Top 10: Best Automatic Family Cars to Buy in the UK in 2025

From the busy rush before the school run to pre-staycation luggage checks, family life can be hectic at times, to say the least. Once the little ones are safely secured and comfortable, you'll probably want to relax while out on the road, and this is where automatic cars come into their own.

Cars with an automatic transmission require less effort to drive, particularly on hills or in heavy traffic and often make for excellent family cars. With such a wide variety of automatic cars on offer, we take a look at some of the best automatic family cars to help in your search for your next car.

• Vauxhall Grandland
• Citroën C4
• Dacia Duster
• DS 4
• Fiat 600
• Ford Focus
• Hyundai Tucson
• Kia Niro
• MGS5 EV
• Peugeot 5008

Vauxhall Grandland

Boasting a modern aesthetic with a bold silhouette and sleek lines, the Grandland is a beautiful SUV that was designed for families who prioritise practicality without compromising on good looks. Launched in 2017, the Grandland was developed to be a larger alternative to the Vauxhall Mokka, whose compact dimensions limited the functionality for families’ daily activities.

Equipped with three ISOFIX points, two in both rear outer seats and one in the front passenger seat, the 5-door model has rear doors that open extra wide to facilitate child seat installation. Dual zone climate control, hands-free tailgate, and split-folding rear seats are among the many features available in the Grandland that will make family trips easier.

The interior is spacious and has multiple storage capabilities, from cubbies to cup holders, and the vastly ample boot. With a total capacity of 1,652 litres, the extended boot is large enough to carry camping equipment, several large suitcases and multiple flat-pack furniture boxes.

Available with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the Grandland caters to most lifestyles and needs.

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Citroën C4

Introduced to the market in 2020, the latest generation of the Citroën C4 displays a brand-new design that aims at leaving the hatchback styling behind to feature an SUV aesthetic. To complement the new exterior, a number of enhancements were made to the C4 to prioritise comfort and efficiency.

Available with petrol, diesel and electric powertrains, you can choose between the five variations of petrol engines, two diesel powered drivetrains and an all-electric motor that has a 217 electric mile range when fully charged. When charged using a 100kWh rapid charger, the C4 can reach 80 percent of its battery capacity in only 30 minutes.

Redesigned to enhance practicability, the interior is spacious and seats comfortably up to five people. With a 380-litre boot, you can fit most of daily essentials without a problem, but if more space is needed, the rear seats fold flat to reveal an extended storage space capable of holding 1,250 litres.

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Dacia Duster

With a combination of comfort, practicality and off-road capabilities, the Dacia Duster is an excellent option of SUV for families who want a vehicle for everyday use as well as for weekend adventures in the countryside.

There are three options of powertrains available, ranging from petrol and diesel to bi-fuel engines. Whether you’re looking for fuel efficiency or bhp power, there is a Duster model that will suit your needs.

Looking inside, the cabin in ample with plenty of head and legroom for the driver and four passengers. The wide doors allow easy access to ISOFIX points, and the Duster was designed with modular storage including sliding armrests, and YouClip accessory hooks.

Capable of transporting 478 litres with the rear seats upright, the boot is large and has enough space to fit strollers, nappy bags, large suitcases, and weekly grocery shop bags. When extended the boot can hold up to 1,623 litres, and it can be turned into a camp bed with a sleep pack that is sold separately.

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DS 4

With a sophisticated design that combines the best of hatchbacks with the practicality of coupé SUVs, the DS 4 exudes elegance and luxury. Equipped with high-tech features, including the DS night vision and a smart touch infotainment system that allows gesture control, shortcuts, and is capable of recognising handwriting, the DS 4 is the ideal vehicle for families who prioritise cutting-edge technology whilst driving in style.

Available with an option of diesel engine, a self-charging hybrid (HEV), and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, the DS 4 caters to most lifestyles and needs.

Inside, the cabin was built with refined materials to provide extra comfort for both driver and passengers. Wood, high-density foam seats, forged carbon, and acoustic glass are among the luxurious features found inside the DS 4, setting it apart from other cars in the same segment.

The boot capacity of 430 litres is sufficient to carry most daily essentials, however if more storage is needed, the boot can be expanded to reach a capacity of 1,240 litres.

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Fiat 600

Launched in 2023 to be an environment-friendlier alternative to the ever so popular Fiat 500, the Fiat 600 boasts upgraded electric mile range, stylish exterior design, and a roomier cabin.

Combining a retro exterior design with modern versatility, the 600 offers enhanced levels of practicality and comfort. Even though the 600 features the smallest boot on the list, with a 380 litres capacity, it doesn’t fall short and it is capable of transporting strollers, several packs of nappies, and a playpen, before it’s expanded to 1,231 litres by folding down the rear seats.

