Family-Friendly Features To Look For When Buying Your Next Car

Raising a family is one of the most rewarding experiences that you can have in life. Regardless of how you fill your days when you’re busy at work, it’s undoubtedly the people you come home to who matter more than all the endless hustle and bustle of life. And although raising kids can be nerve-wracking, nail-biting and hair-raising at the worst of times, the cuddles, smiles, kisses, and fun times make it all worthwhile. 

A family car, such as the Kia Sportage, is a necessary purchase, as you’ll rely on it for all your daily tasks and errands. From dropping the kids at school to sports practice, music lessons and swimming – you need to be able to get around quickly, and ideally also in comfort and style.

In this helpful article, we’ll discuss what family-friendly features to look for when buying your next set of wheels. Read on for a comprehensive breakdown of the best family-friendly features to look for when buying your next family car.

Size Doesn’t Matter, But Space Does

Even if you’re not a fan of monstrous SUVs or boxy station wagons, there’s no denying that one of the most important aspects of a family car is its space, and we’re not just talking about storage space but also cabin space and passenger legroom too. Why is this important, you ask? Well, try a four-hour road trip in a cramped, small car. It’s no fun for anyone.

Ideally, a family car should offer room to move. Look for an ample boot space that can fit everything the family needs to carry around from place to place, and ensure that your car’s storage space is well-organised for easy storage when on the go. Think of school bags, sports bags, groceries, and all the other miscellaneous items that you inevitably need to carry around each day as you juggle family life.

As well as boot space, cabin space is naturally equally important. The kids are less likely to bicker and quarrel if they have some leg room to themselves, and it’s important that mum and dad feel cozy and comfortable in their front seats too!

Safety First

The next feature to keep in mind when shopping for your next family car is the vehicle’s safety rating and safety features. Ideally, you’ll want the highest safety rating possible for your next vehicular purchase. This will give you peace of mind that your family will be protected in the unlikely event of a collision. 

Alongside this, it’s imperative that you look for the safety features that come as stock standards with each car on your shortlist. Ideally, the automobiles you select should all have ABS braking systems, airbags, lane drift detection, and parking cameras. 

Bang for Buck – Fuel Consumption and Economy

Aside from the purchase price and insurance, fuel is usually the most expensive element of owning a motor vehicle. Filling up can hit the hip pocket pretty hard, especially if a car has poor fuel economy. 

Fuel economy is basically a rating of how much fuel your vehicle consumes per 100 kilometres or miles. Ideally, a low consumption per this distance is ideal for a family car. After all, how many other expenses do you have? Probably a fair few, and saving money at the pump means that the saved dollars go right back into the family’s weekly budget. 

Look for vehicles with decent fuel economy and pay attention to the manufacturers’ claims, but also be sure to do your own independent research online past unearthing this knowledge too. Often internet message boards or platforms like Reddit will have anecdotal evidence of fuel consumption for the make and model you are considering purchasing. All savvy spenders know that the power of anecdotal evidence must never be underestimated.

You can get all your facts in order by making a spreadsheet of all the different models you’re considering. This spreadsheet can also be used to see how all of your shortlisted models rate against each other in terms of stated and reported fuel consumption. 

A Car Choosing Conclusion

In this handy article, we’ve shared three family-friendly features to keep in mind when buying your next car. Space is essential for families – especially boot space and cabin space. Safety is the next big thing to consider, followed by fuel economy.

There are more things to consider, of course, but these are the top three and will form the foundation of your buying experience. Keep these features in mind, and you’ll be able to pick the perfect vehicle for your family’s needs.