I’m currently in the middle of a major family transport dilemma. Our unborn twins – or Ping & Pong, as they have become affectionately known over the past few weeks – are now expected at any moment. Ergo, the hospital bag is permanently stowed in our Skoda Superb SportLine and we remain on a solid amber alert.
The average twin pregnancy lasts a mere 35 weeks. Today, we are at 32 weeks and four days, hence the mild panic period has well and truly kicked in. To add to the fun, my wife Tash’s kid sister, Liv (a twin herself), is also due, with her first singleton expected on September 2. All bets are now off as to which sibling will be cradling their newborn/newborns first.
Shortlisted: Skoda Kodiaq SportLine (left) and, above, Tesla Model X (right)
Liv’s husband Tom – ‘the Spy’ (honestly, he is an actual spy) – and I are in daily contact re our respective loved ones’ desires and general bonkersness.
Having yet to experience parenthood, Liv and Tom have many surprises about to light up their day-to-day existence, most of which will, of course, be wonderful and life-affirming. They also do not have a car dilemma. After borrowing ours for a weekend, they bought an identical Skoda Superb SportLine – in Meteor Grey… the lot.
Tash, myself and our boys, Noah and Eli, however, have been involuntarily thrust into the land of seven-seater giants in what is becoming an increasingly more urgent situation. Our seven-seater shortlist now commands more of our collective attention than proper human names for Ping & Pong.
Here it is:
First, the Peugeot 5008 (from £25,580). It has received amazing reviews across the board and benefits from an added continental flair that goes some way to mitigating that ‘your life is over, you are now merely a steering wheel attendant for the rest of your days’ feeling.
Next on the list is the Tesla Model X (from £76,950), which is undeniably chic, polar-bear friendly and very tomorrow.
The Land Rover Discovery HSE is also in there (from £62,505). This car, as I wrote a few weeks ago, can actually look quite cool – as long as you order it in Mrs Queen’s distinctive racing green.
Our curveball is the Jeep Grand Cherokee (from £49,880), which actually scores quite low on all counts and is still quite expensive, but we thought it might be a novel alternative.
The Mercedes GLS (from £73,090) is the most luxurious to make our shortlist. It’s undeniably gorgeous and reeks of quality, but is probably more for the ‘too-posh-to-push’ gang.
We also briefly considered a van-based vehicle, such as the Citroen SpaceTourer (from £32,810), Mercedes Vito Tourer Pro (from £23,420), or the cavernous VW Transporter Kombi (from £30,125).
Leading the charge, however, is the sporty new seven-seater from our family’s go-to car brand: the Skoda Kodiaq SportLine (from £33,120), which is odds-on favourite to be sitting on our drive some time this side of Christmas.
But as the chances are you’re not about to have Pings & Pongs of your own in the near future, here are ten great family cars to suit all budgets and brood sizes – unless, of course, you’re the Waltons.
1. Best budget option
Dacia Duster From £9,995
It’s hard to know what to compare the Dacia Duster to. It’s a mid-size crossover like the Nissan Qashqai, but the cheapest Duster is £2,750 less than the cheapest Nissan Micra supermini. That headline-grabbing entry price – a fiver under £10,000 – gets you a very bare-bones car, with black plastic bumpers, no air-con and a poor petrol engine. But upgrade to the diesel and add a few comforts and you’ll still have a capable car that costs far less than its rivals, and holds its value well too.
It’s hard to know what to compare the Dacia Duster to. It’s a mid-size crossover like the Nissan Qashqai, but the cheapest Duster is £2,750 less than the cheapest Nissan Micra supermini
Also consider: Nissan Qashqai, Seat Ateca, Skoda Karoq
CHRIS SAYS: I love this car. It’s the best value-for-money car available on the road today (other than the millions of fantastic quality used cars). I hear the updated 2018 model, just out, is better than ever. I’ll be reviewing it early next month. Can’t wait.
2. Sensational seven-seater
Volvo XC90 From £50,435
Volvo means ‘I roll’ in Latin, and the firm has certainly been on a roll recently, with every new model receiving huge critical acclaim. The XC90 seven-seat SUV is Volvo’s biggest car and was the first of its revised range to debut, arriving back in 2014. It’s still top of its class, marrying cool Swedish design to a spacious and family-friendly cabin. Despite its size, it only offers four-cylinder engines: one petrol, one diesel, and a plug-in hybrid. But with the latter offering nearly 400bhp, you won’t need a thirsty V8.
