They're used every morning on the school run; they're used for weekly trips to the supermarket; they're used on many annual holidays. If you were to ask the average family if they could manage without their family car, you'd probably be presented with a gasp, followed by a resounding no.
Most family cars are taken for granted; this is partly because they're so reliable. This characteristic, along with practicality, is the most important factor for those looking to buy family cars. If a car isn't reliable, it isn't worth considering or buying as a family car.
In the modern era many families can't afford to keep getting their family cars repaired because of faults. These faults can prevent them from using their family cars and are often very costly to get repaired, especially when the price of labour is taken into consideration too.
Families without a car for any considerable period of time find significant amounts added to their day. For example, without a car, parents have to walk their kids to school and take the bus to get to the supermarket, whilst holidays within the UK are made less possible.
So with this in mind we've produced a short simple guide, detailing a couple of the most reliable family cars that can currently be found on the market:
Toyota Corolla - Regarded as one of the best family cars, the Toyota Corolla has been hailed for its roomy interior. An important feature in family cars, the sense of spaciousness that the Toyota Corolla provides ensures that those arguments between the kids, about who sits where, are kept to a minimum.
Although some critics have said that the body design is unimaginative and therefore quite bland, it should be noted that people don't generally buy family cars based on the fact that they look amazing. Crucially, the Toyota Corolla has been awarded excellent crash test scores - signifying that it's a safe option.
As well as being incredibly reliable - something that has been demonstrated time and again down the years - this car also offers a solid fuel efficiency rate - especially for an older car - allowing families to save a considerable amount of money on petrol or diesel.
Peugeot 5008 - One of Peugeot's newer family cars, the 5008 combines a sense of style with practicality and reliability - all of which is fitted into one very affordable package. Featuring space in abundance, the 5008 provides seats for seven people.
The five seats featured in the rear can be folded down, which is very handy on those trips to, for example, a DIY store. Even without the seats folded down, the 5008's boot provides enough room for a couple of bags of shopping.
Its engine is powerful, yet at the same time very economic; meanwhile the rear parking sensors make backing into those tight parking spaces at the school car park much easier - regardless of how loud the kids are arguing away in the back.
As well as the models mentioned in this article, there are many other great family car models available today.
Reliability and practicality are two of the most sought after characteristics by those looking for family cars. This article looks at two family car models - the Peugeot 5008 and the Toyota Corolla.