1. Home
  2. Guides
  3. Best family cars in 2025

09/07/2025

Best family cars in 2025

Written By Ivan Aistrop

The best family cars must tick every box on a long list of diverse requirements. Happily, our list of the best family cars on sale is full of great all-rounders.

Family cars have a very tough brief. One moment we want them to be practical cargo bearers, and the next, we expect them to whisk us hundreds of miles in complete comfort.

Meeting all of these challenges is not easy, especially when we also want them to be safe, affordable to run, and come with stacks of equipment. A dash of style and driving pleasure never goes amiss, either, and separates the great from the merely good in this demanding sector.

You’ll see in this guide that there are many different takes on the family car - petrol, diesel, hybrid or EV - but this is all a good thing in providing the right solution to each family’s needs and desires. After all, no two families are the same, so why should they all drive the same car? Read on to find out what our expert judges believe are the top 10 family cars you can buy right now.

If you're looking to finance a new car, check out our guide to the best PCP deals.


Best family cars in 2025

  1. Skoda Enyaq iV
  2. BMW 3 Series Touring
  3. Skoda Karoq
  4. MG4 EV
  5. Volkswagen ID.Buzz
  6. Dacia Jogger
  7. Kia Sportage
  8. Honda Civic
  9. Mercedes C-Class Estate
  10. Volkswagen Passat Estate

1. Skoda Enyaq 

Possibly the most family-friendly EV yet

Skoda Enyaq review: driving dynamic
Skoda Enyaq review: interior

Pros

  • Very comfortable and versatile electric SUV

  • Easy to drive and live with

  • Affordable enough to bring electric cars to the masses

Cons

  • Not as engaging to drive as some rivals

  • Not available with seven seats

  • Some optional equipment should really be standard

The Skoda Enyaq is one of the best family cars you can buy right now, with oodles of space, excellent comfort and a surprisingly easy driving experience for such a large vehicle. 

It’s a no-nonsense, versatile family car that undercuts premium rivals (such as the VW ID.4, Tesla Model Y and Audi Q4 e-tron) on price, and beats them when it comes to standard equipment and practicality.

It’s a similar size to the Skoda Kodiaq, but comes with five seats rather than seven. That means you get a huge 585-litre boot and plenty of space in the back seats to comfortably accommodate adults. All models get the impressive 13.0-inch navigation system with DAB radio as standard, which also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

The Enyaq iV performs well in the safety department, too, with a five-star Euro NCAP rating, ISOFIX in the back and on the front passenger seat, and plenty of driving assistance functions to help keep you out of trouble on the road. A good driving range and reasonably affordable prices help sweeten the deal even further. Safe, sizeable, and a serious contender for your driveway.

"While it might have a Skoda badge on the front, the Skoda Enyaq feels every bit as posh as the Volkswagen ID.4"

Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor

Read our full Skoda Enyaq review

2. BMW 3 Series Touring

Still the best premium estate

BMW 3 Series Touring Review 2024: front dynamic
BMW 3 Series Touring Review 2024: front interior

Pros

  • Brilliant to drive

  • Luxurious and practical interior

  • Excellent eight-speed automatic gearbox 

Cons

  • Large wheels can hinder ride comfort

  • Dated tech on pre-facelift models

  • Rivals offer more boot space

The BMW 3 Series is a superb upmarket family car, with a refined ride, plush cabin and low running costs. That’s why it remains one of the most popular cars on the road despite impressive rivals from Audi and Mercedes-Benz

Although there are better cars on this list if outright space is what matters most, the 3 Series Touring estate offers good boot flexibility. Its 500-litre capacity might only be 20 litres more than the saloon, but with a usefully larger opening, the space is much more accessible, while the rear seats can be dropped in a flexible 40/20/40 split to increase luggage capacity. 

However, if rear space is a priority, the Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb Estate pip the BMW with cavernous amounts of room.

But the BMW 3 Series' trump card is the way it drives. A firm but well controlled ride is combined with sharp, engaging handling on every model. While that might not matter when all your kids are on board, it makes the 3 Series fun when you're heading home from the school run, and there's a fine range of engines to pick from.

"Practical, comfortable and brilliant to drive, it's just a shame that so many potential BMW 3 Series Touring buyers will want an SUV instead"

Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor

Read our full BMW 3 Series Touring review

3. Skoda Karoq

Still a great family SUV

Skoda Karoq Review: front dynamic
Skoda Karoq Review: front interior

Pros

  • Composed and easy to drive

  • Solidly built and versatile interior

  • Used examples represent excellent value for money

Cons

  • Styling is a bit dated

  • Automatic gearbox can be hesitant

  • No hybrid options

The Skoda Karoq small SUV is an impressively complete all-rounder. It's comfortable, good to drive, has an excellent range of engines, has a nicely finished cabin and a high level of standard equipment. It’s conservatively styled, sure, but it's also tremendously practical and nearly impossible to fault. 

