Coolest family cars

You love your partner and you love your kids, of course you do. But once upon a time you loved your car. Remember that? When it was just you and her and the open road?

Or, at least, the A57 in a bit of a traffic jam. But now you're a family man you have to forget about sleek lines and a racing profile and opt for the practical, the useful, the dull. Or do you?

Here at Dad Info we've found some of the coolest family cars, cars which can fit you, your family and its attendant baggage whilst still packing at least a little bit of a wow factor. And, let's be honest, that car you used to love was a bit of a rustbucket.....

• Easy riders: from boy racer to dad driver

Chrysler PT Cruiser MPV 2.4 Classic 5dr

With the looks of a hot rod but the spacious interior of an MPV this is the perfect combination of cool and practical. A smooth ride and wide range of equipment means it will appeal to the boy racer still lurking in you, whilst proven reliability and a diesel option means it is, despite appearances, a sensible choice.

Pros:

The look - you get to indulge your American Graffiti fantasies on the way back from the school run. It can do 0-60 in just over 10 seconds.

Cons:

There are more practical MPVs out there. And it does smack of mid-life crisis to some.

• Average MPG: 30.1
• Green rating: F
• Insurance group: 12

Price: £12,995

Jeep Wrangler 4x4 2.8 CRD Sport Unlimited 5dr

If you're not convinced that 4x4s are the car of the devil, and you want one that doesn't resemble a slightly tarted up mini-bus, then the Jeep Wrangler could fit the bill.

The exterior of a rugged off-roader, and good off-road handling should the need arise, masks the interior of a more mainstream car. A fairly basic mainstream car admittedly, but it boasts more comfort than your average off-roader.

Pros

Looks like it could handle itself in a war-zone, and the kids will love the roof folding back in the Summer.

Cons

Whilst the interior is decent, it's by no means luxurious.

• Average MPG: 29.1
• Green rating: G
• Insurance group: 10

Price: £19,995

• Safest family cars

Mazda 6 Hatchback 2.0 TS 5dr

Slightly more mainstream than our first two choices, the Mazda 6 is a roomy saloon car which manages to pack in plenty of space whilst still looking sleek and sporty. The cool appearance, however, belies good safety features and reasonable running costs. And a six-speaker stereo.

Pros

The exterior and the cabin have a sporty feel, and the basic model comes with air-con, CD player and alloy wheels.

Cons

Only just cool enough to steer clear of company car status.

• Average MPG: 56.5
• Green rating: D
• Insurance group: 8

Price: 17,220

Seat Leon Hatchback 2.0 TFSI Cupra 5dr

Sleek appearance, VW reliability and a sporty turbo-charged engine combine to provide a car that's practical in family terms whilst undeniably fun to drive. The stylish look isn't at the expense of room in the back, or a spacious boot. A trip computer and cruise control are also fitted as standard.

Pros

Good looking in and out and capable of 0-60 in 6.4 seconds. Not that you'll be racing like that. Course not.

Cons

The priciest model in the range. Spend a bit less if you're willing to sacrifice some sportiness.

• Average MPG: 34
• Green rating: F
• Insurance group: 17

Price: £19,495

Porsche Cayenne 4x4 3.6 V6 5dr

Now, if you must get a 4x4 and it has to be big enough to cart an entire family around, then you may as well do it in a bit of style, and the Porsche Cayenne provides more than a little bit. All of the luxury the name Porsche implies, but on a scale that's practical for a family.

Pros

Luxury and the status of a Porsche

Cons

The priciest car of our selection

• Average MPG: 21.9
• Green rating: G
• Insurance group: 20

Price: £37,100

And a second-hand bargain...

Fiat Multipla MPV (99-04) 1.9JTD 105 ELX 5dr

If none of the above appeal here's the wild card. Fiat's heroically ugly MPV is cool by dint of the fact that it doesn't make the slightest effort to be cool, and what could be cooler than that?

Sends out the message that just because you're a dad, doesn't mean you've kissed goodbye to quirky individuality. 

• Top ten rock and roll dads

Author

Steve Cochrane is a freelance journalist and scriptwriter who is married with three children, varying in age from 17 to eight. As well as writing he has worked as a full time househusband, unofficial family childminder and has spent many years trying to come up with a better word for househusband.

 

 

 

Your thoughts?

What do you think of the cars above? What do you look for in a cool family car? Use the comments system below.