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As a new parent, you will likely be making changes to your life to help you better accommodate your new child.
This may mean that you make alterations to your home to make it safer, get additional equipment to help care for your child, and critically, update your car to suit your new circumstances.
The car you’ve been using so far may not be the best option for a baby or young child, as it could lack some features that make it one of the best cars for new parents.
Thankfully there are plenty of great options available, either new or used, that can better accommodate a young family. Here at Car Adviser, we look at some of the best cars for new parents and what makes them so much better than other options on the market in 2024.
These are the top 10 best cars for new parents that you can buy in 2024 according to our team:
Not all cars will suit every lifestyle, meaning that as a new parent, you will have to opt for a vehicle that suits your unique situation.
There are many factors you will have to consider when getting a car and specific requirements your new vehicle will need to have for it to be suitable.
As a new parent, one of the main things you’ll have to prioritise is space in terms of passenger room and storage options.
As a parent, you’ll likely have to carry a lot of additional equipment when taking your child out on trips, such as prams, cradles, and more.
This means that it’s best to get a larger vehicle with ample boot space for you to store these items, such as MPVs, SUVs, and potentially even 4x4s. That said, some hatchbacks can also offer enough space too.
When getting a new car as a parent, you’ll need one with excellent passenger space to fit a child’s car seat into it easily. Having this space will be great for when that child grows over the years.
Another feature that will suit new parents is safety. If the worst were to happen, you’d want to ensure that you’re driving a car with top-of-the-range safety features. This includes passenger and side-door airbags, but also be on the lookout for vehicles with antilock brakes, lane departure warnings, and blind spot warnings.
One final important factor is that you want your car to be reliable and last a reasonably long time. This is because as your new child ages, you’ll want the vehicle you get now to be suitable for when they’re a toddler and then a younger child. So, when buying a car as a new parent, you want to get one that’s fit for purpose for the present and future.
If getting a new car, try to get one with a lengthy warranty. A great option in this respect is Kia, which offers a seven-year warranty. This means that any issues will be fixed by the manufacturer, ensuring that the car lasts a long time.
When looking for a car that can suit you as a new parent, these are the things you should consider and prioritise. The following car options are models that should excel in all of these factors, making them some of the best cars for new parents in 2024.
Despite not being the biggest car in the world, the Ford Focus still gives you plenty of enough space for a small family with a single child. It excels on shorter trips and darting around town, yet it is still comfortable enough for longer distances.
The Ford Focus is a great hatchback option because of its excellent handling, making it a much better option than some of its competitors. Its agility can give you confidence when driving it, and it also has many good safety features.
Child seat mounts come with the car as standard, and the rear doors have a tall and wide opening, making it reasonably straightforward to get kids in and out.
The boot could be a little bigger, but it offers a nice size compared to other hatchbacks. It’s also a pretty cheap car and is easy to grab off the second-hand market, making it a favourite for bargain-hunting new parents.
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The Skoda Octavia is versatile as it blends practicality, refinement, and affordability. Although it doesn’t excel in any aspect, it’s a jack of all trades and should make a very competitive option as a family car.
It’s got a reasonably long, saloon-style body, which can help make the car feel more spacious, but the downside is that it can make driving a bit more challenging, especially when parking.
All versions of the Octavia come with fantastic engines, allowing for a smooth and comfortable ride, while the suspension is also great, limiting any bumps. It’s also got excellent fuel economy, which is a big plus for a family car.
The Octavia is a bit old, with the model coming out in 2013, meaning that some safety features aren’t included as standard. If you’re getting the more modern version, this shouldn’t be an issue, and all versions will include reversing cameras.
The boot room is where this car shines, as you can easily fit prams and other items without needing to fold the seats down.
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One of the biggest things that the Kia Sportage has going for it is that it’s a cheap SUV option that comes with a fantastic seven-year warranty. With a price point coming in at around the same amount as a Ford Focus (when both are bought new), it represents great value.
The car is a very reliable option and will be a model that lasts you a very long time. Its size also makes it great for a newborn as well as toddlers and fully grown children, meaning it can be a long-term family car.
