WINNER
Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric
Despite being such a competitive year, and a time of massive change in the car industry, the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is a clear and decisive winner in the Best Medium Family Car category. In addition, it’s good enough to win our Car of The Year award for 2025. What makes the Scenic E-Tech a great family car is that it’s packed with family-friendly tech and storage solutions, and delivers these in a stylish package that has all the benefits of an electric car, and zero ownership dramas.
How clever? Your kids will love that it has two USB sockets, trays and cupholders in the back. But the pivoting brackets around the cupholders are a nice addition that can act as holders for their tablets or smartphones. They’re fully adjustable and that means both passengers can watch the same screen tilt to 45 degrees for full privacy. It’s a small thing but typical of the thought Renault has put into this car.
It sets new standards for comfort, dynamics, and usability at this price point – which is especially impressive considering it’s an all-electric car and is capable of up to 379 miles of driving range. Finally, it delivers for drivers who like to have fun occasionally, and despite all that is supremely easy to live with. I’ve owned several Scenics over the years and they’ve all been brilliant – this one’s continues that great tradition.
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How much would the Renault Scenic E-Tech cost to insure?
Based on a 45-year old male the Renault Scenic E-Tech would cost £627.55 to insure. Compare prices in less than five minutes at Parkerscompare.com
*Insurance quotes are from parkerscompare.com in October 2024 and are based on a 45-year-old, employed, married male living in Huntingdon with 20 years NCD and no claims or convictions. Insurance quotes will vary depending on individual circumstances.
To find out more, read our Renault Scenic E-Tech review
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Skoda Octavia Estate
We really rate the Skoda Octavia Estate. Recently facelifted, it’s had some of the (few) annoying glitches ironed out to leave us with a near-perfect mid-sized family estate. In this era of SUVs, it might seem odd that we’re recommending an estate, but as you’d expect from Skoda – a firm that consistently produces brilliant family cars – the combination of exceptional space for passengers, a large boot and a myriad of engines and trims to choose from make it almost impossible to resist.
It’s mechanically similar to the Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 and SEAT Leon Estates, but the Skoda’s wide range of engines and its value-driven pricing see it nose ahead of its sister cars from the Volkswagen Group. And if an estate isn’t for you and need an SUV – and can’t go electric – keep reading…
To find out more, read our full Skoda Octavia Estate review
Skoda Karoq
Yes, it’s a Skoda double header in the Medium Family Car line-up. This is all the more remarkable when one considers that the Karoq has been around since 2017 and is based on the last-generation VW Tiguan. But – when it featured in our recent family SUV group test, the Kodiaq beat all-comers to take first place. And that includes the new Volkswagen Tiguan.
It’s a genuinely excellent car that deserves its ‘highly commended’ status. Why? Because the Karoq is roomy, comfortable, has a clever rear-seat folding mechanism that’s yet to be beaten by its rivals. It’s also available with a wide variety of engines to cater for those looking for performance and efficiency. Excellent finance deals merely seal the deal.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Karoq review
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