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Best used family cars of 2024

A good second-hand family car needs to be practical, cheap-to-run and safe. Carwow has put together a list of the ten best used family cars available right now to help you pick the perfect new model.

We’ve selected a variety of cars to suit different situations. Whether you need a city runaround or a big SUV for lugging the family to the south of France, we’ll have the right car for you.

1. Volkswagen Polo

8/10

Volkswagen Polo review

Despite its “small car” tag, the Volkswagen Polo is actually very roomy. For passengers in the rear, leg- and headroom are about the same as what you would expect from the larger VW Golf, exceeding the spaciousness of such alternatives as the Vauxhall Corsa. The boot is similarly generous, with a 351-litre capacity that eclipses the likes of the Skoda Fabia. The Polo isn’t quite as fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta, but it’s more comfortable and, so long as you avoid the basic engines, is cheap to run and nippy.

The Polo’s cabin feels decidedly posh for a supermini, and this combined with the space on offer almost makes it an alternative to the Volkswagen Golf. Every Polo gets at least an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, and you can upgrade the dials to a digital cluster.

2. Audi A6

Black Friday deal

7/10

Audi A6 review

Battery range up to 32 miles

Even as a used car, the Audi A6 is a high-tech alternative to other upmarket saloons that is guaranteed to keep your family (children or adults) entertained. Even the entry-level trim has a big infotainment touchscreen equipped with smartphone mirroring, satnav and Bluetooth connectivity. The interior itself is rather posh, packed with high-end materials and capable of carrying four tall adults in complete comfort. Driving the A6 is similarly comfortable, and it’s available with a stack of autonomous driving kit that means the car can take the strain on long journeys. Consequently, if you desire stress-free family motoring, this is an option to shortlist.

Of the engines on offer, the 2.0-litre diesel engine in the 40TDI model is the best all-rounder. It’s punchy enough on the motorway to deal with overtaking and it will return good economy as well. If you want something a bit sportier, then you can have a 340hp 3.0-litre V6 petrol model, but this will cost you more to buy and run.

3. Skoda Karoq

Black Friday deal

9/10

Skoda Karoq review

The Skoda Karoq is like your favourite pair of slippers: dead easy to live with day-to-day, but not exactly stylish. Inside and out, this small SUV looks smart without ever really being flashy. It’s also supremely practical, especially for families. Its cabin can easily accommodate four tall adults and the boot dwarfs the one found in a Nissan Qashqai. You’ll also appreciate its 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, which has handy smartphone mirroring on every version. When it comes to driving the Karoq, you’ll find it easy, but far from exciting.

If most of your driving is done in town, you’l be fine with the basic 115hp petrol engine. It’s nippy enough, returns decent economy and is capable on the odd motorway run. Sharp overtaking manoeuvres may catch it out though, and this is where the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol comes in. It has 150hp and a lot more grunt, without compromising on efficiency.

4. Ford Focus

7/10

Ford Focus review

The current generation of the Ford Focus has only been on sale since 2018, but it’s already available to buy as a used car via carwow. It even won carwow’s Family Award in 2018, which is why it tops this list. The Focus’s cabin is spacious enough to accommodate four adults and although the boot is smaller than average, it will still happily swallow all the luggage necessary for a week-long family holiday. On the road, the Focus complements its family-friendliness with a splash of fun. It has loads of grip and always feels composed in tight corners. It’s a family car that can put a massive smile on your face.

Go for the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and it’ll have plenty of power for around town and on the motorway, while also being frugal and cheap to run. Inside you’ll find a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It may not be the best system on the market, but it still works fine.

5. Skoda Octavia Estate

Black Friday deal

9/10

Skoda Octavia Estate review

Battery range up to 46 miles

There's something of a running joke among some car journalists that the Skoda Octavia Estate is the answer to 90% of car-buying questions - and this is certainly true when it comes to used family car recommendations. The Octavia is comfortable, refined, great to drive, comes with a wide variety of engines and has a huge boot.

There's almost nothing not to like, although some might feels it's just a tiny bit too sensible for its own good.

6. Volvo V60

8/10

Volvo V60 review

Battery range up to 31 miles

Volvos are consistently recognised as some of the safest cars you can buy, so the Volvo V60 is an excellent bet for those after a family-friendly, practical estate. Its interior might not have the build quality of a German alternative, but it does get a minimalist interior design that’s very easy on the eye. It isn’t particularly fun to drive; instead, Volvo has focussed on comfort. So, it’s a brilliant car for soaking up long motorway drives thanks to its quiet cabin and supportive seats. It’s also available as a powerful plug-in hybrid, which makes up for the lack of creamy-smooth six-cylinder engines available with alternatives.

