Which car for a family car?
Family cars are one of the most frequently chosen vehicles by customers all over the world. The most common conditions for such a car are economy, enough space and safety. However, the choice of a particular model depends on many other factors.
“I can't offer a first model to a customer who comes to our showroom and wants to buy a family car. First, we need to find out more about the customer's family and the purpose for which the car will be used, says Wojciech Katzperski, director of the Auto Club showroom in Szczecin. – The most important information is how many children and how old they will be traveling in this car and how often the family goes on vacation and how much luggage they take on average with them. This data allows you to determine how large the passenger space should be - whether it should be enough to accommodate 2 child seats or this space should be enough for 3 seats - and whether there should be room in the trunk not only for suitcases, but also for a baby stroller. adds Wojciech Katzperski.
For work and study 
A family that uses a car primarily as a means of transportation to school, kindergarten and work can easily choose from a range of city cars such as the Suzuki Swift, Nissan Micra, Ford Fiesta or Hyundai i20. The advantage of such cars is low fuel consumption, which Poles usually take into account when choosing a car. “Nissan Micra consumes an average of only 4,1 liters of gasoline per 100 km in a combined cycle, while about 5 liters of gasoline are enough to overcome such a distance in the city,” says Artur Kubiak, manager of the Nissan Auto Club in Poznań. A family that often travels long distances and drives more than 20-25 thousand a year. km should be of interest to the Ford Fiesta with a 1,6 TDCi diesel. In the city, the car is satisfied with 5,2 liters of diesel per 100 km. On the other hand, in the combined cycle, the average combustion result is only 4,2 liters of diesel fuel. Both models are equipped with a special ISOFIX child seat attachment system. “It provides a more rigid attachment than belts, which in turn provides greater safety for the smallest passengers,” said Przemysław Bukowski, Ford Bemo Motors Fleet Sales Manager. Two of these seats will easily fit in the back seat.
For long trips
People who like frequent trips should think about the station wagon. A family with two children can choose one of the compact cars. One of the most popular cars in this segment among the Poles is the Ford Focus. Customers appreciate its dynamism and economy. At the same time, the station wagon offers plenty of room for passengers and luggage. - Focus with 1,6 TDCI diesel engine and 6-speed manual transmission consumes an average of 4,2 liters of fuel in the combined cycle. 
per 100 km. However, on the road, we can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3,7 liters! – says Przemysław Bukowski. Gas-powered compacts are also economical vehicles. – New Hyundai i30 Wagon with 1,6L engine and 120 hp. consumes 5 liters in the extra-urban cycle and 6,4 liters of gasoline in the combined cycle. The 1,4-litre model is even more economical,” says Wojciech Katzperski, Sales Director of the Auto Club in Szczecin.
Hyundai boasts a luggage compartment with a capacity of almost 400 liters, and Ford Focus as much as 490 liters. – In practice, this means that two child seats will fit in this car, as well as a lot of luggage, including a stroller. If someone needs even more space, a roof box can be installed, explains Przemysław Bukowski. It is also worth adding that both cars, even in the basic version, have a very rich equipment and are even crammed with safety-enhancing elements, such as the ISOFIX or ESP mounting system.
SUVs win the hearts of Polish families
Increasingly, Poles are buying SUVs as family cars. According to the latest research, the most frequently chosen model in this category is the Nissan Qashqai. “Buyers appreciate this car for its original appearance and skillful combination of the best qualities of a comfortable, safe and economical car in one car. What's more, the Qashqai's elevated suspension makes it easy to navigate rough roads. It's also easier to camp out in the countryside, on a lake or on a plot of land,” says Artur Kubiak, sales manager at the Nissan Automobile Club in Poznań. The space for the driver and passengers in this car is the same as in classic compact cars. It also has the same luggage space as typical C-segment cars. “However, in the Qashqai model, the driver sits much higher and therefore has better visibility, he can react faster to changing traffic conditions, which is extremely important from a safety point of view,” Artur Kubiak explains. It is also worth adding that thanks to the higher suspension, it is easier for parents to put their children in car seats.
Contrary to often repeated opinions, an SUV can also be an economical car. Japanese engineers installed a 1,6-liter diesel engine in the Nissan Qashqai, which burns an average of only 4,9 liters of diesel fuel in the combined cycle.
about 100 km, which is very small for a car of this class. In addition, an SUV can be extremely dynamic, as the Volvo XC60 proves. The 2,4-liter diesel engine (215 hp) allows the Swedish SUV to accelerate to “hundreds” in 8,4 seconds. and develop a maximum speed of 210 km / h. In addition, thanks to the two turbochargers, the driver cannot complain about "turbo lag". With this drive and increased suspension, the Volvo SUV will handle both the highway and rough terrain, which can make a huge difference during family trips to the mountains. In addition, it is a very safe car. – The XC60 has several driver assistance systems. We have, for example, an automatic speed control (ACC) system that helps the driver keep a safe distance from the car in front. In turn, the City Safety system helps to avoid a collision with the vehicle in front. For long journeys, the driver's concentration warning system is also very useful, says Filip Wodzinski, Sales Director at Volvo Auto Bruno in Szczecin.
