New Skoda Octavia

New Audi A3

Citroën C4 X

Skoda Scala

Mazda 3

Toyota Corolla

Volkswagen Golf

Mercedes A-Class

best-family-cars-2024-–-top-choices-for-you-and-your-children

<p>Family cars are still a hugely popular way to get around, despite the apparently unstoppable rise of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-suvs/n17116">family SUV</a>. And there remains a wide choice of models battling it out in this highly competitive sector of the market.</p>

<p>The demands of family life are a big ask for a car, of course. The very best offer an engaging and enjoyable driving experience, as well as the practicality, safety and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-cars/n26137">reliability rating</a>&nbsp;you’d expect.</p>

<p>Here we list the 10 best cars for families – as well as the model we recommend avoiding. If anything on the list takes your fancy, you can click through to our full review to read more, or find the best prices available through our free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a>&nbsp;service.</p>

<p><em><strong>Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile</strong></em></p>


Best family cars 2024

Hatchback

<p dir="ltr">Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.</p>

<p dir="ltr">This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.</p>


FORD

FOCUS

<p>If you want a family car that’s great fun to drive, it’s hard to go wrong with the Focus. No matter how you spec it, Ford’s family car will offer a good balance of handling and comfort. The ride is firmer than in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen&nbsp;Golf</a>&nbsp;and other rivals, sure,&nbsp;but not to the point of being uncomfortable.</p>

<p>The entry-level 1.0 Ecoboost 125 petrol engine is our favourite, because it offers decent performance and fuel economy for a reasonable price. Similarly, we'd recommend sticking with entry-level Titanium trim, which comes with plenty of kit as standard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The reasonable&nbsp;price makes it an attractive cash buy, but its underwhelming interior and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-10-fastest-depreciating-cars/n17027">faster depreciation</a>&nbsp;compared with some rivals stop it&nbsp;moving higher up our list.</p>

<p><em>“Boot space is reduced by the optional B&amp;O stereo. This puts a subwoofer under the floor that makes the boot shallower.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></em></p>

<h3><strong>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus&nbsp;review</a></strong></h3>


10: Ford Focus

<h3><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Great handling</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Roomy rear seats</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not that cheap to buy</li>
	<li>Low-rent interior</li>
	<li>Octavia has a much bigger boot</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.</p>


VOLKSWAGEN

ID.3

<p>For those who want their next family car to be electric, the ID 3 might still be worth considering. It’s as practical as many petrol-powered models, and has roughly similar dimensions to the big-selling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen&nbsp;Golf</a>.</p>

<p>Well-weighted steering and fantastic body control help make it genuinely fun to drive&nbsp;too – something that&nbsp;can’t be said of all its&nbsp;electric car rivals.&nbsp;Performance is good, with 148bhp or 201bhp motors available, and the larger of the two battery options gives you&nbsp;an official range of up to 347&nbsp;miles.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, the ID 3 is let down by a cheap-feeling interior and a fiddly, laggy infotainment system.</p>

<p><em>“ID Light at the base of the windscreen is a neat touch; an animated light strip helps with things like sat-nav guidance.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/dan-jones/n23433">Dan Jones, Reviewer</a></em></p>

<h3><strong>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id3/hatchback/review/n21832">Volkswagen ID 3&nbsp;review</a></strong></h3>


9: Volkswagen ID 3

<h3><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Loads of standard kit and safety equipment</li>
	<li>Sprightly performance</li>
	<li>Decent to drive</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Iffy interior quality</li>
	<li>Tesla Model 3 can use better charging network</li>
	<li>Infotainment system needs some upgrades</li>
</ul>


<p>The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.</p>

<p>Like Abarth, some of Cupra's models including the Ateca and Leon are extensively reworked Seats, but models such as the Born and Formentor are exclusive to Cupra.</p>

<p>Whilst Cupras are closely related to equivalent models from Seat and Volkswagen, they are generally tuned to provide a more engaging driving experience.</p>


CUPRA

BORN

<p>If you like the sound of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id3/hatchback/review/n21832">Volkswagen&nbsp;ID 3</a>&nbsp;(also on this list) you’ll probably love the Born&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a>. It's&nbsp;based on the same underpinnings but gets more&nbsp;angular styling and&nbsp;a more polished interior.</p>

<p>The suspension has been lowered and stiffened for sportier handling, making it sharper and more engaging to drive than its Volkswagen sibling. An e-Boost option temporarily increases the power output from 201bhp to 228bhp, but its impact feels minor from behind the wheel.</p>

<p>Overall, the Born improves on the ID 3, but the volume and climate-control buttons on the dashboard and steering wheel are too fiddly.</p>

<p><em>“I can honestly say that I don’t know of a model that better suits the stressful business of city centre driving.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/james-tute/n24641">James Tute, Content Editor</a></em></p>

<h3><strong>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/born/hatchback/review/n23703">Cupra Born review</a></strong></h3>


8: Cupra Born

<h3><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good range between charges</li>
	<li>Relatively fun handling</li>
	<li>Quiet cruising manners</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Much pricier than MG4</li>
	<li>Awful touch-sensitive dashboard buttons</li>
	<li>Slightly firmer ride than ID 3</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.</p>


