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Top family cars: Find your ideal vehicle for commutes to road trips
Whether it is flexible seating arrangements or ample space for strollers and groceries, assess your needs before choosing the right car for your loved ones
Knowing your lifestyle and needs will help you better decide on the car you and your family needs. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
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Choosing the right family car is sometimes more than just about speed and performance. While these aspects matter, your primary focus should be on your family’s needs.
Consider your daily routine: urban commuting, ferrying babies or toddlers, sending children to classes, or transporting multi-generational, large families.
A smooth ride is crucial, especially for elderly passengers and a vehicle that’s easy to enter and exit makes a big difference, especially if there are mobility issues.
For longer road trips, comfort and fuel efficiency become key. Above all, prioritise safety features. After all, you will be transporting your most precious cargo: Your family.
Regardless of your family size and needs, The Car Expo has suitable options, as these select rides show, for you to transport the gang.
Skoda Kodiaq: All-purpose road warrior
Young children grow up fast, and you will need a car with enough room for them to grow into and keep up with an evolving family routine. This is where Skoda’s new seven-seater Kodiaq sport utility vehicle (SUV) shines.
The Kodiaq’s spacious three-row seat configuration features ample amounts of headroom, legroom and necessary wiggle room to meet the needs of little ones in their car seats, and older ones transitioning to boosters.
It even has smart storage areas within the interior cabin to slot essentials away as well as the largest-in-class 2,035-litre luggage compartment (with seats down).
A comfortable, practical interior is matched with a sharp, confident exterior while a host of advanced safety features – seven airbags, collision warning systems and emergency braking – bolster your family's security while you are driving .
The Skoda Kodiaq is also no slouch on the road, with 110kW of power that allows it to accelerate from 0kmh to 100kmh in 9.9 seconds, all while returning some 15.2km per litre of petrol.
Mazda CX-5 M-Hybrid: Adventure companion
The Mazda CX-5 M-Hybrid: a practical choice for active families, comfortably handling various lifestyles and activities.
Available in two variants – the CX-4 M-Hybrid Luxury and the CX-5 M-Hybrid Luxury Sports – this SUV combines sharp styling with a well-appointed interior.
The CX-5 M-Hybrid Luxury Sport’s powered tailgate can even be kick-activated for more convenient access to its 522-litre boot. Utility is complemented by sharp styling and a pleasant well-appointed interior.
Coupled with its fun-loving personality is a raft of features, such as Mazda Connect infotainment system, a 360-degree view monitor, adaptive cruise control, wireless charging ports and 10-speaker Bose sound system to set the mood right while on the go.
Keen drivers will be pleased to know that Mazda has enhanced its acclaimed 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine with a mild-hybrid system for a combined system output of 121kW with 213Nm of torque.
Besides a dynamic driving experience, the ride also boasts an improved fuel economy of 14.49km for every litre of petrol.
MG ZS EV: Parenting partner
Families with young children will find the MG ZS EV an attractive choice for how well it blends practicality, affordability and advanced tech features into one handsome package.
Its spacious interior offers ample legroom, isofix anchor points for easy installation of car seats, and a generous boot capacity of 488 litres makes it perfect for strollers, changes of clothes and other baby essentials.
The compact SUV body form also offers a higher driving position, which helps both driving visibility, and easing the strain when helping the young ones into their child seats.
As a drive, the ZS EV puts out 99kW of power with 280Nm of torque for a spritely drive. But safety remains a priority, with the ZS EV offering advanced driver assistance systems, including emergency braking and lane-keep assist.
Its range of up to 320km covers family trips without constant recharging. When it’s time, charging takes 8.5 hours on a regular AC charger, or 40 minutes on a DC fast charger.
‘More convenient to bring Luna around’: Why pet parent enjoys her nifty SUV
With furkids being part of the family, this cat owner shares how her feline buddy plays a key factor in her choice of car
People usually purchase cars when they want convenience for running errands, commuting and embarking on weekend outings. For Ms Joanne Lim, her car serves these purposes and more.
The 44-year-old executive working at a multinational corporation purchased a Suzuki Jimny to solve her transportation issues with her three-year-old British Shorthair, Luna.
She bought the car in March, primarily due to frequent cancellations when using ride-hailing services and restrictions on pets in public transport.
“With this car, it’s more convenient to bring Luna around, especially to the vet and when I drop her off at my godparents’ home before I go on overseas trips.”
The Jimny also allows for stress-free trips with Luna to cafes and friends’ homes.
She was attracted to the Jimny’s sporty and fun appearance. “It’s not so serious-looking, like a sedan,” she says.
The compact size and height of the two-door off-road mini SUV is just right for Ms Lim’s needs.
“Getting in and out is easy, and putting Luna in is simple too – I don’t have to bend to strap her into the back seat,” she says. With the back seat folded down, there is ample space for both her cat and groceries.
Despite its compact size, she likes that the Jimny comes with safety features such as vehicle sway warning, lane departure warning and dual sensor brake support, which gives her peace of mind when she goes out on the weekends.
