Summer has arrived, and with it the school holidays. Thoughts have gone from the classroom or Monday morning meetings to campsites, beaches and holidays far away from the daily grind. More and more people will be having their vacation in the UK this year, thanks to the weakened pound. The good news is, there are hundreds of picturesque holiday destinations to choose from. Whether it’s a beach with golden sands or an adventure holiday in the highlands, you can find a destination to match your needs. The bad news? More people means more traffic.

Staying in the UK means you will be hitting the road. And, if you have a family, this can be what makes or breaks your holiday. Spending a long amount of time on the road can be boring and uncomfortable, a terrible combination for children.

One obvious way of solving this issue, is to upgrade your car. But what are the options?

Here’s our list of the best family cars for your summer holiday.

1. The Peacekeeper – Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

One thing that can easily cause you issues are those little squabbles between your kids. No matter how many entertainment options you might have, there are few things as fun as winding up your brothers or sisters. The solution to this plenty of space, but that space can be used up by the luggage you bring with you on holiday.

The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso is one of the most spacious cars on the market. Even with three or four children in the back, you’ll have plenty of room to fit everything you need inside without encroaching on the space of your family. Aside from the space, the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso comes with a whole host of optional extras that are much more affordable on the used car market. Reversing cameras make manoeuvring this large car into spaces a cinch, and the panoramic sunroof gives your children a beautiful view of the sky above. You can also get one with a built-in Sat-Nav, to make finding your holiday home or campsite nice and simple.

2. The Sofa on Wheels – Nissan Qashqai

Comfort is another top priority for family cars. Getting restless in an uncomfortable seat affects everyone. Whether you’re the driver or a child in the back, there’s nothing worse than finding yourself trapped in an uncomfortable seat. And it’s not always possible to stop somewhere to stretch your legs.

The Nissan Qashqai is the solution. One of the most popular family cars on the market, the Qashqai has built its reputation on its comfort. Like the Picasso, the Qashqai has a spacious interior. The suspension means the car has a smooth ride, so you won’t feel those bumps on the country roads and campsites. The steering is also responsive, meaning you can ease into those turns without rocking the cabin too much. Climate control comes as standard in all models too, so no matter how hot or (more likely) wet and cold it becomes, you can have the car at a temperature to keep your family happy.

3. The Entertainer – Audi S8

Boredom is a killer on long car journeys. It’s bad enough for you having to focus on the road ahead for long periods but having children in the back with nothing to do except moan and complain is a living nightmare. You can pack your own tablets, but they can lose their charge. And you might want to have the radio for yourself, and not tuned to whatever shrill music the kids are listening to these days. Five hours of eye spy? No thank you.

Fortunately, the Audi S8 has the solution – rear entertainment screens. You can set up a film or TV series for your young ones to watch in the background. Not only is it easier on their eyes, you can also control what they are watching and the amount of time they spend on the screen. Other options include front and rear heated seats, so you can warm them up in the winter. The S8 is also a beautiful car to drive, so while they are quiet, you can enjoy your drive.

4. The Economist – Dacia Duster

Another thing that plays a lot on parents’ minds is money. Budgeting for your family can be tough at the best of times, but on holiday it can be stretched even tighter. So, you might appreciate a car that’s cheap to run.

The Dacia Duster is economical by almost every metric. Brand new it has an ultra-low price of £7,000, and on the used car market that drops even lower. You might think cheap car, cheap build, but the Dacia is built to be rugged and a decent drive. It’s no frills, but it is a decent car that won’t break the bank. It’s also not too expensive to run and surprisingly reliable. And if you want more additional options, like four-wheel drive or in-car entertainment, you can add them at a price that will still be much less than another car of this size.

Ready To Upgrade Your Car?

The summer holidays may seem like a busy time to change your car. But you will really feel the benefit when you head out on those long journeys across the country. Having a better car may also mean you are more comfortable going a bit further, so you have more freedom to take advantage of what the country has to offer.