Top 10 Best Family Cars To Buy This Spring (2022 Updated)

With SUVs covering more than 52% of all vehicle sales in Australia, the family favourite is clear. But in spring 2022, there are so many car choices, from SUVs to crossovers and electric vehicles to hybrids. So, what are the best family car options in Australia this spring?

What Are the Best Family Cars in Australia in Spring 2022?

Manufacturers are responding to buyer demands, offering everything you need to transport your family around.

1.   Citroen C5 X

Price: Between $52,000 - $60,000

Although the plug-in hybrid version is not yet available in Australia, the Citroen C5 X either has a 96kW 1.2-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder or a 134kW 1.6-litre turbo engine. As a medium-sized crossover, the Citroen C5 X is elegant and dynamic, with room for all your kids and their luggage.

2.   Mazda Cx-9

Price: Between $45,000 - $70,000

As far as family-friendly SUVs go, you can’t do much better than the Mazda Cx-9. It is a larger vehicle, with seven seats, and perfectly comfortable for growing families. The powerful turbo four-cylinder engine and six gears will get you anywhere you want to go. It’s a highly affordable and luxurious option.

3.   Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 

Price: Between $34,300 - $52,700

Smaller families might prefer the Toyota RAV4 as either a hybrid or petrol vehicle. The fifth generation of the RAV4 is highly affordable with additional features, practical elements, and plenty of space. The 2022 version has a new and refreshed model with a boosted infotainment system to keep the kids happy on longer journeys.

4.   Skoda Octavia

Price: between $24,000 - $47,000

The Skoda Octavia is an all-around family-friendly vehicle with competitive pricing, space, practicality, fuel efficiency, and advanced tech features. The Octavia is available as petrol, diesel, or hybrid and can travel up to 34 miles on electric power alone—meaning it’s highly cost-effective for short journeys. The Skoda hatchback has a 600-litre boot and ample space for passengers.

5.   Kia Sorento

Price: between $46,000 - $63,070

Kia has nine different SUV variants available. The new hybrid Sorento is family-friendly, with smart safety tech, small comfort touches, and vast space—up to 616 litres of boot space. It’s a very practical car with a generous amount of technology at an affordable price. Opt for the Sorento as a five or seven-seater.

6.   Subaru Outback

Price: between $39,990 - $49,790

The Subaru Outback is a family-friendly wagon perfect for venturing into the great outdoors. If you’re looking for a vehicle to take on holiday, the Subaru offers comfort, practicality, and safety features for a road trip. The safety technology suite includes autonomous emergency braking and steering. The boot is 522 litres, while the front and rear seats are very spacious.

7.   Skoda Kodiaq

Price: between $48,540 - $69,290

The Skoda Kodiaq is a seven-seater SUV new to Australia. With a reasonable starting price and generous amounts of safety equipment, the Kodiaq is a worthy contender.

The entry-level Koduiq comes with 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, two digital screens, adaptive cruise control, automatic boot, and rear tablet holders. The boot is 270 litres with the seven-seat configuration or an impressive 630 litres with five seats.

8.   Toyota Kluger Hybrid

Price: between $52,888 - $94,888

Toyota is Australia’s most loved car manufacturer for a reason. The Toyota Kluger Hybrid has more space than the RAV4.

The hybrid has excellent fuel economy, at 5.6L per 100km. Entry-level variants have alloy wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry, and an eight-inch infotainment system. Higher specs come with a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, and a leather finish.

9.   Hyundai Santa Fe

Price: between $33,900 - $65,200

The Hyundai Santa Fe uses the same model as the Kia Sorento. With optimal space and comfort, as well as a 782-litre boot, the Hyundai is ideally suited to large families. Many amenities, entertainment, and safety features are standard, so you don’t have to break the bank by adding extra trims. You can opt for diesel or petrol engines.

