If you have a large family and need a car with more than five seats, look for a car based on a van, like the Citroen Berlingo XL or the Ford Tourneo Custom. If a car with five seats will do, the Skoda Superb is just about the most spacious five-seat family car there is. It has as much back seat space as some bigger luxury cars and both the hatchback and estate bodies have a huge boot.
Used family cars
The best family cars make life easier for parents and children alike, offering excellent comfort and practicality in a cost-effective package. We have a wide range of used family cars for sale available to buy or finance.
Finance representative example (PCP)
Total cash price £16,500. Borrowing £14,500 with a £2,000 deposit at a representative APR of 12.9%.
- Fixed rate of interest per annum
- 6.71%
- 48 monthly payments
- £275.81
- Total amount payable
- £21,903.88
- Cost of credit
- £5,403.88
- Optional final payment
- £6,665.00
- Annual mileage limit
- 10,000 miles
- Excess mileage charge
- 4p/mile
Finance representative example (PCP)
Total cash price £16,500. Borrowing £14,500 with a £2,000 deposit at a representative APR of 12.9%.
- Fixed rate of interest per annum
- 6.71%
- 48 monthly payments
- £275.81
- Total amount payable
- £21,903.88
- Cost of credit
- £5,403.88
- Optional final payment
- £6,665.00
- Annual mileage limit
- 10,000 miles
- Excess mileage charge
- 4p/mile
- Check your eligibility
Find out if you’re eligible for car finance in minutes, with no impact on your credit score.
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Ford C-Max
1.0T EcoBoost Zetec
- 81,235 miles2015 regManualPetrol
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Renault Captur
0.9 TCe ENERGY Dynamique S Nav
- 61,112 miles2018 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2018 used Renault Captur 0.9 TCe ENERGY IconicView this car
Renault Captur
0.9 TCe ENERGY Iconic
- 50,736 miles2018 regManualPetrol
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Vauxhall Mokka X
1.4i Turbo ecoTEC Elite Nav
- 85,660 miles2018 regManualPetrol
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Renault Captur
0.9 TCe ENERGY Dynamique S Nav
- 43,913 miles2018 regManualPetrol
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Vauxhall Mokka
1.4i Turbo SE 2WD
- 72,467 miles2015 regManualPetrol
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Citroen C3 Aircross
1.2 PureTech Shine
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Vauxhall Crossland X
1.5 Turbo D Griffin
- 55,548 miles2020 regManualDiesel
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Renault Captur
0.9 TCe ENERGY GT Line
- 43,360 miles2019 regManualPetrol
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Peugeot 2008
1.2 PureTech Allure
- 50,818 miles2018 regManualPetrol
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Vauxhall Astra
1.6 CDTi ecoTEC BlueInjection Tech Line Nav Sports Tourer
- 59,211 miles2018 regManualDiesel
- Read more about 2018 used Vauxhall Grandland X 1.2 Turbo Sport NavView this car
Vauxhall Grandland X
1.2 Turbo Sport Nav
- 64,139 miles2018 regManualPetrol
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Vauxhall Mokka X
1.6 CDTi Elite 17in Alloy
- 74,815 miles2017 regManualDiesel
- Read more about 2018 used Vauxhall Grandland X 1.2 Turbo Sport NavView this car
Vauxhall Grandland X
1.2 Turbo Sport Nav
- 54,978 miles2018 regManualPetrol
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Citroen C3 Aircross
1.2 PureTech Flair
- 29,792 miles2017 regManualPetrol
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Renault Captur
0.9 TCe ENERGY Iconic
- 42,382 miles2019 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2019 used Renault Captur 1.5 dCi ENERGY IconicView this car
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Iconic
- 61,666 miles2019 regManualDiesel
- Read more about 2016 used Vauxhall Mokka 1.6i SE 2WDView this car
Vauxhall Mokka
1.6i SE 2WD
- 62,040 miles2016 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2019 used Renault Captur 0.9 TCe ENERGY GT LineView this car
Renault Captur
0.9 TCe ENERGY GT Line
- 54,689 miles2019 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2018 used Renault Captur 1.5 dCi ENERGY IconicView this car
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Iconic
- 25,141 miles2018 regManualDiesel
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Ford B-Max
1.0T EcoBoost Titanium Euro 5
- 46,908 miles2016 regManualPetrol
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Peugeot 2008
1.2 PureTech Allure
- 42,393 miles2018 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2019 used Renault Captur 0.9 TCe ENERGY IconicView this car
Renault Captur
0.9 TCe ENERGY Iconic
- 27,676 miles2019 regManualPetrol
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Seat Arona
1.0 TSI FR
- 59,298 miles2020 regManualPetrol
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Renault Captur
1.3 TCe Iconic
- 49,383 miles2020 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2021 used Vauxhall Crossland 1.2 Elite NavView this car
Vauxhall Crossland
1.2 Elite Nav
- 47,279 miles2021 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2016 used Vauxhall Mokka 1.6i SE 2WDView this car
Vauxhall Mokka
1.6i SE 2WD
- 51,428 miles2016 regManualPetrol
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Citroen C3 Aircross
1.2 PureTech Shine
- 45,114 miles2021 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2019 used Citroen C3 Aircross 1.2 PureTech FlairView this car
Citroen C3 Aircross
1.2 PureTech Flair
- 30,395 miles2019 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2018 used Vauxhall Grandland X 1.2 Turbo Sport NavView this car
Vauxhall Grandland X
1.2 Turbo Sport Nav
- 40,250 miles2018 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2015 used Ford EcoSport 1.0T EcoBoost Titanium 2WD Euro 5View this car
