If this year is anything like last there will be fewer opportunities to go on holiday abroad and more time spent roaming the local area. If you don't have a family car for this, or you're thinking about a staycation, it might be time to invest in a vehicle that will add value to your life this spring and summer. Below we look at some of the top mad family cars you can buy this year and why they're worth your investment.
BMW 1 SERIES
If you want to bring comfort and convenience into your mad family life you need a family car. Even if you just have one car in the family, it can revolutionise your lifestyle and give you more vacation options when it comes to the spring and summer months. But you don't just want any family car, you want one with some mad style.
The BMW 1 series definitely doesn't lack that mad style you want. On the outside the 1 series is everything you would expect from the leading brand's flagship model. It's slick, stylish and available in a variety of trims. There are some changes from the previous model, however, like the switch from rear to front wheel drive.
But don't let that put you off, if indeed it does. The new 1 series is very practical as a family car as well as carrying some mad style. There's more space in the rear seating area for passengers, it's available in petrol or diesel depending on your usage, and it features 16-inch car rims that will make you the envy of the neighbourhood.
FORD FOCUS
Do you often have to call cabs to pick up family members from weekly events, or ask neighbours and friends for a lift? That's a mad way to live. It's time you invested in a family car to help out. Buy the right car, and it'll start to feel like part of the family, especially when you start taking it on family vacations and creating those lifelong memories.
The Ford Focus might not be the glasshouse car in the showroom but it's a reliable and trustworthy addition to any household. The Ford Focus has a reputation as the best all-rounder, so it's something worth sacrificing those high-end rims for a little more practicality. The Ford Focus is also excellent to drive offering the perfect balance of speed and grip.
The Ford Focus is available in the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine form or the 1.5-litre diesel engine. The petrol one is recommended if you need a car for running around in. If you're picking kids up from sports clubs or going to the shops, the 1.0 litre petrol definitely offers the best economy. But if you're using predominantly for work or travel, the diesel engine is a better choice.
HONDA CIVIC
Just because it's a family car doesn't mean it can't also be mad with style. That's what you want, a car that says something about who you are a collective but also delivers where it counts – that is, in terms of fuel economy and reliability. Of these are your aims then don't overlook the Honda Civic.
Although they are developing a family car here, Honda have taken a slightly left field approach. They've gone for an extroverted styling with a low slung driving position – somewhat more like a sports car. They also incorporate a pair of petrol engines that deliver excellent performance. So popular is this Honda Civic design that you are likely to see many variations on the market.
Like most of the top mad family cars on this list, the Honda Civic is available in different engine types. You can go with the popular twin petrol engines or opt instead for the 1.6 litre diesel engine. The petrol powered Honda Civics, however, typically prove better for family use and tend to be more popular.
KIA CEED
When buying a mad family car many people go for a combination of style and substance. Others opt for comfort and practicality, unaffected by the outward appearance of the vehicle. Not that the outward appearance of the Kia Ceed is unappealing on the contrary, it is a very fine looking unit. It just doesn't have the same pizazz as say the Civic or the 1 Series.
For those who see beyond the bodywork you will find a very decent car in the Kia Ceed. It is packed with equipment and very roomy inside. There is no one area where the Kia Ceed is excellent, it is rather a competent all rounder, much like the Focus. Unlike the Focus, however, the Ceed is available in seven trim levels and comes with a seven year warranty.
The trim level you choose will largely determine the price you pay and the level of mad personalization you can achieve. On the higher trim levels you will benefit from 16-inch alloy wheel trims, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a reversing camera and cruise control.
MERCEDES BENZ A-CLASS
If you've got it you might as well flaunt it, right? This is what you would be doing if you went for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class family car. In recent years, the stats show that people are willing to pay a bit extra for a vehicle that has a desirable badge, impressive interior, and the latest technology.
If you're traveling with your family then why not travel in style with Mercedes A-Class. If you opt for the more expensive model you might be surprised by the digital screen that joins across the front to create an all digital display. Pay less and you get two separate 7 inch touchscreens.
The Mercedes Ben A Class is often the best selling car in many places, such as the UK and Europe. There are several models available all with separate trim types and available at different costs. There is also a hybrid and electric vehicle available. Many people say that you could buy one of these on the strength of its interior and technology alone – it's not hard to see why.