When you think of family cars, a few things might spring to mind . . .
Things like space, comfort, reliability.
Bonus points if it looks good too!
But there's so much choice out there, so how do you decide which is the best family car to lease?
Well, that's where this rundown of the best family vehicles on the market comes in - however, there are plenty of other lease deals available to suit your family's budget and needs, you can browse them on our family car leasing page.
What to Look For in a Family Car?
As mentioned above, safety and comfort are going to fare high on the agenda if you're after a family vehicle.
Luckily enough, safety features across popular family cars are only getting better and better – with new features like adaptive driving control and lane departure warning.
Also, the size of your family is going to determine just how large (or small) a family car you need, especially in terms of available seats. And obviously, you probably also want to look for a good price!
KIA Sportage
There’s no shortage of family SUVs on the market, but the KIA Sportage stands out from the crowd with its dramatic styling and range of trims.
Practicality is the name of the game, as you get an interior that's smart but spacious with plenty of head and legroom (even if you're over 6ft!). There's a generous amount of storage as well, with door pockets large enough for a bottle of water, a lidded centre cubby box, trays for your phone and keys and a good-sized glovebox. Boot space is a competitive 591-litres to make life easier, and all versions of the KIA Sportage give you automatic LED headlights, parking sensors and a rear-view camera.
Like most others on this list, it scores well for safety features too, with a 5-star Euro NCAP score and good scores on both adult and child safety. And it's safe to say that KIA's market-leading 7-year warranty is going to give you extra peace of mind!
Nissan Qashqai
If we imagine family cars as chocolate, then you could say that the Nissan Qashqai might be the Galaxy bar. Well-rounded, full of quality, and some say, the best.
Well-suited to family life, it ticks all the boxes for a family car lease, and as long as your household has 5 or less people (the max number it will seat), you're laughing. It's also not high-end expensive, but with a brand like Nissan, you know you're not getting shoddy quality either.
Still in the shortlist for the UK’s best-selling SUV, the Nissan Qashqai has underwent some nice design changes and its engine range has been improved, too. With mild-hybrid technology providing efficiency and quality performance, 'slick and smooth' is one way of putting it. Always a solid contender for the #1 best family car.
MG ZS
The MG ZS is the family car that made people sit up and really take notice of Chinese-made vehicles.
It makes for a good budget option if you haven’t quite got the cash for a European, Korean or Japanese rival. or Korean rival. Sure, not the most exciting option, but it's got enough to take it over the line. And then some . . .
Nicely suited to family travel thanks to its boxy 5-door design, it's also roomy enough for 5 people and their luggage. One possible downside is that there's no automatic emergency braking.
Ford Focus
You probably know the Ford Focus as a good all-round car. But for family life?
Actually, yes!
Not the first car you think of when it comes to a family car lease, the Ford Focus has it where it counts. The boot gives you a decent enough amount of space, and there's the Ford Focus Estate to consider if you've got too many kids to count.
And there’s a Focus for every taste too, with the ST-Line trim satisfying a more sporty kind of drive, the Vignale for luxury and the Active trim for good ole' SUV-like driving. The 50mph petrol engine is perky, and the 60mpg frugal diesel is perfect if you're a high-mileage driver.
Giving your drive a . . . focus.
Mazda CX-5
Yet another SUV that makes the list, and the Mazda CX-5 is on the bigger end of things, so ideal for families looking for all the space they can find.
The drive is a lot smoother than many of its competitors, whilst also being a tad more stylish in some aspects. With futuristic Japanese design and all-around reliability, this Mazda is moving up the popularity charts, and for good reason.
Not a bad lease car at all.
Volkswagen Tiguan
Another sturdy SUV, the Volkswagen Tiguan has 7 airbags as standard, blind spot monitoring, high beam assist, and highway drive assist with collision avoidance technology. A safe way to go for young and old families alike.
The numbers say that the Tiguan has slightly more boot space than the KIA Sportage. But then again, you're not going to notice that when hauling something in, are you? Both cars though have wide-opening doors going for them, which helps make it that bit easier to get objects (and people) in and out.
The latest Tiguan delivered a strong set of test results following NCAP testing in 2021, giving it 5 star status and scoring 87% and 86% for child and adult occupants, 76% for safety assist and 66% for pedestrian protection. In other words, good enough to keep any family safe.
BMW 5 Series
Yes, family car leasing actually doesn't have to be all about SUVs . . .
A staple in the BMW line-up, enter into the cabin space of this BMW 5 Series and you’ll find there's space a-plenty, plus lots of adjustability in the driver’s seat and steering wheel area for you to get comfortable. And if you're wondering why this car's now in its 8th generation, well . . . that's just because BMW has been extra meticulous in keeping it up-to-date.
Surprise surprise, the BMW 5 Series received the full 5 stars in Euro NCAP's safety testing, with impressive scores all across the board. It was rated 85% for child occupants, 89% for adult occupant protection, 86% for vulnerable road users, and 78% for its safety tech.
BMW X1
More proof that you can mix everyday practicality with great looks and top-end performance. If space and safety are high on the priority list for your next family car, you could do far worse than a BMW X1.
And hey, it's a BMW . . . so you know you're getting reliability and quality engineering. Plus, it’s one of the most spacious cars in its class, so there's that as well. With a 540-litres boot and plenty of storage options in the cabin, you're good to go. And the tech is just as good: the dashboard giving you a a dual-screen layout that’s loaded with features.
And like pretty much all of the other cars on this list, when it comes to safety, the BMW X1 boasts a 5-star EURO NCAP score, not to mention an 89% child occupant protection score. In fact, the whole car is packed full of driver/passenger goodies like reversing cameras, parking sensors, and automatic emergency braking.
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai vehicles are generally known for their reliability, and the Hyundai Tucson is no exception.
Safety features are in abundance, with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and a rear-view camera all on board. Some version also have extras like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
At the front, there's a spacious interior with ample legroom and headroom for both rear and front passengers. Up back, the Tucson's adjustable cargo area offers flexibility for loading family gear, groceries, or any other item you can think of.
Technology-wise, you've got all the gadgets like touchscreen infotainment systems, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto, and USB ports to keep everyone connected and entertained.
Tesla Model Y
Bit of a surprise contender for a family car lease, but this electric car does bag the goods and is ideal if you want something a bit more high-end.
The all-electric Tesla Model Y has rapidly become a best-seller for the American brand, and for good reason.
In many ways a spruced-up Tesla Model 3, the Model Y is a roomy SUV with space for all the family. The front leaves plenty of elbow room, whilst there's enough space for 3 in the back.
Euro NCAP awarded it with 5 stars – which isn't a massive surprise given Tesla's spotless track record for safety. Plus, every Model Y electric car gives you blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
Summary
So there you have it: a list of the top family cars to lease, whether you've got a growing family or one that's already on the up. And remember, that's just the top 10. There's a lot more leasing deals on other family cars on our site!
FAQs
What is the best family car to lease?
Arguably the best family car is the KIA Sportage. Large, spacious, full of the latest tech, and awarded with a 5-star Euro NCAP score, you can't really go far wrong.
Which car is best for family and business?
It's got to be spacious, but you also want it to look fairly smart, right? If that's the case, then it's hard to argue with a BMW 5 Series.