Best Cars for Families of 5

Family cars aren’t hard to come by these days, especially with the spike in popularity of SUVs at the turn of the millennium.

These 4x4s are typically labelled as family vehicles due to their spacious interior and seating capacities.

But it’s not only SUVs that are regarded as good family cars – hatchbacks have also steaked claim to being some of the most reliable and practical family vehicles on the market.

If you’re looking for a family car for your family of 5, the sensible option would be to stick with a reliable 5-seater vehicle that still offers plenty space for your loved ones.

Having an outlook on what the best cars are for a family of 5 is important to garner, which is what we’re here to do in this article today.

Best Cars for Family of Five

1. Kia Sportage

2. Nissan Qashqai

3. Volvo EX30

4. Skoda Octavia

5. BMW 1 Series

6. Hyundai Tuscon

1. Kia Sportage

Kia have established themselves as a leading car brand globally through their range of affordable, yet reliable vehicles.

The Korean car manufacturer’s staple family car is also their best-seller, that being their Sportage.

Its commercial success is paired with awards from industry experts. As recent as the 2024 What Car? awards saw the Sportage claim the ‘Best Family SUV’ award, with the panel stating the Sportage offers “a more comfortable ride than its key rivals, yet it instils confidence on winding roads with its strong grip and precise steering.”

For a mid-sized SUV, the Kia Sportage offers fantastic practicality and spaciousness, with the 4x4 offering up to 587 litres of boot space.

Available in both petrol and hybrid, the Sportage has various trims that have power outputs from 157bhp to 261bhp, depending on the version of Sportage you opt for.

The Sportage is currently in its fifth generation, with the first generation dating back to 1993.

2. Nissan Qashqai

Nissan are known for their manufacturing specialties regarding 4x4s, with the Qashqai taking the mantle for their most popular vehicle in recent times.

The Nissan Qashqai's remarkable popularity is clearly demonstrated by its impressive sales figures – it was the top-selling car in the UK for 2022 and took second place in 2023.

What makes the Qashqai so appealing to British drivers? It's the perfect blend of safety, cutting-edge interior technology, and practical SUV design.

Additionally, the Qashqai's robust design and responsive handling make it a great vehicle to drive, further solidifying its status as a favourite among families seeking a reliable and versatile vehicle.

The petrol trim of the five-door family SUV features a maximum engine power output of 106 kW and a torque of 200 NM.

Its safety credentials are well-recognized; for instance, What Car? awarded it the Safety Award in 2022, further emphasising how great of a family car the Qashqai is.

3. Volvo EX30

Swedish car brand Volvo have an extensive model range, with a lot of their most popular cars being made up of SUVs.

One of these SUVs that caters towards families is the standalone EV of this list, that being the EX30.

Whilst not being the most spacious car on this list – it is actually Volvo’s smallest electric car they currently manufacture – but the style and performance capabilities of the EX30 make it shine.

The critically acclaimed electric SUV comes available in three different trims, with the cheapest being the single motor version that arrives with an electric range of up to 209 miles.

Power outputs for the single motor trim is 276bhp, along with a maximum torque of 343 NM. This helps the EV accelerate from 0-62mph in around 5.7 seconds.

An award winning EV, Carwow’s Car of the Year in 2024 excels in being one of the best EVs on the market, making it a fun experience for families to drive in.

4. Skoda Octavia

It’s no secret that Skoda make some of the most practical cars on the market, particularly for families of all sizes.

A top notch family car that Skoda released back in 1997 is their Octavia, a 5-door hatchback car that’s received plaudits for its value, efficiency, and interior space.

The small family car is currently in its fourth generation of model, with the Octavia having a real glow-up in the exterior styling department.

The Octavia’s performance outputs are solid also, with the 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 148bhp of power.

A great car for practicality, the Skoda Octavia sees a huge 590-litre boot and has a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg.

This practicality has helped the Skoda hatchback in gathering awards and accolades in relevant categories, such as the What Car? ‘Best Practicality Family Car’ award in 2023.

When talking about practicality and safety for a family of 5, the Octavia is right up there for the best on the market.

5. BMW 1 Series

BMW are a world-renowned car brand that has made their name from manufacturing some of the higher performing and reliable cars out there.

A marque model line that has established their prominence within the automotive industry is their 1 Series cars that started in 2004.

The second hatchback on this list, the 1 Series has gained a great reputation of being a great car for small families.

The 5-door hatch has many variants including the 118i SE that sees power outputs of 138bhp and 220 NM of torque.

Just like the Octavia, the BMW model made our ‘ Best Cars Under £30K’ list, shining a light on the value for money that the 1 Series offers.

And it’s been recommended by industry experts for being a great family car; it saw a recent win at the WhatCar? 2024 Car of the Year Awards, where is was named ‘Best Family Car for Interior’.

Given that you can pick up this car brand-new for less than £30,000, the BMW 1 Series is a great value for money vehicle that practicality for small families.

6. Hyundai Tucson

One of the largest car manufacturers in the world, Hyundai has produced some of the most reliable car models of recent times.

Their greatly popular SUV, and the last car on this list, is the Tucson – a mid-size 4x4 that caters towards small families.

Much like the other cars on this list, the Hyundai Tucson offers fantastic interior space that makes it stand out amongst its competitors. This includes a boot space of up to 620 litres.

A sound 148bhp output through the SUV’s 1.6-litre petrol engine sees the vehicle accelerate from 0-62mph in around 10 seconds.

When speaking on SUVs, the Tucson is a fantastic option, so much so that Auto Express named the Tucson ‘Mid-size SUV of the Year’ award three consecutive years from 2021-2023.

Given that the Tucson offers fantastic interior space and sound powertrain outputs, it’s safe to say that the Hyundai SUV is a top choice for families of 5.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to finding the best cars for families of 5, practicality, comfort, and safety are paramount.

The vehicles on this list offer ample space, reliability, and features tailored to the needs of a modern family.

Whether you fancy a reliable SUV or a spacious hatchback, make sure that your next vehicle suits your family’s needs and keeps everybody happy.

Remember that these are just some of our top picks regarding cars that suit families of 5, with there being plenty more options out there for you to choose from!