The XC90 seven-seat SUV is Volvo’s biggest car and was the first of its revised range to debut, arriving back in 2014
Also consider: Land Rover Discovery, Audi Q7, BMW X5
CHRIS EVANS: It’s amazing in every way, with huge power and economy from the dinky two-litre engine, opulent luxury inside and state-of-the art technology. And, of course, it’s one of the safest cars ever made. In fact, it should be on my own shortlist. Oops!
3. Best all-round brilliant
Skoda Superb SportLine Estate From £27,990
Test drive a Skoda Superb and you’ll wonder why we’ve become so obsessed with SUVs and crossovers. The name says it all; it’s hard to find fault with the Superb, particularly in estate guise. It’s vast, comfortably accommodating adults in the rear seats and offering a huge boot, which beats most SUVs. Build quality is first-rate, there’s a huge choice of engines and the option of all-wheel drive for wet or wintry conditions. The SportLine trim sharpens up both the looks and handling but without compromising any of the Superb’s other qualities.
The SportLine trim sharpens up both the looks and handling but without compromising any of the Superb’s other qualitie
Also consider: Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia, Hyundai i40
CHRIS SAYS: The car I drive every day. In Meteor Grey, which Skoda did for me specially as a one-off and then chose to use as the colour for that amazing advert of theirs starring the irrepressible Paloma Faith. No matter what car I am sent to test, I cannot wait to get back into my Superb SportLine. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Whichever type of car you might be looking for, check out the Skoda version of the object of your desires. You might be in for a very pleasant surprise.
4. The electric car of your dreams
Jaguar I-Pace From £58,995 (after government grant)
Jaguar’s first electric car is arguably the best on sale. Its most important statistic is its range: it will travel up to 292 miles before you’ll need to plug it in again. But it also offers huge performance, with nearly 400hp, sharp handling, a beautifully made cabin, some off-road ability and even a big boot. Yes, it’s expensive, but that hasn’t dented the popularity of the Tesla Model S. Jag’s German rivals have their own luxury EVs on the way, but they’ll need to be exceptionally good to beat the I-Pace.
Jaguar’s first electric car is arguably the best on sale. Its most important statistic is its range: it will travel up to 292 miles before you’ll need to plug it in again
Also consider: Tesla Model S, Mercedes EQC, Porsche Taycan
CHRIS EVANS: I drove this car for the first time at Jaguar’s international launch in Portugal – I was on holiday nearby and couldn’t resist dropping in. It was love at first sight. The I-Pace is already a smash hit and it’s only been out for a minute. If it came with seven seats, it would be favourite to drive Ping & Pong home from hospital.
5. Chic little crossover
Citroën C3 Aircross From £14,700
The small crossover class is hugely competitive. These cars sell in big numbers to cash-conscious family buyers, so both carmakers and their customers need to get it right. Despite its cheeky looks and long list of funky custom options, the Citroën C3 Aircross is a serious contender, offering just what growing families need. The interior is bigger than the C3 hatchback’s and it’s flexible, with sliding rear seats and a removable flat boot floor. It isn’t thrilling to drive, but a smooth ride and good choice of efficient engines is more important for families.
Despite its cheeky looks and long list of funky custom options, the Citroën C3 Aircross is a serious contender, offering just what growing families need
Also consider: Renault Captur, Seat Arona, Nissan Juke
CHRIS EVANS: You’ll never meet a dull Citroën owner. They usually have an air of other-worldliness about them. This car is dreamy and fanciful and has an undercurrent of infinite joie de vivre – as do all Citroëns, especially when it comes to their interiors. The theme? There is no theme. It’s like a French bistro – it would look like a chaotic mess in any other country but, because it’s French, it’s somehow totally cool.
6. Go-anywhere city car
Volkswagen Up From £9,725
Volkswagen’s city car is tiny, at just 3.5 metres (11½ ft) long. But a surprisingly spacious cabin and VW’s usual Germanic build quality give it a big-car feel, and the Up will cope happily with trips out of the smoke, too. Choose between three- and five-door body styles and from a range of petrol engines, led by the hilarious Up GTi. Or there’s an all-electric e-Up: perfect for the city but a lot pricier at £21,140 (after the plug-in car grant). A built-in cradle lets you use your phone for navigation so no need for an expensive and soon-to-be obsolete built-in satnav system.
