Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Smaller Family Cars

36 replies

Songbird54321 · 13/04/2023 21:13

We currently have a Hyundai Tucson. I hate it. There's nothing actually wrong with it it's just too big for me personally.
I have always driven smaller cars/hatchbacks but traded it in for a bigger one when baby number 2 arrived. It's handy for when we take a caravan holiday but that's only once a year so the rest of the time it's just a hinderance. Anyway, I digress.
Can you recommend a smaller family car suitable for 2 children. Will need a reasonable boot so I can get the pram in along with a few bags of shopping.
I don't want anything 'fancy' (Mercedes, BMW etc) as don't want higher insurance costs/maintenance costs.

OP posts:
cloudonego · 13/04/2023 21:19

I personally think you can't go wrong with a Ford focus. As big as I like to go, fits everything I need, and cheap to maintain/repair.

AdditionalCharacter · 13/04/2023 21:20

Kia Venga. You can pull the back seat forward for more boot space.

AmyByTheTrain · 13/04/2023 21:21

Honda Jazz

WhoHidTheCoffee · 13/04/2023 21:24

We have a Seat Ibiza and it’s very economical to run. Easily fits two children in car seats and the boot takes a small pushchair plus several bags of shopping.

I would say it’s not the best if an adult will sit in the passenger seat regularly as DH finds it a bit cramped (as DC2 is still in a rear facing seat). But if it’s mainly for just you and the kids, I think it’s a great car. We’ve had ours a few years and bought it partly because it was cheaper than a Ford Focus.

We also looked at a Toyota Yaris and a Kia Rio but the boot on the Ibiza was slightly bigger.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 13/04/2023 21:30

we have a Seat Leon. Roomier on the inside than the compact SUVs (Juke types) we always seem to get allocated on holiday, but without the big built up bodywork, so easier to get through double parked city streets and easier to park.

StarsOnAMat · 13/04/2023 21:39

I’ve got a Mazda 3, 2016 model. Space for a travel system and a few bags of shopping (inside the pram/buggy) and now I’m done with a buggy, I can get two cases in the boot. Also only £30 a year road tax which is a bonus.

Original poster
Songbird54321 · 13/04/2023 21:50

StarsOnAMat · 13/04/2023 21:39

I’ve got a Mazda 3, 2016 model. Space for a travel system and a few bags of shopping (inside the pram/buggy) and now I’m done with a buggy, I can get two cases in the boot. Also only £30 a year road tax which is a bonus.

I traded in a 2016 mazda 3 sport for the tucson and have regretted it ever since. I loved that car. I bought it for about £11k in 2019 and the same car is now going for about £12.5k. Can't get over how much used cars are now

OP posts:
Original poster
Songbird54321 · 13/04/2023 21:52

AdditionalCharacter · 13/04/2023 21:20

Kia Venga. You can pull the back seat forward for more boot space.

Never heard of these but at first glance looks like it could be a good option, thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
Songbird54321 · 13/04/2023 21:54

cloudonego · 13/04/2023 21:19

I personally think you can't go wrong with a Ford focus. As big as I like to go, fits everything I need, and cheap to maintain/repair.

Definitely on the shortlist

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/04/2023 07:15

Fabia estate

CoodleMoodle · 14/04/2023 07:49

We have a Honda Jazz. It's got a huge boot, plenty of room in the back for 2 DC, and both DH and I (very different heights!) can find a comfortable driving position easily.

It's a 58 plate and we've had it for 9 years, still works perfectly.

gogohmm · 14/04/2023 07:58

@Songbird54321

Was also going to say Mazda 3, mine is newer 2017, so more tax, and worth £3k more than I paid for it in 2020, crazy!

Lonelycrab · 14/04/2023 08:14

Honda Civic. Have one from 2013 and it’s a good little car. Huge boot, usual Honda reliability, nice to drive. Prefer it to the Focus I had before and that was pretty good.

BarbaraofSeville · 14/04/2023 08:20

Another vote for a Fabia Estate. Skodas in general are great cars and bigger than average for the type of car they're grouped into (eg a Fabia is the same price/size group as a Fiesta and Octavia compared with Golf, but in each case the Skoda is noticeably bigger).

UndercoverCop · 14/04/2023 08:21

It's not fancy but I've got a Citroen C4, normal car size but great boot space.

BotCrossedHun · 14/04/2023 08:21

If you're looking for used, perhaps a Ford B-Max. They have sliding doors at the back, which makes it much easier to get things in and out of, and stops children opening doors onto neighbouring cars, when they're old enough to get in and out themselves.

BotCrossedHun · 14/04/2023 08:22

(they are no longer made, which is why it has to be used!)

horridjobescapee · 14/04/2023 08:33

If you've short legs you might struggle to get a comfortable driving position in the focus.

Original poster
Songbird54321 · 14/04/2023 08:38

Lonelycrab · 14/04/2023 08:14

Honda Civic. Have one from 2013 and it’s a good little car. Huge boot, usual Honda reliability, nice to drive. Prefer it to the Focus I had before and that was pretty good.

A civic is my partner's first choice I think. I've generally only had Japanese cars (toyota/mazda) so I feel happy with Honda

OP posts:
Lonelycrab · 14/04/2023 08:41

What’s your budget, OP?

BigBunkers · 14/04/2023 08:54

Definitely a Honda civic. The boot is absolutely cavernous for the size of the car! I’ve had two and loved both

Mycatisaqueen · 14/04/2023 09:06

Songbird54321 · 13/04/2023 21:50

I traded in a 2016 mazda 3 sport for the tucson and have regretted it ever since. I loved that car. I bought it for about £11k in 2019 and the same car is now going for about £12.5k. Can't get over how much used cars are now

Show quote history

I've got an older Mazda 3, very reliable and a huge boot

AmberGer · 14/04/2023 09:07

I've had a Ford focus in the past and liked it. Good reliable car.

However, I have a civic now and I love it.
Would buy another. Solid, reliable, roomy car.
Looks nice and is fun to drive.
Sticks to the road like glue around bends.

Andywarholswig · 14/04/2023 09:09

I love my Honda Jazz, it’s a cracking little car but surprisingly roomy inside.

Rockbird · 14/04/2023 09:11

Ford Focus definitely. I've had three and loved them all. My current one is an estate and love that even more but I need the boot for holidays in the UK with two kids and the dog.