The default family car is now an SUV. But the market is so crowded it can be tough to make head or tail of it. Large ones, small ones, five-seaters, seven-seaters, petrol, hybrid or electric – the choice can be overwhelming.
However, The Telegraph’s road-testers have tried them all; if you’re planning to buy a new family car in 2026, don’t do it until you’ve read this.
10. Skoda Elroq
The Elroq follows the template of most other Skoda family cars; a touch on the dull side, but incredibly well executed. Where it differs is the ride quality, which is a little more stiff than most of its stablemates’; the info-tainment system still isn’t fully sorted, either. But otherwise, the Elroq is well-rounded with a litany of intelligent touches and a roomy interior.
Pros: Roomy, well designed, smartly finished, neatly styled
Cons: Slightly stiff ride, fiddly infotainment, not that exciting to drive
Price from: £31,710
Our favourite version: SE L 85 (£37,060)
9. Volvo XC40
The XC40 is one of those cars that ages but doesn’t seem to date. That’s perhaps thanks to Volvo’s strategy of continual renewal; as a result, the XC40 is powered by an up-to-date range of electric and hybrid engines that keep it relevant.
High-quality dashboard plastics and a clear, easy-to-use touchscreen feature inside. It’s comfortable, too, while its boxy profile provides a roomy, square and very usable interior space.
Pros: Comfortable, classy, practical
Cons: Not cheap to buy, especially as an EV
Price from: £35,840
Our favourite version: B3 Plus (£38,590)
8. BMW X7
The X7 doesn’t stint from its vastness – its slabby styling almost makes a virtue of it, but see past the looks and you’ll discover that it’s endlessly practical and gloriously lavish.
From within, surrounded by lashings of leather, the X7 cocoons you so the miles glide by with sybaritic ease. Six others can enjoy the ride, too; even the rearmost row is large enough for adults to be comfortable. Of course, there’s a price to all this finery – but for those who can afford it, the X7 is the ultimate family hauler.
Pros: Effortless pace, comfort, space for seven
Cons: Absolutely enormous, tricky in tight spots, expensive
Price from: £93,160
Our favourite version: xDrive40d Excellence (£94,255)
7. Kia EV3
2025’s UK Car of the Year with good reason, the EV3 packs all of the good stuff Kia crams into its family cars into a sensibly sized electric SUV that won’t cost the earth.
Its only downside is a ride that’s a little stiff around town; otherwise the EV3 is a class act, with a light, airy interior that provides a good view out for kids in the back. Long ranges, generous equipment levels and a long warranty complete the picture.
Pros: Head-turning styling, slick touchscreen, loads of space
Cons: Jittery low-speed ride, some cheap interior plastics
Price from: £33,005
Our favourite version: 81kWh Air (£36,005)
6. Skoda Kodiaq
Talk to Kodiaq owners and it’s rare to find one who isn’t completely effusive about their car. This no-nonsense seven-seat SUV is ideal for families with a couple of kids, who want a pair of occasional seats in the back for play dates and days out with the grandparents.
It’s powered by tried-and-tested Volkswagen Group engines, rides pretty smoothly (if not perfectly) and feels far smarter than you’d expect inside, given the price. Other seven-seaters may offer more space and versatility – but the Kodiaq’s all-round talents means it deserves its place as one of Britain’s favourite seven-seaters.
Pros: Roomy, feels great inside, sensible “smart dials”, good range of engines
Cons: Occasionally lumpy ride, seating could be more flexible
Price from: £41,315
Our favourite version: 2.0 TDI SE L 7st (£44,950)
5. Hyundai Tucson
You’ll probably have noticed these odd-looking SUVs; family buyers adore them and it isn’t hard to see why. Inside, the Tucson feels surprisingly classy; it’s also roomy and while it’s hardly the last word in dynamic ability, it rides and handles ably.
More relevant is the five-year warranty, as is the ability to choose between petrol and two types of hybrid powertrain. It’s a car that can be whatever you want it to be – and with some tempting PCP deals, the Tucson’s popularity is easy to understand.
Pros: Classy interior, loads of room, choice of hybrid or pure petrol power
Cons: Feels a little sloppy when pushed hard, can be pricey in top-spec trims
Price from: £33,105
Our favourite version: 1.6T Premium (£35,605)
4. Dacia Bigster
An SUV with a huge boot, a frugal hybrid powertrain, loads of room for the kids and a pretty generous slug of equipment too – all for less than 30 grand?
That’s what you get with the Bigster. Granted, the usual Dacia caveats apply to the interior, which is built from some of the cheapest plastics we’ve seen. But you simply can’t argue with the value. If you need an SUV that’s big on space but low on price, nothing else comes close.
Pros: Extraordinary value, spacious, generous equipment, decent hybrid powertrain
Cons: Cheap-feeling interior, can be noisy at speed, not very exciting to drive
Price from: £25,215
Our favourite version: Hybrid Journey (£29,740)
3. Hyundai Kona Electric
The electric Kona is still one of our favourite EVs. That’s largely thanks to its no-nonsense nature, with a suspension set-up that favours comfort over dynamism, a dashboard layout with plenty of easy-to-use buttons rather than touchpads and an interior that offers a huge amount of space for such a compact SUV.
This is a family car that gets the substance right, rather than using frippery to distract you from fundamental failings in certain areas. As a result, it’s one of the best.
Pros: Easy-to-use dashboard layout, spacious interior, sensible electric range
Cons: A little dull to drive, not the cheapest EV to buy
Price from: £33,500
Our favourite version: Advance 65kWh (£33,500)
2. Hyundai Santa Fe
Smooth, quiet, comfortable and easy-going, the driving experience of the Santa Fe is a world away from the edgy exterior styling. It’s a pleasure when you aren’t in the driver’s seat, too, with a passenger compartment that majors on versatility, replete with neat touches such as USB sockets for all.
It isn’t exciting, but you probably won’t want or need it to be. The Santa Fe excels in hauling your brood without fuss; that’s why it’s our favourite seven-seat SUV of the moment.
Pros: Huge inside, versatile, practical, smartly finished, eye-catching exterior
Cons: Quite expensive, slightly ponderous in corners
Price from: £48,390
Our favourite version: Hybrid Premium (£49,090)
1. Kia Sportage
Deservedly one of Britain’s best-selling family cars, the Sportage just feels right – from the smart dashboard and comfortable driving position to ease of use. In the back, there’s a tonne of space for kids, while the seat can be adjusted in many ways to suit the various demands of passengers and luggage.
There’s a choice of petrol or hybrid powertrains and on the road the Sportage provides an excellent balance between crispness and comfort. And Kia’s seven-year warranty is the icing on the cake.
Pros: Roomy, smart, versatile, long warranty, practical, good to drive, choice of powertrains
Cons: No sliding rear seat, er… that’s about it.
Price from: £30,935
Our favourite version: 1.6T GT-Line (£33,435)
And the one to avoid...
GWM Haval Jolion Pro
At first glance, the Haval Jolion Pro appears to offer a Qashqai-sized SUV for less than the price of a base-spec Ford Puma. But don’t be fooled; the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
The woeful driving dynamics, unfathomable touchscreen, comically small boot and tacky interior mean you’ll soon wish you’d paid a bit more for… well, just about anything else.