The ride is fairly smooth and has comfortably cushioned seats, although it can be boring to drive as it lacks dynamic handling. It’s got a large boot, which becomes massive when you fold down the rear seats and is a vehicle that will be a great option for now and the long term.
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If the Ford Focus is too small for you, you can opt to get their Sporty SUV instead. Its strengths are all about the extra space the car offers you, yet it’s also a car with superb driving performance, which can be a massive plus for new parents who don’t want their drives to feel tedious.
The Kuga has a good amount of boot space, although it’s still lacking compared to other crossover SUVs of the same size. The shape is good, though, making loading easy and simple.
The Kuga comes as a diesel or petrol option, although both are not as efficient as some other models. The petrol version is great for shorter trips, but you may want to buy a diesel if you’re going to be making longer trips.
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The Honda HR-V is another great option if the size is your main priority when getting a family car. The HR-V is much larger than its rivals of a comparable price point, and it is also an entertaining and reliable car to drive, as it handles well for its size.
The HR-V isn’t very powerful, though, as the engines are a bit weak and struggle to accelerate the car with much pace. It also has a critically panned infotainment system, which can be offputting if you’re looking for quality finer details.
Based on the Honda Jazz, the car is reliable and should last a long time. It also has a good-sized boot and comes with Isofix mounts to allow you to fit a child seat easily.
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The Dacia Jogger is a monster of a car. Coming with seven seats, the SUV is an excellent option if you’re planning on having a few children or anticipate ferrying around a lot of family or friends. The rear seats are spacious and provide ample room for children and adults.
The Jogger has a massive amount of cargo space, making it capable of easily carrying all sorts of equipment. The car also has meagre running costs and can be bought new for a relatively low price. In fact, Dacia is known as being one of the most budget-friendly options on the market.
For some, the Jogger is an ugly car with basic interior trimmings. It’s a functional car, and it doesn’t offer much in terms of performance, but it’s still a sensible option. That said, all models come with rear parking sensors and cruise control, and it is still one of the best cars for new parents available.
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The Tucson is a great, premium option among the overcrowded mind-size SUV market. The car is spacious without being massive, making it reasonably easy to control and manoeuvre, especially compared to other models.
The car looks brilliant from the outside, a nice bonus for those wanting to cruise with their child in style. It offers good boot space that should be suitable, and its seats have a good amount of leg room and head height, making it a good car for your child to grow into.
It also has some good safety features, such as forward collision-avoidance assistance and parking sensors. The issue with the Tucson is that it’s not the cheapest, meaning it can be out of people’s budget who can’t afford a premium car.
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The Kia Nero is a very practical car, offering a good amount of space while being simple and easy to drive. The car also comes with plenty of great technology when getting modern versions, making it an exciting car to drive.
The boot is one of the smallest on the list, offering only 451 litres of room, but it compensates for this by providing a lot of legroom.
The Niro also comes with an electric version, the Niro EV. This can be a good option for the future and offers 285 miles per full charge. It’s also a car that charges rapidly within 45 minutes, meaning that it is still a practical option even as an electric vehicle.
Whether you get an electric car or a traditional fuel option, it’s still economical compared to other cars, which can help you save money on running costs.
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The Citroen C5 X is an excellent option if you’re looking for a family car that goes against the norm. Taking in elements from standard saloons, estate, and SUV cars, it combines them all to create a vehicle that’s well-suited for new parents.
It’s got a good amount of space while still being agile and trim on the road and represents a good option for families looking for a vehicle suited to city driving. It has a great suspension, helping it provide a smooth ride that keeps everyone comfortable.
Its saloon-inspired body does mean that the roof lowers towards the back of the rear seats, which could be an issue for adult passengers, but for a new family, this is a manageable problem.
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Not to be confused with Citroen’s similarly named C5 X, the CX-5 from Mazda is a great option for parents wanting something a bit stylish. It’s got great looks and has a quality feel to its build, making it a reliable and rugged car that should last for a fairly long time.
The CX-5 has many great safety and entertainment features, making it well-suited for families. It’s only offered as a petrol or diesel option, meaning there’s no hybrid option, but it’s still economical and shouldn’t cost you a great deal on refuelling.
It has a decent boot size that can fit equipment and clutter and has a mid-range price point which most budgets should be able to afford.
