We take a look at all the kid-friendly car models perfect for families in Singapore… no matter your budget or the number of children you need to drive around!
Public transport and taxis in Singapore may be super affordable. But between the unwillingness of cab drivers to make cross-island journeys and train breakdowns, some of us are ready to scream, enough is enough! So maybe this year is the year you’ve decided to buy a car in Singapore. No more endless cab rides to and from school, swimming lessons or dance class. You’ve buckled down, got your driver’s license (or converted it) and are absolutely sure you don’t want to lease a car. Now all there’s left to do? Shop for the perfect family car! Don’t know where to start? We did the nitty-gritty groundwork to bring you the best line-up of family-friendly cars in Singapore ready to make your commute that much smoother…
The best family friendly cars in Singapore
1. For big families: Honda Odyssey
Space: Eight-seater, with Magic Slide configuration. Middle seats can be moved to fit longer pieces of furniture or separated from each other for more personal space. The back row has comfortable legroom too.
Safety: Honda-Sensing system helps put your mind at ease when commuting with the little ones. Overhead and knee airbags protect occupants from head and lower body injuries in the event of a collision.
Fuel efficiency: 2-litre engine.
Child-friendly features: CabinWatch lets you check on the passengers in back seats (both rows!) via a camera on the infotainment screen. It also comes with CabinTalk, so you can pretend to be a pilot with the kids. How cool is that!
Cost: From $157,999.
What we love about it: Perfect for big families? Check! Back TV screen with child-friendly entertainment apps? Check! Spacious and comfortable seats that let you fall asleep easily during those long car rides? Check! How about a moonroof? This car has that too! So many ticks for the Honda Odyssey that it’s not hard to fall in love with it.
2. For travelling in comfort: Toyota Alphard 2.5 Elegance
Space: Six-seater, with various seat configurations. Plus, plenty of luggage room and recessed storage space to stash everyone’s luggage, and then some, for long road trips.
Safety: Seven airbags, including curtain shield airbags along the windows. The steering-assisted vehicle stability control ensures smooth acceleration, regardless of road conditions.
Fuel efficiency: 2.5-litre engine.
Child-friendly features: Kids of all ages and senior citizens can board with ease, thanks to the lower rear seat access step and long assist grips. Plus, luxurious Captain and Ottoman seats with footrests, no less!
Cost: From $242,888.
What we love about it: Load up the groceries easily with the one touch backdoor system, plus the Toyota Alphard also has a telematic system that turns your car into a smart one. The seven-inch MID (Multi Information Display) touch screen gives you access to some choice tunes for the kids, SatNav navigation for the road and even keeps you connected to social media when you’re out and about. There are even LEDs installed in the ceiling that can change to 16 different colours. What more can we say? You’ve got your very own party van!
3. For long car-rides: Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 Progressive
Space: Seven-seater with adjustable seats. The back row can seat passengers up to 1.68 metres tall or collapsed to fit in plenty of things that you have to bring around.
Safety: The PRE-SAFE system will notify you of any impending accidents by generating a sound via the speakers.
Fuel efficiency: 2-litre engine.
Child-friendly features: This versatile car can fit up to four child seats with an optional tablet holder. The giant glass sunroof offers sweeping panoramic views and lets occupants adjust the amount of sunlight into the car.
Cost: From $189,888
What we love about it: USB-C ports can be found around the cabin, so your electronic devices will never run out of power. Perfect to distract the kiddos on those long journeys when you are exhausted multitasking driving and keeping them entertained.
4. For quick trips: Ford Ecosport
Space: Five-seater. The EcoSport standard Cargo Management System features an adjustable boot floor that can be opened to create more storage space. It also comes with cargo nets and organisers to keep your stuff intact and free from damage when on the move.
Safety: BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) and cross-traffic alert uses radar to identify and alert you about vehicles or people in your blind spot, as well as behind your car when you back out of a parking spot or driveway.
Fuel efficiency: 2-litre engine.
Child-friendly features: A moonroof that comes with added UV filter, so your kiddos can enjoy all the fresh air without baking under the sun.
Cost: From $105,000.
What we love about it: Ford has implemented a MyKey technology that allows you to programme your key to a restricted driving mode setting. A great way to promote good habits for new drivers (yes, we’re talking about your teens!). The settings can include features such as implementing safety belt use, limiting top speeds and decreasing audio volume. The SYNC Connect and FordPass lets you monitor and maintain your vehicle remotely, with plenty of fun functionalities like letting you check your fuel level, schedule the car’s next maintenance, request Roadside Assistance or even getting help to locate your vehicle. Top it off with in-vehicle WiFi hotspots? Yes, please!
5. For stylish but practical mums: Škoda Kodiaq
Space: Six-seater with collapsible second and third rows.
Safety: Seven airbags, with full LED headlights that’ll give you a clear view of the distance and ample time to stop during a night drive or come monsoon season.
Fuel efficiency: 2-litre engine.
Child-friendly features: The panoramic sunroof is tinted black to prevent the car from overheating, but still promises kids a scenic ride. Seats that can be shifted and tilted at will makes for easy carpooling, plus the tablet holders and cushy headrests keep wiggly kids comfy and entertained. The Kodiaq also comes with a driver-controlled electronic child lock and plastic, spring-loaded door edge protectors to prevent your car from scratching or hurting anyone when someone flings open the door.
Cost: From $151,000.
What we love about it: The Kodiaq is looking like the swiss-army knife of cars – it has everything you could possibly need to have a safe and comfortable ride with kids, extended family and friends. Stash used wet wipes and snack wrappers in the trash bins installed into the doors. There are also special compartments for umbrellas (finally, someone thought of it!), and a net system in the boot to keep your eggs far away from everything else. But the very best part? The Digital Voice Enhancement carries your voice to those in the back, which means you no longer have to physically turn around and bellow at child #1 to stop poking child #2 in the eye.
6. For soccer mums: Kia Sorento
Space: Seven-seater with partial and full-folding of rear seats to suit different cargo combinations. Whether you need to stash the bikes for a trip to the park or load up seven suitcases for an overseas trip, this car will have no issue with space.
Safety: Advanced 6-airbag system: driver, front passenger, two front-side and two side-curtain airbags.
Fuel efficiency: 2.5-litre engine.
Child-friendly features: Retractable sunshade for the rear-door windows to keep your kewpie comfy from harmful sun rays.
Cost: From $161,999.
What we love about it: The Smart Parking Assist System (SPAS) which uses ultrasonic, side-mounted sensors to search for parking lots and automatically steers the vehicle into place, for both perpendicular and parallel parking is a Godsend. Also, say goodbye to juggling groceries and a kid with the smart power tailgate that opens doors automatically when the smart key is detected. It even stores your favourite opening angles. And yes, you can connect it to your smartphone via Apple Car Play or Android Auto.
And that’s a wrap of our fave family-friendly cars in Singapore. See you on the road soon, folks!
