When your needs for vehicles change…
Three of the Best Family Cars for Reliability
As written by James Crier from the UK
As parents, your needs from an automobile are very different to what you desired at a younger age. Instead of a flashy design and all the latest gadgets, parents will primarily be looking for spacious, safe and reliable automobiles. Additionally (as with most motorists), affordability and low running costs are other key factors.
With this in mind, here are three of the best family cars available right now:
Ford C-Max
Kicking things off is the impressive Ford C-Max. This five seat MPV has plenty of space for the little ones and any gear inside thanks to its size, but it is also great fun to drive and feels more like a hatchback behind the wheel. The C-Max has a range of efficient engines to choose from, with the 1.5 TDCi diesel returning an impressive 67mpg. It was also awarded a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, so you know that it is one of the safest cars to buy.
You can purchase a C-Max from around £19,995 ($26,000 US dollars) , but you could find one much cheaper second-hand from places like AA Cars.
Skoda Octavia
Another spacious vehicle, the Skoda Octavia has ample room inside with an enormous boot, so space will never be an issue with this car. Behind the wheel, it drives like an Audi A4 or a VW Golf but is much more affordable (from £17,195 or $22,000 US dollars) – this means you know that it is a practical and reliable vehicle.The entry level petrol engine returns over 60mpg, whilst the impressive GreenLine diesel returns 80mpg. On top of this, the Octavia comes with a range of driver aids to improve the performance.
Cheap, decent to drive and with a practical and comfortable interior, the Octavia is a smart choice for any family.
Audi A3 Sportback
The Sportback is the five-door version of the popular A3 and therefore the better option for families. Audi has a solid reputation for building good looking automobiles with high-quality interiors – the A3 Sportback is no different. It has a sophisticated look both inside and out, plus the cabin quality ensures that it is a comfortable ride for all. Behind the wheel, the A3 Sportback is sharp, responsive and quiet. It can return 61mpg with road tax of just £20 ($25 US dollars) and there is a range of efficient engines to choose from.
The A3 Sportback won the WhatCar? 2017 Family Car of the Year, so you know that it is a smart investment to make.
Any of the above automobiles would be a great choice for parents in the market for a new car. In terms of reliability, efficiency and practicality, these are the stand out vehicles.
I have owned a Ford C-Max for a few years now and I must say I wasn’t too keen on it when I purchased it, it was a good deal and it was right for the family at the time, but I wasn’t too pleased. Now, a few years down the line I love it and I will not be looking into changing it anytime soon. I have also worked on a couple when they have been brought into my garage. They are a pleasure to work with too!