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The 5 Best Family Cars in Australia in 2024

On the hunt for the right car for your family? Learn about five of the best cars on offer to families with Savvy today!
Published on December 8th, 2020
  Written by 
Thomas Perrotta
Thomas Perrotta is the managing editor of Savvy. Throughout his time at the company, Thomas has specialised in personal finance, namely car, personal and small loans, although he has also written on topics ranging from mortgages to business loans to banking and more. Thomas graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Media, majoring in journalism, and has previously had his work published in The Advertiser.
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   Reviewed by 
Bill Tsouvalas

Reviewer

Bill Tsouvalas
Bill Tsouvalas is the managing director and a key company spokesperson at Savvy. As a personal finance expert, he often shares his insights on a range of topics, being featured on leading news outlets including News Corp publications such as the Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun, Fairfax Media publications such as the Australian Financial Review, the Seven Network and more. Bill has over 15 years of experience working in the finance industry and founded Savvy in 2010 with a vision to provide affordable and accessible finance options to all Australians. He has built Savvy from a small asset finance brokerage into a financial comparison website which now attracts close to 2 million Aussies per year and was included in the BRW’s Fast 100 in 2015 as one of the fastest-growing companies in the country. He’s passionate about helping Australians make financially savvy decisions and reviews content across the brand to ensure its accuracy. You can follow Bill on LinkedIn.
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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!

Smaller cars: Hyundai i30

The Hyundai i30 is a popular choice for Australian families seeking a balance between practicality, style and affordability. 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.

Hyundai i30 Sedan
Hyundai i30 Sedan

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.

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.
  • 5-star ANCAP safety rating: the i30 has achieved a 5-star safety rating from ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) for both its hatch and sedan variants.
  • 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.

Toyota Kluger
Toyota Kluger

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.

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.
  • 5-star ANCAP safety rating: like the Hyundai i30, the Kluger has achieved a coveted 5-star safety rating from ANCAP.
  • 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 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.

Kia Carnival
Kia Carnival

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 a cheaper alternative to the Kluger while still packing the same size.

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+).
  • 5-star ANCAP safety rating: crucially, the Kia Carnival has also been awarded a 5-star safety rating from ANCAP.
  • 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.

Land Rover Defender
Land Rover Defender

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.

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.
  • 5-star ANCAP safety rating: despite its off-road focus, the Defender has been given a 5-star safety rating from ANCAP, albeit its V8 variants aren’t included as part of this rating.
  • 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.

Ford Ranger
Ford Ranger

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.

Key features:

  • Seating for five: most of the Ranger’s variants offer the option for a double cab configuration, providing 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.
  • 5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating: the Ranger, like the other contenders on this list, boasts a maximum rating from ANCAP.
  • Off-road capability: while not as specialised as the Defender, the Ranger offers good off-road capability with features like ground clearance, approach and departure angles and available four-wheel drive.
  • 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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This guide provides general information and does not consider your individual needs, finances or objectives. We do not make any recommendation or suggestion about which product is best for you based on your specific situation and we do not compare all companies in the market, or all products offered by all companies. It’s always important to consider whether professional financial, legal or taxation advice is appropriate for you before choosing or purchasing a financial product.

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