The Best Used Family Cars to Buy in 2026
From money-saving hybrid hatchbacks to seven-seat SUVs, these are the best used family cars to buy in 2026, with boot sizes, safety ratings and real used prices for every one.
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 30 October 2026 | 10 mins read
Family cars come in all different shapes and sizes, and the second-hand market is flooded with great choices.
Whether you're looking for a five-door hatchback, an estate or even an SUV, all these vehicles can carry your family in comfort and safety. We've also included a couple of seven-seaters, plus an electric car if you're ready to make the switch.
The cars on this list provide decent practicality, with low running costs and are all available to buy used on Cazoo.
With that in mind, we've picked the 10 best used family cars to buy in 2026. For each one, we've checked the boot space, the Euro NCAP safety rating and how much you'll pay for a used example, based on cars listed on Cazoo in October 2026. So whether you've got a newborn, a car full of teenagers or a dog that comes everywhere with you, there's something here for you. And if you're not set on a family car, our round-up of the best used cars picks a winner in 15 categories.
Best used family cars at a glance
Here's how our 10 picks compare. Boot sizes are with all the seats in place, and prices are rough starting points for the versions we recommend, so expect to pay more for newer, lower-mileage cars.
| Car | Body style | Seats | Boot space | Euro NCAP rating |
| Skoda Octavia | Hatchback or estate | 5 | 600 litres (estate 640) | Five stars (2019) |
| Toyota Corolla | Hatchback or estate | 5 | 361 litres (estate 596) | Five stars (2019) |
| Volkswagen Golf | Hatchback or estate | 5 | 381 litres (estate 611) | Five stars (2019) |
| BMW 3 Series Touring | Estate | 5 | 500 litres | Five stars (2019) |
| Kia Sportage | SUV | 5 | 587 litres (hybrid) | Five stars (2022) |
| Nissan Qashqai | SUV | 5 | Up to 504 litres | Five stars (2021) |
| Volvo XC60 | SUV | 5 | 468 to 505 litres | Five stars (2017) |
| Skoda Kodiaq | SUV | 5 or 7 | 720 litres (910 from 2024) | Five stars (2017 and 2024) |
| Dacia Jogger | MPV | 7 | 212 litres (712 with five seats) | One star (2022) |
| Tesla Model Y | Electric SUV | 5 | 854 litres, plus 117-litre front boot | Five stars (2022) |
Skoda Octavia: best all-rounder
The Skoda Octavia is a great all-rounder, and that's because it comes with a vast amount of interior space.
It's also solidly built, has a great range of efficient petrol and diesel engines, and there is a choice of five-door hatchback and estate variants. The hatchback's 600-litre boot is bigger than you'll find in many SUVs, while the estate has 640 litres, rising to 1,700 litres with the rear seats folded.
On the road, the car's smooth and comfortable ride means long journeys are not too much of a strain and the cabin is well-insulated from road or wind noise.
The current, fourth-generation Octavia arrived in 2020 and was given a facelift in 2024, which brought a bigger touchscreen and a simpler engine line-up. Many used cars have a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 148bhp, which is a great choice if you mainly drive around town, while the 2.0-litre TDI diesel, with 114bhp or 148bhp, makes more sense if you cover lots of motorway miles. Diesels use AdBlue to cut their emissions, as our guide to AdBlue explains. You'll also find iV plug-in hybrids, which were sold until 2023, and the sporty vRS if you want a family car with a bit of an edge.
If you want one of these excellent family cars, current-generation Octavias start from around £11,000 for a 2020 car with average mileage, while a 2023 hatchback with around 20,000 miles costs around £17,500. Estates are often better value than you'd expect, with 2023 diesel estates with less than 50,000 miles from around £15,000, and you'll find plenty in our listings. If your budget is tighter, the previous-generation Octavia, sold from 2013 to 2020, starts from around £3,000 and is still a roomy, sensible choice.
