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Skoda Octavia | Best family car

Family car reviews

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and ho..

Audi A3 Hatchback

Used Audi A3 hatchback 2013-present

The Audi A3 is an outstanding all-rounder: it has great e...

Used Audi A3 Hatchback 2003 - 2013

The second-generation Audi A3 looks and feels classy, but it's...

BMW 1 Series Hatchback

Used BMW 1 Series 2011-2019

The second-gen BMW 1 Series is a great compact family hatchbac...

Used BMW 1 Series 2004 - 2011

The BMW 1 Series is the sharpest driving car of its kind, but...

BMW 3 Series Hatchback

Used BMW 3 Series Compact 2001 - 2004

The BMW 3 Series Compact is a fine-handling, premium-badged ha...

Chevrolet Lacetti Hatchback

Used Chevrolet Lacetti Hatchback 2005 - 2011

The Chevrolet Lacetti is an affordable small family car, but i...

Chevrolet Lacetti Saloon

Used Chevrolet Lacetti Saloon 2005 - 2011

The Chevrolet Lacetti is an affordable small family car, but i...

Chrysler Neon Saloon

Used Chrysler Neon Saloon 1999 - 2003

Big-booted American saloon stands out, but it's flawed by Euro...

Chrysler PT Cruiser Estate

Used Chrysler PT Cruiser 2000 - 2008

It's fun to look at and fun to drive, but lacks the practicali...

Citroën C4 Hatchback

Used Citroën C4 2010 - 2018

The Citroën C4 is too far behind its rivals to consider, despi...

Used Citroën C4 2005 - 2010

The C4's styling is unique in its class, but the cabin is narr...

Citroën C4 Cactus Hatchback

Used Citroen C4 Cactus 2014-present

The Citroën C4 Cactus has its foibles, but it’s an okay choice...

Citroën C5 Hatchback

Used Citroën C5 2001 - 2008

You'll find killer depreciation on early cars, but avoid that...

Citroën C5 Saloon

Used Citroën C5 2008 - 2016

The C5 is a solid and stylish saloon that will comfortably han...

Citroën Grand C4 Picasso MPV

Used Citroën Grand C4 Picasso 2014 - present

The Citroën Grand C4 Picasso is seriously practical and great...

Citroën Xantia Hatchback

Used Citroën Xantia Hatchback 1993 - 2001

It's a cheap, comfortable but dated alternative to its more ub...

Citroën Xsara Hatchback

Used Citroën Xsara 1997 - 2004

Worth considering if you have little to spend. Otherwise, it's...

Fiat Brava Hatchback

Used Fiat Brava Hatchback 1995 - 2002

Take the plunge only if it's sound inside and out

...

Fiat Bravo Hatchback

Used Fiat Bravo Hatchback 1995 - 2002

Take the plunge only if it's sound inside and out

...

Fiat Stilo Hatchback

Used Fiat Stilo 2001 - 2007

Rivals do it all so much better

...

Fiat Tipo Hatchback

Used Fiat Tipo 2016-present

The Fiat Tipo is a decent value family car for those looking f...

Ford Escort Hatchback

Ford Focus Hatchback

Used Ford Focus 2018 - present

Provides used car buyers with great engines, tidy handling and...

Used Ford Focus Hatchback 2011 - 2018

The Ford Focus is one of Britain’s most popular family cars, a...

Used Ford Focus 2004 - 2011

The more conservative and more mature second-generation Ford F...

Ford Focus Saloon

Used Ford Focus Saloon 2004 - 2011

The Focus saloon pretty much does it all - if you don't need a...

Ford Mondeo Hatchback

Used Ford Mondeo 2007 - 2014

This Ford Mondeo is still one of the best family cars you can...

Used Ford Mondeo Hatchback 2000 - 2007

It's cheap, well built, reliable, spacious, and - best of all...

Used Ford Mondeo Hatchback 1993 - 2000

Compelling combination of driving pleasure, practicality and a...

Ford Mondeo Saloon

Used Ford Mondeo Saloon 2000 - 2007

It's cheap, well built, reliable, spacious and - best of all -...

Used Ford Mondeo Saloon 1993 - 2000

Compelling combination of driving pleasure, practicality and a...

