Expectant Parents – Must-haves for a family-friendly car

Are you expecting a new addition to your family?

Preparing for life with a baby on board can be overwhelming, and if you’re considering a new set of wheels to drive you into the adventure that is parenthood, you might be feeling a little clueless about what to look for.

Luckily, we’re here to take the mystery out of choosing a family-friendly motor.

Here’s our guide to the must-have features for a family-friendly car.

Safety
You’re going to be transporting precious cargo when your new baby arrives. Which brings us on to the subject of car seats. Heard of Isofix and i-Size? If not, now’s the time to start doing some research but here’s a quick breakdown. In a nutshell, Isofix is a standardised international system which allows you to safely fit your baby’s car seat without needing to use the seat belt. If you choose an Isofix car-seat, don’t forget to double-check your new car is compatible.

Every year, Euro NCAP tests vehicles in a number of categories, including ‘safest family cars’. In 2019, their list of 5-star rated family cars includes the Kia Ceed, Mazda 3 and Skoda Skala. When choosing which family car to lease, we’d recommend looking out for useful safety features such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), visibility aids and blind-spot warning systems. Not sure which set of wheels to pick for your growing family?

Space
Babies might be tiny, but they sure need a lot of ‘stuff’! Oh, and they grow really fast too. You’ll want to make sure there’s ample space for your baby’s car seat in the back of the car. When checking this out, don’t forget to put the front seats into the position they’ll be in while you’re driving.

The boot will need to be big enough to accommodate large items including a pram and changing-bag, so look for a boot capacity of at least 250 litres. If you’re planning on growing your family fast, a larger hatchback like the Ford Mondeo or Ford Mondeo Estate could work well.

See our deals for cars with large boot space

Estates are a sensible choice, usually offering the largest boot space, which is particularly handy if you’ve got canine family members too. If it’s room for plenty of passengers you’re after and you’ve got a large family, a seven-seater people carrier, like the Seat Alhambra, could be a good practical solution.
Doors

It’s not impossible to put a car seat into a three-door car, but it can be difficult. A five-door car is a much better option. Some larger family vehicles feature sliding or extra-wide opening rear doors, which are ideal for families with more than one child. This can make getting all family members in and out safely oh so much easier.

Interior upholstery
Kids are messy – drinks, snacks, crayons, bodily fluids… trust us, during the next few years, you will be cleaning at least one of these off the interior of your new car. Our advice? Make life easy for yourself – choose a dark colour and go for leather if you can, it’s much easier to wipe clean.

Fuel type
What type of driving will you be doing in your new car? If you’ll mostly be driving at low speeds in built-up areas, consider a hybrid, petrol or electric vehicle. If you’re planning to use the car for long-distance driving or commuting, a diesel car is probably the most economic option.

Cost
As an expectant parent, you’ll find yourself spending some serious money in the coming months – cot, pram, car seat… the shopping list is endless. As a result, you’ll probably want to take a close look at your finances as you await your new arrival.

Just like babies, cars can be expensive too – and we’re not just talking about the initial outlay. You’ll need to consider things like maintenance and running costs as well. But when it comes to choosing a reliable family car, it pays not to simply go for the cheapest option. Particularly when it comes to safety and practicality.

Want to take the headache out of budgeting for unexpected car-related expenses? Why not consider a personal leasing arrangement? With Rivervale Leasing, you could pay a fixed monthly price to drive a brand-new vehicle which has all the family-friendly features you’ll need.

Want to find out more about car leasing?

We’d love to help. Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team on 01273 433 480 or request a callback today.