Inside, the Skoda Karoq is spacious and versatile, with an easily accessible rear cabin making fitting child seats a breeze, and three older children can sit comfortably in the back.

Optional ‘Varioflex’ rear seats can slide back and forth as well as recline, so you can pick between comfort or boot space. You can also remove the rear seats entirely. Even with the rear seats in place and slid all the way to the rear there is a generous amount of boot space, with 521 litres beneath the load cover.

Even the base SE Edition model gets alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and automatic emergency brakes as standard, but SE L is the one to go for, with its added comforts like heated front seats, larger infotainment display, rear-view camera, all-round parking sensors, and microsuede upholstery.

"On the road, the Karoq is a really comfortable cruiser, with soft suspension and a really forgiving ride"

Phil Hall, Senior Editor

Read our full Skoda Karoq review

4. MG4 EV

A great value electric car

MG4 EV Review: front three quarter dynamic
MG4 EV Review: interior

Pros

  • Keenly priced electric vehicle with a decent range

  • A sporty-to-drive five-door hatchback

  • Striking styling and interior

Cons

  • Infotainment can be fiddly

  • Rear seat isn’t the most accommodating

  • Interior isn't as swish as in pricier rivals

Even if the MG4 EV wasn't powered by a brawny and near-silent electric motor, it would still hold plenty of appeal thanks to its chiselled looks.

The fact that the MG4 is an EV, and a pretty darned brisk one, too, just makes it even more appealing when you consider the keenly pitched prices MG charges.

That's matched by sporty handling and a sense of fun that's missing in most electric cars. The infotainment could be slicker, but otherwise, the MG4 also looks after its driver very well, with plenty of space, good comfort, clear visibility and lots of toys. There's a bit less space in the back seats, but the boot is pretty big for very decent practicality.

For us, the MG4 EV is a real sweet spot in the electric family car class thanks to its cost, equipment, driving fun, and 323-mile range.

"New car bargains are few and far between, but there's no doubt the MG4 EV is one of them"

Phill Tromans, Contributor

Read our full MG4 EV review

5. Volkswagen ID.Buzz

Your kids will love it

Volkswagen ID.Buzz LWB review: front view
Volkswagen ID.Buzz LWB review: interior

Pros

  • Retro design really turns heads

  • Bright, roomy and well-equipped cabin

  • Comfortable and refined to drive

Cons

  • SWB version isn't actually that big

  • Not the most affordable electric vehicle

  • Irritating climate control buttons

The short wheelbase version of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz has been with us for a few years now, and that's a very good family car in is own right. 

Now, though, after a wait that seemed to last for an eternity, the long-wheelbase version has finally arrived, bringing the seven-seater practicality that turns the ID.Buzz from a good family car into a great one.

There's very decent space surrounding the rearmost chairs, too - not always the case in a seven-seater - and a decent 306 litres of boot space with all the pews in place. When you only need five of them, the boot grows to a truly whopping 1,340 litres.

But the ID.Buzz is about much more than just practicality. With its effortlessly cool retro-inspired design and its cheerful colour schemes, it's just such a characterful and jolly car to spend time in. The interior quality is impressive, too, while all the equipment you'll want is present and correct.

You'll also enjoy driving the ID.Buzz thanks to a comfortable ride and surprisingly composed handling given the size and shape of the car. Performance from the electric motor(s) is seamless and near-silent, while the car's range figures are also very presentable.

"A modern take on the iconic hippy bus, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz is an electric people carrier that's so much more desirable than yet another family SUV"

Phil Hall, Senior Editor

Read our full Volkswagen ID.Buzz review

6. Dacia Jogger

Cheap and cheery family car

Dacia Jogger Review: front dynamic
Dacia Jogger Review: interior

Pros

  • A rare new-car bargain

  • Removable third row of seats

  • Hybrid model is impressive

Cons

  • 1.0-litre petrol low on refinement

  • Third row of seats only really for occasional use

  • Questionable safety record

Times are tough, so shelling out over £30k for a family runabout just isn't an option for many. Fear not, because Dacia is on hand to sell you a brand new seven-seater for less than £20,000. 

