The Best Affordable Family Cars

The Qashqai feels like the original family car crossover. High-riding and well-made inside, this Nissan is a model which appears to have been designed with families particularly in mind. There’s lots of interior space, the doors open widely to make access a breeze and there’s a decent-sized boot which can accommodate everything that a family might bring along for an adventure.

But on a more sensible front, the Qashqai’s range of efficient engines ensure that this won’t cost the earth to run and because of this model’s popularity, there are loads of examples available in the used market which helps to drive down prices further.

Citroen has a great reputation for building cleverly-designed family cars that provide ample solutions to all kinds of problems and the Grand C4 SpaceTourer is a great example of this. It’s absolutely cavernous inside while the ability to seat seven in comfort means that this Citroen could be a good pick for larger families. A low load height for the boot ensures that putting heavier items into the SpaceTourer will be far easier than in SUVs and crossovers, too.

You’ll find the Grand C4 SpaceTourer accompanied by a range of clean-running engines, too, with the diesels being a particularly safe bet for drivers looking to reduce their fuel costs. Plenty of assistance technology makes this Citroen a safety-focused option, too.

The Ford Kuga has remained a popular family car option for a number of years, with this chunky-looking SUV’s feature-filled cabin and reassuringly involving driving experience giving it something of an all-rounder ability. In fact, if you’re after a car which is great for transporting all of the family yet still good to drive when you’ve got a moment to yourself, then the Kuga could be right on the money.

It’s a relatively inexpensive option, too, though all cars get a good level of equipment. You’ve got the choice of either front- or all-wheel-drive as well, while both the manual and automatic gearboxes are smooth-shifting and easy to use.

The Volkswagen Golf is a family car that packs a lot of features into a relatively compact bodystyle. We’re focusing on the excellent sixth-generation car, too, which introduced a great number of luxuries over the fifth-generation Golf but retained its sharp looks and well-made interior.

You’ll find the Golf available with all manner of engine choices, but it’s this car’s refined nature that really shines through. It’ll make longer motorway trips a breeze and ensure that everyone travelling in the Golf will have a comfortable and relaxing journey. It’s a quality-made product, too, with loads of soft-touch plastics combined with good ergonomics to create a car that is very easy to live with day-to-day.

Much like the Golf, the Audi A3 is a premium-feeling hatchback which packs a lot into a relatively small package. It’s great to drive and can be equipped with sportier engines, though more ‘regular’ powertrains will be the go-to for drivers who don’t want to be forking out too much money for fuel and tax. In Sportback guise the five-door A3 is a reassuringly practical option, too, yet it’s still easy to live with and a breeze to park.

This version has more than enough ‘modern’ touches but can be found for some very budget-friendly prices on the used market. Just be aware that many could have high mileages – particularly diesel-powered versions – and that servicing and maintenance may be higher than others on this list.

Need a little extra space from your next used family car? The Skoda Kodiaq could be the ideal choice. Available in both five- and seven-seater configurations, the Kodiaq is a car which could prove perfect for families. It’s comfortable and spacious, yet far cheaper to run than you might expect thanks to some efficient engines.

Lots of Kodiaq examples get fold-down tables on the backs of the front seats to make in-journey meals a lot easier and you’ll find deep door bins and a variety of cubbies helping to make the job of keeping the car’s cabin as clutter-free as possible easy. The Kodiaq is available with both front- and all-wheel-drive, too, with the latter option giving better traction to those drivers who need it.

Volkswagen’s big Passat Estate could prove to be the ideal solution for families after a space-focused car. Comfortable and refined, the Passat takes the legwork out of bigger trips, so it’s great for those summer holiday adventures or cross-country journeys to see family members. Diesel engines are a popular accompaniment to the Passat, too, where they provide assured performance and low running costs.

The Passat’s solidly made interior should stand up to day-to-day abuse, too, and though it may not offer the seven-seater flexibility of others on this list, counters with loads of rear-seat legroom and a boot that’ll prove handy to families with lots of luggage. The Passat can also be equipped with loads of handy extras, too, such as bike racks or roof rails.

If you’re wanting a slightly more style-conscious way of getting the family from A to B, then why not check out Mini’s Countryman. It’s infused with the same retro design as the regular hatchback but incorporates far more space making it a better fit for families. While Minis do command more of a premium than many of their rivals, you should be able to find a Countryman that’ll fit a budget and all get the same snazzy choice of colours and interior finishers.

You can get the Countryman with all-wheel-drive, too, but even in standard form it’s got assured handling and a raised ride height which gives a more confidence-inspiring view of the road ahead.

If you really want to make your money stretch further then it’s worth checking out the Hyundai Tucson. Not only is it cheap to run and insure, but Hyundai’s excellent reputation for reliability means that the Tucson shouldn’t cause you too many mechanical-based headaches during your time of ownership. Ensure regular servicing is performed and there’s no reason why a used Hyundai Tuscon can’t keep going and going.

Later versions of the Tucson introduced cleaner-running engines – and we’d opt for these if your budget allows – and though the interior features some harder plastics, they’re more robust and can cope with family life more easily. All versions get plenty of equipment, too, so there’s no need to seek out higher-spec models.

If you fancy going down the electric route – and driving down your fuel bills even further – then the Nissan Leaf is a car to check out. As one of the first mainstream EVs, the Leaf showed that battery-powered models could be integrated into the ‘everyday’ easily and, with its cleverly designed cabin and well-sized boot, it could be a great way of getting the family about too.

While it’s worth considering how you’re going to charge the Leaf – and whether or not you’ll be able to get a home charger installed – meet the requirements and you’ll find that this Nissan will cost a fraction of what other petrol- and diesel-powered models cost to run. There are savings to be made, that’s for sure.