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If you're having your first child, you don't need to jump in and get a massive, seven-seater SUV, especially if you're only planning to have one child. A five-seater car will typically be large enough for a small family and should give you ample space for your child to sit comfortably.
Of course, if you need a larger capacity, or see yourself transporting lots of people regularly, then a seven-seater car may be a better option. Just be aware that some rear seats may only be large enough for small children, and teenagers can start to get cramped right at the back with some models.
That means if you're looking for a large family car to last a long time, get one that provides enough space for fully grown children.
Certain types of cars are going to be best suited for new parents. As a general rule of thumb, larger vehicles that offer more space and storage room will best suit new parents and families, as it will ensure that all the passengers are comfortable and that there are plenty of storage options.
SUVs and MPVs are some of the best options, but if you want something a tad easier to drive, you can also opt for mini-SUVs and even larger hatchbacks.
For your child to be safe and comfortable in the car, you must have a child seat that can fit into the car. If a child passenger is not in a car seat, you can be fined £60 and lose three points off your license.
Your child can only progress out of a car seat once they've reached 12 years of age or if they've grown to be larger than 135 centimetres tall. As a result, it's a good idea to invest in a car seat when your child arrives that it can be used throughout the years.
Many factors make a certain car perfect for new parents, and these should be characteristics that you look for when getting a new car in this situation.
In addition to the car being safe to drive and spacious enough, you should also consider whether the vehicle will be easy to clean.
Children are messy, so try to get a car with easy-to-clean trimmings. It may also be a good idea to get a seat gap cover so that mess isn't lost between the gaps between the seats.
A car with great fuel economy also makes a perfect family car, as it will ensure that it is cheaper to run and operate, helping you to put your money towards raising your child.
Plus, if your car has any inbuilt entertainment technology for rear seat passengers, such as TV screens, that can be great for keeping the child entertained and happy when on longer drivers.
Certain types of cars or features that you should avoid when getting a car as a new parent, as some options will not be suitable for your circumstances. To start with, avoiding smaller cars is a good idea, as you may need more space when you have a child.
It's a good idea to disregard vehicles that compromise on practicality for performance, too. For example, two-door coupes and convertibles are cars you want to avoid for obvious reasons.
Some estate cars may also not be suitable for a family because of their lower roofs, especially at the car's rear. This lower ceiling can make things feel cramped and make loading your child into the car a bit harder.
You'll also want to avoid cars that produce a high level of engine noise or vehicles that struggle to keep out road sound very well. You don't want to make things more uncomfortable for your child, so trying to get a quiet car will be a good option.
The amount you should spend on your family car will depend on your budget and priorities. If you intend for the car to be a vehicle that lasts with you for a long time, pay more for a modern, new vehicle to ensure that it has no wear and tear. If you want a vehicle with many extra features, you may have to consider paying more.
That said, it's possible to get a suitable family car on a budget by buying a car from the second-hand market or by getting a car with fewer premium specifications. This can be a good option if you want to instead concentrate your funds on baby products and items that will be used to raise your child.
The prices for family cars can vary drastically between different manufacturers and models. Other factors, such as the car's age and if it's being bought second-hand, can also influence the price.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-range electric SUV, then be prepared to have to spend up to £50,000. If you want something a bit cheaper while still buying new, there are still plenty of great options for around £25,000.
To get the best value, there are used cars that can be a good option, with many good ones being available for well under £10,000.
A whole load of features makes certain cars great in terms of their safety. You should be on the lookout for these features when buying a car as a new parent, as these will ensure that you and your entire family will be protected from accidents.
Some of the top features that make a car safe include:
Buying a car suitable for new parents from the second-hand market is always an option and can make great financial sense due to the reduced price you'll get compared to getting a new car.
You don't have to settle for super old models when buying second-hand, as there's a large market for cars under three years old, allowing you to get a vehicle with modern features for a low price.
The downside of buying second-hand is that you may have less time with the manufacturer's warranty, and your car will have some potential wear and tear. That said, if you inspect it thoroughly and make sure there are no issues before you buy it, there's no reason why you can't get one of the best cars for a new parent from the second-hand car market.