For many UK families, their car is their lifeline. From going to work to doing the school run, so many families could not live without their car! If you’re in the market for your next car, ensure it’s the right buying decision by following our top tips for choosing the right family car. We believe there are a few factors which a family car should be and thinking of your requirements before you start shopping can help to save you time and money.
Budget-Friendly.
Any car buyer should make their main priority their budget when buying a car but it can be even more important for busy families. To ensure you don’t stray from your budget, you should work out how much you can afford and stick to it. If you’re looking to go down the finance route, there are a whole load of options. From 7-seater car finance deals to SUV and estate car deals, theres lots to offer. You should never spend more than 20% of your total monthly income on a car finance payment, to ensure you can afford to meet every payment over the term.
Practical.
Practicality is a huge selling point for families choosing their next car. Depending on how many people are in your family and their ages, practicality can look different to different buyers. For many families, ISO-FIX or child seat compatibility is key. Many cars do come with ISO-FIX but their body style may not be suitable for multiple child seats at once so ensure your next car meets your needs by taking your car seats along when shopping for cars.
Reliable.
Breaking down or forking out for constant repairs on your car aren’t ideal for any driver. A reliable car is one which doesn’t break down often and you won’t have many issues with. Often, we associated reliability with premium brands such as BMW and Mercedes and whilst they can be reliable, they aren’t the only cars out there. There are many second-hand car brands which can provide you with the same level of reliability. Do your own research and check reliability reports and owner’s reviews of different cars before making a decision. Some of the most reliable cars of 2025 include brands like Lexus, Toyota and Subaru.
Economical.
A pet hate for many drivers is constantly feeling like you’re always filling up your car with fuel or recharging an electric car. Busy families can cover lots of miles every week so having a car which is economical is really important. Economical cars tend to be cheap to run and cheap to fill and they also provide good MPG.
Functional.
If a car is not fit for purpose, it’ll not last you long. You need to ensure your next car meets all of your needs. Think about how many seats you need, how much space, what features are important to you, child seat compatibility, and boot space. A functional car should also have good levels of safety and reliable to protect the people you love the most.
Low maintenance.
No driver wants a car which makes life harder than it needs to be. A low maintenance car is one which doesn’t need much looking after, it’s reliable and gets the job done. They can provide good MPG and have a long history of durability and longevity. A low maintenance car can help you save money in the long run and reduce the need for swapping your car as often.
Good looking.
Buying a family car doesn’t mean you have to choose the most basic, simple car on the market. Whilst the above points are all relating to the car’s performance and functionality, having an attractive car is still important to many drivers. Many car brands are already producing some great looking, highly sophisticated, family cars that you could choose from.
