Friends of the family – buyers guide to family cars
Posted by Reality | June 18th, 2009 | 0 Comments
If the sexy sports coupé was the car of your bachelorhood, marriage meant the roof stayed up permanently. When the kids start arriving, it’s time to trade in the last vestiges of carefree ways. Enter the brave new world of family cars – hopefully with puke-proof seats and built-in entertainment. Wilhelm Lutjeharms hand-picked the best.
Honda Accord Tourer
A roomy station wagon, the Honda Accord not only offers more than enough loading space, but it does so in elegance and style. It is available with two engine options, a 2,4 litre four-cylinder petrol engine (148 kW/234 Nm) and a 110 kW/350 Nm 2,2 litre i-DTEC turbo diesel. The luggage area, which swallows 352 dm³ in standard form, can be increased to 1160 dm³ by folding down the rear seats. There are also a number of active safety features such as ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and Honda’s VSA stability assist programme. Passive safety includes six airbags including curtain airbags.
Honda Accord Tourer
Normal price : R357900
Reality price : R340005
Save : R17895
Suzuki Swift
The little Suzuki Swift hatchback holds Car of the Year titles in several countries (it was also a 2009 finalist in the South African competition). It’s obvious why this car is so popular: good looks inside and out, and it handles just as handsomely. The gearbox has a slick and short throw action, the steering setup is perfectly suited to this car and controls are logically laid out and easy to use.
Don’t be fooled by the compact body. The rear seats can fold down to give you four times the luggage space. Numerous handy little storage spaces are available for keeping toys, baby bottles and treats within easy reach. To ensure everybody is safe there are six airbags, including curtain airbags, which run from the front to the rear.
SUZUKI SWIFT
Normal price : R141900
Reality price : R137050
Save : R4850
Mazda 5
The Mazda 5 is all practicality, but dressed up in a sleek and suave exterior. Apart from the spacious, seven-seat interior (the middle row can slide backwards and forwards to create more or less legroom and can be folded in a variety of ways), the two side doors slide open and closed at the push of a button – handy when you’ve got your arms full of shopping and youngsters.
Driving the front wheels is a 2,0 litre engine developing 107 kW and 185 Nm. There are three different specification levels to choose from – Original, Active and Individual – to suit specific equipment and pricing needs. Six airbags protect passengers in the front and rear seats. With all the seats in place, there is only 88 dm³ of luggage space, but this can be increased to 1 336 dm³ – enough for the doll’s house.
Mazda 5 2.0
Normal price : R239770
Reality price : R228941
Save : R10829
Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50
Every family needs a bakkie. Apart from the obvious lifestyle benefits, there is always some garden refuse to cart away or a run to the DIY store to be made on weekends.
Although the rear seat can easily accommodate three adults, it is not comfortable on a long haul, hence the rear bench is best suited to children. Depending on the model, there are front and side airbags for the driver and passenger, but only seatbelts keep the rear passengers safe.
As with any double cab, if you have a canopy and enough tie ropes, luggage space will never be a problem.
Apart from the cosmetic treatments front and rear (bumpers, grille and lights), the Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger are mechanically identical. Opting for one is like opting for the other, though the Mazda’s styling is slightly more rounded than the more conservatively styled Ford.
Ford Ranger/
Mazda BT-50
Normal price : R304400
Reality price : R275300
Save : R29100
Kia Sedona
Kia’s people carrier is simply the best in its class given its size and price. It can carry eight passengers and their luggage with the utmost ease.
To cater for baby and bolster seats, all seats come with Isofix mounting points. For added safety the Sedona comes standard with ABS brakes, ESP (electronic stability control) and six airbags, including curtain airbags for those seated in the rear.
A slick-shifting five-speed automatic gearbox is on offer to complement the manual (also available on the diesel version). Steering-mounted satellite controls for most major devices such as the sound system and cruise control are standard. This way, you can keep your hands where it matters – on the wheel.
The rear seats can be folded or removed to increase the standard size from 408 dm³ to a gigantic 2246 dm³ – to fit a doll’s house and a jungle gym!
Kia Sedona
Normal price : R374000
Reality price : R362000
Save : R12000
Toyota Corolla
The Corolla is one of the most recognised sedans in South Africa – it’s been the best-selling car for more than three decades, and was only recently eclipsed by its little sister, the Yaris.
By no means a small car anymore, it’s grown up to be spacious inside with a healthy dose of creature comforts and a suitable semi-premium price tag. Engine choices range from the Optimal Drive 1,3 litre to a powerful 1,8 litre petrol and 2,2 litre diesel, with comfortable seating for four grownups (or three children in the back). You can have up to seven airbags, including curtain airbags extending all the way to the rear. Added attractions are Toyota’s legendary reliability and resale value.
Toyota Corolla 1.3
Normal price : R177200
Reality price : R168200
Save : R9000