Toyota Corolla: best hybrid family car
The Toyota Corolla is a good looking and extremely efficient family hatchback that's available as a five-door hatchback or estate, also known as the 'Touring Sports'.
The latest Corolla is only available in a hybrid powertrain, with a choice of a 1.8-litre petrol engine or 2.0-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor. Early cars from 2019 and 2020 were also offered with a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, but nearly every used Corolla you'll find is a self-charging hybrid. A 2023 update boosted the 1.8-litre to 138bhp and the 2.0-litre to 193bhp, and added a bigger 10.5-inch touchscreen.
That means it's very cheap to run, with official economy of more than 50mpg for both engines, and it can run on electric power alone at low speeds around town, which is ideal for the school run.
The Corolla is good to drive, it provides a decent amount of interior space for occupants, while the Touring Sports estate offers 596 litres of boot space (581 litres with the 2.0-litre engine). The hatchback's 361-litre boot is a little small for a family car, so we'd go for the estate if you can.
The second-hand market is full of Corollas, with prices starting from around £12,500 for a higher-mileage 2022 hatchback with the 1.8-litre hybrid. A 2021 Touring Sports with around 50,000 miles costs around £16,500, while the punchier 2.0-litre starts from around £15,000 for a high-mileage estate, or around £21,000 for a 2022 car with 25,000 miles. Better still, Toyota's Relax warranty can keep a Corolla covered for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, as long as it's serviced by a Toyota dealer. Browse the latest Toyota Corolla listings to find a Touring Sports.
Volkswagen Golf: best family hatchback
The Volkswagen Golf is the benchmark when it comes to family hatchbacks and the latest eighth-generation is the most modern and advanced yet. It arrived in 2020 and was facelifted in 2024, when Volkswagen added a bigger touchscreen and made the dashboard easier to use.
It comes in a choice of practical five-door hatchback and estate guises, while there is a wide selection of mild-hybrid petrol, plug-in hybrid and diesel powertrains. The hatchback has a 381-litre boot, while the estate offers a much more useful 611 litres. Just bear in mind that the plug-in hybrid eHybrid and GTE are only sold as hatchbacks, and their batteries shrink the boot to around 270 litres.
The car's spacious interior, tall roofline and handy cubby holes dotted about the cabin make it an ideal family car if you don't want an SUV.
The Golf's driving experience isn't the best-in-class, but its comfortable ride, accurate steering and excellent levels of refinement mean it's one of the most sophisticated family hatchbacks around.
If you're trying to get your hands on a used example, there are plenty of variations available, with eighth-generation Golfs starting from around £11,000 for a 2022 estate with average mileage. A 2023 hatchback with around 20,000 miles costs from around £17,000, while a sportier R-Line with the 2.0-litre TDI diesel is closer to £19,500. Estates are often cheaper than equivalent hatchbacks, so they're well worth a look, and you'll find plenty in our Volkswagen Golf listings.
BMW 3 Series Touring: best premium estate
The 3 Series Touring is one of the best estates on the market and that's because it does everything just right.
With its sleek exterior styling, great levels of interior space and sporty driving experience, this could be the only car your family will ever need.
There is a choice of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and the Touring offers a boot space capacity of up to 500 litres or 1,510 litres with the rear seats folded down. The 330e plug-in hybrid has a smaller 410-litre boot, but it can run on electricity for shorter trips, so it could save you a lot of money if you can charge at home.
Also, with a choice of rear-wheel and all-wheel drive drivetrains, there is a 3 Series to suit a range of different buyers.
The current 3 Series Touring was launched in 2019 and facelifted in 2022, when it gained a large curved display that combines the digital instruments and touchscreen. The 320d is the best all-rounder, with 187bhp and excellent economy on long journeys, while the M340i is seriously quick if you want a family car that's also great fun on a twisty road.
Second-hand values are strong as the car is a desirable choice, but the current Touring starts from around £10,000 for a high-mileage 2020 car. A 2020 320d M Sport with around 85,000 miles costs around £15,500, while a 2023 330e plug-in hybrid with less than 50,000 miles is closer to £21,500. Facelifted cars from 2025 start from around £27,500.
