Take a look at our list of the best cars for mums
Take a look at our list of the best cars for mums
So, what do mums and dads look for in a car? Well we took into account safety, space, storage, fuel efficiency and any other family-friendly features such as ISOFIX fittings.
The storage levels on this family estate are great for hiding toys or essential items (such as earplugs). It is a spacious, safe and economic car to run. It was awarded 5 Euro NCAP stars for safety.
There are five trim-levels, the entry level comes with air-conditioning, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, LED daytime running lights and tinted windows (perfect for hiding all the kids mess in the back from passers-by). This car has plenty of space, with 528-litre boot space, ideal for a pram and there are hidden compartments under the boot floor.
There is a choice of efficient diesel engines. The 1.6-litre diesel engine is the most cost–efficient to run and cheap to tax and 70mpg. The space is generous with good head- and leg-groom, there are also two ISOFIX mountings in the rear external seats.
(There is also an estate version for those who want more space.)
The Focus is the best selling family hatchback in the UK, so they must be doing something right. Perhaps it’s so popular because of the choice on offer, with fuel-efficient options or turbocharged for those who are interested. There are a range of petrol and diesel engines, most are efficient to run and emit less than 140g/km (with the exception of the ST). Safety is good scoring a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and ISOFIX mounts fitted in the rear.
Interior space is ideal for families with good storage in the front door bins, glove box and armrest cubby. There is 363-litres of boot space, which is not a large as some competitors’ hatchbacks but big enough for an average sized pram. For those looking for more boot space there is the Focus Estate.
The Focus Estate has the same wheelbase as the hatchback, but is 198cm longer and has a 476-litre boot and extra headroom in the rear for when the kids get big. Entry-level includes 16-inch alloys, air conditioning, DAB radio, roof rails and a tonneau cover as standard.
(Estate 530 litres, hatchback 330 litres.)
ŠKODA’s 5-door hatchback won What Car? Car of the Year 2015 and even the hatchback has good space for a small family car. There’s enough room for two adults in the back seats, with decent headroom. There are good storage solutions such as the deep door bins, a good sized glove box and cubbies in front of and behind the gearstick, as well as a useful storage compartment in the drivers door (great for keeping important items away from sticky fingers!)
The boot size is great for its class at 330 litres there are also useful storage cubbies at the sides. It ticks the box for safety with a five-star Euro NCAP rating, curtain airbags, braking assistance, tracking control and stability control.
In addition there are 2 ISOFIX child seat fittings. For larger families there is the Fabia Estate with a longer wheelbase than the hatchback and a larger boot space of 530 litres. There are under-seat storage compartments in the front also and a height-adjustable drivers’ seat.
The Captur was first debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013 and was awarded 2014’s What Car? Car of the Year for best small SUV less than £16,000. This small practical crossover has a choice of petrol and diesel engines, with the most economical being the 1.5-litre dCi diesel option with 76.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 95 g/km making it road tax exempt. Safety is good, with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating for its features such as its speed limiter, ESC, ABS and visual and audible seatbelt warnings.
The interior space is good too, with plenty of leg- and headroom up front and rear seats that slide backwards. The Captur offers good storage options with deep door pockets and a good-sized cubby in the centre console.
The boot space varies between 377 litres and 455 litres depending on rear seat positioning. There are four trim levels available in the UK, if you choose the Dynamique, at the top of the range, then you even get washable seat covers (all cars should come with this when kids are involved).
Finally, the Countryman is a 5-door hatchback crossover with the usual MINI styling. The engines were revised in 2014 to meet Euro 6 emissions regulations, therefore cutting CO2 emissions. There are three engines to choose from, petrol and diesel. The diesel options are more efficient to run than the petrol offerings, which are quite heavily taxed. The basic model the MINI One gives 47mpg and emissions of 139g/km.
There are lots of personalisation options such as paint colours, graphics, leather trim and metallic finishes. There are also optional extras available, as expected the higher performing models will be higher to insure and tax.
Safety is good with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating with a child protection score of 83% and the standard equipment includes tyre-pressure monitoring, many airbags and stability control. There are ISOFIX mounts in the rear seats.
The Countryman is available as a 4- or 5-seater so additional space will depend on your choice. The two rear seats in the 4-seater have a slide mechanism depending on your boot or rear space needs. The head- and legroom is good in the front and in the rear when the seats are pushed back.
There are small storage options in the front such as cup holders and sunglasses holders, however the door pockets are a bit on the small side. The boot comes in at 350 litres, ideal for family needs.
So, that was our list of top five new cars for mums. Any of the cars mentioned are suitable whether you have babies or teenage children and hopefully you found the ideal car for your family, and we helped you make the decision on your new car.
