Title	The Best Hire Car for Your Family Holiday
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Description	From 5-seaters SUVs to 7-seaters & 9-seater minivans, find the best hire car for your family holiday, whether it's a city break, an activity holiday, a beach holiday or a road trip.
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The Best Car to Hire for Your Family Holiday

When planning a holiday, choosing the right hire car can make all the difference. Here’s a guide to selecting the perfect vehicle for different types of trips.

City Breaks

If you’re heading to a bustling city, you may not always think about hiring a car. However, when you are travelling with children, it’s often easier, safer and even more economical, to hire a 4-door compact car. They are easy to park, fuel-efficient, and great for navigating narrow streets. It also means you have the freedom to explore the area around the city, a good idea when kids get restless and need a change of scenery.

You might want to consider an electric car or hybrid model as many cities now have restrictions for fossil-fuel engines, and some even offer free or subsidised parking for EVs.

Beach Holidays

For seaside getaways, comfort and space are key. A mid-size SUV provides ample room for luggage, beach gear and passengers while its higher ground clearance can be handy for off-road beachside parking.

If you are more than 5 people, you might want to consider a 7-seater or people carrier as that will give you decent boot space, as well as plenty of room for passengers. Most come with flexible seat configuration which makes it easier for an adult to sit in the back with the children on longer drives.

Most of our cars are available with air conditioning, a welcome luxury after a day in the sun and great for cooling down tired children.

Family Road Trips

Road trips are infinitely more enjoyable when there is no squabbling in the back seat from cramped kids fighting over space.

A 7-seater or 9-seater people carrier ensures enough room for the whole family and their luggage, along with cool bags for drinks and snacks.

When choosing a hire car also look for features such as entertainment systems or climate control for added comfort when the weather is very hot. Have a look at our suggestions for keeping kids occupied on long drives.

Activity Holidays

Activities usually involve equipment of some type or other, so space is very important. Water sports, hiking, ball games, riding - they all require lots of accessories and kit, so hiring a big enough car is important. If you are camping you'll also need tents, sleeping bags, food and other bulky items.

Depending on how much gear you have, a large SUV or minivan will be best suited to your space needs, while still allowing everyone to travel in comfort. An SUV is ideal if you are travelling on more rugged, rural roads which may not be best suited to a normal car.

What Size Car do You Need?

Best Car for a Family of 5

If you’re a family of five, the right car makes all the difference between a smooth trip and constant arguments about elbow room.

SUVs such as the Nissan Qashqai or Volvo XC60 are often considered the best car for a family of 5 thanks to their spacious interiors and high driving position. Perfect for mountain roads or exploring rougher terrain.
MPVs like the Ford Galaxy people carrier offer clever storage solutions and plenty of legroom for the kids.

Where to Hire a 5-Seater SUV

The Canary Islands – With mild winter temperatures, families of five can explore Tenerife, Lanzarote, or Gran Canaria comfortably in an SUV.
Rome, Barcelona, or Lisbon – City breaks are easier with a mid-sized car that’s compact enough for urban streets but still roomy inside.
The Alps, the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands – SUVs handle mountain driving well while offering boot space for ski gear, hiking and camping equipment .

7-Seater Car Hire

For families who need extra space — whether that’s for grandparents or friends joining the holiday, 7-seater car hire is often the best option.

Ford Galaxy or the Mercedes V class– ideal for larger families with flexible seating layouts.
SUV 7-seaters like the Peugeot 5008 – offer rugged driving performance, great for ski destinations.

Where to hire a 7-Seater Car

Ski Holidays in France or Austria – You’ll need space for equipment plus comfortable seating for longer drives from airports like Geneva, Lyon, or Salzburg.
Road Trips around the Mediterranean or in the Atlas mountains – A 7-seater means everyone can ride together as you explore.
Family Sun Holidays in Tenerife – Plenty of space for beach gear and the ability to drive around the island without needing multiple cars.

9-Seater Car Hire

Travelling with two families, or a large group of friends? 9-seater car hire is the easiest and most economical way to stay together.

Renault Traffic or Opel Vivaro – modern minivans designed for comfort, not just utility. They come with good suspension, air conditioning, and flexible seating.
Ford Tourneo – a premium option for those who want comfort alongside space.

Why Hire a 9-Seater Minivan?

Cost-effective – often cheaper than booking two cars.
Group bonding – everyone travels together, making the journey part of the holiday.
Storage space – essential for bulky equipment or multiple large suitcases.

Family Car Hire FAQs

The best car for a family of 5 is usually a mid-sized SUV or MPV. SUVs like the Nissan Qashqai or Volkswagen Tiguan are spacious enough for passengers and luggage, while MPVs such as the Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer offer flexible seating. For ski trips, make sure your hire includes winter tyres and enough boot space for equipment.

It depends on your group size. 7-seater car hire is ideal for one large family or when grandparents are travelling too. 9-seater car hire works best for two families or groups of friends travelling together. It often works out cheaper than hiring two smaller cars and keeps everyone together for the journey.

In most cases, yes. While a 9-seater car hire can be more expensive upfront, the total cost is usually lower than booking two smaller cars, especially when you factor in fuel, insurance, and parking. A single larger vehicle also makes family travel more convenient, especially if you add an addition driver to your contract so you can share the driving.

Yes, if you’re skiing in destinations such as the French Alps, Austrian Alps, or Italian Dolomites, you should check that your hire car comes with winter tyres and snow chains. In some regions, they are a legal requirement during the winter months.

Absolutely. Renting a minivan is a great option for families carrying a lot of luggage or sports equipment. MPVs are especially practical for ski holidays, where you’ll need space for skis, boots, helmets and winter gear. They’re also useful in sunny destinations like Tenerife or the Algarve when travelling with surfboards or bulky luggage.

For winter sun destinations such as the Canary Islands or the Algarve, a spacious SUV is ideal for families of 5. It’s comfortable for longer drives, offers extra boot space for beach gear, and handles rural or coastal roads well. For larger groups, consider 7-seater or 9-seater car hire.