Kia Sportage: best family SUV
It's one of Britain's best-selling cars right now, finishing second in the UK's new car sales chart in 2025, and is also one of the best vehicles in its class.
The Kia Sportage ticks all of the right boxes, as it looks good, has a premium-feeling interior, has lots of standard equipment and there is a range of frugal and efficient powertrains.
These include a mild-hybrid petrol, a regular petrol-electric hybrid or there is a plug-in hybrid version mated to a 13.8kWh battery pack. The plug-in hybrid can cover up to 43 miles on electric power, while the regular hybrid is the best choice if you can't charge at home.
There are also lots of interior storage areas and the driving experience is refined and comfortable. The boot is big, too, at 587 litres in the hybrid, or 540 litres in the plug-in hybrid.
The current, fifth-generation Sportage went on sale in 2022 and was facelifted in 2025. It scored the full five stars when Euro NCAP tested it, and Kia's seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty transfers to the next owner, so a used Sportage that's three or four years old still has plenty of cover left.
To get into a second-hand example, current-generation cars start from around £14,500 for a 2022 petrol model with around 40,000 miles. The hybrid starts from around £16,000, although most 2023 cars with less than 50,000 miles cost between £19,500 and £22,000, and you'll find plenty in our Kia Sportage listings. If you want to spend less, the previous Sportage, sold from 2016 to 2021, starts from around £4,000.
Nissan Qashqai: the family favourite
The Nissan Qashqai more or less invented the family crossover when the original went on sale in 2007, and it's still one of the most popular cars in Britain. It was the UK's third best-selling new car in 2025, and it's built in Sunderland, too.
The latest, third-generation model arrived in 2021, and it's a big step up from the old car, with a classier interior, more space and plenty of safety kit. It scored five stars when Euro NCAP tested it, and a 2024 facelift brought sharper styling and better infotainment.
There's a choice of 1.3-litre mild-hybrid petrol engines, with 138bhp or 156bhp, or the clever e-Power. This uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine purely as a generator, with an electric motor driving the wheels, so it feels a lot like an electric car to drive, but you never need to plug it in. With 187bhp, it's the smoothest and most relaxing choice.
Rear passengers get decent space, and the rear doors open to almost 90 degrees, which makes lifting a child seat in and out much easier. The boot holds up to 504 litres, which is about average for a car of this size.
Mild-hybrid Qashqais start from around £13,000 for a 2021 or 2022 car with less than 30,000 miles, while e-Power models start from around £18,500 for a 2023 car. Take a look at our Nissan Qashqai hybrid listings to find one. If you'd prefer something a bit smaller, our guide to the best small SUVs has some great alternatives.
Volvo XC60: best premium family SUV
Volvo knows a thing or two when it comes to making family cars and the XC60 is one of the best models it makes.
Its interior is all about space and lightness, with a great use of pale woods, leathers and some of the most comfortable seats fitted to any car.
It's also very comfortable to drive and because it's a Volvo, there are several safety systems fitted to ensure all of your loved ones are protected. In fact, Euro NCAP named it the best overall performer of all the cars it tested in 2017.
The boot holds around 500 litres, or 468 litres in plug-in hybrid versions, which is plenty for a family of four, and there's room for adults in the back.
The current XC60 has been on sale since 2017 and was updated in 2025 with a bigger touchscreen. Early cars were offered with diesel engines, but more recent models are mild-hybrid petrols or plug-in hybrids. The T6 and T8 plug-in hybrids are worth seeking out if you can charge at home, as cars from 2022 onwards can cover around 50 miles on electric power, which is enough for most school runs and commutes.