For that money, there really isn't anything else that offers the practicality of the humble Jogger unless you ferret around on the used car market. That entry-level Essential trim isn't too basic, with cruise control, air-con and even rear parking sensors, but stepping up to Comfort trim gets you the all-important touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and as a result, it's a step we recommend taking.

The Jogger is decent to drive, too, with enough agility and ride comfort to keep your six passengers from complaining. A 110PS 1.0-litre engine might sound a bit weak, but the car is actually pretty light, so it gets down the road swiftly enough. There's a hybrid model for more pace, too.

Even more amazingly given that it's about the same size as a VW Golf Estate, is that the Jogger is a genuine seven-seater. Adults can just about squeeze into that third row for short journeys, which can't be said of some seven-seat SUVs. So what's the catch? Well, the Jogger misses some of the very latest safety equipment, and its interior is hardly luxurious. But that's no deal breaker at this price. 

"It's a refreshingly affordable new car that goes against the fad for premium-badged SUVs"

Phill Tromans, Contributor

Read our full Dacia Jogger review

7. Kia Sportage

Kia's desirable family car

Kia Sportage Review: front dynamic
Kia Sportage Review: front interior

Pros

  • Does everything a family SUV needs to do

  • Wide range of engines

  • Impressive interior

Cons

  • Noisy hybrid engine

  • Not as affordable as it once was

  • Looks are divisive

Want a family SUV that'll stand out in the supermarket car park? The latest Kia Sportage is a distinctive and capable family SUV, and it also benefits from the brand's excellent (and transferrable between owners) seven-year warranty.

The striking exterior design certainly turns heads, but it still does the sensible stuff well. The interior is upmarket, solid and well-equipped, with a clever twin-screen infotainment system on most models. There's also plenty of useful storage solutions and little touches to make family life that bit easier. 

Space in the back is very good, although it's not quite as generous for three passengers as the Honda CR-V because there's a lump in the floor. Still, the 591-litre boot is huge, with a false floor and handy levers for folding the rear seats. 

It's Kia's intention that the Sportage's driving experience feels agile, and its reasonably successful on that score. While this does mean the ride is a little firm, it's a refined offering that's great for long-distance drives. Clever tech includes a 360-degree camera and, on top models, a system that allows you to 'drive' the car in and out of tight parking spaces from outside the car using the key fob. 

You can choose from petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid power if you're buying new, plus diesel with used models, so there should be something to fit every need. 

"You'll love or hate the way the new Kia Sportage looks, but there's very little else to dislike about it"

Antony Ingram, Contributor

Read our full Kia Sportage review

8. Honda Civic

More enjoyable than it looks

Honda Civic Review: front driving
Honda Civic Review: interior

Pros

  • Smart and spacious cabin

  • Very well-sorted ride and handling

  • Hybrid system is Honda's best yet

Cons

  • Only offered with single hybrid powertrain option

  • Entry price point is higher than most rivals

  • Not the most exciting design 

Not all families need an SUV, and if your budget doesn’t stretch to the BMW 3 Series Touring, the Honda Civic hatchback is an excellent option at a more affordable price point. 

The latest version has significantly improved the interior style and infotainment over its predecessor, and it's also a supremely practical choice.

There’s just one engine choice, a 2.0-litre self-charging hybrid. Economy is impressive, with 56.5mpg putting it in line with diesel rivals. It’s also more fun to drive than you may think: we’re not talking Ford Focus levels of engagement, but it delivers a very satisfying experience from behind the wheel.

There’s class-leading safety with eleven airbags, and a variety of standard safety features including emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and intelligent speed assist. It’s achieved a five-star Euro NCAP award, unsurprisingly.

All in all, the Honda Civic is a great family car, which is nicely equipped, well built, good to drive and has enough space for everyone and their luggage.

"The Honda Civic makes a lot of sense for the family car buyer"

Matt Robinson, Car Reviews Editor

Read our full Honda Civic review

9. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate

Beautifully built comfortable family wagon

Mercedes C-Class Estate Review: driving dynamic
Mercedes C-Class Estate Review: interior

Pros

  • Incredibly comfortable and refined

  • 67-mile battery range from C 300 e PHEV

  • Modern tech and infotainment

Cons

  • Not the most practical estate

  • BMW 3 Series Touring is still more enjoyable to drive

  • Poor reliability score

Look up classy in the automotive dictionary and you'll find a picture of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate. 

Its understated elegance is a major part of its appeal to families, and it delivers a bit more capacity than the equally sleek saloon version can muster.

The driving environment offers two large screens: one to deliver you driving information and the other to control the infotainment and almost every other feature. It's easy to use and looks great. 

