Top Five Family Cars for 2016 – editor’s pick
If you’re in the market for a family car you’ve probably had a few friends and family members give their advice on what you should go for. But not everyone has had the chance to drive some of this year’s latest family cars, so make sure you do your homework and get more familiar with the car you’re considering, before purchasing.
In the meantime WOW’s editor, Juliet McGuire, has spent a fair amount of time driving and reviewing some of the latest family cars for 2016.
“Space and safety and budget are probably the most important requirements when it comes to looking for the right car for you and your family,” says Juliet.
We asked Juliet to give us her top five favourites for 2016, of various price brackets to suit different budgets:
Honda BR-V
When it comes to looking for a spacious car, Juliet notes that the problem often lies in pricing. Enter Honda’s new light SUV, the BR-V, an affordable seven-seater option.
Juliet mentions that there’s enough space for the whole family, and friends. “I know because I climbed in to the back and sat in them. With these folded down you get a huge 691-litre boot!” she says.
Pricing
The Honda BR-V pricing starts at R238 900 and goes up to R288 300 for the Elegance CVT model.
For more on Juliet’s take of the click here.
Hyundai Tucson
A winner of the 2016 WOW COTY Awards, the new Hyundai Tucson offers an abundance of safety features.
“The new Hyundai Tucson has to be the best looking cars in the segment. And this is saying a lot, this segment houses competitors such as the Toyota Rav4, Volkswagen Tiguan and the previously mentioned Ford Kuga,” says Juliet.
Pricing
The Hyundai Tucson starts at R359 900 with the 2.0 Nu Premium (manual) and R379 900 for the automatic.
For more on Juliet’s take of the Hundai Tucson click here
Kia Grand Sedona
Last year Kia sent Juliet and other motoring journos on a road trip from Johannesburg to Clarens (situated in the Free State about 330 km from Joburg), in the Kia Grand Sedona. This is what she had to say…
“It is the kind of car you want to do a road trip in, even if there are just two of you. But oh how I wish my parents had had one of these when I was young. I am almost certain it would have prevented the fights my brother and I had on the way to Plettenberg Bay and my parents would have arrived at our destination feeling far more relaxed.”
Pricing
The Grand Sedona starts at R499 995 for the seven-seater 2.2 CRDi EX.
For more on Juliet’s take of the KIA Grand Sedona click here.
Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7
Juliet loves both of these family vehicles equally. While Volvo never falls short as far as safety is concerned, the Audi Q7 boasts perfection for family comfort from a seven-seater SUV.
“Something for moms and dads to take note of, if you want to have a litter of children, the Audi Q7 is your car. It accommodates FIVE baby seats…five! And of course with this many children, you will more than likely need a trailer for all the baby gear.”
For more on Juliet’s take of the Audi Q7 click here.
“Volvo has a goal that says that no person should be killed or injured in a Volvo by 2020 and the XC90 is on the way to reaching this goal. Volvo claims its the safest car yet. If this isn’t enough to impress you, I don’t know what is!”
For more on Juliet’s take of the Volvo XC90 click here.
Pricing
Volvo XC90 D4 Geartronic FWD Momentum: R 804 000
The new Q7 is priced at R924 000 and comes with a 5 year/100 000 km Audi Freeway plan.
Mercedes-Benz GLS
As the S-Class of the SUV segment, the GLS, with fully-fledged seven-seater, boasts spaciousness and combines luxury with comfort, safety and agile dynamics.
“More power, more dynamics and more equipment are also offered by the new Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC. With a peak output of 430 kW, discrete suspension and the revised AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission, it represents the pinnacle of the GLS model series,” says Mercedes.
Juliet’s latest video review features the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLS 350 D. Check out the video here where she’ll give you a great look at just how much space and comfort is inside!
Pricing
GLS 350 d 4MATIC R1 283 900
GLS 500 4MATIC R1 444 400
Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC R2 469 900
For more on Juliet’s take of the Mercedes-Benz GLS click here.