Prices start from around £16,000 for a 2017 or 2018 diesel, while a 2021 hybrid with around 50,000 miles costs around £20,500, and you can expect to pay from around £24,000 for a 2023 car. If you'd rather have an estate, the Volvo V90 is a brilliant used buy, with a 560-litre boot and diesel models from around £11,000. Volvo stopped making it in 2025, so there are fewer nearly new examples around, but you'll find plenty of older cars in our Volvo V90 listings.
Skoda Kodiaq: best seven-seat family SUV
If you need a bit more space than a Sportage or Qashqai can offer, the Skoda Kodiaq is one of the most practical family cars you can buy. It's big, solidly built and full of clever touches, such as umbrellas hidden in the front doors and door-edge protectors that pop out to stop you chipping the paint in tight car parks.
The first-generation Kodiaq was sold from 2017 to 2024, and it's a brilliant used buy. Five-seat versions have a huge 720-litre boot, while many cars have seven seats. The third row is best kept for children, and there's only 270 litres of boot space when it's in use, but it's handy for the odd extra passenger.
The second-generation model arrived in 2024 and is even roomier, with a 910-litre boot in five-seat form and 340 litres with all seven seats in place. It also introduced a plug-in hybrid, which can cover up to 75 miles on electric power, although it's only available with five seats. Both generations scored five stars when Euro NCAP tested them.
Petrol and diesel engines are available, with the diesels the best choice if you'll be towing or regularly carrying a full load of passengers. First-generation cars start from around £13,000, while a 2020 seven-seater with around 40,000 miles costs around £16,500. The newer model starts from around £23,500. If seven seats are a must, our seven-seater listings have plenty more options.
Dacia Jogger: best budget seven-seater
Dacias are all about value for money and one model in the firm's line-up that represents just that is the Jogger.
The Jogger is one of the cheapest seven-seat family cars on the market today, but it's more than just that. Even adults can get comfortable in the third row, which is rare at this price, and with five seats in use there's a massive 712-litre boot, although that shrinks to 212 litres with all seven seats in place.
Inside, the Jogger's vast amount of interior space makes it ideal for all occupants to get comfortable, there is a decent level of standard equipment and you can even get a hybrid powertrain. The Hybrid 140 arrived in 2023, and a facelift at the end of 2025 replaced it with a more powerful Hybrid 155, which pairs a 1.8-litre petrol engine with two electric motors. You'll also find 1.0-litre turbo petrols with 109bhp, plus Bi-Fuel versions that can also run on cheaper LPG.
The Jogger isn't the most refined car to drive and doesn't have the best interior material quality, but skip past that on the basis of how affordable this family wagon is, and the Jogger really is a great all-rounder.
There's one important thing to know, though. The Jogger scored just one star out of five when Euro NCAP tested it in 2022, mainly because it lacks some of the safety tech that many rivals have, such as emergency braking that can detect pedestrians and cyclists, and there's no airbag protection for the third row. That doesn't mean it's unsafe, but if safety is your top priority, the Kodiaq or another five-star car on this list is a better bet.
If you're looking to buy second-hand, prices are more than affordable, with 2022 petrol models starting from around £9,500 for a high-mileage car, and most cars with less than 40,000 miles costing between £11,500 and £13,500. If you want a hybrid model, look to spend from around £15,000, or closer to £17,500 for a low-mileage 2023 or 2024 car. Our guide to the best value used cars has more budget-friendly ideas.
Tesla Model Y: best electric family car
If you're ready to go electric, the Tesla Model Y makes a lot of sense as a family car. It's one of the most popular electric cars in the UK, so there's a big choice on the used market, and prices have dropped a lot in the last couple of years.
Practicality is its real strength. The boot holds 854 litres with the rear seats up, and there's a 117-litre front boot under the bonnet that's perfect for charging cables or a muddy football kit. Fold the rear seats and you'll have 2,041 litres. Rear passengers get loads of legroom and headroom, too, and the Model Y scored five stars when Euro NCAP tested it in 2022.
