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Choosing the right car for your growing family can feel like navigating a maze of options. Safety, comfort, space, practicality and budget all play crucial roles in finding the perfect fit. That’s where Savvy can help you out.
Our curated list features a diverse range of vehicles and prices, from spacious SUVs to feature-packed people movers and even options for the eco-conscious family. Whether you prioritise comfort for long road trips, versatility for everyday adventures or a combination of both, buckle up and read about some of the best options available today!
All information is correct for the 2024 model year of each car
Smaller cars: Hyundai i30
The Hyundai i30 is a popular choice for Australian families seeking a balance between practicality, style and affordability. According to VFACTS data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), the i30 was the best-selling small car in Australia in 2023 and finished just outside the top ten most popular models in the country with 20,626 annual sales. It offers a range of features and benefits that make it a compelling option for families looking for a smaller car or one on a budget.
Price:
The i30’s hatch variants start from as little as $26,290 drive away, while the sedan base model begins at $31,990 drive away. This positions the i30 as the most affordable model on this list.
ANCAP safety rating:
★★★★★ (all hatch and sedan variants except the i30N)
Key features:
- Hatchback or sedan: the choice between hatchback and sedan depends on a range of things, including your cargo needs. The sedan variants’ specs confirm that they offer more cargo space with the seats upright at 474L, ideal for prams, sports equipment or luggage for weekend getaways.
- Seating for five: while not the biggest model, the i30 provides comfortable seating for five adults with ample headroom and legroom in the front and rear. It also comes with ISOFIX child restraint anchors on the rear outboard seats and three top tether child restraint anchors in the rear.
- Hyundai SmartSense™: the i30 comes equipped with a suite of advanced safety features as standard across all trims, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Reverse Parking Distance Warning with four sensors.
- Infotainment system: the i30 features a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ for smartphone integration, keeping everyone entertained on long journeys.
Larger cars: Toyota Kluger
The Toyota Kluger, a large SUV, is a popular choice for families in Australia seeking a spacious, comfortable and reliable vehicle. It boasts a long list of features and benefits that cater well to the needs of families with active lifestyles. It was among the top five best-selling large SUVs in Australia in 2023 (10,430 annual units sold).
Price:
The Kluger starts from $51,790 for the base model (GX 2WD) but can reach as high as $80,230 for the top variant (Grande Hybrid AWD). These prices don’t include any optional extras.
ANCAP safety rating:
Key features:
- Seating for seven: the Kluger offers comfortable seating for up to seven passengers, making it ideal for larger families or those who need to ferry their kids’ friends around more efficiently. The second and third-row seats are foldable, providing flexibility for cargo space when needed. It also comes with three child restraint anchorage points.
- Toyota Safety Sense: this suite of advanced driver-assistance features comes standard on all Kluger models and includes a Pre-Collision Safety System with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Trace Assist and Automatic High Beam.
- Convenience features: the Kluger features a user-friendly 8in to 12.3in colour touchscreen display with Wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ connectivity. It also comes with three-zone climate control air conditioning across all variants. While the third row is folded down, the Kluger offers a generous amount of cargo space at 552L. Folding both the second and third rows increases this to 1,150L.
- Hybrid models available: you can choose between turbo petrol and hybrid powertrains, helping you reduce your environmental footprint if you choose to do so.
People movers: Kia Carnival
The Kia Carnival is another popular choice for large families in Australia. This versatile people mover brings spaciousness and storage to another level, both in terms of cargo and available seating. The Carnival was by far the best-selling people mover in 2023, with its 11,312 units sold across the year placing it way ahead of the chasing pack; for reference, the Hyundai Staria was the next-best-seller with 1,141.
Price:
The 2024 Kia Carnival arrives at a starting price of $47,480 for the S 3.5L petrol variant and maxes out at $67,580 with the Platinum 2.2L Diesel model. This makes it potentially a cheaper alternative to the Kluger while still packing the same size.
ANCAP safety rating:
★★★★★ (all petrol and diesel variants)
Key features:
- Seating for eight: the Carnival comfortably seats up to eight passengers, making it ideal for larger families or those who frequently transport extended family or friends. The third-row seats are foldable, offering flexibility for passenger and cargo space configuration of up to 627L or 2,785L with the third row folded down.
