- Advice on your next family car choice
- Tips on how to pick the best models
- What Car?'s recommendations named
- Models like the VW Golf and Ford Focus that can cope with long motorway journeys just as easily as early-morning school runs and weekend trips to the shops
- Small car performance and quality has now improved
- Big-car features like sat-nav, air-conditioning and cruise control are often available on smaller models
- Will boot will be big enough to accommodate a decent weekly shop from the supermarket?
- If you need to throw a full child buggy into the boot, then you should consider a larger model
- Never been a better selection of high-quality cabins, efficient engines and practical layouts
- Small family car can cope with four adults and a decent amount of luggage, some will offer more comfort, or better fuel economy, or lower running costs
Comparisons for Small Cars and Family Cars from some of the Leading Brands
Audi A3 Sportback
If you want your small family car to feel premium, you need look no further than our 2013 Car of the Year, the Audi A3 Sportback. It offers amazing refinement and impressive economy, and our testers reckon is has the best interior ever seen in a car of this class.
If you want your small family car to feel premium, you need look no further than our 2013 Car of the Year, the Audi A3 Sportback. It offers amazing refinement and impressive economy, and our testers reckon is has the best interior ever seen in a car of this class.
Skoda Octavia
One of the worst kept secrets in motoring is that Skoda Octavia shares its underwear with the VW Golf and aforementioned Audi A3 Sportback. If you can live with fewer frills and thrills, in exchange for acres of interior space and a bargain price tag, the Octavia is a cracking choice.
One of the worst kept secrets in motoring is that Skoda Octavia shares its underwear with the VW Golf and aforementioned Audi A3 Sportback. If you can live with fewer frills and thrills, in exchange for acres of interior space and a bargain price tag, the Octavia is a cracking choice.
Volkswagen Golf
The VW Golf is a byword for small family car competence and the Mk7 version is a genuinely class act. It has first-class ride and handling, a handsome, fuss-free interior and a range of models that has something for everyone, whether they're after economy, performance or practicality.
The VW Golf is a byword for small family car competence and the Mk7 version is a genuinely class act. It has first-class ride and handling, a handsome, fuss-free interior and a range of models that has something for everyone, whether they're after economy, performance or practicality.
Ford Focus
If driving pleasure is high up on your list of requirements, the Ford Focus is a must-drive car. We think it is the sweetest-handling car in its class but that isn't all it offers. The Focus is refined and capable - although its real-world fuel economy can be an issue.
If driving pleasure is high up on your list of requirements, the Ford Focus is a must-drive car. We think it is the sweetest-handling car in its class but that isn't all it offers. The Focus is refined and capable - although its real-world fuel economy can be an issue.
Kia Ceed
There is more to the Kia Ceed than a seven-year warranty but as reasons to buy go, it is right up there. Away from the paperwork, the Ceed has strong diesel engines, striking looks and a nicely screwed together interior. The standard specification is pretty generous too.
There is more to the Kia Ceed than a seven-year warranty but as reasons to buy go, it is right up there. Away from the paperwork, the Ceed has strong diesel engines, striking looks and a nicely screwed together interior. The standard specification is pretty generous too.
BMW 1 Series
In terms of badge prestige, nothing can beat the BMW 1-Series in this segment. Rear-wheel drive makes it unique in the class, and a favourite of enthusiastic drivers everywhere. We'd avoid the ES spec models that are short of goodies but in terms of engines, there is not a bad one in the range. For private buyers covering modest miles, opt for the affordable 116i models.
In terms of badge prestige, nothing can beat the BMW 1-Series in this segment. Rear-wheel drive makes it unique in the class, and a favourite of enthusiastic drivers everywhere. We'd avoid the ES spec models that are short of goodies but in terms of engines, there is not a bad one in the range. For private buyers covering modest miles, opt for the affordable 116i models.
Hyundai i30
Hyundai's offering in this segment is the i30 and it is very impressive. The interior quality is far better than you might expect, the diesel engines are impressive and the five-year warranty gives peace of mind and protects residual values. Manual models drive best.
Hyundai's offering in this segment is the i30 and it is very impressive. The interior quality is far better than you might expect, the diesel engines are impressive and the five-year warranty gives peace of mind and protects residual values. Manual models drive best.