The Best Family Cars of 2015

The Kia Cee’d combines innovative technology, fuel economy and design to match its rivals. The Kia Cee’d features a clever voice recognition system enabling access to some of the car’s functions as well as being able to make hands-free calls. Handy for when you are juggling the unpredictability of family life, other great features where the Cee’d excels is the technology and space that it has on offer.

With a superior exterior and excellent value costing around £2,000 less in comparison to some of its rivals, and emissions as low as 96g/km.

With stylish looks and efficient engines, the Mazda 3 may just be enough to sway customers from competitors, the Ford Focus & Volkswagen Golf.

A smart design; 18-inch alloy wheels, colour-coded door handles, mirrors and the SE-L also features bi-Xenon headlamps with LED running lights. As for the performance, the Mazda3 is dynamic, has a strong grip, excellent chassis control and smooth steering which make this family car a winning choice.

The sleek, sophisticated Ford Mondeo really makes a statement as the family car. The biggest advantage of the Mondeo is the size, with lots of handy storage units, a vast boot and generous leg space. Particularly suitable for families with teenagers with comfortable, adjustable seats

If you are looking for the practicality of a family car but in a smaller vehicle then look no further than the Ford B-Max. Compact, yet spacious with a big sliding rear door for easy access getting in and out. The B-Max boasts a stylish cabin, 70.6mpg and has emissions of 104g/km and not to mention it is fun to drive for a mini MPV.

From £11,995 at Sandicliffe and with savings of up to £1,800, the Ford B-Max is the tardis of cars, compact yet spacious for complete family car functionality.

The seven-seat MPV is another family car from Ford that proves that you don’t have to sacrifice family practicality for a model that is fun to drive. MPVs are often said to not be that fun to drive, well the Ford S-Max is proof that they can be!

The S-Max doesn’t feel like an MPV but it certainly makes the most out of being one with its superb practicality. The S-Max boasts 285 litres of boot space even with all seven seats! The rearmost seats are also suitable for children, with many small storage spaces and offers ultimate comfort for a family car.

Designed with the familiar Kia family look, the Kia Carens is a budget seven seater but by no standards does it feel that way. Making the most out of the space available, with the third row seats folded flat, it can store the weekly shop, buggies or bikes with ease. The Carens can even seat seven adults, pricier versions also offer seat-back trays with cup holders, particularly useful for children when on a long journey.

The soft suspension means that bumps are no longer noticeable, the steering is also light making the Carens a very manoeuvrable seven-seater. The touchscreen sat-nav is also one of the best, displaying upcoming traffic and information on length and tailbacks.

With the standard Kia seven-year 100,000 mile warranty and features on offer even when opting for the 1 spec, the Kia Carens provides family value for money when it comes to seven seat MPVs.

Winner for two years in a row and a firm favourite of the Whatcar? Team, the Skoda Octavia stays ahead of the race from its strong competitors, the Nissan Pulsar & Audi A3.

With a five star Euro NCAP safety rating, spacious interior, cutting-edge engine and innovative technology, the Octavia offers value for money with a price tag that won’t cost the earth with both low running costs and low CO2 emissions. Big incentives when searching for your perfect family car!

Another great family car that offers incredible value, with the entry-level Visia offering air-conditioning, 16-inch alloys, electric windows, Bluetooth and six airbags for less than £15,000!

With a comfortable interior, a five-inch colour screen, Bluetooth, steering wheel mounted controls and a versatile range of engines. The Pulsar’s performance also offers good body control, sharp throttle response and a six-speed manual gearbox.

There is plenty of legroom in the back and a spacious boot to store anything from pushchairs to sports equipment. With a five star crash rating standard safety kit, this is just another reminder of why the Pulsar is an award winning family car.

The Mazda CX-5 offers a combination of performance and practicality with a sleek and dynamic design that not only looks great on the road but feels great to drive too.

The CX-5 is a formidable SUV with the four-cylinder diesel engine offering smooth operation and excellent traction for all weather conditions. Well-equipped with a colour touch-screen, cruise and climate controls, front and rear parking sensors and the sat-nav option is only a reasonable £700 addition.

Runners-up Citroen Cactus and Range Rover Evoque fail to take the Qashqai’s crown with the small SUV being awarded the winner for the second year in a row. The SUV offers efficiency, reliability and comfort, with a raised driving position.

From £17,499 at Sandicliffe and with savings of up to £1,281, the Nissan Qashqai won What Car’s 2014 Car of the Year being described as an intelligent, comfortable and smooth small SUV. Also available on finance for just £149 per month!