The best cars for a family road trip
Your summer road trip with the family can run even smoother if you're in the right car - here's a rundown of our top picks.
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Getting on the road with your family can sometimes feel a bit of a hassle – there's a lot to pack and a lot of people to please.
However, if you’re prepared, then a road trip with your whole family can be a lot of fun – and part of that comes from having the right car for the job.
Whether you’ve got a small football team to squeeze in the back seats, favour electric power, or feel like treating your family to something properly luxurious, there will be an ideal family car to accompany you on your next road trip.
Here are five cars for every type of family road trip:
Volvo XC90
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Your seven-seater family car doesn't have to resemble a school bus to be the perfect match for a road trip.
That's where the Volvo XC90 comes in – it's almost as functional, but it's a lot more glamorous.
Its interior is massively spacious, and the roofline doesn’t slope back in a way that’ll have your rear passengers feeling cramped.
The Volvo XC90 has three seats with Isofix car seat points fitted, and the seats themselves move forwards to allow easy access for the little ones.
The legroom you get is also way more than a small child would ever need, so you know there’s space for your family to grow into.
All of these extra seats mean that you do lose a bit of boot space when compared to five-seater models, but you’ll still get between 316-356 litres – more than enough for a family road trip.
Additionally, the rear seats can be folded down for a lot of extra space if you ever need it.
There’s also a choice of efficient engines that includes petrol, diesel and hybrid power – perfect for cost-effective cruising.
Volkswagen Golf
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Ah, the brilliant Volkswagen Golf. It’s a perky little car that’s been a mainstay on our roads for as long as it’s been around, and it’s easy to see why.
If you don’t need all the space that comes with a chunky SUV or similar model, this used VW is still a comfortable and roomy family hatchback that will feel great on long journeys.
There is a wide range of Golf models to pick from, but each gets that classic VW styling that’s quirky and ultra-modern, and a comfortable interior that’s been made to last.
You’ll get a choice of three- or five-door options, with five seats and a boot that ranges in size from 272-611 litres depending on the model variant you choose, with the latter being the really roomy estate model.
You’ll also love the touches of tech that’ll really have your back on your next road trip, including a built-in navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the option for a sunroof.
BMW X5
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Sometimes you need a bit of extra luxury in your life, and a flashy family car can be just the thing to upgrade your road trip.
We’re not talking over-the-top flair or anything excessive, but something like the BMW X5 will feel flashy but functional – perfect for the family that values style.
The BMW X5 comes with either five or seven seats and a boot that will fit 500-650 litres depending on the model you choose.
This used BMW can also come with roof rails fitted in classic SUV fashion, meaning you’ve got the foundations there if you want to take something extra on your adventure.
The outer styling of the BMW X5 definitely screams luxury, but the interior is where you’ll really start to feel it.
Everything is sleek and feels incredibly well made, but it’s not too fancy that you’ll want to bubblewrap it when the kids are in the back.
Touches like parking sensors and cameras, built-in navigation systems, and – our personal favourite – built-in headlight washers, will definitely be appreciated on your travels.
It’s those extra touches that will have you, and all your family feeling really posh.
Volkswagen ID.4
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If you fancy going fully electric for your next trip and taking a more environmentally-friendly approach to driving, then the Volkswagen ID.4 is a top-class option.
VW claims the ID.4 has an all-electric range of up to 320 miles on a single full charge, so you can confidently set out on a road trip and know you’ll go the distance.
On the way, you’ll be able to stop and recharge (yourself and the car – service station snacks, please) if you need it at one of the growing number of charging points, and get back on your way with minimal effort.
On main roads, you’ll usually find rapid charging units that will take you no time at all to get a boost, but VW claims the ID4 will typically take around 7.5 hours to fully charge from empty at home, depending on the charger you use.
It helps that the VW ID.4 is a really stylish car to look at, but you’ll also get 543 litres of boot space and a spacious interior with five seats.
Going electric doesn’t mean you’ll have to sacrifice on tech and features either, as the ID.4 gets extras like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, parking sensors, and a handy navigation unit that’ll have your back on your travels.
Toyota RAV4
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Not all of us are ready to dive straight into the world of electric cars, so a hybrid model is a great way to dip your toes in.
The Toyota RAV4 is a brilliant electric hybrid car that will feel great on your road trips, thanks to the spacious and comfortable cabin and the really efficient engine.
This used Toyota is available as a front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive model, the latter of which is perfect if your road trip is heading into the wilderness.
In fact, the RAV4 is built with durable and hard-wearing materials that will have your back and take some roughing up from daily family use, but also still feel stylish.
The Toyota RAV4 gets a 580-litre boot and five seats, so it’s well-suited to families who need space.
It also comes with a claimed electric-only mile range of 46 miles, so it’ll be perfect for preserving some fuel if you end up stuck in slow-moving traffic (fingers crossed you don’t!).