Juggling lots of responsibilities is something that all working mums are used to, and when you have a meeting, the school run and the shopping to do all in one day, you need a multi-functional car that will make your life a little easier. Whether you’re a mum to toddlers or teenagers, we have a list of ten of the most safe, reliable and spacious cars that every working mum should own.
Ford Fiesta
The Sixth Generation of the Fiesta boasts a stylish exterior, ultra smooth road-handling and a lot of boot space. Not only is it affordable, but EuroNCAP has also rewarded the Fiesta with a 5 star safety rating for adults and a 4 star safety rating for children. What’s more, with this car you won’t spend the morning in a frantic rush, searching for your keys, as the Ford KeyFree System means you can start the engine at the push of a button. It also helps you squeeze into tight spaces with the Park Assist feature, meaning you’ll spend less time trying to maneuver in the supermarket car park.
Nissan Qashqai
If your brood is expanding, the Nissan Qashqai may be the perfect car for you. With Nissan ranking at number 7 as the most reliable car maker, it’s well-built with firm road-handling. The Qashqai has an identical adult and child EuroNCAP star rating to the Fiesta, and is complete with an electronic stability programme and hydraulic fade compensation, so you’ll have extra grip in adverse weather.
Skoda Fabia Estate
As one of the smaller cars in the Skoda family, the Fabia estate is perfect for running your tot around. With its surprisingly roomy boot, this car has plenty of space for a buggy as well as anything else you might need. One benefit of the Fabia’s size is that it’s particularly multi-functional and easy to fit into tight parking spaces. If you have older children, the Fabia would also be an ideal safe and small car for you – or your husband – to give them their very first driving lessons in. This Skoda has a EuroNCAP star rating of 4 for adults and 3 for children.
Volkswagen Golf
This practical hatchback is ideal for everyday use. Comfortable and classy, the Volkswagen Golf is one of the most popular cars on British roads. It may not be the most spacious for a large family, but for mums who are returning to work after their first baby, this car is perhaps the perfect choice. EuroNCAP awarded this one another 5 stars for adults and 4 stars for children, proving that you don’t have to own a huge gas-guzzling monster to keep you and the little one safe on the road.
Peugeot 3008 MPV
MPV stands for Multi Purpose Vehicle, and this car is exactly that. It’s the style of a small family car but is deceptively spacious. Reliable and practical, you have the added assurance of Peugeot’s trusted reputation. The 3008 looks good whether you’re ferrying the kids about or meeting friends for lunch, and with an overall EuroNCAP rating of 5 stars, it’s a very popular choice.
Vauxhall Astra Hatchback
This is one of the pricier cars on the list, but the Vauxhall Astra Hatchback provides firm road-handling and a solid build. It looks sleek and has plenty of room inside, but according to What Car? doesn’t hold its value well. If you’re looking for style and space over saving money, the Astra scores another 5 stars, so may be the ideal car for you.
Kia Sportage Crossover
Another one for an expanding family, the Kia Sportage is a stylish SUV perfect for taking your kids to football, ballet and everything else in between. Although it may not be the most practical for parking, it can certainly fit all of your shopping bags and more in the back. It may look like a budget buster, but you can get one for under £20,000. The Kia Sportage scores another 5 stars with EuroNCAP.
Honda Civic Hatchback
With its ultra modern looks and renowned reliability, the Honda Civic Hatchback could be your perfect companion. There’s less space in this one, but it is very fuel efficient. The Honda Civic was awarded 5 stars by EuroNCAP this year, so what it lacks in space, it makes up for in safety.
Audi A3 Hatchback
Perhaps the best looking on the list, the Audi A3 Hatchback is perfect for the style conscious mum. Proving it’s not just a pretty face, the A3 has a strong, reliable engine and excellent road-handling. It does come with a pretty hefty price tag, but at least your kids won’t mind being picked up at the gates in this one. The newest version of the Audi A3 was awarded 5 stars by EuroNCAP this year, and is ideal for mums with older children.
Volvo XC60
Our final 4×4 on the list, the volvo XC60 is a spacious family car, ideal for both term time and holidays. You can fit all the kids – and more – in there, so whether it’s the school run or a trip to the beach, this versatile car suits ever need. It is, perhaps, less suitable for the working mum with an inner-city job, but the sleek exterior exudes style. In 2009, EuroNCAP awarded this car 5 stars overall, but its child occupant safety rating, at 79%, was slightly below the others on the list.
This guest post was written by Isabelle Guarella. When she’s not reading up on new cars, you can find her writing at PassSmart.com.
