The Best Cars for Prams, Babies & Young Families
By AlexGuide overview:
- If you’ve got a baby on the way, look for a car with a big, square boot, ISOFIX points on the rear seats, strong safety ratings and low running costs.
- Stick to tried-and-tested family favourites like hatchbacks, estate cars, and SUVs or crossovers. They usually offer the best mix of space and value.
- Most folded prams measure between 90–110cm long, so aim for a boot of at least 300 litres to avoid a squeeze.
- ISOFIX points are essential for young families, they let you click a compatible car seat straight into the car’s anchor points, keeping it as secure and stable as possible.
Bringing a baby home changes how you look at lease cars almost immediately. Gone are the days of choosing a car because you like its style or 0-62mph time, it's now more about "Will the pram fit?", "How easy is it to get the car seat in?", and "Is there an automatic tailgate?"
We get it. Becoming a parent for the first time can feel daunting, but sorting your car out early can save you a lot of hassle once your family starts to grow.
In this guide, we'll look at the best cars for prams and young families, from compact cars to big-booted SUVs, and show how leasing can help you keep costs predictable as your family grows.
It's the question on your mind: what is the best car for families with young children?
Unfortunately, there's no single 'perfect model', but the best cars for young families typically combine:
- A big, square boot with a low load lip and adjustable floor
- Rear seats with at least two ISOFIX points for your car seats
- Strong safety ratings and driver assistance tech
- Low running costs
Get those foundations right and you're most of the way to finding the ideal family car, whether they're a busy toddler or school age.
Small cars are ideal if you're looking for a vehicle that can handle urban driving and all the baggage (literally) that comes with having a baby.
1. Volkswagen Golf Hatchback
The Volkswagen Golf is a staple of British family life for good reason.
- 381-litre boot, which is big enough for many smaller folded prams, and the wide opening makes loading relatively straightforward.
- Rear space is generous for a compact car and it comes with two ISOFIX points and a split-folding rear bench.
- Keyless entry is standard across the range, so the car and boot unlock as you approach, perfect when your hands are full of prams, bags and baby.
- The ride is comfortable and quiet and shouldn't disturb your children.
Best for: New parents looking for an affordable and reliable family car that's easy to drive and manoeuvre day to day.
2. Honda Civic Hatchback
We’re being a bit cheeky including the Honda Civic here, as it’s more hatchback-estate than compact car, but it absolutely warrants a place on this list. It’s a great choice for small families, with a big boot and plenty of baby-friendly practicality.
- 410-litre boot as standard, increasing to 1,220 litres with the rear seats folded flat, plus a wide, usable load bay.
- Excellent rear space that’s ideal for baby seats and growing children.
- Keyless entry, allowing you to unlock the car with the fob in your pocket.
- Honda’s reputation for strong reliability is a big plus for family peace of mind.
Best for: Parents looking for a small-ish car with a generous boot and excellent reliability, without stepping up to a full estate.
3. Audi A3 Sportback
The Audi A3 Sportback is a small car that blends style, quality and everyday usability. Add in how affordable it is on a lease, and it’s a tough option to turn down.
- 380-litre boot, extending to 1,280 litres with the rear seats folded down – enough for a pram and plenty of extras.
- Boasts a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, which is reassuring when you’ve got little ones on board.
- Two ISOFIX points on the rear outer seats make it one of the best compact cars for baby seats in this class.
Best for: Young professionals or new parents who want a sportier car without sacrificing practicality.
Estate cars and larger hatchbacks offer the perfect middle ground between small cars and SUVs. They’re ideal if you don’t worry about exterior size but do need a spacious interior and a family car with a big boot.
1. Skoda Octavia Estate
If you're after a car with a big boot, the Octavia Estate should be at the top of your list.
- Around 640 litres of boot space with the seats up and up to 1,700 litres with them folded.
- Boot lighting and storage compartments come as standard, as does a sliding boot cover.
- Keyless entry and an electric tailgate with virtual pedal are available, so the boot opens even when your hands are full.
- Clever touches like hooks, nets and remote seat-release levers help everyday life feel less chaotic.
Best for: Families who want a spacious all-rounder.
2. Toyota Corolla Touring Sport
The Toyota Corolla Touring Sports ticks a lot of boxes. It’s efficient, stylish, well equipped and affordable to run, which adds up to a very good family car.
- Competitive 581-litre boot, more than enough for a pram and luggage, with upper and lower deck options for flexible storage.
- Rear seats fold via a remote lever, giving a fully flat load floor for bulkier items.
- Toyota’s proven hybrid tech helps keep running costs low, very handy when nursery fees arrive.
- Comes as standard with a boot door release and boot light, which are more useful than they sound on dark evenings.
Best for: Parents looking for a reliable hybrid family car with enough boot space for a pram and weekend bags.
