Baby on Board: Picking the Best Car for New Parents

Top vehicle choices for growing families

Compact car: Volkswagen Golf

Price range for a used Volkswagen Golf: £17,000 to £20,000

Don’t overlook the many benefits of smaller cars like the VW Golf. These offer practicality and can easily slot into supermarket parking spaces and navigate out of school car parks with tight bends. Inside, you’ll find plenty of space and a boot with 360 litres of luggage capacity. It’s one of the most spacious hatchbacks and best family cars around. In addition, it’s renowned for its low running costs and excellent handling.

Being both reliable and affordable, the VW Golf makes a great car for new parents. If you can’t buy a vehicle outright, consider reviewing your car finance eligibility. This will help you decide how you can fund your next vehicle when juggling the expense of a new baby.

Compact car: Ford Focus

Price range for a used Ford Focus: £9,000 to £12,000

Up and down the country, the Ford Focus is a well-loved vehicle for families and individuals alike. The latest models replace the once-cramped rear seats with a roomy passenger compartment in which three adults can comfortably sit. The boot is also bigger and more practical than before, with 341 litres of space.

The newer models come equipped with a Ford SYNC3 infotainment system. This features an eight-inch touchscreen complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for sat-nav. With a Focus, you can expect all the safety tech that should be in a modern family hatchback. On top of this, you’ll enjoy smooth handling and great efficiency to boot.

Mid-Sized Estate Car: Skoda Superb

Price range for a used Skoda Superb: £7,000 to £34,000

If you want a bit of style with lots of space at an affordable price, then you don’t need to look much further than the Skoda Superb. It has an immense 625-litre boot space and 1,760 litres when the rear seats are folded down. Big on space and comfort, the Superb is very attractive for new parents who are often lugging around buggies, equipment and bags. But the space doesn’t stop there – it even has a place for umbrellas in the door. You’ll find this ideal when you’re loading and unloading the kids and it’s pouring with rain.

It’s quiet, low to the ground and is an overall delightful drive that is smooth and efficient. The newer models come with an electronic stability control system, seven airbags and a post-collision braking system. The five-star Euro NCAP safety rating means it ranks highly as a top family car. What makes it even better is the 60-litre tank that keeps you going for miles before stopping to refuel – an ideal feature with little passengers in tow!

Compact SUV: Skoda Karoq

Price range for a used Skoda Karoq: £12,000 to £26,000

It’s no surprise that Skoda is mentioned again; the brand is known for producing impressive family cars that are as practical as they are safe. The Czech firm continues to branch out into SUVs, and the Karoq is an impressive introduction. It has a bit more style compared to its Superb sibling with its sleek lines and height.

Skoda’s new Karoq is stylish, practical and incredibly safe with five stars in Euro NCAP tests. To sweeten the deal, it is surprisingly affordable. The boot offers a generous 521 litres, making it perfect for a new family with all the gear.

The wide-opening rear doors mean that you can slot the children’s car seats into place without any issue. The height of the SUV makes strapping children into their seats easy on your back. There are a number of handy rear seat features that make daily life easier. You’ll find a large box for gadgets and snacks between the front seats. There are also foldable tables for small children to use in the back. The rear-view camera and wide dashboard display help you navigate around busy school car parks and neighbourhoods with a clear view.

This vehicle won the ‘Best family SUV for £18,000-£30,000’ in the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2019. You’ll enjoy travelling from the supermarket to the school to football pitches in style. Whether you choose petrol or diesel, running costs on this vehicle are surprisingly low.

Compact SUV: Vauxhall Crossland X

Price range for a used Vauxhall Crossland X: £8,000 to £23,000

The Vauxhall Crossland X has been designed to maximise space – and space it does offer. There is not only excellent headroom in the back that makes installing a child seat a snap, but the boot can hold 410 litres. This increases to 520 litres when you opt for sliding rear seats. With that said, there is more than enough room for a pram or pushchair.

This fantastic option is rated five stars in crash tests and 84 percent child occupant protection. You’ll feel confident that you are getting behind the wheel of a safe vehicle.

SUV: Audi Q3

Price range for a used Audi Q3: £19,000 to £52,000

Looking for a vehicle with plenty of boot space? One that will accommodate pushchairs, nappy bags, kids’ scooters and other must-have new parent items? How about a touch of luxury, too? The new Audi Q3 appeals to everyone, especially families, thanks to its fine balance of practicality and reliable SUV style.

It comes well-equipped with family-friendly features. Ranging from a first aid kid, split-folding rear seats, electronically operated child locks on rear doors through to seatbelt warning lights. Essentially, it has all the tech that new parents dream of.

This nifty SUV is powerful for open roads for road-tripping adventures. What’s more, the handling is delicate enough to navigate tight school car parks. The school run is a breeze with high safety ratings and intelligent airbag systems. You’ll experience all-round protection when you need it most.

Cruise the open road in your first vehicle

Ready to get behind the wheel of your first vehicle? At My Car Credit, we want to make securing car finance simple and accessible when you’re purchasing your first vehicle.

To find out how we can get you on the road, give us a call on 01246 458 810 or drop us an email at enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk. One of our knowledgeable team members will get back to you as soon as possible.