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48 Phonebox Magazine | January 2025The modern family car needs to have a bit of everything going for it today. Space, comfort, versatility, power, economy %u2013 you name it, the family wagon should be off ering it.It%u2019s one of the most competitive and lucrative sectors of the motor industry and almost all of the world%u2019s car manufacturers will have a range of models designed to satisfy the needs of the UK%u2019s (and the globe%u2019s) families.The most common form of family car these days is the SUV (sport utility vehicle) which has become the go-to for many family man (or woman) buyers. They are joined by Crossovers, which are car-like compared with their van-style SUV cousins, but with increased ride height and more rugged features than a pure saloon model.But as a family, you can still fi nd an estate car or a hatchback if an SUV is just not for you. These were more common 10 or 15 years ago but they still appeal to some families, perhaps those with only one or two children.But it is the SUV that is king today and here in our round-up of some of the best family cars for 2025, it%u2019s the %u2018sport ute%u2019 that features most prominently among the list of hopefuls.And it's easy to see why an increasing number of car buyers are in the market for family SUVs. The manufacturers have, between them, produced a vast range of vehicles, coming in petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric form and in varying shapes, sizes, and sticker prices. So are you in the market for a family car, either new or as a used vehicle? Here are six of the best to look out for this year:Mercedes GLB %u2013 although the small SUV is related to its B-class hatchback cousin, there%u2019s a world of diff erence between the two Germans. The GLB is such as a clever car in that it off ers tons of space and versatility %u2013 and seven seats to boot %u2013 in a neat and compact package. Throw in Mercedes%u2019 legendary technology wizardry and gadgets, a quick and comfortable drive and a choice of petrol and diesel engines and it%u2019s a serious family contender.Price guide: %u00a340,000Ford Puma %u2013 Ford%u2019s popular Puma took over where the evergreen Fiesta left off , and its lovable looks, hatchback versatility, split fi veseat convenience and range of engines have won it many fans. Now the car giant has updated the range and made some changes, starting with the fact that it only comes with a 1.0-litre hybrid engine now, regardless of whether it%u2019s an entry-level Titanium or the mighty ST. Price guide: %u00a327,000Kia Sportage %u2013 it%u2019s not just the space-age looks that make the Sportage stand out from the crowd %u2013 it%u2019s the space full stop. There%u2019s simply loads of room in the cabin for driver, passenger and three rear occupants and a huge boot that will swallow three or four suitcases, some golf clubs or a pushchair. Its petrol engines are nippy and lively, and come with hybrid assistance to keep fuel bills in check. Price guide: %u00a326,000MG 5 EV %u2013 don%u2019t be fooled into thinking the MG is a budget option when it comes to electric vehicle (EV) family cars. At over %u00a330K it%u2019s hardly bargain basement territory. And nor should it be: the inside of this latest version is plush and luxurious, build quality is first class, there%u2019s plenty of room in cabin and boot area, and the battery will give 250 miles or so of range.Price guide: %u00a332,000Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer %u2013 the name suggests some sort of high-performance, mile-munching continental touring machine, but actually the Astra is a good, old-fashioned family estate. But it has got great looks, a spacious interior, smart dashboard with the usual display and phone pairings, and a 600 litre boot space %u2013 more if you fold the rear bench down. There%u2019s petrol, hybrid and full-electric power to choose from.Price guide: %u00a328,000Peugeot 508 SW %u2013 another solid entry in the estate car stakes, the Peugeot underwent a facelift last year and still looks good in the ever-changing world of road transport. The SW (station wagon) drags itself into the style arena with a stunning grille and neat, sloping rear end which masks a massive 1,700 litre boot. There%u2019s a 1.2-litre petrol engine plus a 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version. There%u2019s a modern, sporty interior to refl ect its decent handling.Price guide: %u00a334,000FAMILY MATTERSGot a family? You%u2019ll need some decent wheels to ferry them all around then. But you might also like a bit of performance, or an extra two seats, or an electric version. There%u2019s lots to choose from for Britain%u2019s families %u2013 here are just some of the best considerations for 2025.