You can choose between a mild hybrid and full-electric powertrains, both of which offer a zero-emission driving experience, as well as a combined 253 electric mile WLTP range. Rapid charging is available with the 600, and the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in only 30 minutes.

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Ford Focus

Featured in Ford’s lineup for nearly 30 years, the Focus has become one of the manufacturer’s most popular models. It has had several facelifts and design enhancements throughout the years, and the latest generation focuses on offering the latest technology, comfort and efficiency.

Available with a choice of hybrid powertrains, both EcoBoost motors were designed to be low-emission and fuel efficient.

Equipped with a class leading 13.2-inch infotainment, that comes with the intelligent SYNC 4 operating system pre-installed and ready to go. Another convenient feature available is the FordPass app, that allows you to stay connected to your Focus and check information such as fuel level, condition of the oil and lets you start the car remotely from your smartphone.

With a boot capacity of 575 litres, the estate model is ample and functional. When extended, the storage capacity is increased to 1,654 litres which is ideal for families who need the extra space to transport flat-pack furniture boxes, camping gear, 4 large suitcases, electric scooters, playpens, and two full-size pushchairs.

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Hyundai Tucson

Displaying a futuristic exterior design, the Hyundai Tucson complements its style with estate-of-the-art technology, and a cabin built to offer comfort and practicality to families on the go.

A global best-seller, the Tucson is equipped with dual 12.3-inch curved screens, advanced safety and driver assist including Hyundai SmartSense suite, multi-collision braking, 360° camera, three-zone climate control, and the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come pre-installed in the infotainment system to facilitate connectivity to smartphones.

With a choice of mild hybrid (MHEV), full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid, Hyundai ensures there’s a powertrain that suits every Tucson driver.

The 620 litres of boot space make the Tucson one of the most practical choices in its segment. With a 4:2:4 seat-split configuration, the rear of the vehicle transforms into a spacious cargo area, offering an impressive 1,799 litres of capacity.

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Kia Niro

Ideal for those looking for an eco-friendly SUV, that has been built with sustainable materials, the Kia Niro is an excellent choice. Offering hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric (BEV) powertrains, all of each were engineered to be zero emissions, provide excellent fuel efficiency, and deliver great electric mile range.

Equipped with innovative technologies that include the recently introduced greenzone drive mode, your vehicle will automatically switch to electric drive mode on areas where low or zero emissions are preferred.

The cabin was designed to look futuristic and ahead of its time, featuring a minimalist dashboard, integrated technology, and ambient lighting that creates a soothing atmosphere. In terms of storage, the Niro’s boot offers 451 litres of capacity, which can be extended to 1,445 litres with the back seats folded down.

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MGS5 EV

A full-electric SUV that boasts a dynamic exterior combined with athletic cues that provide the MGS5 a unique look. The MGS5 latest generation features Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), which allows customisable performance and range elevating the driving experience.

Inside, the cabin has been completely reimagined to offer a premium feel with good quality materials and a fully digital operating system. Expect to find the latest technology in the driver-assist and safety features including blind spot detection, collision avoidance and the manufacturer’s exclusive pilot custom setting menu for the infotainment system.

Spacious, practical, and cosy the cabin was designed to comfortably accommodate up to five people, with plenty of head and legroom, two ISOFIX anchors on both outer rear seats, and a vastly ample storage compartment. The standard boot has a 453-litre capacity, which can be extended to 1,440 litres with the rear seats folded down.

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Peugeot 5008

Innovative, spacious, and high-tech are some of the many adjectives that describe the latest generation of the Peugeot 5008. With a bold and modern exterior design, this 7-seater SUV conveys a confident and elegant aesthetic.

As Peugeot’s largest vehicle in the range, the boot is proportional to the vehicle's size. The 780-litre boot makes the 5008’s the most spacious boot featured in this list, and it can be extended to the impressive 2,232 litres, which is enough to combine passenger and cargo needs within one vehicle.

Available with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, both offering an electric range of 310 miles. If you’re looking to go fully electric, the 5008 is also available with a full-electric motor, which extends the electric mile range to 415 miles.

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Find your family's next car with Evans Halshaw

From smaller cars such as the Fiat 600, to large 7-seater cars such as the Peugeot 5008, you're truly spoilt for choice if you're on the lookout for an automatic family car.

At Evans Halshaw, we offer a wide variety of excellent new and used cars that may be suitable for your family's needs. Our friendly associates at your nearest Evans Halshaw dealership will be more than happy to help in your search for your next car or to arrange a test drive in a model that catches your eye.