Rear-seat space is generous, too, while the boot offers 490 litres of space. That's more than this generation's predecessor, but a fraction behind the BMW 3 Series Touring. However, the C-Class Estate's boot is well shaped and practical.

The engine line-up offers a range of options that includes several mild hybrid options, and if you're considering a used C-Class wagon, you can have the C 300 e plug-in hybrid with an EV range of up to 67 miles.

"Mercedes hasn't rewritten the rule book with this C-Class Estate, instead it has built on what made its predecessor so popular"

David Ross, Senior Editor

Read our full Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate review

10. Volkswagen Passat Estate

One of the best estate cars you can buy

Volkswagen Passat Estate Review 2024: Dynamic driving
Volkswagen Passat Estate Review 2024: Interior and front seating

Pros

  • Huge boot space

  • Very roomy for passengers

  • Refined and smooth driving experience

Cons

  • Over-complicated infotainment system

  • Some ergonomic quirks

  • Not particularly engaging to drive

We could easily have included the excellent Skoda Superb Estate on this list, but that would've been the third Skoda model to feature, and we thought we'd give somebody else a go. That's why we've plumped for the all-but-identical Volkswagen Passat Estate here.

Unlike its Skoda-badged stablemate, the latest Passat is offered only as an estate car - there's no saloon/hatchback version - but that just makes it even more family-friendly. The boot is enormous at a whopping 690 litres, and despite that colossal loadspace, the passenger compartment is also hugely roomy, with enough space for even the tallest of passengers to stretch out in comfort.

Those inside will also enjoying the impressive quality on display, and the generous amount of kit and technology. The overly complicated touchscreen infotainment system might be less enjoyable, but hopefully owners should get used to it over time.

The Passat delivers the kind of relaxed, laid-back driving experience that's entirely appropriate for a car of this type. The entry-level 150PS 1.5-litre mild hybrid petrol engine will be enough for most drivers, but those after more pace - and potentially better fuel economy - can choose one of the plug-in hybrid options.

"If you're after a big estate car, the Volkswagen Passat Estate pretty much ticks every box"

Phil Hall, Senior Editor

Read our full Skoda Superb Estate review

If your kids are still small, or you’re just preparing to start a family, you can get away with a smaller car like a Ford Puma or Skoda Kamiq, both of which are excellent. These also offer a little more room than hatchbacks like the Ford Focus, meaning you won’t have to change the car as soon as your kids start growing.

he best electric family car is probably the Skoda Enyaq iV. It offers a near-unbeatable blend of practicality, spaciousness, affordability and technology, plus a good overall driving experience. We'd also recommend checking out the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The cheapest family car to run would be an electric car, but they cost more to buy in the first place. Balancing list price and running costs for a family doing average mileage, a car like the SEAT Leon is a good bet: it's affordable, cheap to tax and insure and most versions will do over 50mpg. The Toyota Corolla hybrid is also a good bet, particularly as it holds its value really well. 

Larger family cars like the Kia Sportage are ideal for those that need more space. The Kia Sportage, like all Kia models, also gets a seven-year warranty, meaning it offers excellent peace of mind. If you really need seven proper seats, then MPVs such as the Volkswagen Touran are worth a look. 

Find a Skoda Enyaq for sale

294
Cars for sale
£18k - £41k
Price range
View all cars for sale

Find a BMW 3 Series Touring for sale

162
Cars for sale
£11k - £36k
Price range
View all cars for sale

Find a Skoda Karoq for sale

1,054
Cars for sale
£16k - £27k
Price range
  • Skoda Karoq1.5 TSI SE L 5dr

    2024
    3,379 miles
    Petrol

    £23,995

    £320 mo
    TN240GA

    *Representative example: Contract Length: 48 months, 47 Monthly Payments: £319.77, Customer Deposit: £3,599.00, Total Deposit: £3,849.25, Optional Final Payment: £12,172.50, Total Charge For Credit: £7,065.94, Total Amount Payable: £31,060.94, Representative APR: 11.30%, Interest Rate (Fixed): 11.32%, Excess Mileage Charge: 6.00ppm, Mileage Per Annum: 10,000

  • Skoda Karoq1.5 TSI Sport Line 5dr DSG

    2020
    61,056 miles
    Petrol

    £17,995

    £290 mo
    CW15XN

    *Representative example: Contract Length: 48 months, 47 Monthly Payments: £289.05, Customer Deposit: £2,699.00, Total Deposit: £2,699.25, Optional Final Payment: £7,987.50, Total Charge For Credit: £6,287.10, Total Amount Payable: £24,282.10, Representative APR: 14.00%, Interest Rate (Fixed): 14.01%, Excess Mileage Charge: 6.00ppm, Mileage Per Annum: 10,000

