Mia
Now that the clocks have sprung forward and the weather is looking a little more hospitable, many of us will already be thinking ahead to the summer. With international travel still a little bit more complicated than it once was, you might be tempted to bundle the family into an affordable car and go on a long road trip.
Fortunately, there are plenty of vehicles available in this category. Let’s take at a few of the leading contenders. Whatever car you end up choosing, it’s worth thinking about the cost of depreciation. This is something that can be offset by the right GAP insurance policy, ensuring that you never fall into negative equity.
Nissan Qashqai
The Qashqai was arguably the first widely-available family SUV. The company has been rewarded for their forward-thinking approach, and the model has established itself as a go-to for many motorists. There are a range of trims available, including the new e-Power hybrid version.
Citroen C4 Grand SpaceTourer
The car formerly known as the Picasso comes with huge amounts of storage capacity – which for a certain kind of family will come as a godsend. It’s still compact enough to be manoeuvrable in tight spaces, however – and you aren’t likely to struggle with parking.
Volkswagen Golf
The Mk8 Golf provides a comfortable drive, enviable safety performance, and an entirely new powertrain. With that said, you’ll have to pay a lot for the privilege of driving one – and the cabin isn’t quite as impressive as you might expect for the asking price. If you want reliable engineering and you’ve got the budget to pay for it, then the Golf sets a benchmark.
Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot 3008 offers distinctive looks that might not appeal to everyone, but many of the features are difficult to argue with. You’ll get the same LED lights found on the 208 hatchback, and an interior that’s daring and easy to fall in love with. With that said, the infotainment system isn’t quite a match for the interior, the space in the rear is lacking and it’s slightly more expensive than some of the equivalently-specced competition.
Toyota Prius
The Prius is arguably the grandfather of all hybrids – and recent versions have raised the game further. If you’re environmentally conscious, but you don’t want to worry about where you’re going to find the next charging point, then the Prius makes a huge amount of sense.
You’ll get excellent fuel economy and a very low tax burden, which is what makes this car the vehicle of choice for Uber drivers. But the brakes might not be quite what you’re looking for, and there’s not much in the way of room overhead. In other words, this is a car you’ll want to test-drive thoroughly before you make the investment.
