Best family cars 2026: top choices for you and your children
What makes a great family car, and which models should you be considering? Here we count down the 10 best family car models – and name the one to avoid...
Welcome to the toughest test in the business – naming the best family car. You see, these cars really do have to do it all. They need to be spacious enough for you and your family to travel long distances in comfort, as well as being powerful enough to cope with faster roads as well as stop-start urban driving. Plus, they need to be comfortable, frugal, and come with all the latest technology you'll want to make the business of driving easier.
To find the best family cars, our experienced team of road testers have spent thousands of hours behind the wheel of each one, driving them both on public roads, and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track. The result of all that testing is the list you see here, where we've named the 10 best family cars on sale today – plus, we've shown how you can take advantage of the best PCP and leasing deals. You can also find out more about how we rate and test cars in our dedicated feature.
Best family cars to buy now – and how to get the best deal
| Make and model | List price from | Rating | PCP deals | Leasing deals |
| Honda Civic | £33,795 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Toyota Corolla | £30,795 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Seat Leon | £20,120 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Skoda Octavia | £28,490 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Skoda Scala | £22,325 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
The best family cars for you
The Honda Civic is a superb choice if you're looking for something practical here, because it's spacious no matter what seat you're sitting in, plus a larger boot than rivals. It's good to drive, too, with tidy handling and pleasingly low running costs thanks to its hybrid setup.
The Toyota Corolla is also a hybrid, and arguably an even more efficient one than the Civic. It's pleasantly spacious inside, and is backed up by a stellar warranty should anything go wrong.
For keen drivers, it's hard to look past the Seat Leon. Its peppy range of engines is matched by wonderfully agile handling and a well-controlled ride, meaning this is a family car which you'll want to take the long way home in.
The 2026 What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now
Strengths
- Impressive fuel economy
- Big boot
- Great to drive
Weaknesses
- Fairly pricey
- Rear head room isn't great
- Tyre noise
The Honda Civic is a superb all-round family car , striking a wonderful balance between practicality, quality, efficiency and driving pleasure.
It feels refined and precise, thanks to a combination of good handling, a comfortable ride and excellent performance. In fact, during our testing we found it could sprint from 0-62mph in 6.8sec, which is quicker than its official figure – and faster than the Toyota Corolla can manage.
The hybrid set-up also allows it to drive using the electric motors alone at low speeds, and achieve impressive fuel economy figures (it returned 49.5mpg in our Real MPG test).
So much useful kit is included as standard that we recommend sticking with entry-level Sport trim.
“The Civic corners very neatly — in fact, I found it nearly as much fun to drive as some hot hatchbacks.” – Chris Haining, Sub-editor
Read our in-depth Honda Civic review
Strengths
- Low CO2 emissions and great fuel economy
- Comfortable ride
- Loads of standard kit
Weaknesses
- Cramped in the back
- So-so infotainment system
- 12.3in digital instrument cluster could be easier to use
The Toyota Corolla represents that rarest of propositions – a new car which can help to save you money. That's because the Corolla is a hybrid, meaning it has an electric motor to help supplement its petrol engine. And while the electric motor and battery aren't enough to let you run for long distances on electric power alone, they can contribute to high fuel economy – indeed, you should see upwards of 50mpg in real-world conditions.
There are two petrol engines on offer: a 1.8-litre unit and a more powerful 2.0-litre version. It's the 1.8-litre engine which we think will suit most buyers best, having enough pep for most situations while helping to keep your running costs sensible. It doesn't feel quite as urgent as the Honda Civic, though.
Elsewhere, you'll find competitive pricing and an interior that's pleasantly spacious, even if it isn't up to the same level of quality as an Audi A3 or BMW 1 Series. It's all backed up by Toyota's stellar reliability record, too, meaning nothing should go wrong.
“I think the Corolla’s new 10.5in touchscreen marks a massive improvement on the previous model’s.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor
Read our in-depth Toyota Corolla review
Strengths
- Great to drive
- Loads of space in the back
- Well equipped
Weaknesses
- Firm ride on FR models
- Road noise
- Fiddly infotainment system
A former Family Car of the Year at our annual What Car? Car of the Year Awards, the Leon is a good buy for anyone looking for fun and practical family transport.
On the fun side, the steering is well-weighted and the suspension performs well on twisty roads. Plus, the 128bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine has plenty of punch, the driving position is highly adjustable to suit nearly any driver, there's plenty of leg and head room in the rear, and the boot is a good size.
The Leon comes well equipped as standard, but we’d recommend upgrading to FR trim, which adds an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers and more.
