Best small family car

[Galumphinggaloot]

Not really sure where to put this so hopefully can get some responses here.

Husband and I have a 2 year old and have driven a Fiat 500 since he was a newborn. Has worked for us for so long but now starting to feel the need for a bigger car. Toddler is obsessed with his balance bike and we want to be able to take trips with our bikes too plus all the necessary gubbins. We're also considering trying for a second child.

I love the Fiat and am not looking forward to getting a bigger car, although I know we need it.

Can anyone recommend family friendly cars that are on the smaller side but can still manage a family of 4? We've made it this far with the Fiat which has an Axkid in the back, buggy and balance bike in the boot, along with all the necessary bits and bobs for a day out with a toddler, so we know how to manage with a smaller space. I want to stay on the smaller side if we can as I'm more comfortable driving small cars.

We need the following:

-Room for two ERF car seats in the back and good leg room in the front (doesn't need to be enormous as neither me or my husband are tall.
-5 doors. I love my car but I am fed up of clambering in the back now.
-A boot big enough to deal with a small buggy and a balance bike (and then some if we have a second child!). I suppose adult bikes will need to go on a roof rack
-Automatic as my husband drives manual but I don't.

Husband is happy with anything. No dog or anything to worry about- just the 3 of us, and maybe one more down the line!

Thanks!

Bump 🙏🏻

Would you go a bit bigger? I class my Nissan Qashqai as a small family car but suppose compared to a 500 it's quite different in size

I have it in manual but it obviously comes in automatic too
We have 2 Joie 360 isofix seats in the back
Lots of room in the boot. Can fit suitcases, shopping and 2 prams if you play packing Tetris
Drivers seat lifts and steering wheel can go up/down for height
5 doors (I don't know how you've done it this long with 3!)

Yes, definitely going bigger!

Basically I'm looking for the smallest big car I can get away with if that makes sense! Just because I'm not keen on driving big cars.

It's amazing what you can manage with a Fiat 500. Infant car seat in the front with air bags off, then when that was outgrown, Axkid in the back. Throws the front passenger seat out of action so we just put bags etc there and if all 3 of us are in the car someone sits in the back with toddler.

Oyster pram fits in the boot and now that he's older it's just a lightweight pushchair and the ever present balance bike. It's easier now he climbs in the car and into the car seat himself but you still have to get in to buckle him obviously!

Even manage a big shop in it!

My mum has a little 500 and I've seen her with ds in the back, a pram, shopping and still has room so I know it's doable, just not for me lol!

Skoda Scala
https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/scala/hatchback/used-review/n22548

Skodas are generally well designed in terms of interior/boot space v external dimensions. They are also good value.

If I had to buy a small car it would be a VW Golf.

Ford fiesta or Puma. Absolutely brilliant cars. The boot on the Puma is incredible. With the 1.0 ecoboost engine it’s cheap to run and tax but has great poke whe you need it.

This is a helpful website for comparing car sizes (including boot space):
https://www.automobiledimension.com/car-comparison.php

Honest John is a really great website to compare cars.

We have a golf and think it's the perfect size. Can fit a 16" bike and an out n about 360 in the boot, and admittedly not much else. Good size for two ERF seats

Nor me anymore! 😅

Good on your mum 🙌🏻

We have had 3 Honda Jazzes from new. They are dull on the outside but they are like the tardis on the inside, back seats fold flat, plenty of room front and back. Good for round town and longer trips with 2 kids. Not cheap but very well made and reliable, and contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be a retired person to own one 😁

Brilliant thank you 😊

How about going electric? The Volkswagen id3 is a great little car. It’s basically the vw golf for size comparison. Great mileage

I've recently gone from a fiat 500 which I absolutely loved and did not want to get rid of, but like you needed more boot space and 5 doors. I got a Kia ceed, they all have a 7 yr warranty and I was amazed how much just comes as standard. I miss my fiat but the Kia is more comfortable and practical so I'm growing to like it!

Golf's, focus and fiesta

A Volvo xc40 isn't huge either but really great car

I went slightly bigger and got a Hyundai i10, I've been really pleased with it so far (had the car about a year) still cheap to run but bigger boot and can put three people in the back if required.

If I could have afforded it I really liked the Toyota Yaris's as well.

I think you can't go wrong with Japanese/korean cars tbh.