Renting a car for a trip or vacation is a convenient and practical solution that allows you to relax in comfort and take with you everything you need on the road and at the destination where you are going to spend a weekend or vacation. If you have two or more children, renting a family car would be an ideal option. To help you decide on the right brand and model, we will tell you about the requirements that such cars must meet, and provide the top best family cars according to NarsCars experts.
Basic requirements for family cars
A family car is considered to be a wheeled vehicle designed for the simultaneous transportation of all family members, including children. Considering that each family has different needs, a large number of models with different body types and characteristics can fit the status of a family car. The main thing is that it meets certain criteria. We would like to draw special attention to the basic requirements for a family car.
Capacity and comfort
The capacity of the car is an important criterion, especially if you are choosing a car for a large family of 5 or 6 people. And so that each passenger is comfortable and cozy in the cabin, the car should have:
- ergonomic driver's seat with easy access to controls and free space around the driver;
- wide passenger seats, which can accommodate all family members without crowding each other;
- high ceiling and sufficient space between the legs and the backs of the front row seats. This will ensure comfort on long trips, for example, when you use the car for traveling with your family;
- open doorways, allowing a passenger of any build to easily get into the car, load and unload a child car seat;
- convenient organization of the interior space, with shelves and pockets for placing things that may be useful on the road;
- climate control system, providing a comfortable temperature in the car.
Safety
Considering that the family car will also carry small passengers – your children, it should be equipped with all modern safety systems:
- belts and airbags. The Airbag system should include at least 6 airbags (side and front), as well as knee protection and inflatable curtains;
- reliable Isofix mounts for a child seat. A car for a family with 2 small children should be able to install two such seats with additional fixation with seat belts;
- effective brakes and electronic safety systems: ABS and ASR, preventing wheel locking and slippage during braking, and motion stabilization (ESP).
Large luggage space
The trunk in a family car should be capacious enough to accommodate not only all the suitcases and bags with personal belongings, but also a folded baby stroller, a bicycle and other large items that may be useful on a long trip: on a trip or on vacation. The optimal volume of the luggage compartment is at least 400 liters, and it would be nice to have the ability to increase it at the expense of the rear row seats.
Efficiency
Regardless of whether you choose a car for a young family or with 3 children, it is important that it is reliable and does not require high operating costs. A significant part of them is fuel costs, and when renting a car, this is the only expense item that you may encounter during a short period of using the vehicle. Therefore, when choosing a suitable model, you should give preference to:
- a car with low fuel consumption;
- a car with a hybrid power plant;
- an electric car - when choosing such a car for rent, make sure in advance that along the way you will find a place to recharge the traction battery.
Overview of the TOP-5 family cars for rent and purchase
In our review of the best cars for a family, we included cars with a large capacity, in a minivan body (passenger van), which are suitable for family trips with children and parents or friends.
№1 Fiat Scudo Ulysse
The front-wheel drive Scudo Ulysse car from the Italian brand Fiat is a new 2024 model, equipped with:
- an economical 2-liter diesel engine, consuming 6.8-7.8 l/100 km in a combined driving cycle;
- an automatic 8-speed gearbox – it simplifies driving;
- climate control, additional air conditioning for passengers and heated front seats, which ensures comfort in the cabin;
- cruise control and rear parking sensors;
- keyless access.
Fiat Scudo Ulysse is an ideal budget car for a large family. In addition to the driver's seat, it has 8 more seats for passengers, a sliding and hinged door on the right and left sides. The safety of the driver and passengers is ensured by front and side airbags, front row side airbags and curtain airbags. Folding rear seats can significantly increase the volume of the luggage compartment.
№2 Hyundai Staria
The South Korean minivan Hyundai Staria has been produced since 2021 and is, in our opinion, one of the best 9-seater cars for a family. A spacious interior, comfortable passenger seats with extended legroom, large windows and a panoramic roof make it convenient for traveling. In the interior of this car, you will feel like passengers on a cruise liner. The Hyundai Staria model is equipped with:
- a 2.2 liter diesel engine, which, depending on the modification, has a fuel consumption of 7.8-8.0 to 8.5-8.9 l / 100 km in a combined cycle and can operate in economical, normal and sport modes;
- an automatic transmission (AT);
- best-in-class safety features with blind spot video monitoring, RCCA and FCA assistants to prevent cross-collision when reversing and collisions with a car in front, a cyclist and a pedestrian;
- 6 airbags, three-point seat belts and a headrest on each seat;
- climate control and heated seats.
№3 Peugeot Traveller
5-door L-class minivan, Peugeot Traveller is a new product of 2016 from PSA and the Japanese company Toyota. This 8-seater car is suitable for family trips and long trips, thanks to the presence of comfortable seats with plenty of space between the rows. The second-row seats can be rotated 180 degrees, and the storage boxes between them can easily be transformed into tables. The Traveller's features include:
- a powerful and economical diesel engine that consumes 5.2-7.3 l/100 km of fuel in the combined cycle and 5.6 when driving on the highway;
- 6-speed automatic transmission;
- dual-zone climate control;
- anti-lock braking system;
- a roomy trunk with a volume of 550-4200 liters, depending on the position of the rear seats. But even with the rear seats folded down, this car is perfect for a family with three children;
- rear camera and parking sensors.
A trip to any distance in the Peugeot Traveller will be as convenient and comfortable as possible.
№4 Peugeot Rifter
The Peugeot Rifter compact van has been produced since 2018 in a regular and extended version by the French concern PSA. It is included in our TOP family cars due to its good capacity, reliability and safety. Both versions can be equipped with a third row of seats up to 7 seats (6 + 1), while having a fairly spacious interior, which will be comfortable for people of any build. Even the basic configuration of the Peugeot Rifter has:
- front and side airbags;
- climate control, which will make the longest trip comfortable in any weather;
- a whole set of electronic safety systems: ABS, EBD, ESP and others;
- multimedia center with an 8-inch touch screen - a guarantee against boredom on a long journey;
- Rifter is equipped with an economical 1.2 liter gasoline engine or a 1.5 liter diesel engine, and the minimum luggage compartment volume is 775 liters.
№5 Citroen SpaceTourer
Our TOP of the best family cars is completed by the French five-door L-class car, equipped with a diesel engine with very economical fuel consumption: 5.4 l/100 km in the combined cycle and 5 l on the highway. Ease of control is provided by an 8-speed automatic transmission, a multifunctional steering wheel and rear parking sensors. In addition, it is worth noting the presence in this car:
- a roomy trunk, with a capacity of 603-3968 liters;
- a modern multimedia system with a 7-inch LCD screen;
- anti-lock braking system in front-wheel drive models;
- dual-zone climate control;
- side and front airbags for the driver and passengers, and window airbags-curtains;
- Isofix mounts for a child seat in the rear seats.
Car rental without a driver, as a test drive before buying
Our company offers affordable car rental conditions in Ukraine. When going on vacation or traveling with the whole family, you can order a family car without a driver from us for rent at an affordable price and make this trip as comfortable as possible for you and your children. Car rental for a family of 4 or more is a great chance to try such a car in action if you are going to buy a family car, but have not yet made your choice. We offer for rent only new cars in excellent technical condition, so you can fully appreciate all their advantages.
