Decisions, decisions! When it comes to choosing your next family car, there so many factors to consider. It needs to be big enough to accommodate the children and the family dog as well as the bikes. It should be reliable and commuter friendly, adapting to your requirements. The family car has evolved over the years, and sometimes the most suitable car for you might not be the most obvious choice. This guide may help you pick the best car for you and your family’s needs.
Spacious for a family of 4
Perfect for family adventures when you need plenty of room, the Vauxhall Insignia boasts 540 litres of boot space with the rear seats up, and 1530 litres with the rear seats down. So you can fit the whole family’s luggage! The other benefit of the Insignia Sports Tourer is that it doesn't look as boxy and square as some other estate cars, showing that estates can be stylish too.
An Adventure Ready car
If you live in a rural area, get a lot of inclement weather or enjoy outdoor pursuits, you might be considering a four-wheel drive, to help you power safely through the toughest terrain. With its all-wheel drive, the Ford Kuga should be able to cope with everything the Great British weather can throw at it, and do it with style. The 1.5 EcoBoost 180PS petrol, and 2.0 TDCI Diesel engine models are equipped with 4x4. Its raised ride height and roomy interior make it ideal for families who need to get about, no matter what.
Road-trip Ready
If you have a large family or have children on the way, you'll be wondering where to sit them all on journeys. This is where a people carrier such as the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer comes into its own. An extra row of seats in the back means that you can seat a total of seven people in this MPV, with room to spare for shopping or luggage. There is even the added flexibility to fold the rear two seats down, and adjust the second row of seats if you need to take bigger items or don't need to fill all the seats at once. The Zafira can adapt to suit a growing family’s needs.
Fuel-efficient and Family friendly
If you hate visiting the petrol station, and enjoy motoring on a budget while doing your bit for the environment, you'll be thrilled with the 1.0 EcoBoost engine in the Ford Focus. Recent bad press about potentially harmful emissions from Diesel engines has seen more buyers turn back to petrol. In the meantime, manufacturers, have been working hard on making petrol engines more economical, as well as becoming more environmentally friendly. Ford's response to the task is a small 1.0 engine fitted with a turbo, giving it a 125PS output and allowing it to keep up with the best of them while returning you 60.1 miles per gallon. Better still, you only pay £20 a year in road tax, and you get all the practicalities and the superb driving experience offered by the Focus.
The Perfect SUV
If you're looking for practicality with a bit of flair, then look no further than the Vauxhall Mokka X. A proud seating position, chunky styling and a choice of engines make the crossover-style Mokka a flexible yet fun car. Its raised seats make it easier to get young children in and out of the car or load the boot, its compact size makes it easy to manoeuvre around town. The 140PS 1.4 Turbo engine also makes it fun and engaging to drive, and it comes well equipped too.
This is just a small snapshot of what's currently available on the market. Your family's circumstances will be different to others, however with the excellent choice of cars to choose from, you'll find something to suit your needs. Our Thame Cars Sales team are happy to show you round any of our nearly new cars, so feel free to come and have a look sometime.
