What to know when buying a used family car
On the market for a new family car? Take a look at our top tips for finding the best model and what to look out for
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How to choose the best family car
A family car is a huge part of the day-to-day running of many households.
They get us to work, school, Tuesday night swimming lessons and everything else in between.
There are a few things you can consider when buying a used family car to make sure it’s the best model for you.
Safety, space, and efficiency are all things that could affect how well a car slips into your family life.
Learn more about choosing the best car for your family.
Is your car safe and reliable?
Safety in the car should always be our number one concern, especially when driving with children.
Looking for features like ISOFIX car seat points, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and even things like reversing sensors can help you stay safe in the car.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: “Of course, most cars nowadays feature basic safety measures such as airbags, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) as standard.
“But as technology continues to advance, some cars offer better, more secure protection compared to other models on the market.
“One quick way to assess the safety level of the family car you fancy is by looking at its Euro NCAP score.
The rating, which goes from one to five, indicates how well the safety equipment is likely to protect you from real-life accident scenarios.
“Specifically, if you plan to have young passengers on board, take a closer look at the Child Occupant Protection scores.
Among many things, it evaluates the car’s ability to accommodate child restraints – such as ISOFIX points – that will help you chauffeur your kids safely.”
Family cars with five-star Euro NCAP ratings and plenty of safety tech include the Volkswagen Golf, Kia Sportage, and Hyundai i30.
How big is the boot?
You know your family and you’ll know just how much boot space you need, but there are family cars that suit all needs.
If you’re travelling with smaller passengers, you might have to consider space for pushchairs and other essentials.
In this case, you might want to consider not only the boot space but how easy it is to load up the boot.
Measuring the size of your child’s travel system against the size of your boot is important, but you should also make sure the lip of the boot isn’t so high that you can’t lift the system in and out.
Great options for a spacious boot that’s easy to load up are the Volvo XC90 and the Kia Sorento, while the Skoda Superb Estate also offers a 660-litre boot that’s hard to beat.
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Fuel-efficient family cars
Fuel efficiency is important if you don’t want to be forking out frequently for fuel, allowing you to make savings on running costs.
Switching to an electric car lets you cut fuel costs completely and is kinder to the environment.
You could also consider a hybrid option if you don’t want to ditch fuel completely but want the benefits of an electric motor and battery to improve your fuel consumption.
Impressive electric cars that are suitable for families include the Nissan Leaf, Kia Soul EV and the Peugeot e-208.
If you’re travelling with the whole family and all your essentials, it’s likely that your car will be heavier than usual, and this could increase fuel usage.
Consider a spacious and efficient option like a Toyota Prius or Subaru Outback to balance your needs.
Car entertainment for kids
Driving with children can be stressful, especially on long journeys where they might get bored and restless.
Modern cars have infotainment systems that can help with this. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring and Bluetooth connectivity mean that you can use your phone to connect to your car, playing their favourite songs or even audiobooks while on the go.
Many modern cars have infotainment systems with smartphone connectivity built in, but you can also by aftermarket units that can easily be fitted.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a top choice for a comfy family sedan with a great rear-seat entertainment system.
This model has two monitors built inside the front headrests, meaning your little passengers can watch DVDs or play video games at the back.