Buying a family car is a critical decision in the life of any motorist because they can become a vital part of your day. That car not only has to be practical, good value for money, and well-equipped, it also has to be something you like.
Although family cars might seem ordinary to the outsider, they are so much more, they are memory makers; part of the fabric of our upbringings in the 20th and 21st centuries. However, on a less whimsical note, they are nonetheless a purchase which requires great thought and attention, but with so many, they’re a purchase that can be quite difficult to make. Recently, renowned motoring publication Auto Express asked its readers what they thought of the current crop of cars on Britain’s roads, cars which they owned, to find out which was the best family car.
The car that came out on top was the Mazda CX-30, a Japanese SUV that has been on sale in the UK since 2020. In Auto Express’s rating it scored an impressive 93.37 percent out of 100.
Owners praised the car for how it drove as well as its toughness. Auto Express remarked: “Japanese brands certainly aren’t a rarity on this list, but it’s usually Toyota or Honda claiming the honours.
“This year, though, it’s Mazda’s time to shine as the CX-30 small SUV is proving to be as durable with owners as it is enjoyable to drive. While it was pipped at the post by the Toyota Aygo X on the overall ‘most reliable car’ scoreboard, a second-place finish and top spot in the family car class definitely isn’t something to be sniffed at.”
Coming second was the Tesla Model 3 Mk 1 with a score of 92.28 percent, the car that it was decided was the best car to own in the UK for 2026. The Tesla, which has been on sale since 2019, got great scores across all categories.
Coming in third with a score of 91.79 percent was the Mk 3 BMW 1 Series. Also on sale since 2019, the car was praised for its reliability as well as its infotainment system and how it drove.
Auto Express’s driver power survey comes at a critical time for families around the UK as the cost of living crisis continues to worsen and people tighten their belts ever further. According to temporary car insurance provider Tempcover, four in 10 car owners have reduced the number of vehicles they own.
A poll of 2,000 adults found that people who dropped from two or more cars to just one saved around £1,500. CEO of Tempcover Paul Gilshan told the Express that their research was showing customers were discovering having one car is actually very effective.
He said: “Our research shows that for households that have downsized, one car works well. People are better off financially, it fits how they’re working and living now, and they’re more intentional about when they use it – and it’s better for the environment.
“In many ways, these households are already practising a form of car sharing – coordinating access, prioritising who needs it most, making it work around everyone’s schedule. The car is more of a shared resource rather than a personal fixture, and that mindset is only going to grow.”