“I found the Leon's soft-touch dash materials and some metal-effect trims really lift an otherwise sombre interior.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Seat Leon review
Strengths
- Spacious interior
- Huge boot
- Frugal engines
Weaknesses
- Rivals are sharper to drive
- Touchscreen can be tricky to use on the move
- Currently no plug-in hybrid option
If practicality is your priority, look no further than the Skoda Octavia. Taller people will be comfortable in the front and rear thanks to generous leg and head room, and the back seat is wide, which makes carrying three back-seat passengers easier than in many rivals.
The boot capacity is 600 litres, which is colossal for the class – even though the rival Mercedes A-Class comes with seats which split and fold in a more useful 40/20/40 configuration, rather than the Octavia's 60/40 split.
The Octavia’s comfort and frugality make it an excellent car for covering long distances. Even in more expensive trim levels, it's cheaper than many rivals, whether you're a cash buyer or use a PCP finance deal.
“Chrome-effect thumbwheel controls on the steering wheel look good but I found they felt a bit on the flimsy side when used.” – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
Read our in-depth Skoda Octavia review
Strengths
- Comfortable ride and tidy handling
- Spacious rear seats and a big boot
- Cheap to buy and run
Weaknesses
- No hybrid or fully electric option
- So-so reliability record
- Some rivals are more fun to drive
The Scala represents one of the cheapest ways of getting behind the wheel of a great family car. It has a comfortable ride, precise steering and a highly adjustable driving position.
Head and leg room are impressive, whether you're in the front seats or the rear, and the boot is one of the biggest in the class. In fact, one of the only cars that can beat the Scala in those areas is the slightly more expensive Skoda Octavia.
Entry-level SE trim comes with all of the kit you’re likely to need, including cruise control, automatic lights and automatic wipers.
“There are a few squishy plastics and attractive trim pieces inside the Skoda Scala, but I think the overall quality is average for the class.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Skoda Scala review
Strengths
- Good range between charges
- Relatively fun handling
- Quiet cruising manners
Weaknesses
- Much pricier than an MG4
- Awful touch-sensitive steering-wheel buttons
- Slightly firmer ride than a VW ID 3
If you like the sound of the Volkswagen ID 3 (also on this list) you’ll probably love the Born electric car. It's based on the same underpinnings but gets more angular styling and a more polished interior.
The suspension has been lowered and stiffened for sportier handling, making it sharper and more engaging to drive than its Volkswagen sibling. An e-Boost option temporarily increases the power output from 201bhp to 228bhp, but its impact feels minor from behind the wheel.
Overall, the Born improves on the ID 3, but the volume and climate-control buttons on the dashboard and steering wheel are too fiddly.
“I can honestly say that I don’t know of a model that better suits the stressful business of city centre driving.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our in-depth Cupra Born review
Strengths
- Exceedingly comfortable ride with adaptive suspension
- Tidy handling
- Strong and frugal 1.5 TSI 150 engine
Weaknesses
- Automatic gearbox can be hesitant
- Interior quality could be better
- There are more spacious rivals
For many buyers, the Volkswagen Golf is the car they'll picture when thinking about a traditional family hatchback. And they'd be right to, because there's lots about the Golf which makes it thoroughly recommendable.
For one thing, there's a version to suit most people. You can have petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid power, with the latter making especially good sense for company car drivers, thanks to its long electric-only range of 88 miles – one of the longest of any plug-in hybrid car.
While the Golf can't match the high-speed comfort of the rival BMW 1 Series, it is nontheless comfortable, and around town does an especially good job of rounding off rough edges and potholes. The VW feels keen to change direction, but if you're looking for a family car that's genuinely fun to weave along a country road, you'd be bettter off looking at a Seat Leon.
“I can understand why plenty of people would be tempted by the Golf's entry-level Life trim, but Match doesn't cost much more and gets you lots more kit, including adaptive cruise control and larger alloy wheels.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Golf review
Strengths
- Sharp handling
- Excellent driving position
- Punchy but frugal engines
Weaknesses
- Audi's unimpressive reliability record
- BMW 1 Series has a better interior
- Expensive top trims and optional packages
The current A3 Sportback isn't as posh inside as the 2013-2020 Audi A3 but it’s still plush and well built, as well as great to drive. The driving position is fantastic, and the car handles well without sacrificing comfort.
Engines are plentiful, with diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options available. Our favourite is the 40 TFSIe PHEV, which can officially travel 40 miles on electric power alone. Its low CO2 output keeps company car tax rates low, too.
We recommend Sport trim for the PHEV, because it comes with smaller wheels that offer both the comfiest ride and the longest electric-only range of the bunch, further reducing the benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax for company car drivers.
