Hello!

“I know it is a strange question… but i’m just not comfortable driving a ‘big’ car like Toyota Prius. What is the next best car that other mums have/are using? My partner and I have a 2.25yo” Do you have any thoughts on which small car is best for a mum with a toddler?

Posted by Jocelyn, 08/05/13

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  • If you are looking at small cars then make sure it has 4 doors. Cars with only 2 doors are generally too hard to keeping pulling kids in and out of. I would recommended a 4 door Suzuki swift as they are reliable and have a bit of power behind them if you find yourself in trouble. Avoid Kia’s though. My husband works for the automotive industry and it is the most likely small car to break down.


  • I have a holden Barina, the grandkids love it as i do, i think they are very safe in my car with 7 air bags, childlocks, very high back windows, and the best carseats.


  • The new mitsubishi mirage is meant to be amazing.
    but the best advice i can give is make sure it has 4 doors or you will regret it


  • Toyota Carolla. I had one years ago, my second car and had it up until my daughter was a toddler. It was reliable and easy to drive. Mine was an 82 model but I would buy a new one if ever (dreaming of lotto) I had the chance.


  • Subaru’s are a great little car. Mechanics say very reliable too


  • Ford focus are good little cars.


  • MIT. Lancers have always been a nice 4 door small car!


  • I had a mazda 121 and i loved it


  • I drive a Mazda2 and can’t recommend it enough!! So fuel efficient and zippy!


  • I can highly recommend the Mitsubishi Lancer that I drive. It is a fairly small car but it has a good amount of room inside and a very decent sized boot. It also came with a good warranty and capped price servicing …


  • look for one with large boot space.


  • I don’t recommend a ford focus. Ours has been nothing but trouble and have since heard of so many other people who have lots of problems with theirs too


  • I drove a Hyundai i20 while I was away in QLD and I was very impressed with how it moved. I was also impressed with the boot space (it fit two large suitcases with room to spare). It was a hatch but the car seat anchor points were down the back of the seat so had we had to restrain children we would have been able to without eating into the boot space.


  • Hatchbacks like a Yaris are great as they have a good amount of boot space for their size and are really easy to park.


  • I have Honda Jazz and really recommend people esp busy mums who needs to pick up their children, do errands, etc


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