Honda Accord Hatchback

Used Honda Accord Hatchback 1998 - 2003

It has no image at all, but it's good in so many areas you won...

Honda Accord Saloon

Used Honda Accord Saloon 2008 - 2015

A well-equipped and stylish family saloon

...
Used Honda Accord Saloon 2002 - 2008

It aims for Audi and Lexus but misses

...
Used Honda Accord Saloon 1998 - 2003

It has no image at all, but it's good in so many areas you won...

Honda Civic Hatchback

Used Honda Civic 2017-present

The Honda Civic is good to drive and used prices are highly co...

Used Honda Civic Hatchback 2012-2017

Spacious and reliable, the ninth-generation Honda Civic certai...

Used Honda Civic Hatchback 2006 - 2012

Honda Civics have always made sensible used buys. Does the wac...

Hyundai Accent Hatchback

Used Hyundai Accent Hatchback 1999 - 2003

Other than its sheer low cost, the Accent has little on its si...

Hyundai Elantra Hatchback

Used Hyundai Elantra Hatchback 2001 - 2006

It's very cheap, but most rivals are better to drive and more...

Hyundai Elantra Saloon

Used Hyundai Elantra Saloon 2001 - 2006

It's very cheap, but most rivals are better to drive and more...

Hyundai i30 Hatchback

Used Hyundai i30 Hatchback 2017-present

Sharp looks and a five-year warranty make the Hyundai i30 an a...

Used Hyundai i30 Hatchback 2012-2017

When practicality, ease of ownership and cheap running costs m...

Used Hyundai i30 Hatchback 2007 - 2012

The Hyundai is a dependable hatchback, but it won't set pulses...

Hyundai Sonata Saloon

Used Hyundai Sonata Saloon 2005 - 2009

High spec and a low price, but not a great buy

...
Used Hyundai Sonata Saloon 2001 - 2005

It's fine if you want a large, undemanding, toy-laden saloon t...

Infiniti Q30 Hatchback

Used Infiniti Q30 2016-present

The Infiniti Q30’s an interesting alternative, but it's ultim...

Kia Ceed Hatchback

Used Kia Ceed 2018-present

Sensible, dependable and well equipped, the Kia Ceed is a fine...

Used Kia Cee’d 2012-2018

The second-generation Kia Cee’d is a stylish and sophisticated...

Used Kia Ceed Hatchback 2007 - 2012

It's not the most exciting of hatchbacks, but is capable and a...

Kia Cerato Hatchback

Used Kia Cerato Hatchback 2004 - 2007

It's safe, well equipped and practical, but driving it is a le...

Kia Cerato Saloon

Used Kia Cerato Saloon 2004 - 2007

It's safe, well equipped and practical, but driving it is a le...

Kia Magentis Saloon

Used Kia Magentis Saloon 2003 - 2006

A cheap, roomy family car, but nowhere near as talented as the...

Used Kia Magentis Saloon 2001 - 2003

A low-cost family saloon. Snobs need not apply

...

Lexus CT Hatchback

Used Lexus CT 2011-present

The Lexus CT is a hybrid hatchback that offers low emissions...

Mazda 323 Hatchback

Used Mazda 323 Hatchback 1998 - 2004

It's reliable, practical and fun to drive, but not the most co...

Mazda 3 Hatchback

Used Mazda 3 2014-2019

The Mazda 3 offers good economy and a classy interior, but tha...

Used Mazda 3 Hatchback 2009-2013

The Mazda 3 isn’t the most comfortable car in the world, but i...

Used Mazda 3 Hatchback 2004 - 2009

More character than past small Mazdas, but every bit as practi...

Mazda 3 Saloon

Used Mazda 3 Saloon 2004 - 2009

It's more characterful than past small Mazdas, but this saloon...

Mazda 626 Hatchback

Used Mazda 626 Hatchback 1997 - 2002

It's puts dependability above everything else - it's all compe...

Mazda 626 Saloon

Used Mazda 626 Saloon 1997 - 2002

It puts dependability above everything else - it's all compete...

Mazda 6 Hatchback

Used Mazda 6 Hatchback 2002 - 2007

It does most things well and almost nothing badly, so it's an...

Mazda 6 Saloon

Used Mazda 6 Saloon 2007 - 2012

Mazda's 6 saloon is a good car, but the hatchback version is b...