“I was told that the Lamborghini Huracán influenced the interior design, but it's a shame the quality isn’t as good as that of the BMW 1 Series.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
Read our in-depth Audi A3 review
Strengths
- Strong performance
- Comfortable ride – even on 20in alloys
- Great driving position
Weaknesses
- Relatively heavy depreciation
- Rivals have more rear space
- Grabby brake-pedal response
Despite a switch to electric power, the Renault Megane keeps all of the attributes which made its predecessor's such a big name in the world of family cars. All versions come with front-wheel drive and the same 215bhp electric motor, which provides nippy acceleration. In fact, in our tests, the Megane managed the 0-60mph sprint in less time than the equivalent Cupra Born and MG4 EV.
Inside, you'll find it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel, and your front passenger will have lots of room to stretch out. The same isn't true of the rear, where a couple of tall passengers will be fine for short journeys, but knee room is especially disappointing by the standards of other electric cars. At least the boot is big – it managed to swallow seven carry-on suitcases in our tests.
The Megane gets lots of helpful parking aids as standard, including front and rear sensors and a reversing camera. Go for range-topping Esprit Alpine trim and you also get a 360-degree camera and digital rear-view mirror.
“There’ are plenty of potholes down my way, and the Megane deals with these better than in the MG4 company car I ran, with no pronounced aftershocks.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor
Read our in-depth Renault Megane review
Strengths
- Loads of standard luxury and safety kit
- Sprightly performance
- Decent to drive
Weaknesses
- Patchy interior quality
- Fiddly controls
- Tesla Model 3 can use a better charging network
For those who want their next family car to be electric, the ID 3 might still be worth considering. It’s as practical as many petrol-powered models, and has roughly similar dimensions to the big-selling Volkswagen Golf.
Well-weighted steering and fantastic body control help make it genuinely fun to drive too – something that can’t be said of all its electric car rivals. Performance is good, with 148bhp or 201bhp motors available, and the larger of the two battery options gives you an official range of up to 347 miles.
Unfortunately, the ID 3 is let down by a cheap-feeling interior and a fiddly, laggy infotainment system.
“I think the ID Light at the base of the windscreen is a neat touch; it's an animated light strip helps with things like sat-nav guidance.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth Volkswagen ID 3 review
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And the family car to avoid...
On paper, the Kia XCeed promises much: an SUV-styled version of the regular Ceed hatchback. Sadly, apart from slightly more rugged looks, there's little to justify the increase in price. Read our review
How to choose the best family car
Choosing the best family car for you is an extremely tough decision – not just because there’s a long list of criteria they need to fit, but also because of the sheer number of models on the market. Every brand has its own version of the family hatchback, which is why it’s important to know exactly what to look out for.
So, is a family car right for you? Here we explain all the things you should take into account before buying one.
Choosing between a hatchback and SUV
If you’re in the market for a new family car, there’s a chance you’re not just looking at traditional hatchbacks, but also family SUVs, which make up a hugely popular section of the market. But what’s the difference, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of both?
As a general rule, hatchbacks tend to offer less space inside than SUVs, instead prioritising low running costs and driving simplicity. However, that’s not to say that hatchbacks aren’t plenty spacious for you and your family – after all, they’ve been designed to transport five passengers in comfort – but you might find that there’s less legroom and headroom for taller occupants than in an SUV counterpart.
However, hatchbacks have the edge on SUVs with their lower running costs. This is because they generally have smaller engines and lighter bodies, which makes them more efficient. This is especially true when you opt for a hatchback with mild hybrid or full hybrid assistance, since the petrol engine doesn’t have to do all the work by itself. Of course, you can also opt for a fully electric family car – the longer the range, the better.
Hatchbacks also tend to be more compact than SUVs, making them easier to park and often more enjoyable to drive because of their lightweight stature. So, if agility and driving fun mean a lot to you, then a hatchback might be the style to go for.
How safe should it be?
If you’re regularly carting around family members or other passengers, it’s likely that safety is a top priority for your next car.
Nowadays, new models are put through rigorous safety testing to see how effectively they protect both adults and children in the event of a crash. It’s recommended that you check the Euro NCAP score for any model you’re looking at – this is one of the easiest ways to check a car’s safety rating, and it’s included in all of our reviews where possible.
If you’ve got young children, it’s worth taking a closer look at how well each car scored for child protection in its safety testing.
Many new cars now come generously equipped with safety features like automatic emergency braking (AEB), which detects a potential collision and stops the car if the driver hasn’t done so already, parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. Before you buy, look carefully at what driving assist systems are included with the model you’re looking at, and consider if there are any specific features you’d want to add.
