Top 6 Things To Look For In A Family Car

Choosing a new family car is a bit like putting together a puzzle - all the pieces need to fit together perfectly to make it work! With so many options on the market, knowing where to focus your search can be tricky, so we have put together this handy guide to break down the top considerations for any family car purchase.

From must-have safety factors like ANCAP ratings and advanced driver-assistance systems, to the everyday comfort and conveniences that will genuinely make your life easier – let’s find the perfect car for your family!

Understanding Vehicle Safety Ratings

Safety is the top priority for any family car purchase. So, how do you know if the vehicle you want to purchase is safe? The good news is that here in New Zealand, we have some handy safety rating guides that make this task a little easier. These are the ANCAP safety rating (Australasian New Car Assessment Program), the UCSR safety rating (Used Car Safety Rating) and the VSRR (Vehicle Safety Risk Rating). These ratings provide valuable insight into the safety features and crash test results of most if not all vehicles currently on the road.

What Are ANCAP Ratings?

ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) is the independent vehicle safety authority for Australia and New Zealand. It assesses the safety level of new vehicles entering the market. These ratings are the result of rigorous crash tests carried out in controlled laboratory settings, along with the evaluation of on-board safety features and active collision avoidance technologies.

• How Do The Ratings Work? Vehicles are awarded a star rating from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars being the “safest” rating. When calculating the overall star rating it is limited by its lowest performing area across four key assessment criteria including Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection (pedestrians and cyclists) and Safety Assist (crash avoidance technologies).
• Where Can You Find ANCAP Ratings? Generally valid for six years from the vehicle's release, you can find the latest ANCAP ratings on the ANCAP website or on the NZ government's Rightcar website. The ratings are updated every three years.

What Is The UCSR?

The UCSR or Used Car Safety Ratings assess the safety level of used vehicles already, it is limited by its lowest performing area across four key assessment criteria, on the market. These ratings also use a star system that focuses on driver protection, protection for other road users, and crash avoidance.

• How Do They Work? Unlike ANCAP, UCSR ratings are based on real-world crash data collected since 1987 (from Australia and New Zealand) by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) who looked at how well a specific vehicle model protects its occupants in a crash. Some vehicles assessed under UCSR may also be categorised as a 'Safer Pick' if they provide good protection for the driver, cause less harm to others, and have safety features that help prevent a crash.
• Where Can You Find UCSR ratings? These are also available on the Rightcar website.

What Is The VSRR?

The VSRR or Vehicle Safety Risk Rating is an estimated safety rating used for vehicles that don't have enough real-world crash data for a UCSR, or haven't yet received an ANCAP rating.

• How Does The VSRR Work? It's based on the average crash rating of similar vehicles from the same year of manufacture.
• Where To Find VSRRs. These ratings are also available on the Rightcar website.

What To Look For When Buying A Family Car

A safety-first approach to buying a new car is important, however there are a few other considerations that need to be taken into account. Here are our top 6 things to look for when buying a new family car.

1. Functionality And Comfort

A family car needs to be spacious and comfortable for the whole family. Legroom, headroom, and storage space are top of the list, along with enough seating. You may also want to consider features like adjustable or heated seats, climate control, and entertainment systems. Other things you might want to consider are boot space, flexible seating and ease of access (sliding doors on people movers, for example).

Those with younger family members will also want to consider Child Seat ISOFIX or latch points, tether anchorages, and rear-facing space limitations.

2. Fuel Efficiency

Petrol prices are always on everyone's minds which makes fuel efficiency an ongoing concern. The family car is likely to be used for running around backwards and forwards to school, activities and work, so you really don’t want a vehicle that’s going to be expensive on fuel.

Look for cars with good fuel efficiency scores (L/100km) or battery range that will serve their purpose without breaking the bank. A hybrid or electric vehicle is sometimes an economic option as these can reduce running costs significantly with new and second-hand options becoming more affordable in NZ.

3. Reliability

A vehicle that won't start when it is needed or breaks down regularly is the last thing you want in a family car. Newer cars are less likely to require major repairs and are sometimes still covered under manufacturers' warranties (typically 5 years). When doing research, look for a car with a good track record for reliability, safety and fuel efficiency, and low maintenance costs.

4. ‍Affordability

Your budget plays a big factor in the type of car you will choose for your family. This extends beyond the purchase price into ongoing expenses like fuel, tyres, maintenance, and insurance. Using an online loan calculator to check the repayments fit within your budget and price up insurance using the make, model and year of the vehicle before committing to the purchase are good starting points.

Whether it is an EV, hybrid, or petrol family car, look for a vehicle that fits within your price range and offers good value for the money, while still aligning with your family's needs. You will also need to consider ongoing maintenance and servicing costs.

5. Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Advanced technology features can make a big difference in the driving experience for both you and your family. You might wish to look for a vehicle that has Bluetooth connectivity, assisted navigation systems, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and automatic emergency braking – all highly sought-after features when making a family car purchase.

• Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM). Have you ever gone to change lanes and then suddenly noticed a car in your blind spot at the last minute? Many accidents and near misses have occurred because of the lack of visibility of cars. With blind spot monitoring, you can rely on your car to let you know if there is a vehicle close by that you cannot see.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC). If you have ever been in a situation where your car starts to skid, perhaps because of gravel roads or wet surfaces, you know how hard it can be to bring the car back under control. New technology, such as electronic stability control, detects when the vehicle may be starting to lose control, and will automatically take action.
• Reversing Cameras And Proximity Sensors. Ideal for stress-free backing, parking and avoiding collisions. Some examples are Lane Keep Assist technology (alerts you when you veer outside of your lane), parking assist (alerts you when you get too close to the car in front or behind) and cameras that offer a birds eye view of the vehicle when parking.
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). Detects potential collisions between you and the car in front of you and can brake the vehicle automatically.

6. Vehicle Make And Model

Different families have different needs, whether it's having space for the pushchair, the kids bikes or having enough room to offer rides to your kids friends, knowing the pros and cons of each vehicle type is an important step to choosing the right vehicle for your needs. Some popular family car options include:

• SUVs. Spacious interiors, extra seats and an elevated driving position are some of the main reasons why people love SUVs. They are a great option if you have an active family or routinely travel long distances.
• Sedans. Affordable, reliable and easy to maintain, sedans are relatively fuel-efficient and there are heaps of different options to choose from.
• Hatchbacks. Hatchbacks can be a low-cost option for small families, they offer unmatched affordability and fuel efficiency plus they are compact and easy to park.
• Station Wagons. Having been the trusty go-to for many Kiwi families for generations, the handy station wagon blends car-like handling with a very large boot space (complete with fold-down back seats). It is this generous boot space that attracts many families as you can fit almost anything back there!
• Minivans. A popular choice for large families thanks to additional seating and roomy designs, minivans are typically 7-8 seaters and have the bonus of ever-practical sliding doors. They are great for getting around town, for school drop-offs and pick-ups and can be really useful for weekend adventures.

Decided on your new family car but need finance? When you are ready to buy your new car, talk to the team at CarMoney about getting a car loan today. We love making the vehicle financing process quick and hassle-free!

‍

‍

‍

‍