Decent family-friendly cars can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. You can have a list of specifications including big boot space, good safety features, lots of legroom and a smooth drive. But top of your list will likely be an affordable family car.
In this guide we’ve taken a look at some of our favourite affordable family cars. With some cracking models from Kia, Dacia, Skoda, and more, we’re sure there’s something for everyone on this list. We’ve got cars with cracking boot space and lots of backseat room. We’ve got SUVs and MPVs. And we’ve got cars that are both fun and safe to drive. So without further ado let’s jump right in.
Best for big boot space - Kia Ceed
A truly reliable car, the Kia Ceed is a great option for budget-conscious families. If you opt to buy it new you can make the most of a huge seven year warranty (though this is limited to 100,000 miles in the last four years) and get great deals on the price of the car, with new models starting at £18,855! But this extended warranty also makes it an attractive purchase option when buying a used Kia car.
Comfortable and spacious, the Ceed has a whopping 625-litre boot! That means you’ve got space for more than just a pram when heading out with the whole family.
The tech on offer in this car is also impressive considering the price. As standard the Ceed comes with touchscreen infotainment (complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) as well as a really useful reversing camera. There’s also a semi-autonomous braking system which automatically applies the brakes to prevent low-speed accidents.
The Kia Ceed shares engines with another car on this list, the Hyundai i30, so you will be able to choose from a range of efficient and refined petrol and diesel models.
The drive may not be that smooth, with it being a bit firm in places, and there is noticeable road noise, particularly when you’re sitting in the back. However, with Kia’s fantastic reputation for reliability and great customer service, and the Ceed’s excellent price and warranty, this is an outstanding, budget-friendly family car.
Best for safety - Hyundai i30
Safe and steady, the Hyundai i30 is a reliable, comfortable car that is nice and affordable. A true family car, the i30 is sold with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty from new and offers terrific value for money, with used Hyundai models available from around £7,000.
The Hyundai i30 has a robust interior and good standard equipment, whilst also offering plenty of space and comfort. This is a popular car amongst company car drivers, which is a testament to how it handles long distances with ease.
When it comes to practicality, the Hyundai i30 also has a great 395-litre boot, very supportive seats, and decent mileage. The car has a 1.4-litre petrol engine that offers around 45mpg when paired with the excellent automatic gearbox. There’s also a 1.6-litre diesel option that provides up to 60mpg.
And when it comes to safety, this is a five-star eligible vehicle that is supremely safe, which offers plenty of peace of mind.
Best multi person vehicles - Dacia Jogger
When it comes to affordable seven-seaters, the Dacia Jogger is right up there. This is one of the cheapest seven-seaters to buy new and provides plenty of comfort and space for kids. If you opt for the five seats, the boot is gigantic, whereas when the seven seats are in use, the boot is pretty small. However, the clever roof rails can hold a roof box, providing you with plenty of storage for big trips.
The Dacia Jogger, however, does not offer the most gutsy performance, particularly when it’s fully loaded, and it can feel a bit sluggish in the corners. However, it is still a relatively pleasant drive if a bit unrefined.
When it comes to the price, this car is out on its own! With new models starting from less than £15,000, this is less than some entry-level hatchbacks. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly family car that is flexible and versatile, the Jogger is the one for you.
Best SUV - Citroen C3 Aircross
It’s time to add an SUV to the list with the sleek and stylish Citroen C3 Aircross. Super-comfy, even on bumpy roads, this is a great car for families thanks to its spacious boot and great value for money.
Whilst the backseat space isn’t amazing for adults, kids will be fine. The rear seats can also slide forwards or backwards in order to maximise legroom in the back or luggage space in the boot.
The car looks fantastic and features some great additions as standard, such as the alloy wheels and automatic headlights.
We’ve already mentioned that the car is comfortable on bumpy roads, and whilst the driving experience isn’t incredible, it is a pleasant drive, particularly about town. This may be due to the raised driving position and the car’s smooth controls.
Again, if you’re buying a new model, this is a great value car, coming in at under £20,000. And the used Citroen Aircross models are available for around the £11,000 - £14,000 mark.
Best for backseat space - Fiat Tipo
If you are after a cheap and cheerful family car, then you really should look no further than the cracking Fiat Tipo. Whilst it’s not the most beautiful car, inside or out, what it does offer is a practical vehicle, a big 440-litre boot, and bucketloads of backseat space.
Not only is the boot able to hold a decent sized pram and more, but the firm seats offer plenty of support and will easily seat two adults or hold a pair of big child seats.
The Tipo is also quite a nice drive, which is good considering how affordable and practical it is. Offering soft suspension and light steering, the car can be smooth and easy to drive, and whilst the handling isn’t perfect, it is safe and predictable.
If you’re shopping around for a used Fiat Tipo, you should be able to find one on the market for between £7,000 and £9,000. That’s a pretty good price for what the car offers. It should also be cheap to insure and run, with the Tipo’s petrol engines offering an average figure of around 40mpg and the 1.6 diesel offering around 56mpg.
Best for a fun drive - SEAT Leon
For years we’ve known that the SEAT Leon has been a fantastic family car. Spacious, comfortable, and affordable too, the Leon ticks so many boxes. And, unlike a few of the vehicles on this list, the SEAT Leon is also really fun to drive.
With high quality materials in the cabin, the Leon offers a comfy driving experience and a choice of efficient or powerful petrol or diesel engines. This is a fun car to whizz about on country roads in and comes with a good amount of great equipment as standard.
The Leon offers plenty of passenger space and lots of legroom across both the front and back row of seats.
The Leon was designed to go up against the Ford Focus, VW Golf, Audi A3, Vauxhall Astra, and the Peugeot 308, and when it comes to value for money it comes off very well. Older models are available around the £7,000 mark, whilst newer used Leons are available for around £15,000.
A good all-rounder - The Skoda Scala
Easy to drive, nicely equipped, practical, and efficient, the Skoda Scala offers a lot of car at a very good price. With new models sitting at around the £17,000 mark, the Scala is considerably cheaper than its big rival, the Ford Focus.
The Scala is also quite a good drive, handling the road well, and its low fuel costs ensure that it is a great option for budget-conscious families. The diesel Scalas come in at around 60mpg and the petrol models are around the 50mpg mark.
This is not a super-flashy vehicle, with a relatively dull-looking interior trim, and whilst there is some good equipment on offer, not all of it is standard at the lower end of the range. But at this price, no one is complaining.
Looking for a good family car?
If you’re on the hunt for a family car then why not take a look at our range of used cars today? We have a whole host of used vehicles for sale from leading brands.
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