Modern family car: SUVs have competed with minivans

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In the past – minivans; now – crossovers

In 1984, Renault introduced to Europeans what was destined to become the best family car, the Espace minivan. This niche was immediately welcomed by other manufacturers, and later not only Volkswagen, Peugeot and Kia, but many other brands joined the class. The nearly four-decade-long evolution of the family car has reached heights unimaginable at the time of the Espace debut, and conventional minivans can no longer meet today’s demands.

If we look at the current family car market, there are almost no minivans in it, because buyers prefer models with a higher ground clearance, which improves traction. They also feature a spacious interior, a wealth of the latest technology and driving comfort. It is also important that many of these models are available with all-wheel drive. However, it turns out that this is not enough at the moment: now, in order for the model to adapt to the pace of life in the 21st century, manufacturers have to take into account the needs of every member of the family and offer a range of relevant functions.

Who else needs a modern family car?

We need amenities for our winters. More and more people are choosing extras such as a heated steering wheel and seats. For example, in an affordable area like the Kia Sportage, these options are already standard.

The third line is also important. “In the past, the third row of seats was like a stepchild, there was even a lack of cup holders, because the smallest passengers were usually there. “Even a separate climate control is being installed more and more often. Now all passengers are equally important, and we are thinking about how to satisfy everyone’s individual needs,” says “Kursors.lv” car expert Maris Gaugers.

The technological equipment must be level. It is not just about technologies, but also about their integration and accessibility, so even the details need to be well thought out. “When testing the cars, I pay attention to whether there are enough USB ports, at least one for each passenger. I also pay attention to whether they are the old USB or the new USB Type-C. The thing is that morally “The car ages more slowly than smart devices, so you have to make sure that the equipment will be up – to – date in the long run. The location of the charging sockets and their integration in the cabin is also important.

No one has to fight the door. It would be advisable for every parent to check how wide the door opens – to make it easier to seat a small child.

The easier it is to open the trunk, the better. It must also be ascertained whether the machine has an automatic boot opening when the door is opened by wagging. However, it can also be another system that helps if you have shopping bags in one hand and a baby in the other. For some of the latest car models, it’s even easier to open the boot: just hold the key in your pocket, wait three seconds in the back of the car – and the door will open on its own. In addition, this system works without additional motion sensors, which often quickly overlap with dirt on our roads.

You need to be able to talk without shouting. Another innovation worth mentioning is the technology that makes it easier to talk between the first and third row occupants – this applies to seven-seater cars. “It may seem like a trifle, but in real life, such an improvement is very valuable, because you don’t have to raise your voice when talking to passengers in the back. You get used to this extra very quickly,” adds Māris.

Security is at the top of the list of priorities

Over the last two decades, not only has the shape of the family car changed significantly, but safety has also improved significantly. “In Latvia, people still do not pay enough attention to this aspect, but in my opinion, in the case of a family car, it should be a priority. It is worth finding out what results the model has shown in EuroNCAP safety tests, where child protection is tested separately,” says Maris.

EuroNCAP is an independent organization that assesses the safety of new cars at the basic equipment level. This is done according to results in four categories: adult protection, child protection, pedestrian and other road user safety, and driving assistants. When testing the safety of the smallest passengers, mannequins simulating six and 10-year-olds are used, and a rating is given on how well the car protects them in the event of a collision. Experts determine whether the dummies were injured in the accident and how serious they are. In turn, electronic security systems are tested in real tests at a special landfill.

“Buyers should evaluate the car as a whole – comfort equipment, safety and even the smallest details. In fact, I would recommend the whole family to try to go to the salon together, because each member will have their own evaluation criteria, expectations and wishes,” Maris sums up.

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