What is the best car for a newborn?

Best car for newborns

Adding a new member to your family is an exciting thing – there's plenty to look forward to and prepare, and that includes your motor.  

Finding the best car for a newborn is very important, and if you’re not already cruising in a kitted-out Qashqai, it might be time to swap the thirsty coupé for something practical and reliable, with a good amount of space.  

Take a look at our top picks for the best car for newborns so you’re prepared for your new arrival.  

Cars for first-time parents 

• Nissan Qashqai

• Skoda Octavia Estate

• Volkswagen Golf

• Dacia Sandero

• Skoda Enyaq

• Land Rover Defender

• Kia Sportage

• Mazda CX-5

What makes a good used car for newborns?

A good car for a newborn is one that you feel safe driving – you’re carrying precious cargo, and you’ll want to make sure that everything is secure as you travel.

A five-star Euro NCAP rating is a good indication of high safety levels, but taking a look at the safety features of each model can help with peace of mind. Isofix car seat points are a must, and it’s worth looking out for intelligent emergency braking systems and forward collision monitoring.

You’ll also want to make sure the boot is big enough for a pushchair (or two, depending on your needs) and that you find the car easy to get in and out of.

Reliability is important, and lots of families want a car with good fuel efficiency. You might even be persuaded by an electric car to cut those fuel costs back to zero.

Best car for first-time parents

Becoming new parents is an exciting and nerve-wracking time, and it will likely mean adjustments to your lifestyle.

Don’t stress, however – the best car for first-time parents doesn’t have to be the most boring. There are plenty of family cars that are easy to drive, comfortable, and packed with tech.

Nissan Qashqai

A used Nissan Qashqai is one of the best things you can do for your young family. It’s one of the OG family SUVs that started the trend, and it’s a solid car.

You’ll get a 504-litre boot that’s easy to load a pushchair into, as well as any other essentials. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with Isofix car seat points on the outer rear seats.

This used Nissan was awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2021, with a seriously impressive 91% rating for adults and children.

Plus, you can achieve up to 53.3mpg with the hybrid petrol engine, or 40.9mpg with the all-wheel-drive petrol.

Skoda Octavia Estate

If you’re a new parent and want a car with a massive boot, the Skoda Octavia Estate is the car for you. You’ll have 640 litres to fill up with all your essentials, so it’s ideal if you’ve got twins on the way and need a big pushchair.  

The Octavia was awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2022 and gets safety features like collision avoidance assist and an exit warning system that will set off an alert if a passenger tries to open the door when a road user is detected.  

The Octavia is also considered a seriously reliable used Skoda, and it performs well on reliability surveys. Reviews state that it’s a car that’s easy to live with and maintain.  

Best small car for new parents

Not all new parents feel the need for a large family car, especially if they live in an urban area with tight parking and busy streets.  

There are plenty of safe and reliable small cars for new parents that still have generous boots and spacious interiors.  

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is an iconic car that’s loved for its versatility and solid build. This used Volkswagen practical and reliable model that benefits from VW engineering, but it’s still fresh and modern so you won't get bored.  

There’s a 381-litre boot at the rear that’s very easy to load, and the interior is roomy with Isofix car seat points in the back. Paired with the five-star Euro NCAP rating, it’s a car you’ll be confident to drive as a new parent.  

We also love that it isn’t pricey to run, with the diesel engines capable of up to 57.8mpg and the option to go for a plug-in hybrid or the electric e-Golf to cut back on fuel.  

Dacia Sandero

A used Dacia Sandero is always a good pick for the sheer value for money that it offers, but it’s an especially good choice for new parents.

Built on the same platform as the Renault Clio, the Sandero is reliable, well-built and filled with safety tech. This includes autonomous braking, Isofix car seat points, and a blind spot monitoring system.

The interior of this used Dacia is comfortable and hard-wearing, so it will hold under daily use as your newborn enters the messy toddler stage, and there’s a 328-litre boot that’s ideal for pushchairs and changing bags.

Best car for baby and dog

Some new parents already have a baby in their lives, and that’s a fluffy one with four legs. If your dog is about to get a sibling, you’ll need a car that can accommodate them both.  

The best car for a baby and a dog will be one that’s hard-wearing, has plenty of space, and will keep your whole family safe.  

Skoda Enyaq iV

The Skoda Enyaq is a spacious electric SUV that easily has enough space for a baby and a dog. There's a 585-litre boot that will comfortably seat a dog with the right carrier, harness, crate or dog guard, and there are Isoxfix car seat points for safely fitting a baby seat.  

The latest Skoda Enyaq iV is packed with safety features. There are up to nine airbags around the car, driver aids like collision avoidance assist, turn assist, and front assist with road pedestrian and cyclist protection.  

The entry-level Enyaq can cover up to 179 miles on a single charge, while the highest-spec vRS model can achieve up to 336 miles.  

Land Rover Defender

If you want something classic for your new family car and plan to embrace an outdoorsy lifestyle with your dog and new baby, a Land Rover Defender is a solid pick.

The Defender is superb on the roads but has undeniable off-roading capabilities that allow for plenty of customisable driving. This includes a Terrain Response system that helps adjust your driving to your surroundings. For a family who like adventure, this is a great option.

In five-seat mode, your used Land Rover offers 646 litres of boot space, but opting for the plug-in hybrid model will cut that back to 550 litres – still large enough for travelling with a baby and a dog.

Best car for two baby seats

Some new parents are lucky enough to be welcoming two new babies or might just want the option of travelling with two child seats for the future. In this case, shopping for the best car for two baby seats is definitely the way forward.  

Kia Sportage

A reliable all-rounder SUV for new parents, the Kia Sportage is spacious enough that two child seats will comfortably slot into the back.

Both the outer-rear seats have Isofix car seat points so you can securely lock in two seats, and the car was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2022.

The 591-litre boot in this used Kia's petrol and diesel models is spacious enough for two pushchairs if needed, or you’ll get 540 litres in the plug-in hybrid model, which is still plentiful.

The most economical model to pick is usually the plug-in hybrid Sportage, achieving up to 252mpg combined.

Mazda CX-5

Another SUV that’s ideal for two child seats, the Mazda CX-5 is smart and spacious. It’s got a swanky look about it that feels slightly more premium than the Sportage, but it’s still just as practical.  

There are two Isofix car seat points in the back of this used Mazda, plus a 510-litre boot that will fit all the essentials. The cabin is spacious as well, with wide door openings that make it easy to get in and out. 

Euro NCAP awarded the CX-5 a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating on its most recent test, but this rating has since expired.

Still, you’ll get safety features like parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and an adaptive front-lighting system.