Best 10 Affordable Family Cars

Hyundai i30 Tourer strengths include its vast boot. Cargo capacity is 528-litres rising to 1,642-litres with the rear seats folded flat. Such figures are remarkable for a small, family class, vehicle and eclipse a wide range of large family class models. Furthermore, it is available with optional extras to make carrying cargo safer and easier. Highlights include the tailored rubber boot liner – that stops wet/dirty items wrecking the carpet – plus a choice of boot organisers to secure luggage in place. The optional aluminium roof rack further enhances practicality. New i30 Tourer prices range from £16,895 to £24,695.

The ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback stands out thanks to simple yet invaluable features that make life easier. This small, family class, hatchback has a clever parcel shelf, for example. When a large item has to be stored it folds flat against the back of the rear seats. No need to remove it. The shelf complements the ice scraper stored inside the fuel filler flap and a parking ticket holder on the windscreen. The latter prevents the wind blowing the ticket out of sight and attracting the attention of a traffic warden. ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback prices range from £13,500 to £18,660.

A Nissan Pulsar core strength is its technology. Features include the Around View Monitor that provides a 360 degree, bird's eye, view of the surroundings to make parking easier. The system incorporates a camera mounted to each side of the vehicle plus a colour screen on the dashboard. The motorist can also select a close-up front, rear or side view. The Pulsar – a small family class hatchback - also has: a blind spot monitor, moving object detection, lane departure warning and auto braking should the driver not respond to a hazard. The Pulsar costs £15,995 - £22,645. 

The Renault Scenic is a small, multi-purpose, class vehicle that excels thanks to its ingenious storage solutions. The front and outer rear seats incorporate a 4.5-litre draw, for example. These complement 4 storage bins in the floor (14-litre total capacity). The armrest between the front seats provide a further 8-litres which is enough for a 1.5-litre bottle. Renault says that kids have a drop-down tray for drawing, small pockets for crayons and a large pocket for games. Furthermore, the rear seats can be removed to turn this car into a van. The Scenic costs from £20,555 to £22,995.

The Ford Focus Hatchback has tremendous handling. That is 1 of its core strength. The chassis, therefore, enables it to corner with supreme confidence, the steering is beautifully weighted and the brakes feel strong and progressive. It is a car that can be driven “just for fun”. These qualities ensure the manufacturer can produce high performance, hot-hatch, versions for thrill seekers. The Focus Hatchback – which has 5 doors and a class-competitive cargo capacity – also has a comfortable ride. Prices range from £13,995 - £26,295.

The Volkswagen Golf Estate has a wide range of strengths, most notably its remarkable fuel efficiency. This is typical of its manufacturer. The most efficient trim – the 1.6 TDI 110PS BlueMotion – averages 85.6mpg rising to 94.2mpg on the extra-urban cycle. It hits 72.4mpg in town. Carbon emissions are 87g/km which ensures this trim can be taxed for free (at present). This small family class vehicle also has confident handling, a spacious boot, pleasing equipment specification and feels more robust than some alternatives. New Golf Estate prices range from £18,945 to £33,585.

SKODA Yeti seats can be manipulated to balance the needs of passengers and their luggage. It is a core strength of this crossover class vehicle (that in some forms has 4-wheel-drive). The rear seats fold flat individually or roll against the back of the fronts, for example. The outer rear seats also slide forwards and backwards, and tilt. The middle seat – that reveals an armrest and cup holder when flat - can be removed so the outer seats slide inwards to increase shoulder room. Outer rear seats can also be removed to increase cargo space. The Yeti costs £17,000 to £25,690.

The Ford B-MAX is a compact, multi-purpose class, vehicle with sliding van-style rear doors. Handy in car parks where there is limited space to swing open conventional doors. The front doors work in a traditional manner, however. The key point is that when the front and rear doors are open the gaps measure 1.5 meters and there are no pillars to hinder access. These factors ensures there is plenty of room to strap a baby in or help a person with poor mobility manoeuvre. Ford B-MAX prices range from £13,095 - £19,935. 

Nissan Qashqai strengths include 4-wheel-drive (in certain forms). It enables this crossover class vehicle – that has high ground clearance – to master light off-road terrain such as uneven fields and non-tarmacked roads. The Qashqai can easily tow a caravan to a camping pitch. 4-wheel-drive also makes motoring safer when the road is wet, icy or snowy. The confident handling, high equipment specification, big boot and modern styling further enhance its status as a class leader. The 2015 Qashqai costs £18,545 - £28,910.

The Renault Megane Hatchback has a wealth of safety features. Highlights include its electronic stability programme that helps maintain a safe line through corners, a camera that monitors lane markings then warns the motorist if he/she wanders offline, and a tyre pressure monitor. Euro NCAP – the independent body that assesses new vehicle safety – awarded this small family class vehicle 83% in its adult occupant protection category. This score complements the child occupant category (78%), pedestrian category (60%) and safety assist that includes the seatbelt reminder system, etc. (56%). Megane Hatchback prices range from £17,570 to £23,250.