  • Skoda Karoq1.0 TSI 116 SE L 5dr

    2024
    15,159 miles
    Petrol

    £21,532

    £316 mo
    NP194SL

    *Representative example: Contract Length: 48 months, 47 Monthly Payments: £315.98, Customer Deposit: £3,229.00, Total Deposit: £3,479.80, Optional Final Payment: £10,822.50, Total Charge For Credit: £7,631.36, Total Amount Payable: £29,163.36, Representative APR: 13.80%, Interest Rate (Fixed): 13.78%, Excess Mileage Charge: 3.00ppm, Mileage Per Annum: 10,000

  • Skoda Karoq1.5 TSI SE Technology 5dr DSG

    2020
    23,686 miles
    Petrol

    £15,995

    £222 mo
    TN23EL

    *Representative example: Contract Length: 48 months, 47 Monthly Payments: £221.82, Customer Deposit: £2,399.00, Total Deposit: £2,399.25, Optional Final Payment: £7,852.50, Total Charge For Credit: £4,692.29, Total Amount Payable: £20,687.29, Representative APR: 11.30%, Interest Rate (Fixed): 11.30%, Excess Mileage Charge: 6.00ppm, Mileage Per Annum: 10,000

  • Skoda Karoq1.5 TSI Sport Line 5dr DSG

    2021
    54,159 miles
    Petrol

    £18,800

    £294 mo
    ST57NL

    *Representative example: Contract Length: 48 months, 47 Monthly Payments: £293.55, Customer Deposit: £2,820.00, Total Deposit: £2,820.00, Optional Final Payment: £8,865.00, Total Charge For Credit: £6,691.85, Total Amount Payable: £25,491.85, Representative APR: 14.00%, Interest Rate (Fixed): 14.01%, Excess Mileage Charge: 6.00ppm, Mileage Per Annum: 10,000

  • Skoda Karoq1.5 TSI Sportline 5dr DSG

    2023
    9,951 miles
    Petrol

    £26,718

    £401 mo
    NP194SL

    *Representative example: Contract Length: 48 months, 47 Monthly Payments: £400.04, Customer Deposit: £4,007.00, Total Deposit: £4,257.70, Optional Final Payment: £13,041.00, Total Charge For Credit: £9,392.58, Total Amount Payable: £36,110.58, Representative APR: 13.80%, Interest Rate (Fixed): 13.78%, Excess Mileage Charge: 6.00ppm, Mileage Per Annum: 10,000

  • Skoda Karoq1.5 TSI SE Drive 5dr DSG

    2022
    25,853 miles
    Petrol

    £19,995

    £297 mo
    CW15XN

    *Representative example: Contract Length: 48 months, 47 Monthly Payments: £296.28, Customer Deposit: £2,999.00, Total Deposit: £3,249.25, Optional Final Payment: £9,990.00, Total Charge For Credit: £7,169.41, Total Amount Payable: £27,164.41, Representative APR: 14.00%, Interest Rate (Fixed): 14.01%, Excess Mileage Charge: 6.00ppm, Mileage Per Annum: 10,000

  • Skoda Karoq1.5 TSI Sportline 5dr DSG

    2023
    30,264 miles
    Petrol

    £24,510

    £370 mo
    NP194SL

    *Representative example: Contract Length: 48 months, 47 Monthly Payments: £369.98, Customer Deposit: £3,676.00, Total Deposit: £3,926.50, Optional Final Payment: £11,744.10, Total Charge For Credit: £8,559.66, Total Amount Payable: £33,069.66, Representative APR: 13.80%, Interest Rate (Fixed): 13.78%, Excess Mileage Charge: 6.00ppm, Mileage Per Annum: 10,000

View all cars for sale

Find an MG4 for sale

71
Cars for sale
£14k - £20k
Price range
View all cars for sale

Find a Dacia Jogger for sale

56
Cars for sale
£15k - £24k
Price range
View all cars for sale

Find a Kia Sportage for sale

647
Cars for sale
£11k - £27k
Price range
View all cars for sale

Find a Honda Civic for sale

200
Cars for sale
£8k - £28k
Price range
View all cars for sale

Find a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate for sale

105
Cars for sale
£36k - £42k
Price range
View all cars for sale

Find a Volkswagen Passat Estate for sale

124
Cars for sale
£17k - £38k
Price range
View all cars for sale