What Makes a Great Family Car?
November 2024
Whether you’re planning for the arrival of a precious new family member or a weekend away with your teenagers, the core role of a family car has remained unchanged for decades – to get you to your destination comfortably and safely.
Deciding on the perfect family car for your needs can be especially difficult, considering the broad selection of modern options available in South Africa. Key factors in the decision-making process include individual requirements, like how much luggage space is required, how far off the beaten track you plan on heading and whether all occupants will feel safe and secure on the road. In a modern context, efficiency, comfort and convenience also have crucial roles. Don't forget to assess your budget and prioritise essential features to align with your financial goals.
The Humble Hatch
Deciding on the perfect family car for your needs can be especially difficult, considering the broad selection of modern options available in South Africa. Key factors in the decision-making process include individual requirements, like how much luggage space is required, how far off the beaten track you plan on heading and whether all occupants will feel safe and secure on the road. In a modern context, efficiency, comfort and convenience also have crucial roles. Don't forget to assess your budget and prioritise essential features to align with your financial goals.
The advantage of a similarly raised luggage floor height and rear passenger seat cushion position in an SUV is less strenuous and posture-friendly manoeuvring of bags and outdoor equipment into the rear and small children into their dedicated seating.
Whether used for adventurous family weekends away or purchased with the intention of one day getting its tyres dirty, a modern SUV can also feature all-wheel drive technology like Volkswagen’s advanced 4Motion systems that unlock endless possibilities for adventure. Another prerequisite for long-distance travel is efficiency via a modern petrol or diesel powertrain.
Volkswagen Group Africa’s comprehensive portfolio of SUVs includes the recently updated T-Cross and its sleek Taigo sibling, the head-turning T-Roc package, the all-new best-selling Tiguan and the flagship Touareg.
The Pick-Up
Introduced to South Africa in 2010, the Amarok offers proven Volkswagen levels of refinement, safety and convenience in the popular double-cab bakkie segment. Here, families can fill the large load bay with myriad camping and adventure equipment, including bicycles and beach gear, while relaxing in the comfort of a well-insulated, generously equipped, and secure passenger compartment.
The SUV
The rise in popularity of so-called Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) over the past few years has unlocked an enticing new dimension for the potential of a family car. Introducing a raised ride height compared with a traditional hatchback or sedan, an SUV inherently feels more capable of coping with modern weekly driving routines – including the school and shopping run – while unlocking more opportunities and destinations for weekend adventure.
A sense of adventure aside, the popularity of the SUV segment which can today be split into several categories from compact to mid-size and even luxury can also be linked with how versatile these vehicles can be in terms of interior space for both packing and passengers, as well as a sought-after raised driving position for improved sight of the road ahead.
The Van
The quintessential mode of family transport explored by Volkswagen since the 1950s is the van-based package. Including the Transporter and Caddy, in their respective modern forms, these offer maximum comfort and versatility via dual sliding passenger doors, a generously proportioned luggage area and up to three rows of seating.
From the proven Polo to a broad portfolio of modern SUVs, the Amarok double-cab and the instantly familiar Transporter and Caddy series, Volkswagen continues to fulfil its promise of providing safe, efficient, capable and comfortable family-focused transport.