UK deliveries began in 2022. The rear-wheel-drive version has an official range of up to 283 miles, while the four-wheel-drive Long Range can cover up to 331 miles on a charge, and Tesla's Supercharger network makes long trips easy. The ride is firm on early cars, and almost everything is controlled through the central touchscreen, which takes some getting used to, but a 2025 update made the Model Y quieter and more comfortable.
Used Model Ys start from around £20,000 for a 2022 car with higher mileage, while most 2022 and 2023 cars with 20,000 to 40,000 miles cost between £22,500 and £26,000. Before you buy, it's worth reading our guide to checking battery health, and our electric vehicle guides will help you work out whether an electric car suits your family.
How to choose the best used family car
Start by thinking about how many seats you really need. A five-seat estate or SUV will suit most families, and you'll often get a bigger boot for your money with an estate. If you regularly carry more than five, a seven-seater such as the Kodiaq or Jogger makes sense, but remember that the third row takes up most of the boot space when it's in use. Our guide to what is an SUV explains how SUVs differ from regular cars.
Child seats are another big consideration. Most modern family cars have Isofix mounting points on the two outer rear seats, which make fitting a child seat simpler and safer, but fewer have them on the front passenger seat or the middle rear seat, so check before you buy if you need to fit three. It's also worth taking your child seat and pushchair along when you view a car, to make sure everything fits. The GOV.UK rules on child car seats explain which seat your child needs.
Safety ratings are worth checking, too. Euro NCAP crash tests new cars and awards them up to five stars, but its tests have become tougher over the years, so a five-star rating from 2017 isn't directly comparable with one from 2024.
Finally, think about running costs. A hybrid such as the Corolla or Sportage will be cheapest if you mainly drive around town, a diesel still makes sense for lots of motorway miles or towing, and an electric car like the Model Y can be very cheap to run if you can charge at home.
What to check before you buy a used family car
Whichever car you choose, a few simple checks will help you buy with confidence. An online vehicle check will tell you whether the car has outstanding finance, has been written off or has had its mileage tampered with, and our guide on how to spot a clocked car explains the warning signs to look out for. You can also check a car's MOT history on GOV.UK for free. When you go to see the car, take your time and use our used car viewing checklist, and if you're spending a lot, a pre-purchase inspection can give you extra peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best used family car to buy in 2026?
It depends on what your family needs, but the Skoda Octavia is our top all-rounder, thanks to its huge boot, comfortable ride and low prices. If you'd prefer an SUV, the Kia Sportage is hard to beat, while the Skoda Kodiaq is the pick if you need seven seats.
Is an estate or an SUV better for a family?
An estate usually gives you a bigger boot for the money and tends to be cheaper to run, as it's lower and lighter. An SUV gives you a higher driving position and makes it easier to lift children in and out, which is why so many families prefer them. As an example, the Skoda Octavia Estate's 640-litre boot is bigger than the Kia Sportage's.
What is the cheapest seven-seat family car?
The Dacia Jogger is one of the cheapest seven-seaters you can buy, new or used, with used prices starting from around £9,500. Just bear in mind its one-star Euro NCAP rating. A first-generation Skoda Kodiaq costs a little more, but it's bigger and scored five stars.
How much should I spend on a used family car?
You can find a good family car for less than £10,000, especially if you look at older versions of the cars on this list, such as the previous-generation Octavia or Sportage. Between £11,000 and £16,000 will get you a current-generation Octavia, Corolla, Golf or Qashqai, while £20,000 or more opens up plug-in hybrids and electric cars such as the Tesla Model Y. Our car finance guide explains how you can spread the cost.
What is the most reliable used family car?
Toyota has a strong reputation for reliability in owner surveys, which makes the Corolla a safe bet, and its hybrid system has a long track record. Whichever car you choose, a full service history is the best sign that it's been well looked after.
Looking for a family car? We've got some of the best options here at Cazoo
Whether you need an economical hatchback, a spacious estate or a seven-seat SUV, you'll find thousands of family cars from trusted dealers across the UK in our family car listings.