As an all-rounder, the 150hp D3 diesel engine has enough power and excellent fuel economy. It’s hard to hide the diesel clatter under hard acceleration though. The D4 diesel has more power, and is therefore better suited to hauling larger loads. If it’s a sporty edge you’re after, go for the 250hp 2.0-litre petrol, although this feels like overkill in a relaxed cruiser like this.

7. SEAT Tarraco

9/10

SEAT Tarraco review

The SEAT Tarraco is an ideal family SUV, because it’s smartly designed and has the durability needed to survive long-term exposure to younger children. It’s spacious too, with a cabin that will easily take four adults, while the third row of seats in the boot is fit for two kids. Plus, fold away the third row of seats and the Tarraco has a 700-litre boot, which can take all the luggage your family will need for long holidays. Every model gets an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, with sat-nav and phone mirroring standard on the SE Technology trim and up. Driving the Tarraco isn’t exciting, but it’s certainly smooth and relaxed.

There are only two engine options on offer, a petrol and a diesel. The 1.5-litre petrol is a cracking option, depending on what sort of driving you do. If you do a mixture of around town and motorway work, it’s punchy and quiet. If you spend most of your time lugging loads up and down the motorway, you’ll be better off with the 2.0-litre diesel for its added grunt.

8. Nissan Leaf

Black Friday deal

6/10

Nissan Leaf review

Battery range up to 239 miles

As an all-electric car with an impressive range, the Nissan Leaf is the last word in planet-friendly motoring. When compared to the alternatives, the Leaf undercuts the likes of the Volkswagen e-Golf: it has a smaller price tag and an ability to travel up to seventy miles further before needing a top up. Plus, if you live and/or work in London, the Leaf’s status as Congestion Charge-exempt makes it a top candidate for your daily commute. Behind the wheel, you’ll find that the Leaf provides a stress-free drive and it will fit four adults in comfort.

As standard, the Leaf has a claimed 168 miles of range. If this isn’t enough for you then there’s the Leaf e+ with a 239-mile range. Just bear in mind that, depending on the age and mileage of the car you buy, this may have gone down as the battery ages. It can be fast charged though, meaning you’ll get 80% of the range back from empty in about an hour.

9. Mercedes A-Class

8/10

Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2018-2023) review

Battery range up to 40 miles

The Mercedes A-Class gives you big-car luxury in a relatively small package. It has an interior to die for (well, almost…), particularly if you can find a car with optional upgraded infotainment, which has spoken-word voice activation and augmented reality sat-nav. There’s also room for four adults and a boot big enough for a couple of suitcases. Conveniences, even on the base model, include lane-keeping assistance, keyless start and cruise control. The Mercedes is easy to drive and comfortable but not as fun as a BMW 1 Series.

If you want near hot-hatch levels of performance, you’ll need the A250 petrol engine. It can do 0-60mph in just over six seconds and it’s not bad on fuel either. The slightly less powerful A200 is decent as well, and offers the best blend of performance and economy. The A200 diesel is the best for motorway work though, as its more economical still.

10. Citroen C3 Aircross

9/10

Citroen C3 Aircross review

The Citroen C3 Aircross is a quirky and characterful SUV, which offers a spacious interior with enough room for a family of two adults and two children. The C3 Aircross is also far more comfortable than most family cars, prioritising a soft, supple ride rather than stiff, dynamic handling.

Power comes from a range of 1.2-litre petrol engines or a 1.5-litre diesel, and we'd go for the 110hp PureTech model as it offers the best balance of power and efficiency.

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Used family cars FAQs

What’s the most reliable used family car to buy?

Reliability is of crucial importance when choosing a second-hand car, especially as many will be out of manufacturer warranty. But rather than single out specific models or brands (though the Honda Jazz and Toyota Corolla have strong reputations for dependability), the best advice we can give is to make sure that any used car you look at has a strong service record, and gives the impression of being well looked after. Tyres can be a real help with regard to this latter point, as a matching set of four tyres from a decent brand and with a good amount of tread left in them is a strong indicator that a car's previous owner took good care of it.

What’s the best used family car under £10,000?

This is a tricky one to answer, as no two families are alike, and needs and priorities will vary from person to person. Having said that, the Skoda Octavia Estate ticks a heck of a lot of boxes, being spacious, affordable and nice to drive.

What’s the best used small family car?

Again, this is tricky to pin down and essentially comes down to preference and opinion, but the Volkswagen Polo has a lot going for it.

What should I look for when buying a second hand family car?

As discussed above, a car's history is of crucial importance, so do be sure to go through service records carefully. Check all features in the car work, as it's far easier (for example) getting a heated-seat element fixed prior to sale, or choosing a different car, as opposed to going through the hassle of a post-purchase repair.

Are there any second hand family cars I should avoid?

When buying a used family car, ignore models with no service history, while crash-damaged 'Cat' (cars deemed a Cat C, Cat D, Cat S or Cat N, written off by insurers and subsequently repaired) should also be treated with caution, and ideally avoided unless you really know what to look for.

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