10.    Volkswagen Passat

Price: between $46,590 - $63,790

The VW Passat is a spacious, comfortable, and safe sedan. The Passat is equally suitable for larger families if you’re not interested in a large SUV. With smart interior packaging and an impressive amount of boot space, the Passat is exceptionally refined and comfortable. Starting at reasonable prices, the VW sedan is highly affordable.

Buying a Family Car: What to Look For?

We chose our top ten family cars based on suitability, comfort, pricing, and safety features. Are you unsure how to go about choosing the perfect family car? Here are a few questions to ask yourself.

• How many seats do you need? Count family members, friends, and pets to determine how many seats you would use regularly. Larger families might consider a car with seven, eight, or even nine seats.
• How often would you use seven seats? Not every nuclear family needs seven seats. If you only have one or two children, consider whether the extra seats are worth the added cost. Opting for a five-seater will provide more boot space.
• How much room do the seats need? If your kids are grown up, you might need roomier back seats. A lot of seven-seater cars have a relatively small third row.
• How often would you use the family car? Driving a large vehicle around town every day will have higher running costs. It might be worth the price if you only need your family car on weekends. Alternatively, a smaller car with features like parking sensors and cameras will be perfect for daily use.
• How much boot space do you need? Consider everything from school bags and sports equipment to prams or baby changing kits. A conventional hatchback might offer enough room but if you carry extensive luggage with you, consider an estate or SUV.
• What about extras? If you often have to take bikes, skis, or kayaks around (even just for holidays), you might need a bike or roof racks. While you can add roof bars to most vehicles, it’s worth thinking about before purchasing a car.
• What about the safety rating? The ANCAP rating indicates the level of safety the vehicle provides in a collision. A five-star rating is as safe as you can get. When buying a family car, you should definitely opt for the safest model available.
• What technical features do you need? Cars come with all sorts of fancy tech. From parking cameras to safety features and distractions for the kids, there are many additions to make the school run more enjoyable.
• Is it comfortable and convenient? Driving for hours at a time—or even many quick runs around town—requires comfort. Consider charging ports, cup holders, and seat climate control. Small aspects can make a big difference.
• How efficient is its fuel consumption? Petrol cars, hybrid, or electric vehicles all mean very different things when it comes to fuel consumption. A petrol car will obviously mean higher running costs but don’t assume a hybrid vehicle is automatically cheaper. Moreover, your usage will affect fuel consumption. Stop-start city driving means higher fuel usage.
• Should you opt for a hybrid or electric vehicle? Hybrid and electric vehicles are growing in popularity, but which is the better choice? Plug-in hybrid cars may be more practical for families. Electric vehicles are less expensive to refuel, but how many charging points are near you?
• How will you finance your new family car? Family cars aren’t cheap. Buying the latest vehicle might cost more than purchasing a used car. Consider your financing options and speak to a car loan broker about potential loan products.

Do Your Research

Curating a list of questions and reading about the top ten family cars for spring 2022 will help narrow the search, but you need to do your own research.

Look at reviews for your preferred car, book a test drive, and ask friends or family for recommendations. Make sure you take your family on your test drive to ensure it is comfortable for everyone. Consider the options—is a hybrid better than petrol or electric powered? Do you need an SUV, or will a wagon or sedan do the job?

A family car is a significant investment. Shopping around to find the right vehicle is vital.

New Cars to Watch Out For Spring 2022

Did none of the above cars catch your eye? With manufacturers desperate to attract families, there are many more options. Here are a few vehicles to watch out for in spring 2022:

• Cupra Ateca
• Cupra Formentor
• Genesis GV60
• Honda HR-V
• Kia Niro
• Mahindra XUV700
• Mazda CX-5
• Mercedes-Benz EQB
• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
• Nissan Pathfinder
• Suzuki S-Cross
• Tesla Model Y
• Toyota Corolla Cross
• Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
• Volvo C40

Financing Your New Family Car

Buying a new family car is exciting but also expensive. Spending $30,000 plus on a vehicle can hurt many families financially. Have you considered financing with a car loan? With competitive interest rates and additional loan features, buying your car on finance is easy and stress-free.