Used Mazda 6 Saloon 2002 - 2007

It does most things well and almost nothing badly, so it makes...

Mercedes A Class Hatchback

Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2018-present

The Mercedes A-Class is classy, good to drive and st...

Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2013 - 2018

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class certainly looks the part, but its ha...

Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class MPV 2005 - 2012

Scores well for space, safety and image, but it's pricey for a...

Mercedes B-Class Hatchback

Used Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2005 - 2012

The Mercedes B-Class offers a remarkable amount of interior sp...

MG ZS Hatchback

Used MG Rover ZS Hatchback 2001 - 2005

The styling and cabin are questionable, but MG ZS is a cheap a...

MG ZT Saloon

Used MG Rover ZT Saloon 2001 - 2005

The MG ZT is a decent sports saloon for buttons

...

Mini Clubman Estate

Used Mini Clubman 2007- 2014

Quirky looks and extra doors make the Clubman estate...

Mitsubishi Carisma Saloon

Used Mitsubishi Carisma Saloon 1995 - 2005

Carisma is a misnomer. The Mitsubishi Carisma should have been...

Mitsubishi Galant Saloon

Used Mitsubishi Galant Saloon 1997 - 2003

The Mitsubishi Galant is unfairly overlooked as a good, solid...

Nissan Almera Hatchback

Used Nissan Almera Hatchback 2000 - 2006

The Nissan Almera is solid, reliable and cheap, but with a sta...

Nissan Almera Saloon

Used Nissan Almera Saloon 2000 - 2006

The Nissan Almera is solid, reliable and cheap, but with a sta...

Nissan Primera Hatchback

Used Nissan Primera Hatchback 2002 - 2006

The Nissan Primera is a decent family car that's great value a...

Used Nissan Primera Hatchback 1996 - 2002

The Nissan Primera is a practical, sporty family car in a plai...

Nissan Primera Saloon

Used Nissan Primera Saloon 2002 - 2006

The Nissan Primera is a reliable and roomy family car, that's...

Used Nissan Primera Saloon 1996 - 2002

The Nissan Primera is a practical, sporty family car in a plai...

Nissan Pulsar Hatchback

Used Nissan Pulsar 2014-present

The Nissan Pulsar is quiet, spacious and well equipped, but re...

Peugeot 306 Hatchback

Used Peugeot 306 Hatchback 1997 - 2003

The Peugeot 306 is cheap and great to drive, but newer designs...

Peugeot 307 Hatchback

Used Peugeot 307 Hatchback 2001 - 2009

With the Peugeot 307 you can certainly get a lot of car for yo...

Peugeot 308 Hatchback

Used Peugeot 308 2013-present

The Peugeot 308 has some clean and frugal engines, but it fall...

Used Peugeot 308 Hatchback 2007 - 2015

The Peugeot 308 is a competent small family car, but a long wa...

Peugeot 406 Saloon

Used Peugeot 406 Saloon 1996 - 2004

The Peugeot 406 is a big, cheap, smooth-riding cruiser, but ne...

Peugeot 407 Saloon

Used Peugeot 407 Saloon 2004 - 2011

The Peugeot 407 is a comfy, good-looking cruiser which is at h...

Proton GEN-2 Hatchback

Used Proton GEN-2 Hatchback 2004 - 2007

The Proton Gen-2 handles well, but too many faults in other ar...

Proton Impian Saloon

Used Proton Impian Saloon 2001 - 2008

The Proton Impian is well equipped and adequate to drive, but...

Renault Laguna Hatchback

Used Renault Laguna Hatchback 2007 - 2012

Distinctive styling gives the Renault Laguna a chic feel. It m...

Used Renault Laguna Hatchback 2000 - 2008

Choose the right Renault Laguna, and you'll be able to enjoy q...

Used Renault Laguna Hatchback 1994 - 2001

The Renault Laguna is a comfortable tourer, but it's let down...

Renault Megane Hatchback

Used Renault Megane 2016-present

The Renault Mégane is well equipped and has lots of safety kit...

Used Renault Megane Hatchback 2008 - 2016

The Renault Megane might not be the flashiest family car aroun...

Used Renault Megane Hatchback 2002 - 2009

The Renault Megane is outstandingly safe, well equipped and go...

