A familiar daily routine for parents everywhere, the school run requires a safe and reliable vehicle. What’s more, travelling at rush hour almost guarantees traffic and congestion, so comfort and interior space are also required.
From Superminis and small hatchbacks to traditional saloons and compact SUVs, numerous vehicles are available for every kind of family. So here are some tips and advice on choosing the best car for the school run.
Or you can find out more about the Honda CR-V here, our own recommendation.
Performance
Although acceleration and speed won’t be top of the priority list, fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions are sure to be important considerations. Therefore, choosing a car with an economical engine is highly recommended.
A petrol drivetrain typically delivers more responsive acceleration and punchier performance, but diesel engines will inevitably be more frugal.
Reliability
With kids needing to arrive at school on time and not be left waiting at the end of a day, having a car you can rely on is imperative.
Therefore, it is advisable to choose a car from a reputable and well-known manufacturer with a history of reliability. You will often find that smaller and cheaper vehicles have been produced as cost effectively as possible, sometimes impacting on their build quality.
More rugged and versatile cars will have been manufactured to withstand all manner of scenarios meaning reliability is far greater. As a result, added peace of mind for any parent or guardian is guaranteed.
Safety
The safety and well-being of your kids is sure to be the most important factor in choosing a car for the school run. Thankfully, all modern cars are produced to exacting standards and rigorously tested by independent bodies like Euro NCAP.
Even so, some vehicles are safer than others, so be sure to research the additional features and crash test results before making a decision. Any car worth its salt should have multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes and some form of traction control or stability assist system.
You may also want to look for electronic brake force distribution, seatbelts with emergency locking retractors, lane keeping assist system, adaptive cruise control, electronic power steering and collision mitigation braking.
Practicality
When it comes to practicality, standard qualities such as number of seats, passenger legroom and luggage capacity will be the most obvious concerns. However, hardwearing materials and clever functionality features are required to endure the stresses and strains of children.
Folding rear seats that are easy to manoeuvre increase cabin space, while accessory sockets and automatic tailgates are incredibly useful.
Comfort and entertainment
No parent wants restless or bored kids in the back of the car, so making sure your children are comfortable and entertained is another thing to be mindful of. Quality materials will not only survive spills and stains, but also ensure a relaxing ride.
In-car entertainment is another deliberation, but most modern vehicles have some sort of multimedia system with MP3 connectivity.