Best Large Family Cars

This large family hatch is smart-looking yet resilient enough for family use. It has five doors and seats, and the back is easy to access with good headroom and legroom. Adding to its appeal for families, the boot is large enough for a pushchair or lots of holiday clutter, and the seats fold flat for transporting larger items. There’s a range of engine sizes available, too – to keep running costs down, stick to the smaller ones. Inside, the Insignia Grand Sport is well-made but not especially fancy, so spilt crisps aren’t too much of a disaster. It’s great on long trips and has a more comfortable ride than many SUVs – a practical, sensible, and reliable choice.

It’s well-known as an iconic off-roader, but the Land Rover Defender is ideal for a large family, too, offering loads of room for passengers and luggage. Still need more space? Not to worry – there are seven-seater versions available too. If you’re looking to use a Defender as your new family car, just be sure to get a model built recently enough to conform to modern safety standards (from 2020). While it might have been redesigned for practicality, this new Defender is still more than capable off-road and on slippery surfaces. There are lots of versions on the road, so you can shop around to find the combination of features that suits you best. More striking than your average large family runabout, the Defender is famous for its rugged looks and gives off an adventurous vibe.

This good-looking five-seater family saloon comes as a petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid. The Peugeot 508 feels confident and agile on the road even with smaller engines, and there are manual and automatic options available. You’ll not struggle when packing for road trips – there’s great boot space and cabin storage on offer, and estate versions can carry even more luggage. Inside, it’s comfortable and well-made, if a little tight on rear headroom (nothing even bigger kids will be bothered by). Both traditional and hybrid versions offer competitive fuel efficiency, and you can pick up a 508 for a good deal on the used market these days, keeping those costs down further. All versions of the engine are quiet and well-suited to long drives – great for holidays.

Offering rugged looks, outstanding off-roading capabilities and plenty of room for passengers, the beloved Jeep Wrangler is a true icon. Standing out on this list as a full-on off-roader, this compact SUV is a good option for families that need to tackle tougher conditions or more extreme road surfaces. This is where the Wrangler undoubtedly performs best thanks to its well-tuned suspension and superb four-wheel-drive, making it perfect for adventurous family holidays too. While it’s great off-road, safety and reliability are a little lacking, so check the service history and features of any models you’re considering.

A more executive choice, the Volkswagen Touareg is an upmarket SUV with a refined feel. It’s versatile and good on longer trips, but can feel a little large on narrower urban streets. Inside, it’s all about high-quality, hardwearing materials and features an intuitive dashboard layout. Petrol, diesel and hybrid models are available to suit personal preferences, and they’re all more than capable of a good bit of towing. Newer iterations of the Touareg have got progressively more fancy, even in the most basic trims, so look to the latest models if you want the family to ride in style. All versions have a great reputation for reliability and are reasonably efficient – that’s especially impressive given the Touareg’s large size.

Who says you have to choose between efficiency and performance? Jaguar’s first all-electric SUV, the I-Pace has a muscular stance and the sporty performance to match, with great handling and rapid acceleration. Inside, it’s luxurious with (easy to clean) leather seats and a wood and aluminium trim, plus a very generous amount of room for passengers. There’s loads of boot space, too. Features include LED headlamps and a selection of fake engine tracks you can switch on to cover the near-silence of the electric motor. Jaguar offers an eight-year warranty, so be sure to get all of the details for that handed over if you’re buying a used model.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a distinctive-looking midsize crossover SUV. It’s comfortable on all surfaces, and has lots of space for people as well as a big boot. The addition of hybrid technology means this petrol model is efficient and cheap to run, and it’s very reliable, too. All your major family-car concerns are met here, with a great range of standard tech including cruise control and LED headlights, as well as active safety features like steering assist and pedestrian and cyclist detection. The RAV4 Hybrid is a bit loud if not driven smoothly, but there’s plenty of acceleration and power to tackle any situation. Affordable prices make this practical, striking and well-equipped crossover a great buy.

With looks to be proud of, the Audi A6 is a large saloon that’s attractive inside and out. The interior is roomy and svelte, and the boot is large enough for day-to-day transport of shopping or a buggy. The most popular A6 is the 2.0-litre model with entry level trim, as it’s good value, efficient and stylish. Standard features include cruise control, parking sensors, four-zone climate (so you can have temperatures to suit everyone) and leather upholstery. Upgraded versions add even more gadgets like air suspension, but the A6 is very comfortable in all specs. A more executive option, marrying top-level of performance with practicality, the A6 falls at a higher price point even when buying used.

Living up to it’s name, this popular MPV seems to offer a near-infinite amount of space inside. The Ford Galaxy is a rare thing: a cheap-to-run seven-seater with a third row that’s genuinely comfortable for adults. Impressive. As is the fact that even with all seven seats in use, there’s a surprising amount of boot room. The Galaxy handles well despite its height, and the taller roofline means it’ll still be big enough for all the kids when they turn into lanky teenagers. It is a bit tricky to see out of thanks to the large side pillars, but it gives a smooth ride over potholes and speed bumps even when fully laden.

Tesla has built its name on redefining the electric car, and the Model S is a perfect example of what it does best: coupling unbelievable performance with efficiency and futuristic tech. It’s incredibly fast and powerful, offering acceleration that’s blistering yet somehow also serene. But what makes this a good car for large families? Like most electric cars, the Model S is perfectly quiet, so you can hear what little voices are saying from the front seat. It’s also available with five or seven seats and has a wonderfully smooth ride – reducing the risk of car sickness for small stomachs. If you’re looking at a used model, bear in mind that battery technology has improved since the Model S first hit UK roads, and be sure to get a realistic range value. This is hardly a budget-friendly option amongst big family cars, but it’s one of the most exciting.

Whether you’re after boot space for buggies or headroom for growing teenagers, there’s a car to suit your family. To find out more about individual models, check out our detailed reviews – or dive right in and browse our listings.