Best Used Small Family Cars

Whether it's enough legroom for your growing teens, a trunk big enough for your next vacation, or something that makes going to school stress-free, there are plenty of great options if you want a used small family car.

Here are our 10 favorites.

1. BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

BMW is best known for its sports sedans and luxury SUVs, but it also makes minivans, and that's exactly what 2 Series Active Tourer is an. As with most minivans, you benefit from a high driving position that gives you great visibility of the road, as well as large front and rear windows that are perfect for hours spent playing I Spy. 

A large trunk and multi-fold rear seats give you the versatility you expect from a minivan, while still getting the high-quality interior and driving pleasure you expect from a BMW. If you need even more space, you can opt for the longer Gran Tourer model, which has seven seats instead of five.

Read our review of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

2. Dacia Duster

If you are looking for value for money then Dacia Duster would be a great fit. Simply put, this is one of the cheapest small family cars you can buy. It has a classic SUV design, with increased ground clearance, a boxy body and wide doors that make getting in and out easier. There's plenty of head and legroom inside, and you can fit into a stroller because the trunk is huge.

Like most Dacias, the Duster doesn't have the modern tech that some rivals do, but it's solidly built and has everything you really need. It is easy to drive and gives everyone on board a great view, and the engines provide excellent fuel economy.

Read our Dacia Duster review

3. Ford Focus Estate

If you're looking for an affordable small car, the Ford Focus should be high on your list—it's easy to drive, packed with high-tech features, and inexpensive to run. While the hatchback version is an excellent family car, there's a lot of value in choosing an Estate model, especially if you're looking to double down on practicality. 

The Focus Estate looks just as cool as a hatchback, it doesn't cost much more, and it has a lot more trunk. It's so big that you don't have to spend hours figuring out how to pack it to maximize the space - you can more or less fit just about anything.

The station wagon is just as fun to drive as the hatchback, with a smooth, family-friendly ride, agility on twisty back roads, and a range of responsive engines.

Read our Ford Focus review

4. Peugeot 3008

Family cars don't get much more stylish than Peugeot 3008. It has a modern look with sharp edges inside and out, while the interior combines superior quality and cutting-edge technology. With 3008 you get a luxury car without having to spend land.

Some versions have a panoramic roof that fills the interior with light, which is especially useful if you have small children, although this reduces rear headroom a bit. Regardless, there's room for three adults in the back, and the trunk is impressively large. To top it all off, the 3008 is as good to drive as it looks, with a comfortable ride and quiet engines.

Read our Peugeot 3008 review.

5. Renault Hood

You can say that Renault Captur was created with young families in mind. This compact SUV is hardly more than Renault Clio the supermini it's based on, but offers just as much interior space as some of the bigger, more expensive cars. It outperforms most of its competitors in terms of interior space and has a larger trunk. 

The fact that it's so comfortable and quiet on the road makes it even more suitable for families, and some very efficient engines help keep running costs down. If you want to make your car stand out, the Captur's modern look and vibrant color schemes will definitely add flair to your daily commute.

Read our review of Renault Kaptur.

6. Seat Leon

Looking for the ultimate all-rounder, affordable and a bit sporty? Then take a look at Seat Leon. Both inside and out, the Leon has a design flair that sets it apart from most other small hatchbacks, while also being one of the most economical small family cars around. An all-new model was released in 2020, but we'll focus on the new version sold between 2013 and 2020 (pictured), giving you even better value for money.

There are plenty of trims to choose from, but they all feature an 8-inch infotainment screen, and you don't have to pay more if you want the FR trim, which gets you sports seats, big alloy wheels, and a sport-tuned suspension. The Leon is available with a range of responsive yet economical engines and a high level of safety. It's worth seriously considering if your budget can't fully stretch out on an Audi A3 or Volkswagen Golf.

Read our Seat Leon review

7. Skoda Karok

The Skoda Karoq SUV offers an impressive number of vehicles for the money, with each version offering a spacious interior and plenty of useful features. Some models even have a "gesture control" feature that lets you skip songs on the touchscreen infotainment system with just a wave of your hand. It's a gentle touch that can keep kids entertained for a second or two.

The Karoq's versatility is great for family trips. There is a lot of space in the back - high or low, you can stretch out freely. Most versions come with what Skoda calls "Varioflex seats" - a rear seat design that allows each of the three seats to slide, recline and fold independently of each other, or take them out completely if you need the car to be used as a recovery van. . Whether it's kids, dogs, sports equipment or all of the above inside, the Karoq is perfect for the job. 

Read our Skoda Karoq review

8. Vauxhall Crossland X

What if you could combine the roominess of a minivan with the rugged style of an SUV? Here's what Vauxhall did with Crossland x. Thanks to its tall shape, it provides more practicality in a car that is not much longer than a Vauxhall Corsa. 

The Crossland X is larger than the Vauxhall Mokka SUV, with more rear legroom and a larger boot, so it's better suited if you have small children and have to lug strollers and heavy bags around. High front and rear seats provide excellent visibility for you and the children and make getting in and out easier. There is no hybrid option, but all engines are very efficient, both petrol and diesel options get you at least 50 mpg according to official averages.

Read our Vauxhall Crossland X review

9. Audi A3 Sportback.

If you want a small car with a premium badge, the Audi A3 Sportback is a great choice. 

The exterior design is elegant yet subtle, and the interior of all versions has a high-quality appearance. Interior space is on par with similar vehicles such as Volkswagen Golf. 

While the all-new version of the A3 (released in 2020) is rife with high-tech features, we'll focus here on the version sold between 2013 and 2020. gives you even better value for money. There is also a wide range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from, including the 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is the best choice if you want good fuel economy but enough power for easy overtaking.

Read our Audi A3 review

10. Volvo B40

You expect elegant design and plenty of safety features from Volvo, and you get both with the V40. It's a car that gives you the solidity and luxury of big Volvos in a stylish and economical compact hatchback. There's even a V40 Cross Country model that gives you a slightly higher ride and some rugged design details if you want to look more like an SUV. 

There are petrol and diesel models to choose from, and some models have all-wheel drive. All of them feel confident on the road and provide a smooth ride. Cabin comfort is excellent, with the comfortable, well-supported seats that Volvo is known for. Every V40 is very well equipped, and the list of safety equipment is particularly impressive, with features that can detect an imminent collision and automatically apply the brakes to prevent it.

Read our Volvo V40 review

There are many quality Used cars to choose from at Cazoo and now you can get a new or used car with Kazu's subscription. Just use the search feature to find what you like and then buy, fund or subscribe to it online. You can order delivery to your door or pick up in the nearest Cazoo Customer Service Center.

We are constantly updating and expanding our range. If you're looking to buy a used car and can't find the right one today, it's easy set up promotional alerts to be the first to know when we have vehicles that suit your needs.