Car experts reveal the 5 best motors for families - full list

Motoring experts at Autocar have revealed the five best vehicles available on the market for families this summer. The specialists selected a range of top models perfect for the whole family, with everything from hatchbacks to SUVs making the list.

Vehicles from top brands such as BMW, Volkswagen and Land Rover were among the top five. The BMW 3 Series Touring was the top pick, with the model praised for its impressive handling and efficiency. They warned the model “hits the family car brief while also being fun to drive” making it perfect for petrolheads looking for a compromise.

Autocar explained: “The BMW 3 Series Touring estate is the one to take if you’re adamant that family life and enjoying driving don’t have to be mutually exclusive. If the budget allows, you can get yourself behind the wheel of the beguiling BMW M3 Touring, but fear not, because the regular four-cylinder 320i model will still give drivers the sense of feedback and control that makes a routine journey less of a chore.”

Next on Autocar’s list is the plucky Dacia Jogger with the SUV praised for its value for money and hefty amounts of space. The model may not be fitted with many driver assistance features and has a smaller engine than some of its rivals.

But, with models starting from under £19,000, the car is almost half the price of a Skoda Kodiaq. The Volkswagen Golf was next with Autocar describing the model as the “just right family car”.

They claimed the hatchback offers “family-sized motoring to suit a variety of budget and performance requirements”. The model has been praised for its affordable nature while the Golf is also more sporty for those after a bit of fun.

The Land Rover Defender 110 comes next with Autocar suggesting the machine offers “supreme off-road agility and traction”. The specialists also described the model as “one of the most versatile cars in the world” but it comes with a hefty £60,000 price tag.

They added: “There's impressive performance for its size, the six-cylinder diesel particularly so, but its thirst for fuel and niggling doubts about whether Land Rover is finally on top of its reliability woes will be on the mind of a Defender driver. “

The Skoda Kodiaq was fifth on the list with specialists claiming then model was great for “ticking the boxes of comfort and value”. The seven-seater Kodiaq is packed with space and motorists can easily adjust the model to fit just five seats on top of a 910-litre load space.

Autocar said the model has "proven quality" with experts stressing that the model was renowned for being efficient.