.
We’ve helped our fair share of customers find their perfect family-friendly car, and over the last few years it has become less of a compromise between style and space. We’ve put together our list of top family cars that our customers love the most.
Nissan Qashqai:
One of our most popular cars, and for good reason. It has surprisingly high levels of comfort with really good quality seats, and the 360 degree camera combined with the all-round parking sensors makes life easy when parking. The Qashqai has one of the best in class petrol engines, the 2019 1.3 Turbo. Which is great on fuel consumption but still gives plenty of power.
When we think of ‘family cars’ we often think adults in the front and kids in the back. But there are plenty of occasions where you might have more than just the two grownups in the car, and this is where you notice how much space there is in the back. The car also has quite a high roof which makes it nice and roomy for taller passengers, and there’s still plenty of boot space with a false floor for extra flexibility.
If you like a high-tech car you won’t be disappointed with the Qashqai. There’s a large amount as standard on the N-Connecta and Tekna models such as car play (from 2019), Sat Nav, Digital radio, lane assist, cruise control and bluetooth with music streaming. All the 2019 Qashqais come with six airbags and emergency brake assist, which automatically applies maximum braking pressure if the system detects that you haven’t braked hard enough in an emergency. Also a coveted 5 star N-cap rating for safety.
Ford Kuga:
When it comes to driving performance, the Kuga has proven to be best of the SUVs. There’s also great visibility with a commanding position when you’re driving. A surprisingly handy feature of this car is the great boot space which has a flat loading area, making it easier to get stuff in and out without too much strain on your back! Unusually for new cars, the Kuga comes with a spare wheel as standard, but it’s cleverly packaged so does not take up too much boot space. There is plenty of space for kids in the back, with Isofix points for child seats. Also, loads of great tech like Sync 3 with Sat Nav and car play, and most models come with parking sensors.
Kia Sportage:
With a great driving position, sharp steering and composed driving around the bends, the Sportage is a really nice car to drive and you wouldn’t know you’re behind the wheel of an SUV! I keep talking about boot space because when you’re considering a family car it’s an important point. The Kia doesn’t disappoint, with a spacious interior and decent boot makes Sportage a good choice for families.
There’s an edgy styling to the Kia compared with its rivals which may be a factor when you’re weighing up the choices. It also has a good quality in the cabin with one of the best infotainment setups in the SUV class, and you won’t beat the seven-year warranty that Kia's come with. All of the models we sell at Thame Cars are between 1 and 2 years old so you’ll still get the benefit of the vast majority of this. Considering the warranty and the amount of kit you get with the Kia it really is great value for money.
Hyundai Tucson:
The Tuscan is nice and spacious with plenty of boot space, yet the car retains a really nice design with a great deal of kit below the surface. Majority of the models we sell come with Sat Nav, Car Play, and a rear camera. In the premium models there’s emergency braking included, and every Tucson comes with DAB radio, Bluetooth and air conditioning, while SE Nav models benefit from rear parking sensors, heated front seats and climate control. Additionally every Toucson comes with a touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, while navigation is fitted to SE Nav models and above.
If you’re looking for something with a bit more space to make day to day family stuff that little bit easier, pop in and see us. We would be more than happy to take you out for a test drive in any of our cars, and recommend that you bring the family so you can really get a feel for what it is like!
