The best second cars: top runarounds and cars for busy families
Need a second car in your household? Discover our top picks and buying tips
)
By Tia North
Last updated: 8 July 2025
Need a second runaround that's nippy and efficient for the school run and local shopping trips? You're not alone.
With so much choice available, it's time to draw up a shortlist of what you really want from your second car.
)
Second cars are useful for busy families, especially if your main car is used for the daily commute.
You might also use it for your holidays, long trips and family visits.
Which means that when it comes to your second motor, you won't need one that's quite as spacious, with a big boot and fuel tank.
Your ideal second car is likely to be relatively compact in size, but big enough to carry the kids safely.
Luckily there are lots of models out there that do just that. Alongside a growing selection of compact SUVs that feel nice and sturdy while offering great visibility.
Take a look at our top recommendations for second cars - alongside our top tips on what to think about when you're ready to run two motors.
Škoda Fabia
SEAT Arona
Nissan Leaf
Volkswagen Golf
Peugeot 208
Petrol, diesel – or even electric?
Diesel cars have only ever been worth buying if you cover somewhere in the region of 10,000 to 12,000 miles every year. If you’re using a car almost solely as a runabout, then diesel simply won’t be economical.
The other thing to bear in mind is that diesel cars take a few miles to warm up and, if you only make short trips and the car doesn’t have enough time to do this, you could be storing up expensive mechanical problems for later.
If a runaround is what you're after, then petrol is what you should go for. Even better, consider a hybrid or electric car – anything that will run without any tailpipe emissions.
You can rest easy, knowing that you’re contributing to cleaner air in your neighbourhood and, if you go for a hybrid car, you won’t have to worry about ‘range anxiety’, aka running out of battery.
As with compact SUVs, the number of hybrid cars in production is increasing year on year, making it even easier to find something suitable.
Safety first
If you’re using your second car for the school run and generally ferrying active kids around town, you’ll want to ensure that your car is as safe as it's possible to be.
There are two factors to consider here: active safety and passive safety.
Active safety features prevent a collision, such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), also known as ‘front assist’ by manufacturers.
Passive safety features are crash protection features, such as airbags, side impact protection, etc.
Look for a car’s Euro NCAP rating. This is the Europe-wide body that independently tests the safety of new models, so you can check how safe a car is by visiting their website.
Practicality
Your second car is there because you need a useful motor on a daily basis, so you'll need to have a feature checklist at the ready.
Think about things like:
How easy is it to park?
Is there good visibility out of the windows and mirrors?
Are there parking sensors or even a parking camera to help you squeeze into tight spaces?
Do the rear doors that open wide for children to get in and out easily?
Are there ISOFIX anchors for the child seat?
Is there a rear bench that slides back and forth to adjust the rear legroom and boot space?
Is the boot big enough to get a buggy or pram in? And shopping as well?
Is the lip of the boot low enough so you don’t have to hoick anything too high to get it in and out?
Now let's take a look at some options.
Škoda Fabia
)
If you want a practical, reliable runabout, the Fabia is a good choice.
Škoda is very good at ‘packaging’ and making the most of the available space in a car – and this is especially true of the spacious-feeling Fabia, which also enjoys a good reputation for reliability.
It's essentially a Volkswagen Polo underneath, so you know what you're getting is tried and tested, and will last for many miles.
)
SEAT Arona
)
If you want a compact SUV, the SEAT Arona is a good bet.
Stylish, well-equipped and with a slightly elevated driving position, this is a useful and good-looking car that fits in well in an urban environment.
If you have a family, this SEAT is particularly appealing because of its well-sized boot and elevated driving position.
 "SEAT Arona review banner")
Nissan Leaf
)
If the idea of cleaner, greener driving is your thing, the Leaf will tick that box – and also give you a boot big enough to carry everything you need for trips around town.
This all-electric hatchback offers silent driving, which is ideal if you don't want to wake up your neighbours (or their loud dog).
In its top-spec guise, the Nissan Leaf comes with a 62kWh battery that offers up to 239 miles of range – perfect for most people's everyday commutes.
)
Volkswagen Golf
 "Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport front three quarters")
With an excellent reputation as a solid, dependable car, the Volkswagen Golf is a popular family hatchback that offers a comfortable ride for all passengers, with good leg space at the front and rear for riders young and old.
It handles well, making it ideal for zipping around town and long motorway travels, while being well-insulated against noise on the latter front.
Our motoring journalist Ben Welham says: 'Golfs have always been easy to drive and are just generally good at being your everyday car.'
The boot space is highly practical too: 'Come round to the rear of the car and you’re greeted by a wide and deep boot offering 381 litres of space,' says Ben. 'Enough for about six small suitcases we reckon.'
Peugeot 208
 "Peugeot 208 exterior")
Praised for its stylish looks, comfortable ride, and well-equipped, high-tech interior, especially in higher trims, the Peugeot 208 is an ideal second car.
With a striking and well-designed interior, this five-door hatchback offers a smooth ride on the motorway and good fuel efficiency, averaging around 50mpg.
Our Motoring Editor, Sam Sheehan, says: 'If it’s a stylish interior that you’re after, you’ll find the 208 punches well above its weight.
'In fact, some even put it in the same illustrious company as cars like the new Mini and the Audi A1.'
When it comes to boot space, the 208 offers 311 litres, more than the Ford Fiesta and the Citroen C3, and smaller than the Renault Clio.
'You’ll easily be able to fit quite a few shopping bags in the back and at least three full-sized suitcases – just not all at the same time,' says Sam.
)
Choosing the best second car
Deciding on the best second car for you and your family will all come down to personal choice, but if you're looking for a good-sized family hatchback to fit the bill, then any of the options we've listed here will serve you well.
For the best tech and features, you'll need to move up the trim levels, though all of these cars also have excellent features in their standard trims.
Perhaps the biggest luxury of all will be not worrying about having to get the kids to two completely different locations at exactly the same time.
)