Practicality, safety and smart tech: expert advice on what you should look for in a family car

From clever safety features to calm, family-friendly cabins, Autotrader’s Erin Baker reveals how to choose a car that supports everyday life with children on board, minus the overwhelm

Choosing a family car is about far more than just size or style. When you’re driving with children, safety and comfort quickly become non-negotiables – especially on journeys that are louder, busier and more distracting than they once were. From the school run to weekend football matches and long motorway drives, the right car should reduce stress, not add to it. But while modern cars promise more safety technology than ever, knowing what really matters (and what genuinely works for real family life) can feel overwhelming.

Erin Baker, editorial director at Autotrader, understands this first-hand. With four boys to ferry around most weekends, she knows that family-friendly driving is about balance: between safety and comfort, technology and usability. “Priorities completely change when you have a family,” says Baker. “Where once power, performance and style were top of your wishlist, practicality, safety and family-friendly features become much more important.”

And it is these real-life priorities that shape how Autotrader reviews and rates cars on the platform – taking some of the stress out of what is always a tricky decision. “We put drivers at the heart of our reviews, analysing what their priorities are when choosing their next car. Our advanced tools reflect that too, so buyers can filter for models with the features that matter the most to them.”

While safety ratings are important, Baker is keen to point out that there’s more to keeping families safe. Comfort plays a crucial role. “A calm cabin helps you concentrate,” she says. “Supportive seats, low road noise and good visibility can reduce fatigue, particularly on longer journeys. Thoughtful storage stops loose items from becoming distractions, too.”

For families with younger children, she says, smooth suspension, easy-to-clean interiors and good outward visibility can matter just as much as advanced electronics.

Flexibility is another key consideration – especially as children grow. Rear seats that once felt roomy can quickly become cramped as legs lengthen and booster seats are swapped for full-size passengers. Wide-opening doors, generous rear-seat width and easy access to the boot can all make everyday life feel more manageable. “It’s disappointing how few modern cars are built to accommodate families and comfortably seat more than two people in the back,” says Baker. “And it’s rare to find more than two Isofix points, seriously narrowing the options for those with three kids or more.”

Even if you don’t need that flexibility every day, having it can be invaluable – whether it’s for carpooling, giving lifts to friends or grandparents visiting. “Seven-seaters can be a real bonus for busy families, especially with the extra boot space on offer if all the seats aren’t being used.”

However, it’s important to remember that bigger isn’t always better – and not everyone needs an SUV. “For many families, a hatchback the size of a Volkswagen ID.3 will be fine, so don’t always assume you need a big budget.” This is where Autotrader’s filters come into their own, allowing you to search by number of seats, doors and boot space to find cars that suit your real needs, rather than perceived ones.

Beyond space, driver-assistance technology has become increasingly valuable for families, particularly in busy urban environments where distractions are unavoidable. “I’m a big fan of blind-spot monitors,” says Baker. “It’s too easy to miss things in the cut and thrust of busy family driving. Emergency detection systems can even brake for you if you’re backing out of a parking space and can’t see passing traffic, cyclists or pedestrians.

“On the other hand, certain automated systems that brake or adjust the steering may not be the right thing for you as a driver, which is something we always pick up on in our reviews,” she adds.

Many families are also considering electric cars now. “Families looking to go electric will value cars with a full range of more than 250 miles,” says Baker. (Which is good news, given the average range of a new electric vehicle on Autotrader is now 290 miles.)

“This is why it’s worth checking our long-term reviews on Autotrader, where we put electric cars through their paces for six months,” she adds. “Long-term reviews can be especially helpful here, giving a clearer picture of how electric cars perform day to day, rather than just on paper.”

Ultimately, the safest family car is one that fits your real life: enough space for growing children, technology that genuinely supports you, and comfort that keeps everyone calm on the move. With clear guidance, fair price indicators and the ability to compare your saved cars side by side, Autotrader helps families make confident, informed choices – without the stress.

What to keep in mind when choosing a family car

• Prioritise calmness
  Focus on a calm cabin environment with supportive seats and low noise levels to reduce potential fatigue and stress.

• Usability essentials
  Look for practical features like wide-opening doors, easy-to-clean interiors, and sufficient rear width to accommodate car seats or growing children.

• Smart technology
  Seek out helpful safety aids such as blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alerts.

• Flexibility over size
  Remember that bigger isn’t always better; while seven-seaters offer great flexibility, a well-designed hatchback can often meet family needs perfectly.

• Electric vehicle requirements
  If choosing an electric vehicle, aim for a real-world range of more than 250 miles to ensure it can reliably handle daily family logistics.

Discover the best family car reviews at Autotrader.co.uk