The ultimate family car (Nissan Qashqai or other suggestions?)

[nmhermione]

Hi,

We're looking to upgrade our loyal and faithful Ford Fiesta to a bigger car, now that our toddler is getting bigger and we might at some point consider having a second child. We're looking for the ultimate family car, if there is such a thing! We love road trips and we often drive to other countries, so we need as much space as possible for suitcases and still be comfortable as a family of 3 (at some point 4).

I've been told Nissan Qashqai is THE mum car, and I've driven one and loved it, but I want to look at other options and recommendations before we make such a big decision.

Here's what's very important to us:

• safety
• big (especially boot size)
• handy features that make life easier with kids in the backseat (cruise control, parking sensors, satnav, etc.)
• reliability (also as a secondhand purchase)
• easy to repair/get parts for
• roof rack is a bonus

What's less important or we're willing to compromise on:

• wow factor and overall looks
• price (preferably not too high but we’re willing to pay more if it means we’ll have more things on our important list)
• resale value (we’ll likely use it for a long time, until the upkeep costs us more than a new one)
• cost of ownership / running costs (again, preferably not too pricey, but other factors are more important)

Please let me know if you have a car you can recommend!

Thanks :)

Skoda Octavia or Superb estate. No need to get an SUV although they're all the rage these days. They're big on the outside but actually don't tend to have much room on the inside. If you're only planning to be a family of 4 you really don't need a giant car.

A friend has a Dacia Duster and raves about it for the money. And considering the number of problems another friend with an Audi has had in its first year, the Duster has been trouble-free. The interior is a bit dated, but it's a lot of car for not much. I had one of their estates models as a loan car a while ago, and whilst it was a little plasticky inside it drove well and barely sipped fuel at motorway speeds.

I love my Tiguan. Loads of space in the back, tows a one-horse trailer, roof bars, easy to park.

I had a Ford Galaxy for years, and absolutely loved it.
Loads of space inside, huge boot, or you can use the extra seats and have 7 seats for the odd time you might need them.
Not too expensive to run, and with it being a Ford, parts etc are easily available.
I always felt very safe in it, and it was so comfortable, I always felt like I was driving from my sofa 🤣

Love my Audi Q7, v6 diesel but still gets late 30s mpg, goes brilliant, mega comfy and massive. Not cheap but awesome car.
Kia gets a lot of praise.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder 🤣 I did get mistaken for a taxi a couple of times though…🤣

Team Skoda here. Karoq or a Kamiq.

I agree. We have a Honda H-RV and Jazz Crosstar Hybrids and they are both adequate in terms of internal room, space and tech. Left to choosing only 1, we’d happy choose either of these for our family of 4. My Crosstar is ridiculously good for fuel it’s bewildering at this point how infrequent I need to fill it. But you can’t beat Japanese cars tbh

I test drove both of these and didn't find them roomy at all once I'd put in car seats and the buggy in the boot etc, all the SUVs were much better.

I've got a Citroen Grand Picasso which I love, but next time I'd get one with a sliding door.

I agree, we have the peugeot 5008, 2 dc with additional needs and a giant 1 year old labrador retriever, the boot is soo spacious, we upgraded from a zafira.
We found we can do more miles than the old car and the specs are on point

I have a dacia duster at the moment and love it. Big enough boot to get sons wheelchair in without having to fold it all down.

Looking to move to Motability car shortly so thinking about something else. Maybe sportage. Ex has skoda octavia and its great too.

Skoda Kodiaq, or VW Tiguan if you’re feeling flush and like a badge. The newer Volvo SUVs are great to drive (XC40 compact but actually quite spacious, obviously larger ones even more so) but terrible MPG on petrol models.

Qashquai awful for car seats. Wouldn’t touch one with a barge pole for that reason.

(This is assuming you want an SUV - personally I love my Volvo estate)

We’ve had 2 c4 picassos - first one died through no fault of its own and we loved it so got another. It is MASSIVE without being a van. 3 car seats across the middle easily, all those 3 seats move independently, and a massive boot. The 2 optional seats in the boot aren’t big enough for an adult really but my 9 year old is comfortable back there. Not much room for a pushchair if those are up so it’s either seats or boot really. Although can have 1 seat up and space for pushchair/suitcase etc next to boot seat.
We’ve driven to Europe in it and 3 kids, perfectly comfortable journey.

Qashqai's are terrible if you plan to do extended rear facing, there's just not enough space for front leg room. For such a big footprint the internal space is crap. We upgraded to a Ford galaxy and love it for space and practicality. It's never going to win any style awards but we love it for function gutted they stopped making them tbh as ours is getting on now.

I have a QQ and it's been a great car (2 car seats, camping, dog) but it is smaller than it looks, I use a roof box for holidays for example. My dad has a T-Roc and I prefer his car (he got his after I got my QQ). I've had the QQ for years and am currently eyeing up either Volvo xc40, Audi Q3 or VW Tiguan when I replace it.

Safety's at the top of your list - Volvo estate.

Would consider other estates too and not SUVs if you'd safety conscious

Volvo XC60. Best car in the world.

I've an older (15 years) Qashqai and I do like it but the boot space isn't massive. It's good but not as big as other cars I've had. I had a Zafira before that which I adored (boot space, power, room, easy to drive and park) until the repairs were happening monthly and it ended up a financial drain. My all time fave was the Peugeot 5008. 7 seater for a bigger family. It's a dream to drive, decent on fuel, massive boot space like the Zafira and so much leg room and interior space.

Me too! Always had VW before but the Karoq is fabulous

Currently have a qashqai with two kids and a dog but it's too small now we have the dog! Watching with interest as can't decide between a Skoda/volvo/vw estate or an SUV style Kodiaq/Sorrento/5008.

I really love my Skoda Karoq. Just driven abroad in it. Super comfy and has all the features you listed plus it's automatic so good in traffic. Big boot and little trays in the back that fold down with cup holders so good for kids. Has been really reliable in the time I've had it too.

My mum has this and I've driven it extensively but I actually prefer my Karoq 🫣 it's nicer to drive and a lot roomier in the front. But I am tall and need the headroom. The Volvo is really cramped in comparison.

The t roc is great.

Personally I hate great big cars. We had a polo when the kids were small then a Citroën c3 Picasso (actually brilliant) then a t cross.

Volvo XC90. We have a diesel 7 seater and it is the best car we’ve ever had (car before was a Skoda kodiac … the Volvo is far superior for me having driven both!). Loads more space, more comfortable, easier (and more fun!) to drive, I think the safety is more impressive (but DH did that research, not me) and I find it really fuel efficient… love it!