What to Look for in the Perfect Family Car

What to Look for in the Perfect Family Car

Choosing a good family vehicle is a very important decision, especially if you have a big flock and you’re on a budget. It can be tough to tell which car would be the best for you if you don’t know much about cars, however. There are so many different models and styles out there, and you could easily go based on reviews, but that doesn’t guarantee that the car you get will be the best for your needs, budget, or family. Below are some of the main things you should look for in the perfect family car.

• Security

One of the first things you should be worried about when looking at family vehicles is how safe they are. We’re not talking about collision protection only. You should look for vehicles with advanced motion sensor technology that will allow you to avoid accidents when backing out of your driveway and multiple cameras. Also, look for vehicles with advanced braking systems and good handling that will help you avoid obstacles on the road.

This is why you need to look at safety ratings when picking vehicles. We would suggest that you start your search by looking at vehicles of your desired body type with the highest safety rating. You can deal with a vehicle that is a bit less reliable or even cost more to run, but you can’t get away with an unsafe vehicle as your life and your children’s life depends on it, so make safety a priority.

• Fuel or Electric?

Some people continue to dismiss electric vehicles for some reason, even though we’re being hit with petrol shortages and increasing costs. If you haven’t considered electric vehicles yet, then you should consider all the savings you could make by going electric. If you only drive small distances, we can’t think of a reason why you would still go with a petrol-fuelled vehicle. And, if budget is an issue, know that a lease is always an option.

You might not be able to get money back on a sale at the end of your lease, but you’re not going to get much residual value from an electrical vehicle anyway since they depreciate much faster. Going for a lease will allow you to limit the cash flow hit and always drive an almost new vehicle on the cheap. If you want to know if an electric car would be the right choice for you, we suggest you check out ElectriX. They have a nice little questionnaire that you can fill in that will ask you about your daily driving habits and other things that might influence your decision. You’ll then get an idea of whether an electric car works in your situation.

An electric car will usually work if you only use your car to run errands, go to work, and drive your children to school. It also helps if you have plenty of charging stations in your area. The only time when we would advise against going for an electric vehicle is if you like to take long road trips. Having to interrupt a trip just to charge a vehicle can be bothersome, and that’s if you’re lucky enough to find a charging station. But besides that, a good electric car should work for most families.

• New or Used?

You might also be torn between buying a new or a used car. Both options have their pros and cons. If you buy a new vehicle, you know you’ll be getting the latest features and you’ll usually get a safer, more energy-efficient vehicle. With that being said, you could still get most of these advantages by getting a vehicle that was just fresh out of the lot.

In most cases, going for a used vehicle makes more sense from a financial standpoint. If money is simply not an issue, then you can always go for a new vehicle. You’ll get the best and will be able to enjoy the fact that you’re the first person to drive the vehicle. But, if you want to make a smart financial decision, get a used car.

By buying a used vehicle, you’ll be able to curb depreciation. A car will lose nearly half of its value after three years and some carmakers hardly make any changes to their vehicles, so you could get a vehicle that will look, drive, and feel just like the most recent model for a fraction of the price.

• Reliability

With that being said, you have to be very careful when picking a used car as some vehicles are more reliable than others. If you don’t want your car to be stuck at the mechanic three months out of the year, then you need to look for vehicles that are known for being reliable. More importantly, you need to know which cars and brands are known for breaking down and having bad after-care service.

If you want to know which cars you should consider and which ones you should avoid, simply talk with a mechanic and ask them what they think about the cars on your list. They’ll be able to tell you about things like which issues different models and carmakers are known for, which vehicles cost the most to repair, which ones have the costliest/rare parts, etc. These are all things that should help find a vehicle that will last you a long time with minimal breakdowns.

• Space and Size

Cargo and leg size will be very important things you’ll need to look for. You also need to consider what size of vehicle or body type you should go for. You don’t necessarily need to get an SUV if you only have two children and don’t plan to have anymore any time soon. An estate car would be more than enough in that case and it’ll offer plenty of cargo room. Some families may even be able to get away with a hatchback. Some hatchbacks are surprisingly spacious and offer tonnes of boot space. Finding parking spaces will also be much easier with a hatchback.

You might have no choice but to go with a larger vehicle if you have a big family, however, but don’t assume that a bigger car will give you the kind of space you need. You’ll need to look at the ergonomics of the vehicle and configuration options too.

If you want to use the vehicle for different things like going camping or doing other outdoor activities, or you have to carry some of your children’s friends for events, you need a vehicle that will allow you to customise the seating as you wish. Some vehicles will allow you to practically eliminate your boot space so you can get more space for passengers.

If cargo space is your priority, then you can always look for the vehicles that have the largest boots. Some of the cars with the most cargo space include the Peugeot 3008, Kia Sorento, and the Range Rover.

These are all things you should pay extra close attention to when picking a family vehicle. Take your time and you’ll get a stylish, safe, and reliable car that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come.

Additional reading: 

• Before getting a car, understanding “what is a transmission in a car” can help narrow down your choices
• How to make buying your next family car more affordable
• Tips for buying a car the smart way

| Guest Article – Collaboration.