How much tech do you want?
For a lot of buyers, it’s important for a family car to have modern in-car technology and entertainment to keep passengers occupied and to make everyday driving as simple as possible.
Lots of new cars come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, which allow you to hook your phone up to the infotainment system so that you can stream your own music, use your own navigation apps and access your contacts.
Some newer or higher-spec models allow multiple occupants to connect their phones, and even offer games, streaming services and karaoke through their infotainment systems.
It’s worth considering if these would work for your family – and if you’re willing to spend the extra cash to get them, because they’re often only available on very new cars, and even then you might have to splash out on the range-topping trim.
How practical does it need to be?
Family cars need to be proper workhorses – not only should they be able to transport your tribe from A to B, but they also need to transport all your belongings and any furry friends.
For that reason, it’s important to look for a model with plenty of boot space and interior storage. The best family cars have ample space for a big weekly shop, a buggy or a couple of large suitcases – but some offer more room than others, so it’s important to consider how much space you need.
If you regularly carry lots of luggage, or transport large pets, it might be worth looking at a bigger SUV, MPV or an estate car, which tend to offer the biggest boot spaces on the market.
Should I buy a family car?
Buy one if:
- You need space for multiple passengers
- You want lower running costs (compared with an SUV)
- You need decent practicality
Don’t buy one if:
- You need regularly need space for tall adult passengers – they may be more comfortable in a bigger car
- You need a very big boot for lots of luggage
- You want something with lots of performance
How we choose the best family cars
When we put a new family car through our comprehensive testing regime, we assess it in dozens of areas, with a particular focus on those which family car buyers consider most important when looking for a new car.
To find out what these are, we conduct an annual survey of more than 20,000 readers, in which we ask them to list the things they look for in a new model. Here are the top three:
In our annual Reliability Survey, we ask thousands of owners if their cars have let them down, how serious the faults were and how much they cost to put right. We then use this exclusive data to produce an overall reliability score for hundreds of models aged up to five years old.
A wide range of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel is important, because it increases the odds that everyone can get comfy behind the wheel; that consideration becomes all the more important in a family car which often needs to be driven by multiple family members. Plus, a supportive driver’s seat – ideally one with adjustable lumbar support – can make a huge difference on a long family road trip.
From the basics like electric windows to nice-to-haves such as adaptive cruise control or a panoramic glas roof, our expert road testers pore over manufacturers’ sales brochures to work out which models give you the most kit for your money.
We don’t stop there, though. Every car undergoes a rigorous programme of testing, and you can read more about that in our how we test cars feature.
FAQs
While every model in our list of the best family cars offer good interior space, the Ford Focus, the Seat Leon and the Skoda Octavia stand out in particular for offering a good amount of space for three rear-seat passengers. However, if you regularly carry four passengers, it's worth considering models in the family SUV and large SUV classes – and for the best comfort for a family of five, have a look at our list of the best seven-seaters.
A typical family car is a mid-sized hatchback that's bigger than a small car and has seating for five adults plus a useful amount of boot space. The best-known family cars in the UK are the Ford Focus, the VW Golf and the Vauxhall Astra but there are plenty of others to choose from, including some electric cars. Here at What Car?, we put estate cars in their own class, and while the many SUV models are clearly designed with families in mind, we place those in their own classes too (small or family, depending on size).
While our list of the best cars for dogs and dog owners mostly consists of MPVs and SUVs, it's clear that for pet owners, it comes down to needing as much space as possible. And of the cars on this list, none is more spacious than the gigantic Skoda Octavia. Its boot should make sure that you have lots of room for your pet to stretch out, while the ride is comfortable enough to eliminate the risk of your pet's dinner making a return visit to the car's carpet.
Thanks to the What Car? Reliability Survey we have a very clear picture of which car manufacturers do best in this area. The top family car performer in the 2024 survey – compiled using data from our readers – was the previous-generation Skoda Octavia, with a reliability rating of 99.3%. And of the small percentage of owners who did have issues, all issues were fixed for free, and took less than a day to complete.
Other family cars which did well in the survey were the Mercedes A-Class, with a reliability rating of 98.7%, and the previous-generation BMW 1 Series, with a rating of 98.6%. At the other end of the scale, the least reliable family car was the current Volkswagen Golf.
Euro NCAP regularly crash tests new cars, as well as testing their safety systems. The organisation currently rates the GWM Ora 3 as the safest family car, with a five-star safety rating acheived in 2022. The 03 (previously known as the Funky Cat) acheived a 92% rating fo adult occupant protection, 83% for child occupant protection, 74% for pedestrian protection and 93% for safety assistance.