SKODA

SCALA

<p>The Scala represents one of the cheapest ways of getting behind the wheel of a great family car. It has a comfortable ride, precise steering and a highly adjustable driving position.</p>

<p>Head and leg room are impressive, whether you're in the front seats or the rear, and the boot is one of the biggest in the class. In fact, one of the only cars that can beat the Scala in those areas is the slightly more expensive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/review/n39">Skoda Octavia</a>.</p>

<p>Entry-level SE trim comes with all of the kit you’re likely to need, including cruise control, automatic lights and automatic wipers.</p>

<p><em>“There are a few squishy plastics and attractive trim pieces,but quality is average for the class.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/will-nightingale/n1020">Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor</a></em></p>

<h3><strong>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/scala/hatchback/review/n19190">Skoda Scala&nbsp;review</a></strong></h3>


7: Skoda Scala

<h3><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Comfortable ride and tidy handling</li>
	<li>Spacious rear seats and a big boot</li>
	<li>Cheap to buy and run</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>No hybrid option</li>
	<li>So-so reliability record</li>
	<li>Some rivals are more fun to drive</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.</p>

<p dir="ltr">While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.</p>


MG MOTOR UK

<p>The first fully electric car to feature on this list is also one of the cheapest around – the MG4.</p>

<p>Everything aside from the range-topping XPower model is powered by a single electric motor, with our recommended Standard Range models drawing power from a 50.8kWh battery. With an official range of up to 218 miles, the MG4 isn't the electric car with the longest range, but it is reasonably quick – covering the 0-62mph sprint in 7.7sec.</p>

<p>We've been impressed with how much kit comes as standard, especially on entry-level SE trim, which comes with everything from adaptive cruise control to rear parking sensors.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The interior is pleasantly spacious, and your passengers will be more comfortable in the back of the MG than they would be in the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/megane-e-tech/hatchback/review/n24175">Renault Megane E-Tech</a>.</p>

<p><em>“There’s plenty of space for me up front, and wide-opening rear doors give good access for my mother, who has declared the back a comfortable place to be.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/claire-evans/n1100">Claire Evans, Consumer Editor</a></em></p>

<h3><strong>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg4/hatchback/review/n24916">MG4 review</a></strong></h3>


6: MG4

<h3><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Incredibly well priced</li>
	<li>Competitive range between charges</li>
	<li>Long warranty</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Some interior materials disappoint</li>
	<li>Slightly unsettled ride</li>
	<li>Infotainment system is fiddly</li>
</ul>


OCTAVIA

<p>If practicality is your priority, look no further than the Skoda Octavia. Taller people will be comfortable in the&nbsp;front and rear&nbsp;thanks to generous leg and head room, and the back seat is wide, which makes carrying three back-seat passengers easier than in many rivals.</p>

<p>The boot capacity is 600 litres, which is colossal for the class – even though the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n88">Mercedes A-Class</a>&nbsp;comes with seats which split and fold in a more useful 40/20/40 configuration, rather than the Octavia's 60/40 split.</p>

<p>The Octavia’s comfort and frugality make it an excellent car for&nbsp;covering&nbsp;long distances. Even in more expensive trim levels, it's cheaper than many rivals, whether you're a cash buyer or use a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/personal-contract-purchase-pcp-explained-car-finance-guide/n19714">PCP finance deal</a>.</p>

<p><em>“Chrome-effect thumbwheel controls on the steering wheel look good but feel a bit on the flimsy side when used.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/mark-pearson/n1035">Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor</a></em></p>

<h3><strong>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/review/n39">Skoda Octavia review</a></strong></h3>


5: Skoda Octavia

<h3><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Plush interior</li>
	<li>Huge boot</li>
	<li>Low BIK rates for plug-in 1.4 TSI iV 204</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Heating controls are in the touchscreen</li>
	<li>Rivals sharper to drive</li>
	<li>Touchscreen can be tricky to use on the move</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.</p>

<p dir="ltr">At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.</p>


AUDI

<p>The current A3 Sportback isn't as posh inside as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/used-review/n17405">2013-2020&nbsp;Audi A3</a>&nbsp;but it’s still plush and well built,&nbsp;as well as great to drive. The driving position is fantastic, and the car handles well without sacrificing comfort.</p>

<p>Engines are plentiful, with diesel, petrol and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;(PHEV) options available. Our favourite is the 40 TFSIe PHEV, which can officially travel 40 miles on electric power alone. Its low CO2 output keeps&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/company-car-tax-calculator">company car tax</a>&nbsp;rates&nbsp;low, too.</p>

<p>We recommend Sport trim for the PHEV, because it comes with smaller wheels that offer both the comfiest&nbsp;ride and the longest&nbsp;electric-only range of the bunch, further reducing the benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax&nbsp;for company car drivers.</p>

<p><em>“Reputedly the Lamborghini Huracán influenced the interior design – something to tell your friends – but quality isn’t as good as that of the BMW 1 Series.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></em></p>

