New and Used Family Cars For Sale

A tight budget goes furthest on the used market where small and medium hatchbacks are abundant, so there are always plenty about and prices stay keen. If you’d rather buy new, the Dacia Sandero Stepway is one of the most affordable cars you can get, and it still comes generously equipped. If you’re looking for a used car option, a Nissan Qashqai gives you family space and a higher seating position for sensible money, while the Hyundai i30 is a comfortable, well-built hatchback.

It’s a straight choice between a large SUV and a van-based MPV. The SUVs feel more like a normal car to drive, while the van-based models trade a little style for even more room inside. For a large SUV, the Kia Sorento is a strong pick, and its seven-year warranty can be passed to the next owner if you buy used. The Hyundai SANTA FE is another safe bet, while the Peugeot 5008 pairs seven seats with a boot of over 900 litres once you fold the third row for true flexibility.

Among new cars, the Ford Puma has been one of Britain’s best-selling models for several years running, with the Kia Sportage never far behind. Both are compact SUVs, which tells you where family buyers are heading. On the used market, which is where a lot of families actually shop, the long-standing favourite is the Ford Focus with its spacious cabin, and the Vauxhall Astra is a popular choice too.

Start with how many people you really carry. A seven-seater sounds tempting, but that third row eats into the boot, so if the extra seats only come out now and then, a five-seater with a bigger boot often makes more sense. Child seats are another key consideration so check the ISOFIX points, and make sure your seat is actually cleared for that car, since the anchors alone don’t guarantee it will fit. It’s also worth reading the Euro NCAP rating for the exact model and year, as the tests get tougher over time. Running costs are another area that influence a decision on which family car to go for.

There’s always a compromise to be made, and a family’s car needs will evolve as the family requirements change over time. The car that suits a rear-facing baby seat isn’t the one you’ll want for three teenagers and their kit. What does stay the same are the things that make daily life easier and offer a sense of security: a strong safety record, child seats that go in without a fight, a boot that swallows the buggy and the shopping, and rear doors that open wide enough to avoid you straining while putting a child in their seat. Reliability matters more than people think, too, so checking reviews and performance history of a model is always worthwhile research.