The best cars for a family road trip

From £3,690 (used)

If you’re after a budget 4×4, the Dacia Duster is a great choice. Its engine performance and interior equipment are average, but its decent fuel economy and low insurance group mean it’s great for families wanting a smart but affordable drive.

From £5,995 (used)

With space inside for up to seven passengers, the Land Rover Discovery is ideal for growing families. It’s comfortable to drive with luxurious interiors and ample safety features, making it great for long-distance adventures with the family in tow.

From £21,995 (used)

The Mercedes G-Class is an icon in the crossover SUV world, offering a fun and fast driving experience on the open road. It’s also luxurious to look at, with plenty of storage for family luggage and enough entertainment tech to keep the little ones happy.

From £1,695 (used)

The V70 is no longer in production but you’ll be able to pick up a used one for less than £2,000. With its superb interior comfort and advanced safety credentials to boot, it’s a practical and affordable choice for families planning a road trip on a budget.

From £7,698 (used)

Featuring a spacious boot and interiors, the Skoda Octavia Estate is a smart and practical family estate car. It’s also safe and reliable and good fuel efficiency means you’ll get a huge bang for your buck when you’re out on the road.

From £6,985 (used)

Smooth and comfortable, the BMW Alpina B3 Touring delivers a great ride and excellent performance — there’ll be very little chance of any carsickness! It’s fast, it’s fancy and its smart design is sure to impress fellow drivers when you’re out on the road.

From £1,995 (used)

With its spacious interiors and smart design, the Vauxhall Astra combines style and comfort. It’s fuel-efficient, making it an affordable road trip car for families. Meanwhile, its high-quality materials and extensive crash-avoidance technology offer peace of mind.

From £2,495 (used)

Offering a relaxing and comfortable drive, the Ford Mondeo is a classic and refined hatchback and a firm family favourite. Why? Well, it’s fuel-efficient, cheap to run and features a huge range of safety features to reassure families while they’re out on the road.

From £103,950 (used)

Now discontinued, the FF was Ferrari’s first four-wheel drive but families wanting to splash out on a smart and unique drive can easily pick one up on the used car market. It’s pricey, but it offers incredible performance on the road and its large boot makes it family-friendly.

From £3,975 (used)

If you’re looking for a budget MPV, the Peugeot Partner Teepee is a fine candidate. It’s reliable with a choice of five or seven seats to keep the whole family comfortable. And you won’t need to worry about the hefty costs of long-distance drives — the Partner Teepee is economical to run!

From £6,995 (used)

Offering a range of engines, the Kia Sportage is a reliable, versatile and family-friendly MPV with a hefty towing capacity. It features a spacious boot for easy storage of family essentials, as well as plenty of tech and safety features as standard.

From £13,000 (used)

Expensive to buy but cheap to run, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class is a luxury MPV with spacious interiors. With a roomy boot and up to eight seats, it’s a great choice for larger families. The powerful engine will please the driver, while ample safety features provide reassurance for the entire family.

From £1,750 (used)

Decent to drive and comfortable to ride, the Accord is a great all-rounder family saloon. Its fuel efficiency and running costs could be improved, but overall it’s a great affordable family car for those on a budget. Its high-quality interiors will also keep the whole family comfy.

From £3,250 (used)

Available in a range of petrol and diesel engines, the Skoda Rapid is actually a small hatch but with a saloon profile. It’s reliable on the road with an appealing price tag and smart styling. A strong and efficient engine will also keep family road trip costs down.

From £4,550 (used)

The A8 boasts a powerful engine, decent tech and first-class safety credentials. This luxury saloon really does tick every box when it comes to keeping the family safe and entertained! And for some bonuses — it’s reasonably fuel-efficient with cheap second-hand options on the market.