Choose between three- and five-door body styles and from a range of petrol engines, led by the hilarious Up GTi
Also consider: Citroen C1, Smart ForTwo, Fiat 500
CHRIS EVANS: The Evans family has an Up and we love it in every way. The only regret my wife has about the impending arrival of our unborn twins is that she will have to part with the Up.
7. The height of luxury
Bentley Bentayga From £135,800
The Bentayga is Bentley’s first SUV, and the first of a crop of such cars from the super-luxury carmakers. The Lamborghini Urus and Rolls-Royce Cullinan soon followed, and even Ferrari is planning an off-roader. With its handmade cabin and surprisingly sharp handling, the Bentayga sets a high standard – at a high price. There are W12 and V8 petrol engines, but Bentley’s first diesel is probably the best choice: refined, but with massive low-end grunt. For family use, choose the bench seat for three in the rear instead of the two individual chairs.
The Bentayga is Bentley’s first SUV, and the first of a crop of such cars from the super-luxury carmakers
Also consider: Range Rover, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Lamborghini Urus
CHRIS EVANS: An awesome piece of kit and a joy to drive and ride in. The sales figures have dumbfounded even Bentley. The only mild gripe I have about the Bentayga is that, in the wrong light, it can look a bit like an Audi Q7. The thing I love about it most is the outrageous fly fishing set you can buy as an £80,000 option. For which you can actually buy a Q7…
8. An SUV with Italian style
Alfa Romeo Stelvio From £39,035
It’s taken Alfa Romeo – renowned for its fine-handling, charismatic saloons and sports cars – a while to build its first SUV. But they are what many buyers want, and every other premium brand already offers at least one. The Stelvio, Alfa’s first attempt, has been a stunning success, matching the looks and driver appeal of its acclaimed Giulia saloon to a high-riding, more spacious SUV body. It’s just as stylish inside, if not as well made, as its German rivals. But if you value Italian glamour over Teutonic solidity, the Stelvio makes a superb choice.
The Stelvio has been a stunning success, matching the looks and driver appeal of its acclaimed Giulia saloon to a high-riding, more spacious SUV body
Also consider: Volvo XC60, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC
CHRIS EVANS: A billion dollar baby. Really. That’s what it cost to develop the platform that this super-cool Alfa SUV sits on. That means they only have to sell 30,000 of them to break even… In which case, it’s a good job it’s as fab as it is.
9. Thunderous estate
Mercedes E63 AMG From £86,915
A high-powered, premium estate car offering an appealing combination of performance, practicality and luxury. They’re a popular choice for family duties among well-heeled car nuts, and you’ll often find them sharing garage space with Porsche 911s. The Mercedes-AMG E63 has absurd acceleration and a thunderous exhaust note, but all the refinement, load space and clever self-driving tech of the standard E-class. The ‘S’ version increases the power output to over 600bhp for guaranteed school-run superiority.
The Mercedes-AMG E63 has absurd acceleration and a thunderous exhaust note, but all the refinement, load space and clever self-driving tech of the standard E-class
Also consider: Audi RS6, Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo, Alpina B5 Touring
CHRIS EVANS: Mercedes is at the very top of its game now and has been for some time – in a class all of its own. You will never feel a thrum under your bum quite like the one this beast produces. This car is an absolute testament to exemplary, world-class engineering.
10. Everyday family supercar
Ferrari GTC4 Lusso From: £240,402
Did you know that Ferrari makes a practical family estate car? And can we really claim that a £240,000 Ferrari makes ideal family transport? Well, not quite, but neither statement is far from the truth. Ferrari’s ‘grand tourer’ carries four adults with legroom to spare, and that squared-off rear end features a hatchback that opens to reveal a 450-litre boot, enough to carry a week’s luggage for the occupants. Few families need a 680bhp V12 engine that can get them to 60mph in 3.4 seconds, so luckily there’s also a frugal 603bhp V8 which takes 3.5 seconds.
Ferrari’s ‘grand tourer’ carries four adults with legroom to spare, and that squared-off rear end features a hatchback that opens to reveal a 450-litre boot, enough to carry a week’s luggage for the occupants
Also consider: Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes S-Class Coupe, Range Rover SV Coupe
CHRIS EVANS: As understated as a modern supercar gets – I love the rear light clusters and matching exhausts – and it sounds amazing. The kids loved it in the back, my wife even liked it in the front. But there’s only one thing better than sitting in a Ferrari, and that’s driving it, which I did. A lot. It’s very flash but passers-by didn’t seem to frown too much (as much as I presumed they might) when I had one for a few test days.