Top 10 Questions to Consider When Selecting Your Next Family Vehicle

Cars make life so much easier to manage,  it’s just plain fact. Can you imagine getting the kids to school, getting to work, doing the groceries or running errands without a car? All that time spent on the bus or train, not to mention the crowds, smells and other unpleasant aspects of public transit. It just pays to own a car.

However, what if you need a family vehicle but are not sure about the best option for your needs? It can be a stressful time when you’re car shopping, with so many things to consider and think about. Making your mind up can be pretty challenging, in fact.

That’s why, in this helpful article, we’ll share the top 8 questions to consider when buying a car like the Kia Sportage or other large family vehicles. By the end of this blog, you should have a clear idea of what to consider for your next family vehicle purchase.

What’s Your Budget?

You should have a clear idea of the amount of money you can put towards a family car. Without this, there’s no point in shopping around. After all, cars are expensive and are often the second largest expense in life, after housing costs such as rent or mortgage repayments.

If you have some money in savings, you should know what you can afford. In this case, you need to match your shortlist with your available budget.

If You’re Financing, What Can You Afford?

Suppose you’re planning on financing the vehicle purchase. In that case, you should have an idea of your borrowing capacity by working with your bank or finance broker. In this instance, you need to factor in the cost of repayments, interest and the running costs of the vehicle, such as fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration and more. Once you’ve crunched the numbers, you should have a clear idea of what you can afford.

What’s the Safety Rating?

You should check out the various safety ratings of your shortlist once you’ve narrowed down your selections. You want to look for a five-star safety rating and nothing less. Your and your family’s safety is too important to drive an unsafe vehicle.
Safety ratings are based on factors such as airbags, emergency braking systems, reversing cameras and features such as lane drift detection and proximity alerts.

How Fuel Efficient is It?

When comparing models, compare their fuel efficiency rating. This rating tells you how many kilometres per litre of fuel the car will travel. The manufacturer will provide an estimate. However, this estimate is often based on perfect conditions, and you’ll likely drive in various conditions, including stop-start city driving and highway driving. In this case, do some independent research into fuel efficiency, looking at online forums such as Whirlpool or car owner forums. Here you’ll see some anecdotal fuel consumption reports, which are also worth considering.

How Many Seats?

This is an essential factor for families. You’ll need a certain number of seats, based on how many passengers you need to transport. For instance, a four-person family should require a standard five-seater vehicle to allow an additional passenger. However, larger families might require a seven or even eight-seater car, depending on the number of children you have.

How Much Cabin Space and Passenger Space?

Another question to ask is how much cabin and passenger space the vehicle has. This is important as if you’re planning on taking long road trips, you’ll want to be comfortable while driving. Passenger space is vital for the kids, too, so they’re not cramped and tempted to squabble and bicker because they’re squished in together.

How Does it Handle and Perform?

You’ll want to consider how a family vehicle will handle and perform. Whilst you’re not shopping for a small sports car, it’s still worth considering handling and performance as you’ll likely drive it for years until it’s time for a new car. In this case, it’s worth test driving some vehicles on your shortlist to get a feel for their performance and handling.

Cargo and Storage Space?

Another question to ask is how much cargo and storage space does a vehicle have? This is an essential factor for families, as often you need to transport the kids’ bags, groceries and other miscellaneous items to your destination. You should look for a car with ample boot space and also consider aftermarket modifications such as roof rails or racks.

A Car Buying Conclusion

We’ve covered our top 8 questions when purchasing your next family vehicle. Ask these when considering cars, as they will help you to make an informed decision. After all, you don’t want to rush into such a significant purchase without doing your due diligence. After working through this list, you’ll be ready to make your purchase armed with the best knowledge.