<h3><strong>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n77">Audi A3 review</a></strong></h3>


4: Audi A3

<h3><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Sharp handling</li>
	<li>Excellent driving position</li>
	<li>Strong and frugal engines</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Audi's unimpressive reliability record</li>
	<li>Fiddly infotainment system</li>
	<li>Plug-in hybrid is currently off-sale</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.</p>

<p dir="ltr">But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.</p>

<p dir="ltr">While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.</p>


SEAT

LEON

<p>A former Family Car of the Year at our annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards">What Car? Car of the Year&nbsp;Awards</a>, the Leon is a good buy for anyone looking for fun and practical family transport.</p>

<p>On the fun side, the steering is well-weighted and the suspension performs well on twisty roads. Plus, the 128bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine has plenty of punch, the driving position is highly adjustable to suit nearly any driver, there's plenty of leg and head room in the rear, and the boot is a good size.</p>

<p>The Leon comes well equipped as standard, but we’d recommend upgrading to FR trim, which adds an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers and more.</p>

<p><em>“Soft-touch dash materials and some metal-effect trims lift an otherwise rather sombre interior.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/will-nightingale/n1020">Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor</a></em></p>

<h3><strong>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/leon/hatchback/review/n89">Seat Leon review</a></strong></h3>


3: Seat Leon

<h3><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Great to drive</li>
	<li>Loads of space in the back</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Firm ride on FR models</li>
	<li>Road noise</li>
	<li>Fiddly infotainment system</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.</p>

<p dir="ltr">And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.</p>


HONDA

CIVIC

<p>The Honda Civic is a superb all-round family car&nbsp;, striking&nbsp;a wonderful balance between practicality, quality, efficiency and driving pleasure.</p>

<p>It feels refined and precise, thanks to a combination of good handling, a comfortable ride and&nbsp;excellent&nbsp;performance. In fact, during our testing&nbsp;we found it could sprint from&nbsp;0-62mph in 6.8sec, which is&nbsp;quicker than its official figure – and faster than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/hatchback/review/n18901">Toyota Corolla</a>&nbsp;can manage.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/hybrid-cars/n17013">hybrid</a>&nbsp;set-up also allows it to drive using the electric motors alone at low speeds, and achieve impressive fuel economy figures&nbsp;(it returned&nbsp;49.5mpg in our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/real-mpg-calculator">Real MPG</a>&nbsp;test).</p>

<p>So much useful kit is&nbsp;included as standard&nbsp;that we recommend sticking with entry-level Sport trim.</p>

<p><em>“The Civic corners neatly enough to make you question whether you really need a Type R.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/chris-haining/n18574">Chris Haining, Sub-editor</a></em></p>

<h3><strong>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n82">Honda Civic review</a></strong></h3>


2: Honda Civic

<h3><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Impressive fuel economy</li>
	<li>Big boot</li>
	<li>Lots of luxury and safety kit</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Quite pricey</li>
	<li>Rear head room isn't great</li>
	<li>Road noise intrudes</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.</p>


TOYOTA

COROLLA

<p>The best family car is also one which could help you save money. That’s because the Toyota Corolla is a hybrid, which means it can run partly on electric power. It can’t go as far without petrol as plug-in hybrid cars, but on the plus side it doesn’t need to be plugged in to recharge its battery. It is incredibly efficient, too – in our real-world fuel tests, the Corolla averaged an impressive 50.5mpg.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There’s plenty of room in the front of the Corolla, and while the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/308/hatchback/review/n17380">Peugeot 308</a>&nbsp;offer more room for your rear passengers, the Toyota has a softer ride than the former and better body control than the latter.</p>

<p>Entry-level Icon trim is our pick of the range, and comes with a long list of standard equipment, including adaptive cruise control, heated front seats and sat-nav.</p>

<p><em>“The Corolla’s new 10.5in touchscreen is a big improvement on the previous model’s.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/lawrence-cheung/n23691">Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor</a></em></p>

<h3><strong>Read our in-depth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/hatchback/review/n18901">Toyota Corolla review</a></strong></h3>


1: Toyota Corolla

<h3><strong>Strengths</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Low CO2 emissions and great fuel economy</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
	<li>Loads of standard kit</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Weaknesses</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Cramped in the back</li>
	<li>So-so infotainment system</li>
	<li>12.3in digital instrument cluster could be easier to use</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.</p>

<p>Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.</p>


FIAT

TIPO

<p>The Tipo is a spacious choice, but it's let down by poor resale values values and a cheap feeling interior, plus many rivals are both better to drive and more comfortable.</p>

<hr />
<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p>


And the family car to avoid: Fiat Tipo

Best family cars 2024 – top choices for you & your children

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

<p>Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.</p>

Family

What makes a great family car, and which models should you be considering? Here we count down the 10 best family car models – and name the one to avoid

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Best family cars 2024 – top choices for you & your children

What makes a great family car, and which models should you be considering? Here we count down the 10 best family car models – and name the one to avoid...

Best family cars 2024 – top choices for you & your children

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