Whether it’s the school run or a summer holiday road trip, family cars need to live up to the demands of our busy lives.
It goes without saying then that there is a lot to consider when you’re shopping for a new family car. In this guide, we explain how to find the best family car for your needs, outlining which essential features you should look out for.
Top Tips for Choosing The Best Family Car
You can still have a car that reflects you*
Just because you’ve started a family (or are planning to) doesn’t mean
you have to choose a car that isn’t totally you. Yes, you’ll need to
consider practicality and safety first, but there are plenty of options
available if you’re looking for a fast or sporty family car.
In fact, many family cars offer the best of both worlds, so you can
have all the practicality you require and still have the speed you enjoy
for faster journeys once you’ve dropped the kids off.
Bigger isn’t always better
Often, drivers assume that a family car needs to be a big SUV or MPV,
which isn’t always the case. In reality, the best family car for you is
one that works for you and your family.
For example, if your children are only in the car for the school run
and you do the majority of your driving alone, you may be wasting money
on purchasing and fuelling a larger vehicle. A smaller vehicle may be a
more practical option for you.
The right car for right now?
It’s so important to not only consider whether your family car is right
for your current situation, but also whether it will be suitable in the
coming months or years.
It’s easy to glaze over any potential issues when you’re enamoured by
a vehicle but if it’s not practical, it will become a chore to drive.
To avoid having to change it sooner than you’d like, make sure it has
the longevity to remain suitable as your circumstances change.
Bigger isn’t always better
Many drivers assume a family car has to be a large SUV or MPV – but that’s not always the case. The best family car is one that fits your lifestyle.
For example, if your children are only in the car for the school run and you mostly drive alone, a large vehicle might not be the most practical or cost-effective choice. A smaller car could save you money on purchase price, fuel, and running costs – while still meeting your family’s needs
You can still have a car that reflects you*
Starting a family doesn’t mean giving up on driving a car that feels like you. While practicality and safety are key, there are plenty of family-friendly cars that still offer a dynamic drive and stylish design.
In fact, many modern family vehicles strike the perfect balance – giving you the space and features you need for everyday life, along with the performance and flair you’ll appreciate when it’s just you behind the wheel.
The right car for right now?
When choosing a family car, it’s important to think not just about your current needs, but also how those needs might change in the months or years ahead.
It’s easy to overlook practical concerns when you’re excited about a new vehicle, but if it doesn’t suit your lifestyle long-term, it could quickly become frustrating to drive.
To avoid needing to change your car sooner than planned, make sure it has the flexibility and space to grow with your family and adapt to your future plans.
Bigger isn’t always better
Many drivers assume a family car has to be a large SUV or MPV – but that’s not always the case. The best family car is one that fits your lifestyle.
For example, if your children are only in the car for the school run and you mostly drive alone, a large vehicle might not be the most practical or cost-effective choice. A smaller car could save you money on purchase price, fuel, and running costs – while still meeting your family’s needs
You can still have a car that reflects you*
Starting a family doesn’t mean giving up on driving a car that feels like you. While practicality and safety are key, there are plenty of family-friendly cars that still offer a dynamic drive and stylish design.
In fact, many modern family vehicles strike the perfect balance – giving you the space and features you need for everyday life, along with the performance and flair you’ll appreciate when it’s just you behind the wheel.
The right car for right now?
When choosing a family car, it’s important to think not just about your current needs, but also how those needs might change in the months or years ahead.
It’s easy to overlook practical concerns when you’re excited about a new vehicle, but if it doesn’t suit your lifestyle long-term, it could quickly become frustrating to drive.
To avoid needing to change your car sooner than planned, make sure it has the flexibility and space to grow with your family and adapt to your future plans.
Explore Our Family-Friendly Range
Vauxhall Frontera
The Vauxhall Frontera is built for family life, offering 7 seats, a flexible interior, and smart features for everyday comfort.
Safety comes first, with ISOFIX mountings, electronic child locks, auto door locking, and advanced systems like Driver Drowsiness Alert, Blind Spot Alert, Rear Parking Sensors, Hill Start Assist, and a Rear-View Camera.
Inside, it offers additional convienance with front cupholders, hidden storage, electric windows, heated mirrors, and a leather-effect steering wheel with built-in controls. With rain-sensing wipers and an anti-dazzle mirror, every journey is smooth and stress-free.
