10 best cars for Kenyan families

It is about finding a balance between preference, utility, and availability. Cheki, Kenya’s leading car classifieds, recognised this is a challenge so have recommended the top 10 family cars of 2017.

1. The Honda Civic

Sleek in its own right and a smooth driving experience, this seemingly modest car will take care of all the travel needs that you and your family may have.

The car has a wide windshield, which enhances the front view, so that you can be able to see the area around you as you drive and keep your family safe as you are likely to have unpleasant surprises. This is backed up by a multi angle camera for a clear rear view which will definitely stop you from ramming into cars, ditches, or walls as you engage the reverse gear.

The boot is also quite big, which will allow you to carry all your items around without worrying about having to leave some things behind so that you can create space. The car has a continuously variable transmission which improves fuel economy so those trips out of town on weekends do not have to be problematic due to the erratic cost of fuel.

The Honda Civic also has enough room for your entire family to move from to place without having to squeeze in. Finally, it is packed up with advanced-technology features which will help you stay safe and aware of your environment as you drive.

2. Honda CR-V

Another Honda on the list. This car has been around for quite some time and it never goes out of fashion. It has been a best-selling car in many of the markets it is in and for a good reason.

The car has enough space for you and all you kids plus your pets and all the cargo you need for an all-family road trip. The cabin is all hushed so you can keep your focus on the road and ears on the ground, to hear any unusual noises which may mean that something is not right.

The latest version is loaded with extra safety features which include road and lane departure warnings, automatic emergency brakes, and adaptive cruise control. To crown to its attractiveness, the Honda CR-V is smooth on city roads and on unpaved roads as you head out of town so you can use it for all your travel needs.

3. Subaru Outback

Well, Subarus in Kenya are often associated with young speed junkies. Despite all the bad rap, Subarus are actually great cars to cruise around in.

The Outback is an all-wheel car which gives it great ground-clearance capabilities which means that the annual trip to shagz will not be a headache because, with this car, you will hardly feel the impact of the unpaved roads. And that trip to Maasai Mara will also not be stressful.

The Outback has some comfortable seats for the entire family so your kids won’t keep complaining about being tired on long trips out of town. The car is low enough for your kids to hop in with no difficulty and load their belongings comfortably so you can start teaching them self-reliance early enough with this car. The boot space is also huge enough to accommodate your entire family’s belongings.

Finally, the latest version of this car has automatic brakes for reverse parking so when you reverse and someone suddenly jumps behind your car, you will not knock them down.

4. Mazda 3

Style, smooth to drive, and a remarkable fuel efficiency are just some of the adjectives that can be used to describe the Mazda 3.

The car has a powerful engine and cruise control which is smooth to drive and remarkably quiet. It is also affordable to maintain so you can put down all those worries about the cost of maintenance. It has also been ranked as a highly reliable car so you can drive around without worrying about being let down.

The car’s steering is easy for enjoyable cruising but still feel alert. Its impressive suspension makes it an ideal car for unpaved roads and roads full of potholes so you won’t have to tire your family members due to poor road-connectivity.

5. The Volkswagen Golf

Earlier on in 2017, Volkswagen, through its South African arm started assembling the Golf locally. This means that you can get your very own brand-new Golf right here in Kenya at an affordable price. But apart from that, this car, with its space and capacity is an ideal family car.

The car has a plush interior for everyone’s comfort and is comfortable to drive. With enough boot-space for your family’s needs, the Golf is ideal for trips out of town.

It is very economical at the pump and has a good performance off-road as well, so you won’t have struggles on the typical Kenyan roads outside towns.

6. Mazda CX-5

Sporty would be an apt adjective to describe this car. But apart from this, the CX-5 looks and feels like it was designed with your family in mind.

Spacious and smooth, this car is ideal for your family as you will all be comfortable and can bond as a family as you drive around. The car’s reliability is definitely an added advantage as you do not want to be ferrying your family around in a car that is not dependable.

It has a light and accurate steering which will keep you in control of the driving experience. Finally, the car has adequate suspension which makes every ride smooth, even if it is bumpy.

7. Hyundai Santa Fe

A beast fit for your family! The car is a smooth blend of style and comfort and its powerful engine is the cherry on the cake.

The Santa Fe’s superior safety features make it ideal for your family, as safety is a key feature for any family car. It is packed with cruise control, a 360-degree camera for parking and a lane departure warning.

In addition to these, the car has emergency braking systems to prevent you and your family from colliding with other cars, so accidents have been mitigated on. The Santa Fe is a good car if you are big on safety, comfort, and class all in one.

8. Honda Odyssey

A great bargain for a minivan, the Odyssey, especially since it has 3 rows so you never have to worry that your entire family may not fit in. Unlike many cars with third rows, the Odyssey has enough legroom for adults to sit in comfortably and enjoy the ride just like the rest of the family.

Loaded with a V6 engine, this car is the answer to the poor roads in most towns out of Kenya and this gives the car lots of versatility. The plush seats make it ideal for long trips and with enough room for people and luggage, this minivan is a great deal for the family-oriented person.

9. Toyota Prius

Hybrid cars are the in thing and the best part is, you do not have to compromise on comfort and style to get the best.

The car has remarkable fuel efficiency and continues to attract those who would rather have comfort but work within a budget. With ample legroom and enlarged boot space, this car will ferry you and your family around in comfort, plus all those things that all the family members would love to carry with them.

The VVTi Business Edition engine gives you great performance on any road so safety and reliability are the least of your concerns when using the Prius.

10. Honda Insight

Another Honda closes the list. Well, Honda has been named one of the best car brands in 2017 so it is no surprise that several cars would make it to this list.

A hybrid car with all the features of an ideal car, the Insight has had a good year on Kenyan roads and for a good reason.

First, the Insight has a plush yet spacious interior so your entire family will fit in comfortably whether you are on a road trip or are heading to shagz for the holidays. The extended boot space is definitely a great plus, for those family weekends out of town where you all need to carry enough of everything.

It is affordable to buy and maintain, which is exactly what you need when you have a family to take care of. It is comfortable to drive and has some great navigation results.

When you feel ready to buy your family car, visit Cheki to view new and used cars as well as compare prices and features you feel are a priority for you and your family.