Best family cars for Motability

Although superminis have grown to offer more space, there are times when a proper five-seat family car is still what you need. The rise of the SUV and crossover has drawn some buyers away from the class, but you can still get a spacious and practical family car in a compact five-door body and Motability customers will find plenty of choice available under the scheme.

A lower ride height and less weight usually mean running costs are better than you'll get in a similar crossover or SUV, while comfort and handling will be better than the family hatchback's high-riding counterparts, too. These cars are great for longer distance driving - some even feature adaptive cruise control to ease some of the strain, and there is plenty of useful tech on board to help with urban driving, too, such as parking sensors and advanced tech including autonomous city braking.

Best hatchbacks to buy 2021

Our picks for the best hatchbacks on Motability offer good space and low running costs, while the initial advance payments start from less than £200, and you won't need to pay much more for a well-specced model, either.

We pick the best family hatchbacks available on Motability below...

Skoda Scala

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The Skoda Scala is one of our favourite family hatchbacks. It’s one of the most practical cars in its class, with a huge boot and lots of passenger space. Standard equipment is good across the range, with impressive infotainment and the option of digital dials on higher-spec models.

The Scala has a fairly limited engine lineup, but there's both petrol and diesel power on offer. The light weight of the five-door hatch helps to make it one of the most efficient cars in its class – with the oil-burning unit capable of over 60mpg, and the 1.0-litre TSI petrol delivering in excess of 50mpg.

There are five seats, with those in the rear big enough for adults, while interior space is impressive and visibility is great thanks to a large glasshouse. Aside from the sizeable boot, practical touches include large door bins, a cooled glovebox, under-seat storage in the front and a sunglasses cubby in the roof.

It’s encouraging to see a good amount of standard safety kit, while reliability is traditionally a strong point for Skoda. In fact, the brand finished fifth out of 30 manufacturers in our 2020 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.

• Best hot hatchbacks to buy now

Vauxhall Insignia

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Work your way through the myriad engine and equipment options and you'll discover the Vauxhall Insignia is practical, good to drive and quiet on the move - so it’s a top choice if you’re after a large family car.

In terms of pure size, the Insignia is also comparable to more upmarket offerings, such as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. Like before, the refreshed model comes as a five-door hatchback, although the extended roof line gives it more of a fastback look.

It’s more fun than a Mondeo or Passat and is priced below its closest rivals. There should be a model to suit any family car needs, whether you just need simple transport for five, want something a bit more luxurious, or like the idea of a sporty five-door family car. Prices for the 2020 facelifted range start from around £23,000 and rise to almost £39,000 for the range-topping Insignia GSi

At the heart of the Insignia Grand Sport’s appeal is its usability. It's available as both a hatchback and an estate called the Sport Tourer, while there’s decent visibility from the large window area, and plenty of cabin storage front and rear.

Factor in generous levels of standard equipment, improved levels of safety kit, along with smart styling updates and the Insignia ticks all the boxes for buyers seeking a capable family car.

Toyota Corolla

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The Corolla is a return to form for Toyota in the family car segment, holding up well against its nearest rivals in every area that’s important. The British-built hatch offers great refinement, a pliant ride, fantastic build quality and handling that’s precise and controlled if not the last word in entertainment.

There’s very little to dislike – its hybrid powertrains offer a good combination of performance and economy, even if its CVT gearbox can feel a little ponderous.

Toyota has given the Corolla a distinctive, sharp look that takes cues from the larger Toyota Camry saloon and C-HR SUV. Inside, the Corolla boasts a similarly modern design that’s clearly laid out and generally very well made. Every version has five-seats and varying levels of boot space, but the hatchback, saloon and estate models all remain practical cars.

Traditionally, one of the best reasons to buy a Toyota has been reliability, and the latest Corolla is no exception. Excellent finishes for both car and manufacturer in our latest Driver Power satisfaction survey highlights the tremendous build quality, levels of safety and overall refinement of this first-class family hatchback.

Have you ever owned one of our best family cars for Motability? Give us your review in the comments section below...