Britain's best family cars - The growing family

Growing family
The Tullochs
Names
Graeme (41)
Ami (37)
Lilla (6)
Daisy (5)
Annual mileage 12,000

With two children under seven, we need room for child seats and clutter’

Renault Modus 1.2 TCE Expression
List price £12,232 Target price £10,656
Saftety Rating Not tested
This versatile mini-MPV is based on the Clio, but for an extra £200 you get a much larger cabin and sliding rear seats, which give limo-like room in the rear. The Grand Modus might look a bit dumpy, but it’s comfortable and easy to drive. The punchy and economical 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine is a gem, too.

Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI S
List price £14,570 Target price £13,528
Saftety Rating Child 78% Adult 92%
We’re huge fans of Skoda’ crossover. It doesn’t have the pedigree of some similarly priced hatchbacks, but badge snobs will miss out on a practical car that’s enormous inside, refined and good to drive. Although the go-anywhere looks can be backed up by four-wheel drive, we’d stick with this cheaper 1.2 front-wheel-drive model.

Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 150 Sport
List price £18,495 Target price £17,355
Saftety Rating Child 81% Adult 86%
This is our 2010 Car of the Year – and that’s not an award we give away lightly. The 3008 combines SUV styling with family-friendly practicalities such as flat-folding rear seats and a height-adjustable boot floor. We strongly recommend going for a model with Dynamic Roll Control: without it, the ride and handling let the car down.

Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec
List price £20,995 Target price £19,331
Saftety Rating Child 4 stars Adult 5 stars
Ford has just slashed the Mondeo’s price by 12%. Good thing because, at £24,000, our favourite version was far too dear. It’s safe, comfortable and great to drive, and you could get lost in the boot. Zetec trim brings all the equipment most buyers will want, and the 138bhp diesel engine is easily powerful enough.

Volvo XC60 2.4D DRIVe SE
List price £27,995 Target price £26,292
Saftety Rating Child 79% Adult 94%
The XC60 blends the desirability of an upmarket SUV with the practicality and running costs of an estate. This two-wheel-drive model is the one to go for – it’s the cheapest XC60 both to buy and to run. SE trim features all of the kit you would expect, as well as a powered driver’s seat and electric folding door mirrors.

Used bargains

From £8299
Skoda Roomster
1.4 TDI 2, ’08/08, 17,100 miles
The Roomster offers loads of space for a bargain price. The airy cabin and supple ride make it a pleasant place to travel, while the flexible seating system will cope with a growing family.

From £11,995
Ford C-Max 1.6
TDCi (110) Zetec, ’08/08, 18,815 miles
Not only is the C-Max good to drive, it has a solidly built cabin, with plenty of room for five. You can also extend the big boot by sliding the rear seats forward.