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Your car will accompany you and your family for several years and tens of thousands of kilometres. It is therefore crucial to choose a car that meets your budget and needs. And also to your taste and requirements for comfort, connectivity and versatility. Always test at least 2 different models before deciding.
Here are a few ways to determine your profile and the type of car that suits your needs. Remember that your family situation may change over 5 years. So if your relationship is well established and your family could grow, select the profile that is most likely to suit your life in the near future. For the selection of engines, we recommend that you also consult our table based on kilometres. It will complete the details below.
You live in a city, are single or a partner (or co-habitee), without children
A compact and easy-to-use car (less than 4.30m) is a must. Since you are often in the city, you probably have other mobility solutions, especially since many services are located near your home. Therefore, petrol, hybrid or – if you have a charging point – electric vehicles that are not too thirsty or bulky are the main purchasing factors. However, if your hobbies or social life require you to travel away from the city on a regular basis, sometimes accompanied by 2 or 3 people or with a full boot, you could opt for a larger model. In this case, not only the volume of the boot, but also its shape, is a criterion to be taken into account when regularly transporting bulky objects.
You live in a city, in a household with children of up to 4 people
A car that is not too big, but with 4 comfortable seats is required. This is even if you have easy access to many services close to your home and many mobility options that you should not overlook. For your family car, the boot must be able to accommodate weekly supermarket shopping, school equipment and children’s leisure equipment. A hybrid, petrol or (if you have access to a daily charging point) electric car is the preferred option. If the car is also used for regular journeys of more than 100km, with equipment, the size and shape of the boot must be taken into account. In this case, a plug-in hybrid is an option.
You live in a city with a large family (at least 3 children)
Your ideal car must have at least 3 “true” seats, i.e. seats large enough for all children to be comfortable or in their legally-required car seat in the rear. The boot must also be able to hold all family, school and leisure equipment, as well as luggage for holidays. The size of such a vehicle may be a drawback in the city. It could be replaced by one or two more compact vehicles and/or alternative solutions for everyday use, such as two-wheelers. And for holidays or weekends with the family, you could hire a minivan.
You live in the countryside, alone or with a partner (or co-habitee), with no children
The car may be essential for your work and social life, as well as for your daily tasks. It should meet your essential and professional mobility needs. The number of seats, for example if you occasionally carpool as part of your leisure activities, and the size and shape of the boot are criteria to check before signing the purchase order. The family car could be combined with a motorised two-wheeler for journeys of a few kilometres. In areas used to winter conditions, winter or 4 seasons tyres are recommended from October to the end of April.
You live in the countryside in a household with children of up to 4 people
The car remains the ideal tool for family, business and leisure travel. Its size should not make you uncomfortable when driving, while having a passenger compartment that is comfortable and welcoming enough for the rear passengers. The boot’s volume and configuration must meet your needs for carrying luggage, objects and groceries in your everyday life. In areas used to winter conditions, winter or 4 seasons tyres are recommended from October to the end of April.
You live in the countryside in a large family
There’s no need to hesitate: a large car with at least 5 “proper” seats and a “vast” boot. It will often be a minivan or a people carrier, or even a large SUV or estate. The car will be much used, so it is important to choose a model in which everyone feels happy and has all the equipment necessary for intensive use. Apart from the size, the ease of access and versatility of the boot are essential. The tyre fittings must be adapted with winter tyres or 4 season tyres to cope with adverse weather conditions from October to the end of April.