- Child restraint anchorage points: this model offers a variety of child restraint options, with five top tether points and five ISOFIX points in your Carnival.
- Safety features: all Carnival models come with advanced safety features and include Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) for cars, pedestrians, cyclists and junctions, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and Driver Attention Alert (DAA+).
- Infotainment system: the Carnival features a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system with both Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ for seamless smartphone integration. It also comes with a six, eight or 12-speaker sound system.
- Dual sunroofs: both the first and second rows benefit from sunroofs, creating a brighter and more airy cabin ambience. The front roof is tilt and sliding, while the rear sunroof is sliding only.
Off-roaders: Land Rover Defender
Land Rover is a legendary name in the off-road world, renowned for its rugged capability and adventurous spirit. While not your typical family car, the Defender presents a unique option for Australian families seeking a 4×4 that can handle both daily commutes and weekend getaways off the beaten track. Among large SUVs over $70,000, it was the best-selling model in Australia in 2023.
Price:
As a luxury off-roader, the Defender comes in at a much higher minimum price than the other cars on this list. The base Defender 90 P300 S starts from $88,870, while the 130 P500 V8 is the most expensive variant at $240,270.
ANCAP safety rating:
★★★★★ (all 110 variants excluding V8 models)
Key features:
- Seating for five to eight: the Defender is available in three (110 Hard Top) five (90), seven (110) and eight-seat (130) variants, offering seating flexibility for families of different sizes.
- Safety: the Defender comes with a wide range of handy safety features as standard on its variants, including Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane-Keep Assist (LKA) and parking sensors. It also comes with Terrain Response or Terrain Response 2, which automatically changes between different drive modes to adjust to the terrain you’re facing.
- Cargo space: while not the most spacious option on this list, the Defender offers enough cargo space (398L) for luggage and essential gear for family adventures. The rear seats can be folded down to further increase cargo capacity when needed, depending on the variant.
- Ground clearance and wading depth: the Defender boasts impressive off-road ground clearance (up to 290mm air suspension) and wading depth (up to 900mm), allowing you to conquer challenging off-road obstacles and navigate water crossings with confidence.
- Hybrid models available: the Defender 110 and 130 variants also come with the option of a mild hybrid powertrain, as opposed to further petrol or diesel variants.
Dual-cab utes: Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is a well-established name in the Australian automotive landscape, known for its toughness, practicality, and versatility. While traditionally viewed as a work ute, the dual-cab Ranger variants can double as a vehicle which caters to families seeking a capable and adventurous vehicle. That fact is evident in the sales: it was the best-selling car in Australia in 2023, beating all comers with 63,356 registrations across the year.
Price:
The Ranger’s dual-cab models start from as little as $41,380 with the XL 2.0L HI-Rider (4×2), but can reach as high as $89,190 with the Raptor 3.0L 4×4.
ANCAP safety rating:
★★★★★ (all variants excluding Raptor)
Key features:
- Seating for five: most of the Ranger’s variants offer the option for a double cab configuration, providing suitable seating for five adults with decent legroom and headroom for all passengers.
- Extra storage and towing capacity: the tray at the back provides ample cargo space for luggage, equipment or even camping gear for weekend getaways, with maximum payloads ranging from just over 900kg to upwards of 1,400kg. Additionally, roof racks and other accessories can further enhance cargo-carrying capabilities, while towing capacity maxes out at 3,500kg.
- Safety features: some of the many safety features that may be included in your Ranger model include Blind Spot Sensors, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD), Lane Departure Warning and nine airbags throughout the vehicle.
- Off-road capability: while not as specialised as the Defender, the Ranger offers good off-road capability and is available in four-wheel drive variants.
- Infotainment system: according to the Ranger’s specs, it features a user-friendly 10.1in to 12in touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ connectivity, SYNC®4A with Voice Activated Controls and wireless charging (depending on the model you purchase).
If you’re looking to purchase any of the above vehicles, you can compare a range of car loan offers through Savvy.
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Bill TsouvalasFact checked
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