The best family cars under £15k
Looking for a safe and reliable drive on a budget? We explore some of the best used family cars for under £15k
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So, you’re searching for the best family car under £15k, but you have a long list of criteria you need to meet before you consider any particular model.
Below, we outline some of the best used family cars under £15,000 in six key categories.
We consider size and practicality while remembering to account for fun and enjoyment.
Continue reading to get an idea of which model might suit you, then turn to our extensive catalogue of cars to refine your search even further.
Skoda Superb
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When you’re buying to a budget – whatever that budget is – you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
The Superb is mechanically similar to the Volkswagen Passat, but comes in at a much more affordable price point.
Best large family car under £15k
There are few family cars for this price that come anywhere near, offering how much space the Skoda Superb does, whether that’s the metre-wide 625-litre boot, the plentiful rear headroom and legroom, or the luxurious and comfortable front seats.
You’ll find a selection of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options, but we recommend finding one with the smooth-shifting DSG automatic gearbox if you’re after the most effortless driving experience.
Standard kit is excellent, and even mid-spec models get all-round parking sensors, a powered boot lid, and a large touchscreen infotainment system capable of running Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Hyundai i30
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If you need space for the whole family but, more often than not, you find yourself driving alone, then a smaller hatchback like this high-quality Hyundai certainly fits the bill.
Best small family car under £15k
Hyundai was previously a brand known for its affordable cars, but it’s increasingly being known as a manufacturer of high-quality, well-equipped models.
For less than £15k, you’ll have no problem finding high-spec Premium SE models, which come with luxurious car tech like a reversing camera, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and all-round parking sensors.
If you tend to drive solo, a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine makes for a good pick, but there are more powerful options if you regularly carry a full car.
Ford Focus Estate
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Despite being known as a family hatchback, the Focus Estate is an incredibly popular compact estate that doesn’t compromise on practicality.
Best family estate car under £15k
At 4.7m long, it’s no longer than your typical family saloon, but it packs a punch with an impressive 575-litre boot, which extends to 1,620 litres with the rear seats folded – good enough to swallow an entire bike.
The Ford Focus Estate is durable and reliable and benefits from the brand’s tried-and-tested range of engines, including the popular EcoBoost petrol units.
With this budget, you’ll easily find top-spec Titanium X models and even eye-catching ST-Line X models, which come with striking alloy wheel designs and a sporty body kit.
BMW 3 Series
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Without having to go for a specific performance model, you can unlock quite a bit of pace by choosing the right BMW 3 Series.
Fast family car under £15k
Besides plenty of sporting heritage, BMW models are designed to be engaging and quick, but the 3 Series is also big enough to qualify as a practical family car.
There’s a selection of 3.0-litre petrol and diesels fast enough to keep up with the best hot hatches, but we think the 190hp 2.0-litre diesel is the sweet spot.
It can easily achieve 50mpg on a long trip, but it also does 0-62mph in around 7.5 seconds (depending on specification).
Add to this the desirable and popular M Sport trim – which comes with all the bells and whistles – and you’ve got yourself a really attractive family car.
MINI Clubman
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MINI now has as many family cars as it does small cars, and the Clubman promises to deliver enough space for five while keeping to the fairly compact recipe.
Fun family cars under £15k
Because it’s lower than the Countryman, which is a crossover, the Clubman sits closer to the ground and delivers the typical go-kart feel that you expect from smaller MINI models.
There’s no need to go for a large engine because even the basic Cooper models enjoy being revved, but the 2.0-litre Cooper S versions can be a whole lot more fun on the open road.
The Clubman’s party trick is its boot – the barn doors open outwards, and the flat floor makes loading bulky items in fairly easy.
Honda Civic
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Although Honda clearly aims the Civic at families, there are plenty of sporty touches through the Civic’s cabin and its exterior that give it the edge over most other hatchbacks.
Sporty family cars under £15k
To start with, there’s the Civic Type R, which is one of the best hot hatches money can buy. You won’t get one from the latest generation for less than £15,000, but if you pick one of the various Sport models, you’ll get a more aggressive body kit.
The car’s profile looks very athletic, with a long sloping roofline and large bumpers topped off with centrally positioned exhaust pipes that really look the part. Even the car’s speedometer looks great, putting the rev counter in prime position.
Petrol power comes in the form of 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre VTEC engines, which love to be pushed hard but are equally happy cruising around sedately and, more importantly, efficiently.
What makes a good family car for under £15k?
Family cars have a lot to live up to because you’re trusting in a set of wheels that will likely carry you from A to B hundreds – or thousands – of times.
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First and foremost, you’ll want something practical. Look for facts and figures, such as boot size, interior and exterior dimensions, equipment levels and connectivity, and ease of access to both the rear seats (think about fitting those child seats) and the boot.
Then, you’ll want something that should cost too much to run. Not only should the engine be efficient, but you’ll want it to sit in a reasonably low insurance group and cost little to tax.
Finally, a longer-term approach is needed. Consider things like reliability, safety (you can check cars’ Euro NCAP safety ratings, which are up to five stars), and warranty cover.
With all of this in mind, don’t forget to find something that brings a smile to your face. You’ll be driving this car day in, day out, so pick something that you truly enjoy.