Top 15 Family Cars 2015

As a rival to the BMW 3-Series, the C-Class is a high quality estate and saloon, which with the addition of BlueEfficiency makes it economical and highly efficient to run. Sports versions have quite a firm ride so better avoiding, as is the basic C180 which lacks power. Not as much fun to drive as rivals, it does have strong residual values which is why you see so many on the roads.

The Megane from Renault is a solid performer in terms of sales and Renault have continued this success with the Sports-Tourer version, a medium sized estate which rivals the likes of the Skoda Octavia. The Megane handles well and has loads of grip through the bends but refinement isn’t as good as others, particularly with diesel engines where vibrations are felt through the accelerator pedal. It is cheaper to buy than the Ford Focus and VW Golf but still looks expensive compared to the Octavia.

The 3008 is a fairly recent addition to the Peugeot lineup. As a crossover it is both practical in terms of space and fairly cheap to run. The larger Peugeot 5008 does offer seven seats though. Although more expensive, the Hybrid4 diesel-electric engine is very economical but doesn’t lack performance. What Car? crowned it Car of the Year in 2010.

The Latest Audi A4 Avant is a tried and tested model that has seen solid sales figures and benefits from strong residual values. With an intuitive and comfortable interior combined with a stylish exterior, there are countless reasons why your family will love the A4.

The latest 5 series is among the best cars ever built. Strong in pretty much every department from build quality, refinement, handling and looks, it is a hard act to beat. Whilst the E-Class feels spacious and capable, the 5 series feels cosseting, dynamic and luxurious. There is a definite X factor here. Touring versions provide a family with all the space it could need.

Audi's have good residual value and the A6 falls into that category with a fairly priced, economical car that doesn't lack power. It doesn't quite measure up with its exterior styling and disappoints when out on the roads. A better driving experience is had in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, although it beats its rivals hands down with its stunning high quality cabin. Like the A4 there are Allroad and Avant versions of the A6.

As a rival to the Volkswagen Golf or Ford Escort, the Astra has been around since 1980. Six generations later it continues to be a highly successful small family car. It struggles with heavy depreciation though and is priced more than the Renault Megane. It has acquired 5 stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests though and if you want something slightly larger, then there’s the Astra Sports Tourer.

The V60 is the smaller, and sportier, entry into the Estate market from Volvo. It is currently the compromise between the larger, boxxy V70 and the more compact family hatchback, the V40. With £0 Road Tax, 74mpg and a typically Volvo 5 star rating on the Euro NCAP safety tests, the diesel V60 is an extremely sensible choice for professionals with families. Material selection inside the cabin is brilliant and the seats, steering wheel and cabin feel suitably premium.

The previous 3 series was not BMW’s finest creation, but the new version with its super-sharp looks delivers a much more premium experience. Drivers who want dynamic handling will enjoy the rear-wheel drive configuration, and with an X (all-wheel drive ) version now launched, even more grip is available. Tourer versions offer all the same athleticism plus more space, and there is the usual wide range of engines, from frugal diesels with decent performance to the immensely powerful M series

The Focus has been a huge success for Ford in most markets around the world. As a family hatchback it is hard to beat. Spacious, capable, good-looking and great to drive, the Focus delivers on all fronts. Style version offer decent trim levels, but mosy buyers opt for Zetec 1.6 and TDCi versions. Estate versions are surprisingly pleasant on the eye.

The Passat has been a class act ever since its launch. Understated and subtle, the Passat is the antithesis of the typical brash executive machines. No 20 inch alloys or garish badges here, the Passat just does the job, and does it well. Bluemotion versions offer great economy and low company car tax. Estate versions offer cavernous space and are immensely practical for every day use. You won’t stand out from the crowd, but you will be driving a superbly-crafted piece of German engineering.

The latest updates across the Peugeot range have gone down a treat with UK drivers, and that success continues with the 308 SW from Peugeot. With the seats folded down there is a staggering 2,149 litres of room to play with, the biggest by a margin in its class. The entry level Access trim 308 SW is cheaper than all of its competitors but the Allure spec is the one to go for which is still well-priced although not the cheapest. Efficiency is key with the 308 SW, and the 1.6 litre BlueHDi can return up to 88.6 mpg on a motorway run, while also costing £0 on annual road tax. Petrol models use the famous PureTech units which have proven to be extremely pleasing among UK motorists, a 252% rise in popularity between 2013 and 2014 speaks for itself.

The i40 is a large saloon or estate that is a Ford Mondeo or 3-Series rival. Whilst BMW will not yet taking the Hyundai threat seriously, mass-market brands like Ford, Citroen and Vauxhall have every right to feel threatened by Hyundai’s foray into the middle ground of large family cars. Nice touches like ventilated front seats are usually found on cars of much higher value, and it is these touches that make it a nice car to be sat in. Residual values not as strong as many though.

The XF Sportbrake offers a welcomed addition of style and class to a market typically dominated by the slightly more monotonous German estates, like the BMW 5 Series Touring and Audi A6 Avant. The XF offers a wealth of flexibility, with 2 diesel engines for company car buyers, 2 V6 petrol engines for consumers with a lower annual mileage and 1 performance V8 petrol model, for those who appreciate the faster things in life...

As far as practical family estate cars go, the Octavia Estate is a very tough car to fault. Reason being, the Skoda does everything that is of expected of it, in German built fashion, with a price tag that’s difficult to argue with. 610 litres is one of the biggest boot capacities in its class, the car is supremely reliable and safe, perfect for family buyers. There are petrol and diesel engines to fit most people's needs too, the 1.6 Greenline diesel being the most economical and the 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol VRS being the most exciting.