While many Jimny owners modify their vehicles, she has kept hers basic for now. However, she is not ruling out future additions. “I’d like to add a roof tent for camping trips,” she says, hinting at potential adventures.
Ms Lim appreciates the car’s four-wheel drive capability, which she hopes will enable road trips to Malaysia. She is happy with the vehicle’s engine specs – 100bhp and 130Nm of torque – since they align with her laid-back approach to driving.
Hyundai Santa Fe TurboHybrid: Family adventurer
Families with an appetite for adventure will love the new Hyundai Santa Fe TurboHybrid. Its rugged, structured styling makes it an eye-catching choice for families who share a love of the outdoors and enjoy driving up to Malaysia, and want to do so in comfort.
Beneath that tough, off-road-ready stance is a comfortably roomy interior that accommodates families with ample legroom and premium comforts like relaxation leg rests.
Family members will appreciate technological conveniences like the large 12.3-inch infotainment system with navigation for entertainment and directions, while the cavernous tailgate makes light work of loading luggage, outdoor gear or shopping bags.
Equipped with advanced safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, the Santa Fe reassures on the safety and security fronts during extended drives.
Yet, it’s responsive on the road, with a powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid engine putting out 158kW of power with a combined maximum torque of 367Nm and all-wheel-drive capability.
With ample servings of comfort, performance and panache, the Hyundai Santa Fe TurboHybrid will elevate family adventures, adding excitement and reliability to each drive.
Polestar 4: Urban commuter
Sleek and sophisticated, the new Polestar 4 blends performance, design and modern technology in a package that discerning power couples will approve of.
A minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic marked by clean lines, refined finishes, and a futuristic SUV-coupe design will garner widespread approval.
Performance is a standout feature, with the choice of a single-motor (272hp with 343Nm of torque) or dual-motor (544hp with 686Nm) options, delivering blistering acceleration (7.1s and 3.8s century sprint respectively).
The Polestar 4 balances this power with exceptional handling, providing a dynamic yet smooth driving experience suited for both city streets and open highways.
Inside, the spacious cabin offers premium materials like nappa leather options, cutting-edge infotainment, all within a serene, clutter-free environment.
Advanced driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control and 360-degree cameras that enhance visibility, add to the ease and comfort of driving.
Citroen e-C4X: Everyday cruiser
Modern families looking to embrace change with a more environmentally conscious choice will love Citroen’s new e-C4X electric sedan.
Its distinctive profile, marked by a sleek aerodynamic fastback form that combines the convenience of a hatchback with the familiarity of a sedan, ensures that it will garner approving looks.
At the same time, its silent electric drivetrain ensures that all 100kW of power with 270Nm of torque gets delivered smoothly and efficiently for up to 436km.
Engineered for family comfort, every aspect of the car has been tuned to insulate occupants against the hustle and bustle of the city.
From a progressive hydraulic cushioned suspension system that delivers a smooth journey to ergonomic comfort seats and a thoughtfully designed interior space, Citroen’s engineers have spared no effort to create an oasis of peace and tranquility.
Yet, these comforts come with no compromise as an extensive list of infotainment and safety features such as 360 vision, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, active safety brake and speed recommendation add to the levels of safety and convenience a driver will find assurance in.
Honda Freed e:HEV: Versatile family carrier
Perfect for small families, the all-new Honda Freed e:HEV offers a balance of practicality, comfort, and innovative features.
Powered by a 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine and two-motor hybrid system, it ensures a smooth and efficient ride with excellent fuel economy of up to 20km for every litre, making it ideal for both city commutes and road trips.
The Freed’s spacious cabin is designed with flexible tumble seats, allowing various configurations to accommodate children, luggage or grocery bags.
Multiple storage compartments make it easy to stow personal items, beverages, or children’s gear, while the improved cabin space can easily fit strollers, sports equipment, or shopping bags.
Equipped with Honda Sensing – the brand’s suite of safety and driver-assist technologies – the Freed includes safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and collision mitigation braking, ensuring peace of mind for families.
BYD Seal: Smart companion
The BYD Seal is an excellent choice for couples or small families looking for an eco-friendly and tech-savvy vehicle.
With an impressive 460 km (WLTP) range, it provides ample mileage for daily commutes or longer weekend getaways.
Its spacious interior includes a 400-litre rear trunk and an additional 50-litre front trunk, making it perfect for carrying groceries, luggage or kids’ equipment.
Safety is a top priority, with nine airbags and advanced safety features like lane keep assist, blind spot detection, and adaptive cruise control.
Powered by BYD’s ultra-safe Blade Battery, the Seal also supports fast charging, taking just 32 minutes to go from 30 per cent to 80 per cent on a DC charger. Inside, the vehicle is equipped with a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in Spotify, making it ideal for both entertainment and navigation.
The Car Expo will be held on Oct 5 and 6, at Singapore Expo Halls 3 and 4 from 10am to 8pm. Click here for the floorplan of the show. Read more about the latest cars and special deals at the The Car Expo here.
