What practical family car for under £13k?

[TheRingDing]

I am looking for a practical family car under £13k.

Requirements:

• Estate/SUV - I don't think a hatch will be big enough.
• Reliable
• Fits two kids comfortably with boot big enough for double buggy and other child stuff.
• Decent MPG.
• Decent tech - I like carplay if possible.

Any ideas?

[Mattiebmw]

Skoda Octavia I’d say

[Vsix and Vtec]

Ford Mondeo Estate or Honda Accord Estate. All the room you'll ever need, they won't cost you the earth to fix (the ford, because they're cheap to fix, the Honda because you won't have to fix it) and yet they're comfortable and attainable enough for the job in hand.

Some of the Vignale spec Mondeo are better inside than cars twice thier price.

[Evanivitch]

Toyota Rav4 Hybrid.

[Torque-2-Me]

Ford Focus ST estate offers a lot of car for the money, they do a diesel version too if you needed the extra MPG

[Mammasaid]

Practical family car you say?

Our survey says....Volvo!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=price...

[blue_haddock]

Mattiebmw said:

Skoda Octavia I’d say

Close but no cigar - Skoda Superb!

[119]

Mammasaid said:

Practical family car you say?

Our survey says....Volvo!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=price...

T6 recharge would get my vote.

[Pablo16v]

We had a 2016 Octavia Scout 2.0tdi 184bhp for 3 1/2 years and it was a great family wagon. Same engine as in the tdi VRS model but on stilts, so way more comfortable. The kids were 2 and 6 at the time and it was plenty big enough for all the stuff we took on holidays to Aviemore etc.

[Matt_T]

Honda Accords are a good shout, completely bomb prooof!
Kia Optimas seem popular with families wanting a traditional estate.
Toyota Avensis are dull but reliable if you avoid the BMW diesel engine and go for the 1.8 petrol.

[Pickle_Rick]

2022 Dacia Jogger comfort fills those criteria, part estate, part suv, bonus is it'll still have some manufacturers warranty. Comfort spec has carplay. About as practical as you can get. 7 seats, rear 2 can be easily removed, clever built in roof bar system too.

OK, it won't impress the neighbours like a BMW X7, but can be had for around £13k, and extend warranty an extra 3 years if needed.

Dacia rated far more reliable than Ford, VW too(granted that ain't difficult)

[POIDH]

Mattiebmw said:

Skoda Octavia I’d say

^ that.
In estate preferably.
1.5 or 1.4tsi is a peachy engine too, 2.0tdi for long miles or 1.6tdi for uber miles to the gallon.
SE or SEL and upwards has nicer kit, stereo, climate etc.

[TheRingDing]

Mammasaid said:

Practical family car you say?

Our survey says....Volvo!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=price...

They are all really high mileage, does anyone know reliability on a 100,000 mile + volvo v90?

[chip*]

If you are ok with a Skoda badge, there is this Superb SEL spec with dealer warranty and you come out with £300 change too!
Decent mileage, and the 1.4tsi engine is pretty reliable and economical too (I have a similar daily with the 1.4 engine, but in an Octavia frock).Yep, it's a saloon, but the boot is huge!


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501318...

Edited by chip* on Tuesday 25th February 20:46

[CG2020UK]

Had the exact same criteria.

Went a BMW X3 with the 2L diesel engine and it’s been fantastic.

If you do the miles it’s very hard to beat as an all round work horse.

[ZX10R NIN]

TheRingDing said:

I am looking for a practical family car under £13k.

Requirements:

• Estate/SUV - I don't think a hatch will be big enough.
• Reliable
• Fits two kids comfortably with boot big enough for double buggy and other child stuff.
• Decent MPG.
• Decent tech - I like carplay if possible.

Any ideas?

With that budget anything that doesn't have carplay will be able to have it retrofitted, what's your usage?
As that will determine what drivetrain to go for.

2.0d Insignia SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409164...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501107...

1.5T:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501298...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409103...

2.0d 508 GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502159...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501228...

Hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502259...

Mondeo Titanium h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501218...

2.0d Vignale:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502088...

ST Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501278...

2.5 Mazda6 GT Sport Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502259...

2.0 Sport Nav+:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501137...

Optima hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501117...

1.6d Optima:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502199...