Terms & Conditions
if

What to look for when shopping for a new family car

Kiindred

Kiindred

Brought to you by the Kiindred Editors. Our team are committed to researching and writing on all the things we know you will want to know about, at each stage of your pregnancy and parenthood journey.
Created on Oct 23, 2023 · 4 mins read

Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases many parents will make when expanding their family. It’s a very exciting time but it can also be a little overwhelming. Whether you’re expecting your first child or have a growing brood that is in need of more space – knowing what to look for is important.


Things like safety ratings, airbags and car seat attachments, to which type of upholstery to choose and does size really matter?

Now is not the time to be buying a sports car or convertible – but what other features are important to look out for? Before you start you want to ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is my budget? Setting a clear limit on what you can afford will help you narrow down the choices.
  • What size or type of car do I need? Take into consideration preference but also how many kids you have/plan on having.
  • How do you plan to use your car? Do you live in the city and use it for short trips or do you plan to be doing lots of long road trips?

From there you should be able to narrow down your search. In partnership with Kia Australia, we’ve put together a list of key features to look out for when shopping for your family car.

Airbags


Car safety and airbags have come leaps and bounds in recent years. We all hope we never have to see our airbags, but the reality is, we know they save lives. So making sure your car is fitted with them – as well as knowing how many there are and where they are fitted – is important.


Safety Technology


These days there are so many added features when it comes to safety options to give you that extra peace of mind.

Kia’s impressive range of added safety features includes child presence detection systems that alert you if there is still a child present in the car to Safety-exit warning systems that will check for oncoming traffic or danger. They also have a 360° view camera as well as Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance, Blind Spot Detection and Safe Exit Alert. These features give you the added peace of mind to know that your car is working just as hard as you are to keep you and your precious cargo safe.

What-to-look-for-when-shopping-for-a-new-family-car-body-image


Related Articles

Car seat attachments and anchor points


Car seats and boosters are going to be a part of your life for at least 8 years or more. Look for a car that has both the space to fit however many seats you require as well as the proper anchorage points to secure it in place.

Look for a 5-star ANCAP rating


Most cars in Australia are tested independently by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) where they measure 4 key areas:

  • Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)
  • Child Occupant Protection (COP)
  • Vulnerable Road User Protection (VRU)
  • Safety Assist (SA)

It’s still important to do your own research, as even though a car receives a 5-star rating, the specific safety features might not be what you require.

Ongoing servicing and maintenance


Often servicing and maintenance can become costly with a car. Whether it’s replacement parts or your annual service, the costs can really start to add up.

Looking for a car that comes with options such as an extended warranty and free or fixed servicing can help give you peace of mind and make sure you are not going to be lumped with any unavoidable costs.

All Kia cars come with a 7 year warranty and 7 year capped price servicing so there are no surprises when it comes to looking after your vehicle.

Upholstery


Fabric upholstery is going to be cheaper in the short term but any parent knows the pain of trying to keep cars clean when little ones are involved. From sticky fingers to explosions to suspicious-looking stains you have no idea about… Fabric upholstery not only stains it also retains odours, so you will end up often spending money cleaning them. You may also struggle to resell the car down the track if there are stains or odours lingering.

If your budget allows, opt for leather or another durable option that is easily wiped down.

Reversing cameras and parking sensors


These are a great option to have, again, if the budget will allow it. Cameras and sensors offer added peace of mind for safety.

They can also be a huge help in avoiding unnecessary bingles. Driving with kids can be distracting, there’s often no avoiding it. So, having a little extra help up your sleeve when you’re trying to reverse park with a screaming baby in the back is a definite plus.

This is a paid partnership between Kiindred x Kia.


Related Articles
The ultimate family road trip survival guide
What to look for when shopping for a new family car
Getting out and about with your newborn baby

Follow us on
Loved this article?
Share with a friend

Hey parents!

img
img

Get paid to review the latest brands and products