Key Considerations When Selecting a Family Car
Choosing a family car can be challenging. There are many factors to consider and not every family will have the same requirements from their vehicle.
Whether you’re a first-time parent or your family is growing, you’ll need to think about your key priorities to ensure you and your family are safe and comfortable. You’ll also need to take into account your budget and your finance options.
Safety features
Safety is imperative when it comes to transporting your family. Modern cars are usually well equipped with a range of safety features such as anti-lock braking systems, lane assist and cruise control. Rear cameras are also a useful addition when parking in small spaces.
You’ll also need to think about the conditions you’ll likely be driving in and any extra features you might need. You might want to consider seasonal tyres and choose high quality products such as Audi Q5 tyres to ensure optimum performance and safety during a variety of weather conditions.
It’s crucial that any new family vehicle is compatible with your chosen child car seats. ISOFIX is a popular car seat fitting system and allows seats to be connected via safe fixing points. Most modern cars have ISOFIX points fitted as standard in the back seats but it’s a good idea to check the exact features if you have two or more young children.
Size and space
If you’re changing your vehicle to a family car, you’ll probably need more space than you have currently. Consider aspects such as leg room, interior space, boot space and seat configurations. You’ll want to make sure you can easily fit items such as pushchairs, bikes, scooters and luggage into your vehicle, especially if you plan on using it for road trips.
Fuel efficiency
This is especially important if you plan on taking longer journeys. A fuel-efficient vehicle can save you money and is better for the environment. You might also want to consider choosing an electric vehicle, especially now there has been funding secured for charging points throughout the country.
Child friendly features
Convenience is a major factor when it comes to choosing a new family car. Keyless entry, climate control systems and entertainment features often rank highly on the priority list. Many new cars now come complete with Bluetooth and USB ports, making it easier than ever to keep the kids entertained on long journeys.
Reliability
Finally, you’ll want to make sure that any family car you buy is reliable. New or almost new cars offer more reliability than older models and will only need an MOT if they’re three years old or more.
Whichever family car you choose, make sure that you’re comfortable driving the vehicle and that it offers the right features for your needs.