Used Car Buyer’s Guide: Economical Family Cars

Economy is an important thing for most drivers to consider when buying a new car, but it’s perhaps more important for those who are starting a family.

With the extra costs that come from having children, any way in which you can save some extra pennies is worth considering and with that in mind, we’ve chosen some of the most economical options on the used market that you may want to consider…

Cupra Formentor PHEV

There are few family cars on sale that are as good looking as the Cupra Formentor, which offers sharper design than many compact SUVs on the market with a more rakish and lower profile. 

The first generation Formentor can manage around 35 miles of all-electric motoring which means the you’ll be able to do the daily school run without needing to worry about using the 1.4 litre petrol engine.

The face-lifted version comes with a bigger battery and can do more than 70 miles of all electric running, and also has a slightly larger 1.5 litre petrol engine which means more performance but equally low running costs.

The Formentor offers an engaging driving experience and has plenty of interior space so it’s also hugely practical for those with children and a fantastic option on the used car market.

Ford Puma 

Britain loves the Ford Puma – as seen by the fact that the SUV is the most popular new car currently on sale. In turn, that means there are plenty of used options available, which includes both mild hybrid and electric options.

The mild hybrid provides impressive levels of performance with more than 40mpg and low running costs, whilst the Puma Gen-E is good for maximum range of up to 230 miles depending on trim level. In short, it scores well for real-world ecomony.

Both versions of the Puma are well suited to family life, with a decent sized boot, plenty of interior space and relatively low running costs.

The Puma is known to be one of the best cars in its class when it comes to the experience behind the wheel, with its compact size being well suited to city life but the chassis also meaning it’s at home on the open road.

Kia Niro

The Kia Niro was first introduced in 2016 offering a choice of mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains and the same is true of second generation model that has been on the road since early 2022.

That means every version of the Niro provides strong levels of economy, with the mild hybrid good for more than 50mpg and able to complete limited running at low speeds on full electric. The PHEV will manage around 40 miles solely on electric whilst the full EV has a maximum range of around 285 miles.

In short, whichever version you choose, it will be more than capable of dealing with the needs of a family.

Inside there is plenty of space across the cabin with a number of different storage options, whilst the boot provides up to 451 litres of space with the rear seats in place – although is reduced on the full-EV given the positioning of the batteries.

The stylish SUV also comes with a seven-year warranty from new, which means there are plenty of used options that retain an element of that warranty.

Skoda Octavia PHEV

We’ve mentioned more than once how good the Skoda Octavia is as a family car, which is a reflection of how popular it is within the ever-growing Skoda range.

The Octavia provides a huge amount of space for families both in the main cabin and also in the boot, with diesel variants having previously proven to be popular thanks to the fact they provide such strong MPG figures.

However, those who are looking to be more sustainable with their motoring needs can also benefit from the Octavia hybrid, which is offered both as a hatchback and an estate.

The plug-in hybrid can manage more than 40 miles on a full charge which keeps petrol usage to a minimum in urban environments and is more than a match for those diesels, which helps to keep running costs low.

Ok so the boot is slightly smaller than in the regular petrol or diesel powered Octavia but it is still bigger than many of its rivals, which makes a strong family package even more appealing.

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius was launched in the late 1990s as the first mass-produced hybrid car, with the newest version – the fifth generation – being launched in 2023.

However the car, now a plug-in hybrid, was destined not to make it to the UK as people moved towards SUVs before Toyota elected to reverse its decision. And it’s a good job they did…

The ‘new’ Prius is the most attractive version of the car by far with a design that allows it to stand out from the crowd thanks it more coupe-like design. 

At times, the driving experience is more like being at the wheel of an EV than a hybrid, with Toyota’s expertise meaning this is a car that will provide better MPG than a lot of its rivals, whilst the handling is on point and the list of included technology is best described as expansive.

The interior of the Prius is a nice place to be with plenty of space although if there is a downside, it’s that the stylish design does mean the boot could be larger. 

That shouldn’t detract from the fact that the Prius is now more desirable than ever and worth more than a passing glance if you are looking for an economical family car.