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 :)

Sounds like you need an estate car OP, I have extremely fond memories of my old VW Passat estate. Have a look at the Skoda Octavia- such a good car with excellent boot space and a fab drive - mine was the one litre engine and was very economical. We even slept in the boot when our tent ripped whilst camping. Or if you can go for the Volvo V60 or V90. SUVs look good but they are no where near as practical or have the boot space of an estate

Love estates but they are a bitch to park.

Our golf and Corolla are fine - all round sensors and/or reversing camera. The golf can park itself but we've never needed to use that.

Qashqai is the worst car I ever owned .

We have a Ford Kuga good boot space dafe reliable and keeps it's value it's lovely to drive

Stay away from SUV and crossovers they are all marketing nonsense. As others have suggested have a look at an estate e.g the Skoda Octavia or Superb. Roomy, safe, reliable with cavernous boots and safer for other road users.

We have a discovery, huge amount of space and great to drive.

There is a very good reason why it seems like every 3rd car is a Tiguan. Best car we've ever had. Would buy another in a heartbeat.

Not cool, and now discontinued but out S-max has taken us from our 3 DC simultaneously in baby seats through to university load carrier, via multiple European road trips and ferrying car-loads of kids to camps and sports matches, furniture, bikes etc. The rear seats are ok for kids, small adults in a pinch, and all the seats take seconds to fold up and down. The boot is immense and square-ish so swallows everything.

MPVs are so much better family cars than SUVs. You can still get a VW Touran which is a great car. Seven seats and a huge boot.

But manufacturer profit margins are bigger for heavier bulkier SUVs so really push them on the public through marketing. It's a real shame. Thankfully there is still a decent choice of estates around. Volvo even brought back the V60 and V90.

I found the problem with the Qashqui was not the space inside but the size of the engine. It's poor compared to the weight of the car and you can't pull off at junctions very fast. I had mine for 3 years and swapped it for a Honda CRV.

She said reliable 😂

I hate our QashQui and can’t wait to change it. For me it’s the blind spots when you are driving with the front screen and reversing. I never feel I can see out of it properly.

I’d be avoiding the crossover type cars if you’re looking for space.

We have a recent model Renault Megane Estate that fits the bill for everything you’ve asked for. We love it, would recommend (or another, similar type estate).

Skoda. Reliable at a good price. Really spacious so great when you have kids.
Strong solid cars.
A really practical choice and they should have something that suits.

Hi OP, my Qashqai is the 'older' 2013 model so not sure how helpful this is, but for what it's worth...

Boot space has been fine for us, we have two young children and travel to family frequently so needed to take all the things like travel cots and potties etc as well as bags. We've always managed to fit everything.

For me a couple of mod cons were important so I really value heated front seats, speed limiter and the electronic sunroof.

It is a little more cramped in the back than I'd like (if an adult ever goes in the back middle they either need to be 8st or 5ft tall, otherwise it's a delightful squeeze!)

I do love that road tax is only £35. My previous car was £185 a year so I've definitely noticed that difference.

I have to say if money were no object my heart was set on a Tiguan, but my Qashqai is a comfortable run around and I'm very fond of it despite it's imperfections. No car is perfect is my thinking!

Had a Qashqai for 6 years, started out well but I also have a new model Micra and the faults between them are not good. We were starting to spend a lot putting them right. We've just swapped to a Kia Sportage Hybrid and love it! It drives so smoothly, it's features are great and 7 year warranty

I test drove the Nissian QQ and Volvo but went for the Seat ateca in the end.

Great for city driving, parking, motorway miles.

Hyundai Tucson

Huge boot and room for 3 adult sized teens in the back. We are on our third. Just because DH likes to keep updating rather than anything gone wrong