The best family car in the UK has been named (stock) (Image: Richard Newstead via Getty Images)
Selecting the right car to transport one’s family is a significant financial commitment. It must be versatile, well-constructed and, above all, affordable.
Moreover, that car needs to be capable of handling everything family life demands, while remaining economical enough to keep costs to a minimum.
With this in mind, a team of motoring journalists from Autocar have compiled a definitive list of the finest family cars currently available in the UK, reports the Mirror.
What may come as a surprise is that their top pick was not an SUV, but an estate car, with the BMW 3 Series Touring — the estate variant of the hugely popular saloon — taking the top spot.
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A BMW 3 Series Touring (Image: Getty)
Explaining their choice, journalists Keith WR Jones and Sam Phillips noted that the 3 Series Touring demonstrated that a family car could be both practical and enjoyable to drive simultaneously.
They explained: “The Touring estate version of the BMW 3 Series is the one to take if you’re adamant that family life and enjoying driving don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
“[T]he M340i is a standout performance estate that hits the family car brief while also being fun to drive. Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid 330e will appeal to company car drivers and fleets alike. Its blend of performance and economy is still segment-leading.”
Despite claiming top honours, the BMW was not without its shortcomings, drawing criticism for its lack of a diesel option, a smaller boot compared to its rivals, and a price tag that escalates considerably with additional extras.
A Dacia Jogger (Image: Getty)
Yet it still managed to pip the Dacia Jogger to the top spot, with the Romanian manufacturer’s popular model claiming second place.
Dacia has built its reputation on delivering premium-quality vehicles at wallet-friendly prices, and the Jogger earned plaudits for being “space-efficient” and showing few signs of actually being cheap.
However, reviewers docked points for its lack of “some driver assistance features”, insufficient refinement in its smaller engines, and a third row of seats that proved “awkward to access”.
Despite these shortcomings, they concluded: “The Jogger is the ideal family all-rounder, with space for seven passengers and a robust interior that’s durable enough to handle your kids, their mates and all the paraphernalia that comes with them.”
Rounding out the top three in third place was the enduring Volkswagen Golf hatchback. Now more than 50 years old, the latest Mk8.5 iteration was commended for its significantly enhanced technology.
A VW Golf (Image: Getty)
The motoring publication also highlighted the availability of sportier and more luxurious variants. On the downside, critics pointed to a boot that is smaller than several rival models, a higher price tag, and lingering concerns surrounding the reliability of its technology.
They noted: “The latest, Mk8.5 model continues to offer family-sized motoring to suit a variety of budget and performance requirements, even in this SUV-dominated age.”
The top three family cars stand out at a time when SUVs continue to dominate the UK’s best-seller lists, while also proving that buyers do not necessarily need to choose an SUV to secure a practical and well-rounded family vehicle.
