14 July 2020
Finding a car that does everything you want can be a challenge. The task is twice as hard when you add the needs of an entire family into the equation. In many ways, you’re looking to strike a balance. You want a car that’s big enough to fit all the family, as well as the shopping, suitcases or whatever else you need to carry around, but you don’t want a car that’s too big to handle and that poses a problem in tight city car parks.
What Qualities Do You Need to Look for in a Family Car?
While all families are distinct and each will have different needs and wants, it’s possible to generalise what makes a good family car.
We believe that you should be considering four key factors.
1. Size
Size is one of the most difficult decisions to get right. While you want as much space as possible, you don’t want the vehicle to be so large that it’s no longer practical. If you’re buying a new Toyota vehicle because your old car is too small, you’ll have some idea as to how big you need to go.
If you’re looking for your first family Toyota, we’d recommend looking for a model that maximises internal space via intelligent design and innovative storage solutions. In this respect, the Toyota RAV4is arguably the best family SUV on the market. Boasting a remarkable design that maximises available space, the RAV4 is also great when it comes to fuel economy.
2. Safety
When you’re driving with a family, safety becomes an even greater concern than it was previously. Consequently, you’ll want a vehicle that’s passed testing with flying colours and that has a reputation as being a safe family vehicle.
The Toyota Avalon has received five-out-of-five stars for safety and benefits from a wide range of safety features, including a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. It’s also won numerous awards for being the best large family car on the market.
3. Fuel Efficiency
Raising a family is not cheap. The last thing you want to be doing is spending every last penny on petrol. This is particularly true when it comes time for the kids to head off to school - ferrying them around to see friends and doing the school run soon means the miles add up.
Improved efficiency also allows you to spend your hard-earned salary on something a little more worthwhile than fuel. Over the course of a year, it could even add up to enough for an unexpected family getaway.
If fuel efficiency is what you’re looking for, the Toyota Camry is possibly the best family car to buy. Capable of 41 mpg, it helps you save money, while also ticking boxes when it comes to safety, size and reliability.
4. Reliability
As a parent, the last thing you need is for your car to break down. As a result, you’ll want to keep an eye out for a vehicle with an excellent reputation for reliability. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is just that. Boasting an excellent reliability rating, hybrid technology makes this one of the most fuel-efficient SUV models around, while the three-row, the seven-seater design also ensures it’s the best car for a 6-person family that money can buy.
If you’re looking to update your family vehicle, check out all of our new Toyota models, talk to one of our experienced members of staff and come down to the showroom to try out your new family car before you buy.