Renault Megane Saloon

Used Renault Megane Sport Saloon 2002 - 2009

The Renault Megane Sport Saloon is outstandingly safe, well eq...

Rover 45 Hatchback

Used Rover 45 Hatchback 1999 - 2005

Apart from some engineering strengths, the Rover 45 doesn't st...

Rover 45 Saloon

Used Rover 45 Saloon 1999 - 2005

Apart from some engineering strengths, the Rover 45 car doesn'...

Rover 75 Saloon

Used Rover 75 Saloon 1999 - 2005

The Rover 75 is a comfortable, refined motorway hauler with a...

Seat Altea Estate

Used Seat Altea Hatchback 2004 - 2015

The Seat Altea is stylish and well-equipped, but not a proper...

Seat Exeo Saloon

Used Seat Exeo Saloon 2009 - 2013

The Seat Exeo is based on the previous-generation Audi A4, so...

Seat Leon Coupe

Used Seat Leon SC 2013-2018

The Seat Leon SC is not only stylish and good to drive but als...

Seat Leon Hatchback

Used Seat Leon 2013 - present

The Seat Leon is a great all-rounder, being wonderfully stylis...

Used Seat Leon Hatchback 2005 - 2012

It's built to a budget, but the Seat Leon is a safe and pleasi...

Used Seat Leon Hatchback 2000 - 2005

Better than Golf it's based on, the Seat Leon is a fine altern...

Seat Toledo Hatchback

Used Seat Toledo 2013-present

While it has a big boot and plenty of rear leg space, a f...

Used Seat Toledo Hatchback 2005 - 2009

It's good, but it's little better than the cheaper Altea XL th...

Seat Toledo Saloon

Used Seat Toledo Saloon 1999 - 2005

It could be a shrewd, enjoyable and economical purchase, but b...

Skoda Felicia Hatchback

Used Skoda Felicia Hatchback 1995 - 2001

It's a solid and spacious supermini made with Volkswagen invol...

Skoda Octavia Hatchback

Used Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2013-present

The Skoda Octavia may not be the most stylish family car, but...

Used Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2004 - 2013

A great used car

...
Used Skoda Octavia Hatchback 1998 - 2004

It's a modern family car with reasonable safety levels, but it...

Skoda Rapid Hatchback

Used Skoda Rapid 2012-present

The Skoda Rapid is below par in many areas, although it is a p...

Skoda Rapid Spaceback Hatchback

Used Skoda Rapid Spaceback 2013-present

While it’s not class-leading to drive, the Skoda Rapid Spaceba...

Skoda Superb Hatchback

Used Skoda Superb Hatchback 2008 - 2015

The Superb is an amazing amount of car for the money

...

Skoda Superb Saloon

Used Skoda Superb Saloon 2002 - 2008

All the space of a limo for family-car money

...

Subaru Impreza Saloon

Used Subaru Impreza Saloon 1993 - 2003

The range-topper steals the limelight, but the rest are grippy...

Subaru Legacy Saloon

Used Subaru Legacy Saloon 2003 - 2009

Drives well, but let down by high running costs

...
Used Subaru Legacy Saloon 1998 - 2003

The cabin is dull and the car is not cheap to run, but it's ve...

Suzuki Liana Hatchback

Used Suzuki Liana Hatchback 2001 - 2007

It's not bad, but it's outclassed by the class best. Should pr...

Suzuki Liana Saloon

Used Suzuki Liana Saloon 2001 - 2007

It's not bad, but it's outclassed by the class best. It should...

Toyota Auris Hatchback

Used Toyota Auris Hatchback 2013-present

The Toyota Auris is a dependable and hassle-free used family c...

Used Toyota Auris Hatchback 2007 - 2013

Capable, but disappointing follow-up to the excellent Corolla<...

Toyota Avensis Hatchback

Used Toyota Avensis Hatchback 2003 - 2009

Safe, dependable and spacious family transport

...
Used Toyota Avensis Hatchback 1997 - 2004

A reliable family car, but not the most inspiring

...

Toyota Avensis Saloon

Used Toyota Avensis Saloon 2003 - 2009

Safe, dependable and spacious family transport

...
Used Toyota Avensis Saloon 1997 - 2004

A reliable family car but not the most inspiring

...

Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Used Toyota Corolla 18-present

The Corolla is a smart and potentially very reliable...

Used Toyota Corolla Hatchback 2002 - 2007

Best ever Corolla

...
Used Toyota Corolla Hatchback 1997 - 2002

It'll get you from A to B reliably and reasonably safely

...

Toyota Corolla Saloon

Used Toyota Corolla Saloon 2002 - 2007

This is the best Corolla ever, but not the best version of it<...

Used Toyota Corolla Saloon 1997 - 2002

It'll get you from A to B reliably and reasonably safely

...

Toyota Prius Hatchback

Used Toyota Prius 2016-present

The Toyota Prius wears its iconic status lightly. It’s good to...

Used Toyota Prius Hatchback 2009 - 2015

With many used-car buyers seeking alternatives to diesel, the...

Used Toyota Prius Hatchback 2003 - 2009

Proves that going green doesn't have to be dull

...

Toyota Prius Saloon

Used Toyota Prius Saloon 2000 - 2003

Green enough, but it doesn't drive as well as mainstream rival...

Vauxhall Astra Hatchback

Used Vauxhall Astra 2015 - present

The Vauxhall Astra is a deservedly popular family hatchback th...

Used Vauxhall Astra 2009 - 2015

The Vauxhall Astra offers plenty of equipment for the money an...

Used Vauxhall Astra Hatchback 2004 - 2010

Outclassed by rivals, but still great value

...

Vauxhall Astra Saloon

Used Vauxhall Astra Saloon 1998 - 2004

It's thoroughly affordable, dependable and practical, with a f...

Vauxhall Vectra Hatchback

Used Vauxhall Vectra Hatchback 2002 - 2009

The hatchback was our 2003 Family Car of the Year - it's a gre...

Used Vauxhall Vectra Hatchback 1995 - 2002

The final 02-reg models make sense if they're cheap. Pre-'99 m...

Vauxhall Vectra Saloon

Used Vauxhall Vectra Saloon 2002 - 2009

The hatchback was our 2003 Family Car of the Year - it's a gre...

Used Vauxhall Vectra Saloon 1995 - 2002

The final 02-reg models make sense if they're cheap. Pre-'99 m...

Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback

Used Volkswagen Beetle 2012-2018

Cute looks and a funky interior mark the Volkswagen Beetle out...

Used Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback 1999 - 2012

Lots of style and good residual values

...

Volkswagen Bora Saloon

Used Volkswagen Bora Saloon 1999 - 2005

Cheaper than more practical Golf, but the Bora is just as well...

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback

Used Volkswagen Golf hatchback 2013 - present

Smooth, suave and sophisticated, the seventh-generation Volksw...

Used Volkswagen Golf 2009 - 2013

A firm family favourite, the VW Golf exudes quality and is gre...

Used Volkswagen Golf 2004 - 2009

The VW Golf has always been a comfortable and classy choice, b...

Volkswagen Jetta Saloon

Used Volkswagen Jetta 2011-2017

The VW Jetta is a spacious and competent four-door s...

Used Volkswagen Jetta Saloon 2006 - 2011

Does just about everything the Passat can do - for less

...

Volkswagen Passat Saloon

Used Volkswagen Passat Saloon 2005 - 2015

All the family car you'll ever need

...

Volvo C30 Coupe

Used Volvo C30 Hatchback 2007 - 2013

The Volvo C30 is neither a true coupe nor a small family hatch...

Volvo S40 Saloon

Used Volvo S40 saloon 2004 - 2012

A stylish and safe choice, but it’s rather small compared with...

Volvo V40 Hatchback

Used Volvo V40 2012-2019

Even if it can’t match the best in class for its driving exper...

Find used Family cars for sale with What Car?

Family car

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

The Ford Focus and VW Golf are among the most popular family cars, and these models excel with their sharp handling and comfortable ride respectively. A more premium option, Audi’s A3, is an even more appealing choice, thanks to its posher interior, brilliant infotainment system and rock-solid resale values. It’s not cheap, though.

The Skoda Octavia is another brilliant choice. It’s just a bit bigger than anything else in the class, so there’s lots of room for five adults inside along with a gigantic boot. It’s incredible value for money, too.

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