3. Skoda Superb Estate
The Skoda Superb Estate is a bit of a dream for growing families. It’s not just a brilliant car, it offers maximum space for prams, bags and everything else.
- Huge boot offering up to 690 litres as standard, extending to 1,920 litres with the rear seats folded flat.
- The opening is wide and low, so you’re not heaving the pram up and over a high lip every time you go out.
- Rear legroom is limo-like, making it easy to fit two baby/child seats and still seat a tall adult comfortably.
- Storage compartments in the boot come with a cover, four hooks, two lights, one 12V socket and two cargo elements.
Best for: Families who want one of the best cars for prams and big families, with enough boot and rear-seat space to see them through the baby years and beyond.
If you need a bit more space, for example, including a pram and a dog, a mid-size SUV or crossover is often the sweet spot. They offer a high driving position, easy access to the rear, and a tall and square boot.
1. Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai is one of the most popular family SUVs and it's easy to see why.
- Up to 504 litres of boot space, extending to 1,447 litres with the rear seats folded.
- The boot is usefully shaped, making it straightforward to load a pram, changing bag and a couple of suitcases.
- Automatic tailgate available on higher trims, ideal when your hands are full.
- It rides comfortably, has a high driving position and a strong reputation for reliability.
Best for: Parents who want a do-it-all family SUV that handles the day to day exceptionally well.
2. Skoda Kodiaq
If you've already got children and another is on the way, the Kodiaq is a superb option.
- In five-seat mode, the Kodiaq offers up to 910 litres of boot space; in the seven-seat version, there’s 340 litres with all seats up. Fold all rear seats and you get a cavernous 2,035 litres.
- Two ISOFIX points on the second row and an optional third on the front passenger seat make it easy to run multiple child seats.
- It’s been consistently praised as one of the best big family cars for space and value.
Best for: Larger families or those who want space for three child seats, a pram, and even a dog.
3. Volvo XC60
Although the Volvo XC60 sits towards the luxury end of the spectrum, it still does all the basics right. It puts safety first and has a big, cleverly designed boot, perfect for young families.
- The boot offers 598 litres of space and is wide, flat-floored and free of a high lip; a power-operated tailgate makes access easy.
- Rear seats split-fold 40/60 and lie flat, creating a level surface whether you fold them together or separately.
- Upmarket cabin with supportive seats, great visibility and high-quality materials, which all help take the edge off long days and longer journeys.
- Packed with advanced safety tech and driver-assistance systems, helping protect your family and reducing the chances of low-speed bumps in car parks and tight streets.
Best for: Parents who want a premium, safety-focused family SUV that still has a practical boot and a relaxed and comfortable feel.
4. Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is arguably the prototype modern family SUV, a techy, big-boot all-rounder that’s built around family driving.
- In petrol form you get up to 591 litres of boot space with the seats up and up to 1,780 litres with them folded.
- 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats drop via simple levers, so you can still carry two kids in their seats and slide a buggy or scooter through the middle.
- A wide opening, low load lip and (on GT-Line S) a smart power tailgate make life much easier when you’re juggling a pram and a wriggling toddler.
Best for: Families looking for a motor with a big, clever boot, loads of kid-friendly tech and the reassurance of a long warranty and strong safety kit.
To find the best cars for young families, we focused on models that:
- Have practical, usable boot space, not just big litres
- Offer comfortable rear seats with ISOFIX and easy access for fitting baby seats
- Score well for safety and reliability
- Are popular family cars, so there's a wide choice of engines and trims
The exact boot size your after depends on the pram you've got. The bigger the pram, the bigger the boot you'll need.
When folded, most prams measure between 90-110cm long, so consider this when going for a viewing (and take a tape measure).
- Smaller hatchbacks usually have a boot between 300-400 litres, which should fit a folded pram.
- Larger estate cars or SUVs offer 500+ litres, allowing you to store a pram and maybe even some extras.
Always check the folded pram dimensions against the car’s boot measurements, and remember you’ll also need space for shopping, scooters and everything else that seems to multiply with children.
An ISOFIX point is a built-in anchor in car seats that are compatible with modern child seats. Instead of faffing around with seatbelts, ISOFIX points let you click the connectors on the seat into the car's anchor points, keeping the car seats as stable as possible.
Most new family cars in the UK now include at least two ISOFIX points in the rear, and some have more.
For more information, check out our Lease Cars with Three ISOFIX Points blog.
If you’ve spotted a car that looks like the best car for your family, the next step is to compare live prices and see what fits your budget.
Browse our dedicated family leasing hub to have a look at popular family cars, or if you're leaning towards an SUV, check out our latest 4x4 & crossover leasing offers.
For more reading, explore our Safest Cars for Young Families or Best Seven-Seaters for Families guides.
Guide Information
Originally published: 21st March 2017
Last updated: 9th December 2025
Due to be reviewed: 26th January 2026
