The best cars for family holidays – as rated by owners
Car changing is a big deal
We think these are the best cars for family holidays – but do the people who own them agree? Here’s how our 10 picks rated in this year’s Driver Power survey.
Whether you’re heading to the coast, the countryside or a family attraction this summer, the right car can make all the difference. It needs to be spacious enough for passengers and luggage, comfortable over long distances, and economical to run.
We’ve picked 10 of the best cars for family holidays, then checked how they scored for owner satisfaction in this year’s Driver Power survey to see if the people who drive them every day agree.
Driver Power is the UK’s biggest new car ownership survey, providing valuable insights into what matters most to owners. For this, we’ve looked at how each car scored for practicality, reliability, comfort, child-friendliness and running costs.
Here are our top 10 family holiday cars ranked in Driver Power. Click to find out how owners rated them:
- Tesla Model 3
- Vauxhall Grandland
- Vauxhall Frontera
- Hyundai Tucson
- Tesla Model Y
- BMW 5 Series
- Volvo XC40
- MG HS
- Ford Puma
- Peugeot 5008
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
1. Tesla Model 3
Overall Driver Power score: 88.55%
Practicality and boot space: 86%
Economy and running costs: 84.04%
Quality and reliability: 90.54%
Front seat comfort: 88.03%
Child-friendly features: 85.33%
First up is the Tesla Model 3, which was crowned the top car in Driver Power 2026 and gives drivers up to 323 miles of range on a single charge. Owners praised its practicality and generous boot space, while it ranked first in the survey for quality and reliability, making it a strong choice for long-distance journeys.
With its comfortable front seats and low running costs, these strengths also make it well suited to family holidays, with ample luggage space and comfort for longer trips. While its child-friendly features didn’t score quite as highly as its other attributes, owners still rated them positively overall.
One owner said the Model 3 is easy to charge, maintain and drive, with low maintenance costs, while another praised its entertainment system and comfortable seats. Together, these comments suggest the Model 3 is well suited to family journeys, offering a comfortable cabin and entertainment features that keep passengers occupied on longer trips.
2. Vauxhall Grandland
Overall Driver Power score: 87.77%
Practicality and boot space: 88.55%
Economy and running costs: 84.20%
Quality and reliability: 89.29%
Front seat comfort: 88.83%
Child-friendly features: 89.67%
Next up, we have the Vauxhall Grandland. This spacious SUV impressed owners with its practicality, generous boot space and low running costs, while also earning high marks for quality, reliability and front-seat comfort. Its electric version also has up to 325 miles on a single charge, which is more than plenty for road trips.
Its strong performance for child-friendly features also makes it well suited to family holidays. The combination of a roomy boot and spacious interior means there’s plenty of space for luggage and everyday essentials, while the comfortable cabin can help make longer journeys more manageable for both drivers and passengers.
Owners also praised the Grandland’s everyday usability. One highlighted its generous boot space, while another described it as “just so easy to drive”. We used a Grandland as a family car for six months in 2025 and found it really roomy and comfortable.
3. Vauxhall Frontera
Overall Driver Power score: 86.86%
Practicality and boot space: 87.88%
Economy and running costs: 83.21%
Quality and reliability: 84.21%
Front seat comfort: 91.96%
Child-friendly features: 87.90%
Rounding off our podium is another Vauxhall. While it’s compact and affordable, it’s impressively versatile, with the option of seven seats if you occasionally need to carry extra passengers. For most family holidays, though, we think it’s best as a five-seater, leaving plenty of room for luggage, pushchairs or sports equipment.
Owner feedback suggests it ticks many of the boxes that matter to families. Drivers rate it highly for practicality and boot space, while front-seat comfort is another standout area – a welcome bonus for long motorway journeys. Owners also gave it strong marks for its child-friendly features, as well as its overall quality and reliability, making it a reassuring choice for family adventures.
If regular road trips are on the calendar, we’d recommend the petrol hybrid over the electric version. It offers the convenience of quick refuelling and greater flexibility on longer journeys, making it better suited to family holidays where covering long distances is often part of the plan.
4. Hyundai Tucson
Overall Driver Power score: 86.18%
Practicality and boot space: 88.46%
Economy and running costs: 76.51%
Quality and reliability: 87.91%
Front seat comfort: 90.77%
Child-friendly features: 89.67%
Owners tell us the Tucson has many of the qualities that make a great family holiday car. In the Driver Power survey, it scored strongly for practicality and boot space, front-seat comfort, child-friendly features, and quality and reliability, confirming it’s well equipped for carrying passengers, luggage and everything a family holiday requires.
Owner comments reinforce that impression. One described the Tucson as “spacious”, while another praised its “good fuel economy for its size”, adding that it comes from a “trustworthy reliable brand” and is “smooth and pleasant to drive”. Taken together, the feedback shows the Tucson offers the comfort, space and efficiency that many families value for longer journeys.
