The ‘best family car’ named after perfect score in safety – winner may surprise you

The study rated each on ten key factors, such as safety, practicality, boot space, insurance, long-term value, and running costs.

12:00, 01 Apr 2026

The ‘best family car’ has been named in new research – and the top-rated motor may surprise you. In a world where electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular, one of the biggest names in the industry took the title.

Families searching for a reliable car want practicality and safety, but also have to take into account rising fuel costs. As motoring technology evolves and household budgets remain under pressure, many buyers are turning to the second hand market in search of vehicles that offer strong value without compromising on everyday usability.

A new academic study has now identified what it describes as the best second-hand family car in the UK using a scientific scoring system based on real world ownership factors. The research looked at the most popular three-year old vehicles available for less than £25,000.

The study, led by the Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University in partnership with Cazoo, found that seven of the top ten were either EVs or hybrids, highlighting the move away from traditional petrol and diesel motors.

In what may have been a surprise to some, the research concluded that the Tesla Model Y ranks as the top choice for families. The SUV achieved an overall score of 58 following analysis across a range of practical and financial measures.

The study assessed popular vehicles registered within the past three years and currently available on the used market for under £25,000.

Each model qualified as a family car based on specific characteristics and was evaluated using ten metrics considered important for households. These included safety, practicality, boot capacity, insurance group, long term value and overall ownership costs.

Pricing calculations were based on the average cost of a three-year-old example. The Tesla Model Y secured first place after achieving maximum scores in three key categories: safety, warranty and boot volume.

The vehicle carries an eight year warranty and holds a five star Euro NCAP safety rating. It also performed strongly in additional areas covering bonus features such as climate control, parking cameras and lane departure warning technology.

Although the average price of a three year old Model Y stands at £22,428, researchers found that lower running costs and strong performance helped offset the higher upfront expense.

Older Tesla models were also highlighted as an alternative option for buyers, with some examples available on Cazoo from around £9,000. Second and third place were claimed by more traditional family favourites, the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Corsa, which scored 53 and 50, respectively.

Both vehicles achieved consistent results across multiple categories, with lower insurance groups and accessible pricing contributing to their continued popularity among families.

According to the findings, EVs performed particularly well due to reduced per mile running costs and longer battery warranty coverage. High specification features combined with improving affordability also strengthened their rankings compared with conventional petrol models.

By purchasing vehicles around three years old, buyers were found to avoid the steepest phase of depreciation while still benefiting from modern technology and premium equipment levels that would otherwise come at a significantly higher cost when new.

Professor Peter Wells, Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University, said: “With so much opinion available on the ‘best’ cars, it’s always been tricky for consumers to navigate the buying decision.

“This new top ten list identifies the hard facts that family car buyers care about. While each factor plays a unique role, this innovative approach has been valuable to decipher the perfect combination of key appeal features.

“In this case, the Tesla Model Y takes it. Despite being a more pricey option, the car meets that ideal balance between value and quality. That said, it’s worth looking into several on the top 10 list, as each will provide a feature beneficial to family life.”

The top 10 best used cars for families in the UK under £25,000

1. Tesla Model Y 2023 RWD 5dr Auto – 58
2. Ford Focus 2023 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium – 53
3. Vauxhall Corsa 2023 (23) 50kWh GS Hatchback – 50
4. Mazda CX-30 2023 2.0 122ps 2WD Sport Lux – 47.5
5. Range Rover Evoque 2023 (69) 1.5 P300e A – 44
6. SEAT Leon 2023 1.5 FR TSI Evo 5dr – 42
7. Hyundai IONIQ 5 2023 SE CONNECT – 39.5
8. Volkswagen ID.3 2023 150kW Pro 58kWh – 39
9. Volkswagen Golf 2023 1.5 TSi Style Edition 5dr – 39
10. Skoda Superb 2023 1.5 TSI SE 5dr DSG – 38.5

Lucy Tugby, Marketing Director at Cazoo, added: “Buying a family car can be an overwhelming process – especially when you’re a busy parent. How do you know which car is right for you?

“We’re thrilled to be working with such an established voice on the subject, Peter Wells, who has crunched the numbers and revealed the ultimate choices for family life.

“We understand that every family needs a car unique to their needs, so the list devised provides something for everyone. And by buying a used car, you can find models that provide high-spec features at a lower price point.”