Ford EcoSport
1.0T EcoBoost Titanium 2WD Euro 5
- 52,392 miles2015 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2015 used Vauxhall Mokka 1.6 CDTi Tech Line 2WDView this car
Vauxhall Mokka
1.6 CDTi Tech Line 2WD
- 48,247 miles2015 regManualDiesel
- Read more about 2019 used Vauxhall Crossland X 1.2 Turbo Tech Line NavView this car
Vauxhall Crossland X
1.2 Turbo Tech Line Nav
- 36,767 miles2019 regManualPetrol
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Ford EcoSport
1.0T EcoBoost Titanium
- 35,770 miles2018 regManualPetrol
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Ford Kuga
1.5 TDCi Titanium
- 70,986 miles2018 regManualDiesel
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Citroen C3 Aircross
1.2 PureTech Flair 6 Spd
- 32,017 miles2018 regManualPetrol
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Vauxhall Crossland
1.2 Elite Nav
- 52,539 miles2021 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2020 used Renault Captur 1.0 TCe S EditionView this car
Renault Captur
1.0 TCe S Edition
- 49,769 miles2020 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2018 used Peugeot 2008 1.2 PureTech AllureView this car
Peugeot 2008
1.2 PureTech Allure
- 24,541 miles2018 regManualPetrol
- Read more about 2019 used Seat Arona 1.0 TSI FRView this car
Seat Arona
1.0 TSI FR
- 28,501 miles2019 regManualPetrol
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Nissan Qashqai
1.2 DIG-T N-Connecta
- 73,777 miles2018 regManualPetrol
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Kia Sportage
1.7 CRDi 2
- 78,053 miles2018 regManualDiesel
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Nissan X-Trail
1.6 dCi Acenta
- 70,414 miles2018 regManualDiesel
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Peugeot 2008
1.2 PureTech Feline (Mistral)
- 56,539 miles2015 regManualPetrol
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Citroen C3 Aircross
1.2 PureTech Flair 6 Spd
- 52,099 miles2020 regManualPetrol
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Vauxhall Mokka X
1.4i Turbo ecoTEC Elite Nav
- 41,108 miles2018 regManualPetrol
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Renault Captur
1.3 TCe Iconic
- 41,493 miles2020 regManualPetrol
Thinking of getting a family car?
The term ‘family car’ covers a wide range of vehicles – pretty much any car with at least four seats and some boot space could be considered a family car. But that definition covers tiny city cars, sporty coupes and convertibles, which you’re unlikely to be considering if you want transport for your and your kids. So, here we’re focusing on the more practical kinds of cars that most families tend to go for.
What is considered a family car?
There’s no set definition of what a family car is. You can consider as a family car any car that has enough passenger space for your family and enough boot space for the things you need to carry with you. On that basis, anything from a small hatchback such as the Skoda Fabia to a luxury saloon such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class could be considered a family car. However, most family buyers tend to choose a mid-size or larger hatchback, estate, SUV or MPV.
What should you look for in a family car?
The main thing to consider is whether the car has enough space for your family and all the stuff you’re likely to take with you on a journey. Think about your needs right now and, if you have younger kids, in a few years when they’ve grown. If you have small children who use child seats, you may also want to find a car that makes lifting them in and out easier – perhaps a car with sliding back doors. Then you need to consider your own priorities, whether that’s value for money, fuel efficiency, safety, the driving experience or particular features.
What are some of the most popular family cars?
Ford Focus - A mid-size hatchback or estate that feels great to drive, offers excellent value and is available in a wide range of models to suit different needs and budgets.
Renault Captur - Renault’s small SUV offers more passenger and boot space than you might expect for a car of its compact size. It’s stylish and great value too.
Volkswagen Passat - Available as a large saloon or as an estate, the Passat looks and feels like a premium-brand product but doesn’t carry a premium price tag. Diesel models can give you very good fuel economy.
Volvo XC90 - This large SUV has seven seats, each big enough for an adult, and a huge boot. It’s very comfortable, packed with standard features and surprisingly efficient for this type of car.
Ford Galaxy - The Galaxy is a big seven-seat MPV with an interior that you can configure to prioritise passenger or boot space. It’s good to drive, great value and available with efficient diesel or hybrid power.
Common questions about family cars
There are lots of electric cars that are great for families. If we work on the basis that the best family car is the most spacious, cars like the Tesla Model S hatchback, Skoda Enyaq SUV and Mercedes-Benz EQV people carrier have a good claim to the title. But, if you need a car that’s a bit smaller and more affordable, the Kia e-Niro offers generous space and practicality in a more compact package.
Hatchbacks and saloons can be great family cars, but their boots are a bit of a compromise. Some hatchbacks have relatively small boots and the boot in a saloon isn’t the full height of the car. That could be an issue if, for instance, you have a bulky pushchair for little ones, one of your children plays drums in a band, or you go camping every year. If that’s the case, an estate car could be ideal because they have longer, deeper boots that can hold a lot more stuff and make it easier to to load in big and bulky things.