5. Tesla Model Y
Overall Driver Power score: 86.11%
Practicality and boot space: 87.71%
Economy and running costs: 81.25%
Quality and reliability: 87.82%
Front seat comfort: 88.66%
Child-friendly features: 84.87%
In the Driver Power survey, many Tesla Model Y drivers told us their car is well suited to family holidays. Among the reasons they give are its ease of driving, perceived reliability and suitability for longer journeys thanks to its decent range of up to 314 miles. One owner described it as “a really reliable car, and easy to drive”.
Long-distance travel is another recurring theme in owner comments. Some drivers highlight the availability of Tesla’s Supercharger network as a benefit when travelling further from home. As one owner said, they “Like the nationwide charging network which makes long distance travel cheap and easy.”
Overall, owner comments indicate that practicality on longer trips, together with ease of use and access to charging, are among the factors that some drivers believe make the Tesla Model Y a good choice for family holidays.
6. BMW 5 Series
Overall Driver Power score: 85.38%
Practicality and boot space: 83.57%
Economy and running costs: 75.85%
Quality and reliability: 86.86%
Front seat comfort: 92%
Child-friendly features: 85.71%
Next up we have the BMW 5 Series. This upmarket car, which is available as a saloon or a Touring estate, could make a strong companion for family holidays, based on the experiences shared by owners. Many describe it as a comfortable and refined car that’s particularly well suited to long motorway journeys, with a spacious boot and a cabin that offers plenty of room for passengers and luggage.
Owners also liked its smooth driving experience and premium feel, saying it helps take the stress out of longer trips. These qualities make it an appealing choice for families planning regular getaways, whether that’s a weekend away or a longer road trip.
Overall, owner feedback shows the BMW 5 Series offers a blend of comfort, practicality and long-distance capability that could make it a good option for family holidays.
7. Volvo XC40
Overall Driver Power score: 85.31%
Practicality and boot space: 85.82%
Economy and running costs: 71.70%
Quality and reliability: 89.61%
Front seat comfort: 89.18%
Child-friendly features: 85.71%
Owners say this handsome small SUV is well suited to family holidays thanks to its combination of practicality, comfort and safety. Practicality and boot space are among its strongest points, making it easier to carry luggage and all the essentials that come with travelling as a family.
Comfort is another highlight, with owners liking it for its smooth drive and supportive front seats. One described it as having “the smooth drive, the overall look and appearance of the car,” while another said, “I love the styling and the drive comfort.” Safety is a recurring theme too, with comments including “Reliable and safe” and praise for “all the safety features”.
While owners are generally very positive about the XC40, they rate its running costs less highly than its comfort, quality and practicality.
8. MG HS
Overall Driver Power score: 84.84%
Practicality and boot space: 87.78%
Economy and running costs: 81.37%
Quality and reliability: 87.59%
Front seat comfort: 87.59%
Child-friendly features: 90.60%
Owners think the MG HS has plenty to offer families heading away on holiday, with practicality, comfort and child-friendly features all receiving particularly positive feedback. Many also praise its generous storage and boot space, making it easier to pack for longer trips.
Respondents also spoke positively about its comfort. One described it as “very comfortable to drive with a high seating position”, while another said, “It’s very smooth and it’s been very reliable.” Others highlight its value for money, with comments including “Practical and comes at a reasonable price” and “Style is great and there’s good storage.”
9. Ford Puma
Overall Driver Power score: 84.55%
Practicality and boot space: 85.14%
Economy and running costs: 77.35%
Quality and reliability: 86.37%
Front seat comfort: 88.34%
Child-friendly features: 84.24%
The Ford Puma is well regarded by drivers for its practicality, making it a strong choice for family holidays. Owners particularly praised its spacious boot and useful underfloor storage, with one saying, “it’s very economical and I love the boot space,” while another liked “the boot capacity and the little extra space underneath”.
Comfort and ease of driving also received positive feedback, which can make longer family journeys more enjoyable. As one owner put it, it’s “an easy drive and a comfortable car”. While running costs didn’t score as highly as the Puma’s practicality or comfort, many owners still felt it was economical to own, with one commenting, “Love the size, extras such as heated steering wheel and economical to drive”.
10. Peugeot 5008
Overall Driver Power score: 83.35%
Practicality and boot space: 89.17%
Economy and running costs: 76.66%
Quality and reliability: 83.97%
Front seat comfort: 88.30%
Child-friendly features: 89.04%
Rounding out the list is the Peugeot 5008, which owners rated highly for its practicality, comfort and family-friendly features. Many say its spacious cabin and generous boot make it well suited to everyday family life as well as longer trips away. One owner even said: “It’s a great car, which is comfortable to drive and very economical. The space is ideal for moving around with two kids and our shopping. Cannot wait to see how it goes on holidays.”
However, owners were less enthusiastic about the 5008’s running costs than other aspects of the car, making it one of its weaker areas. Even so, some still praised its value, with one saying: “I love the cost saving, but what the vehicle brings to my family and the way it drives is exceptional.”
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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