As summer travel kicks into high gear, British families are hitting the road—and they’re doing it in style, space, and comfort. According to new research from automotive marketplace CarGurus, the Hyundai Tucson tops the list as the ultimate family holiday vehicle, meeting the diverse needs of parents planning road-based getaways.
Surveying the Road Ahead
CarGurus commissioned a nationally representative poll of 2,000 parents to better understand what families seek in a holiday-ready vehicle. The findings are telling: 52% say their annual holiday habits influence their vehicle choices, and a resounding 75% say they drive to their holiday destinations. On average, families rack up 384 miles a year for vacations alone, with nearly one in five parents covering over 600 miles annually in pursuit of rest and relaxation.
With this data in hand, CarGurus identified the features most prized in a family car for holidays. The top three? Reliability (52%), fuel efficiency (52%), and boot space (51%). These factors formed the benchmark against which all vehicles were measured.
Hyundai Tucson: The Standout Choice
The Hyundai Tucson emerged as the best car for family holidays, thanks to its ideal blend of practicality, performance, and price. The SUV offers a spacious boot of up to 620 litres, excellent fuel economy—around 38mpg for petrol, 46mpg for hybrids, and higher still for the plug-in hybrid when regularly charged—and comes with Hyundai’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty for added peace of mind.
“With long hours on the road, packed boots, and keeping everyone comfortable top of mind, the Hyundai Tucson stood out as a clear winner,” said Chris Knapman, Editorial Director at CarGurus UK. “It’s quiet, comfortable, and extremely efficient—perfect for families holidaying at home or venturing abroad.”
And price? Well within reach. Used examples of the latest-generation Tucson start at just over £15,000, comfortably sitting within the average family’s target spend of £21,000.
Driving Holiday Trends
The study also reveals changing attitudes toward holiday travel. More than three-quarters (75%) of respondents said they are just as likely or more likely to take a ‘driving holiday’ now compared to previous years. 44% of families would opt for a petrol-powered vehicle for road trips, while only 6% favour electric—largely due to concerns about range, charging infrastructure, and boot capacity.
Staycations remain strong: 61% of respondents plan to explore UK destinations by car in 2025. The Lake District, Cornwall, and Devon top the list of family-friendly hotspots. Beach breaks (38%), self-catering villas or cottages (34%), and countryside staycations (33%) are the most popular types of getaways.
The Full Holiday Car Guide
To help families of all budgets, CarGurus has published a Best Family Holiday Cars Guide. The recommendations span from affordable used crossovers to premium SUVs, based on real-world needs and budget brackets:
| Budget | CarGurus Recommendation |
|---|---|
| £5,000 – £9,999 | Suzuki S-Cross (2013–2020) |
| £10,000 – £14,999 | Toyota RAV4 (2012–2018) |
| £15,000 – £19,999 | Kia XCeed (2019–present) |
| £20,000 – £24,999 | Hyundai Tucson (2021–present) |
| £25,000 – £29,999 | Citroën C5 Aircross (2018–present) |
| £30,000 – £34,999 | BMW X1 (2022–present) |
| £35,000+ | Skoda Kodiaq (2024–present) |
While SUVs remain the most popular body style for families (25%), large hatchbacks (14%) and mid-size hatchbacks (13%) also have loyal followings—especially for those who prize agility and fuel economy in urban settings.
What Parents Want Most
The research uncovered the Top 20 priorities parents consider when choosing a holiday car:
- Reliability
- Fuel efficiency
- Boot space
- Comfort for long journeys
- Air conditioning / climate zones
- Built-in GPS / sat-nav
- Rear legroom
- Interior storage
- Safety tech (lane departure, collision warning)
- Cruise control
- Fold-down rear seats
- Easy-clean interior
- Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
- Roof rack or tow hitch compatibility
- Rear-seat TV screens
- Isofix child seat mounts
- Rear-seat charging access
- Semi-autonomous driving features
- Extra cup holders
- Optional third-row seating
Notably, 49% of parents say they enjoy long car journeys with their families—proving that, with the right car, the journey can be just as enjoyable as the destination.
Whether it’s a beach break in Cornwall or a cottage escape in the Cotswolds, family holidays demand a vehicle that delivers on space, comfort, efficiency, and reliability. And according to CarGurus’ expert analysis and thousands of parental insights, the Hyundai Tucson hits the mark across the board.
For those in the market, now might just be the perfect time to plan your next adventure—starting with the perfect car.
