Family Adventures: Choosing the Best SUVs for UK Exploration

The family holiday is a sacred thing, no matter what form it takes. From brief jaunts to the nearest seaside to fully-fledged fortnight breaks somewhere Mediterranean, there is no beating the feeling of getting the entire household out for a restful and relaxing – or exciting and exhilarating – holiday break.

But with holiday costs on the rise, it is harder to justify international flights, and particularly so for larger families with several children. At the same time, essential home costs like house bills and, crucially, your car, can hobble your holiday plans. But what if you could combine some of these costs? Getting a big enough car for the school run and for weekend road-tripping could solve multiple problems in one – but how can you choose the best vehicle for your new UK-exploring staycationary future?

Top Features for Family SUVs

Let’s start with the essential features a family-friendly SUV should have. Safety should be a foremost concern, particularly if you intend to take your family a little off the beaten track; look for cars with NCAP ratings of five stars.

Speaking of the beaten track, some SUVs are only SUVs in form; keep an eye out for models that offer AWD (all-wheel drive), and selectable front- or rear-wheel drive. These will handle better in rougher terrain! Lastly, consider fuel economy. SUVs are not known for their fuel efficiency, but they are getting better for it – particularly with electric models now on the roads.

Protecting Your Investment

An SUV is not a cheap thing, even if you are able to grab a great deal from a local dealership. You would hope they weren’t cheap, too, for their size and the value they can offer via modern conveniences. The money you plug into your SUV, though, is not necessarily protected by your common-or-garden insurance policy. Depreciating car values can rob you of some of your investment, particularly if you were unfortunate enough to write off your new vehicle in the first two or three years of purchase.

This is why, on top of normal car insurance, you might also opt for a gap insurance policy. Gap insurance is the bridging policy between the value your conventional insurance covers and the price you paid for your vehicle. This can be an especially useful investment if you are leasing or financing your new family SUV, as worst-case scenarios can see your insurance payout failing to meet your repayment amount in the event of a crash.

Best SUV Models for UK Roads

There are countless makes and models for you to choose between on today’s market, between which it can be difficult to pick out the best. Land Rovers have a positive reputation for a reason, so you couldn’t go far wrong with a Land Rover Discovery. For a more comfortable motorway-driving experience, look no further than the Peugot 5008.