For a sporty family car that combines practicality with style, the Vauxhall Astra is a great choice. While its striking, edgy design doesn’t look like your typical family vehicle, the Astra packs a punch once you step inside.
Forget rummaging around in your bag or pockets for your keys; keyless entry takes the stress out of getting into the car, a handy feature when you’ve got the kids and the weekly shop with you!
Inside, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained; Apple Play and Android Car Play make it easy to hook up your phone and stream music everyone enjoys. Meanwhile, an in-built navigation system makes determining routes easy, so you’ll finally be able to answer their “are we there yet?” questions.
For a sporty family car that combines practicality with style, the Vauxhall Astra is a great choice. While its striking, edgy design doesn’t look like your typical family vehicle, the Astra packs a punch once you step inside.
Forget rummaging around in your bag or pockets for your keys; keyless entry takes the stress out of getting into the car, a handy feature when you’ve got the kids and the weekly shop with you!
Inside, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained; Apple Play and Android Car Play make it easy to hook up your phone and stream music everyone enjoys. Meanwhile, an in-built navigation system makes determining routes easy, so you’ll finally be able to answer their “are we there yet?” questions.
For a sporty family car that combines practicality with style, the Vauxhall Astra is a great choice. While its striking, edgy design doesn’t look like your typical family vehicle, the Astra packs a punch once you step inside.
Forget rummaging around in your bag or pockets for your keys; keyless entry takes the stress out of getting into the car, a handy feature when you’ve got the kids and the weekly shop with you!
Inside, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained; Apple Play and Android Car Play make it easy to hook up your phone and stream music everyone enjoys. Meanwhile, an in-built navigation system makes determining routes easy, so you’ll finally be able to answer their “are we there yet?” questions.
The Vauxhall Grandland is a stylish, family-friendly SUV with a spacious boot offering up to 1,652 litres—ideal for buggies, shopping, and luggage. A hands-free powered tailgate makes loading effortless.
Inside, you’ll find ISOFIX points on both outer rear seats and the front passenger seat, plus dual-zone climate control for all-round comfort.
Safety is a priority, with features like lane keep assist, blind spot alert, and automatic emergency braking. And with a 360° parking camera, front and rear sensors, and Intelli-Drive 2.0, manoeuvring is simple—even with a full car
The Vauxhall Grandland is a stylish, family-friendly SUV with a spacious boot offering up to 1,652 litres—ideal for buggies, shopping, and luggage. A hands-free powered tailgate makes loading effortless.
Inside, you’ll find ISOFIX points on both outer rear seats and the front passenger seat, plus dual-zone climate control for all-round comfort.
Safety is a priority, with features like lane keep assist, blind spot alert, and automatic emergency braking. And with a 360° parking camera, front and rear sensors, and Intelli-Drive 2.0, manoeuvring is simple—even with a full car
Larger families can find the perfect vehicle for every trip with the Combo Life Electric. Available as a 5- or 7-seater, you can carry up to seven passengers with ease, and still have an abundance of space left over.
Speaking of space, the Combo Life Electric is one of the most spacious family cars, offering a whopping 597 litres of boot space and a staggering 27 storage compartments within the interior cabin. That gives plenty of room for everyone’s luggage.
Safety is of course taken care of too, thanks to innovative onboard technology. Lane Keep Assist helps you maintain your position on the road, while Forward Collision Alert gives you advance warning of the road ahead. Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection alerts you of potential collisions, automatically braking if no action is taken, while Speed Sign Recognition informs you of changing speed limits as you drive.
Larger families can find the perfect vehicle for every trip with the Combo Life Electric. Available as a 5- or 7-seater, you can carry up to seven passengers with ease, and still have an abundance of space left over.
Speaking of space, the Combo Life Electric is one of the most spacious family cars, offering a whopping 597 litres of boot space and a staggering 27 storage compartments within the interior cabin. That gives plenty of room for everyone’s luggage.
Safety is of course taken care of too, thanks to innovative onboard technology. Lane Keep Assist helps you maintain your position on the road, while Forward Collision Alert gives you advance warning of the road ahead. Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection alerts you of potential collisions, automatically braking if no action is taken, while Speed Sign Recognition informs you of changing speed limits as you drive.
With family cars, some things are must-haves. But whether you choose a 7-seater, compact SUV or a 5-door hatchback, our family cars also deliver superior handling, slick styling and the latest tech on every journey.