Three children will also fit
Although compact cars provide a lot of space, we can hardly fit three child seats in the back seat. In such a situation, it is better to be interested in larger cars - for example, Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6 or Hyundai i40. These vehicles, thanks to their wide wheelbase, allow children to be safely placed in the rear of the vehicle. If you add rich equipment, excellent handling and a spacious and comfortable interior, you get a car that is ideal for a family of 5 people. “It should be remembered that thanks to the modern design, the Mazda 6, including the station wagon version, is very representative and will prove itself not only as a family car, but can also be a car for people managing companies,” says Petr. Yarosh, sales manager for Mazda Bemo Motors in Warsaw.
Also in these limousines there is no problem of carrying luggage or carts. The Mazda 6 station wagon has 
luggage compartment with a capacity of 519 liters, and with the rear seat folded increases to more than 1750 liters. The Hyundai i40 luggage compartment volume is 553 liters, and with the seats folded it grows to 1719 liters. In turn, the Ford Mondeo with 2 rows of seats offers a luggage compartment volume of 537 liters, and with one row of seats it will increase to 1740 liters.
Automobile concerns also pay great attention to the safety of these vehicles. The Mazda 6 is equipped with, among other things, w ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (EBA). The driver is also assisted by dynamic stability control and traction control. On the other hand, the Mondeo is just crammed with technological innovations. These include, for example, the KeyFree system and the Adjustable Speed Limit System (ASLD). It avoids unintentional acceleration of the car above a certain speed, thanks to which we can avoid fines. The Hyundai i40, on the other hand, is equipped with 9 airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSM).
Comfort for a large family
Cars that are inextricably linked to family cars are vans. It is important to note that some of them deviate from the "Zavalidroga" stereotype. The appearance of the Ford S-Max shows that this model can drive quickly and dynamically. Sporty design goes hand in hand with performance - the car with a 2-liter EcoBoost petrol engine (203 hp) can accelerate to 221 km/h and 100 km/h in 8,5 seconds. The diesel 2-liter unit (163 hp) accelerates the S-Max to 205 km / h, and the steak sprint takes 9,5 seconds. Despite these sensational figures, the car is still economical and is satisfied with an average of 8,1 liters of gasoline or 5,7 liters of diesel in the combined cycle.
From the point of view of the family, space for passengers and luggage is also of no small importance. Ford S-Max allows families of 5 and even 7 people to travel comfortably. However, folding out the third row of seats reduces luggage space from 1051 liters to 285 liters. Another van in the Ford family, the Galaxy model, can offer even more space. In this car, even with seats for 7 people, we have at our disposal up to 435 liters of luggage space. “It's also worth remembering that both of these cars have a lot of different storage compartments that can make traveling easier,” says Przemysław Bukowski. In terms of drive, the Galaxy has almost the same engine lineup as the S-Max, as well as comparable performance and fuel consumption.
For entrepreneurial families
Pickup trucks such as the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi L200 or Nissan Navara can also be an interesting, albeit unusual, proposition for families. If at least one of the family members is engaged in business, then he can seriously think about such a car, because pickup trucks are currently the only cars that can be bought “for a company” and receive a VAT deduction. However, in addition to economic benefits, the family will receive a very comfortable car. For example, the new Ford Ranger offers incl. air conditioning, multifunction steering wheel, voice control system and rear view camera. Equipment Mitsubishi L200 is also impressive. The driver has at his disposal, among other things, a stabilization and traction control system and cruise control. - The Mitsubishi L200 Intense Plus version was equipped with automatic air conditioning. We also have 17-inch aluminum wheels, flared fenders and heated chrome side mirrors, says Wojciech Katzperski from the Auto Club in Szczecin.
With this type of vehicle, there should be no problem packing all your luggage. “The trunk of a Ford Ranger can accommodate parcels weighing up to 1,5 tons, so every family will probably fit their luggage,” says Rafał Stacha, manager of the Ford Bemo Motors Commercial Vehicles Center in Poznań. – Transporting small children is also not a problem, as the rear seats are easy and safe to install. It is also worth adding that their lives and health are protected, including through air curtains on the second row of seats, he adds.
As you can see, a family car can mean a completely different vehicle for everyone. Automakers, realizing this, are trying to adapt their offer to the changing preferences of drivers and their families. Thanks to this, everyone should find a vehicle suitable for their needs.
