A family road trip around the UK can be a great way to explore cities, countryside, coastal routes and scenic destinations at your own pace. The right hire car can make the journey much more comfortable, especially when you are travelling with children, luggage and everything needed for several days on the road.
Hertz UK offers a range of cars, estates, SUVs and people carriers, so the best option depends on your family size, luggage requirements, driving route and preferred level of comfort.
Compact Family Cars for Short Trips:
If you are travelling with a small family and mainly visiting cities or nearby attractions, a compact family car can be a practical choice. Hertz UK lists small family cars such as the Vauxhall Astra as suitable for day trips and travelling with children.
A compact car is generally easier to park and manoeuvre than a large SUV, which can be particularly useful when visiting busy UK towns or navigating narrow streets.
Best for:
- Two adults and one or two children
- Shorter road trips
- City and countryside combinations
- Travellers with moderate luggage
- Families looking for an easier-to-drive vehicle
Estate Cars for Extra Boot Space:
An estate can be an excellent middle ground between a regular family car and a large SUV. Hertz UK currently lists the Kia Ceed SW or similar in its estate category, with space for five passengers and luggage capacity for two large and one small suitcase in the listed vehicle example.
The extended rear section gives families useful luggage space without necessarily moving into a much larger vehicle.
Best for:
- Families of up to five
- Pushchairs and larger luggage
- Longer holidays
- Airport-to-destination road trips
- Families who want extra boot space without a people carrier
Mercedes GLA or Similar for a Comfortable Family Trip:
A crossover can offer a useful combination of passenger comfort, luggage space and an elevated driving position. Hertz UK lists the Mercedes GLA or similar as a standard crossover example with automatic transmission, air conditioning and space for four passengers and three pieces of luggage in the listed configuration.
This type of vehicle can work well for smaller families who want something more spacious than a compact hatchback without moving to a large SUV.
Best for:
- Small families
- Couples travelling with children
- Mixed city and motorway driving
- Families who prefer an automatic vehicle
Nissan X-Trail or Similar for Countryside Road Trips:
For families planning to explore rural areas, a larger SUV can provide additional room and a more commanding driving position. Hertz UK currently lists the Nissan X-Trail or similar as a five-passenger SUV example with room for two large and one small suitcase.
An SUV can be particularly useful when your itinerary includes countryside roads, outdoor activities or destinations where you need more luggage space.
Best for:
- Five-person families
- Scottish and Welsh road trips
- Outdoor holidays
- Longer driving days
- Families carrying additional equipment
Ford Kuga or Similar for a Flexible Family Holiday:
The Ford Kuga or similar appears in the Hertz UK vehicle guide as a five-passenger crossover with automatic transmission and a hybrid plug-in configuration in the listed example.
A crossover of this size can be a sensible option when you want a balance between family space and everyday drivability. Check the exact vehicle and powertrain offered at your selected Hertz location because vehicle availability and specifications can vary.
Peugeot 5008 or Similar for Seven Passengers:
Families travelling with more people may need more than a conventional five-seat car. Hertz UK lists the Peugeot 5008 or similar as a seven-passenger crossover example, with space for two large and two small suitcases in the listed configuration.
A seven-seat vehicle can provide additional flexibility for larger families, although luggage capacity should be checked carefully when all seven seats are occupied.
Best for:
- Larger families
- Six or seven passengers
- Multi-generational trips
- Longer holidays with several pieces of luggage
Ford S-Max or Similar for Seven People:
A people carrier can be particularly useful when passenger space is more important than having a large boot. Hertz UK lists the Ford S-Max or similar as a seven-passenger automatic people carrier with air conditioning.
For families travelling with children, the extra cabin flexibility of a people carrier can make longer journeys easier, especially when everyone needs personal space.
VW Caddy Maxi Life or Similar for Larger Families:
For a larger family group, the VW Caddy Maxi Life or similar is another people-carrier option listed by Hertz UK. The current vehicle guide shows seven passenger seats, automatic transmission, air conditioning and space for one large and two small suitcases in the example configuration.
This can be useful when passenger capacity is the priority, although families with lots of luggage should compare the available boot space carefully.
Renault Trafic or Similar for Bigger Groups:
When seven seats are not enough, Hertz UK also lists the Renault Trafic or similar as an eight-passenger people carrier. The example configuration includes automatic transmission, air conditioning and space for two large and two small suitcases.
This type of vehicle is worth considering for extended families or groups travelling together who would otherwise need two cars.
Which Hertz Car Should Your Family Choose?
| Family Requirement | Hertz UK Vehicle Type | Why Consider It |
|---|---|---|
| Small family and city travel | Compact family car | Easy to drive and park |
| Family of five with luggage | Estate | Useful combination of seating and boot space |
| Small family wanting extra comfort | Crossover | Higher driving position and practical cabin |
| Countryside adventure | SUV | Extra space and suitable for longer journeys |
| Six or seven passengers | Seven-seat crossover | More passenger capacity |
| Seven passengers with flexible cabin space | People carrier | Designed around family/group travel |
| Eight passengers | Larger people carrier | More seats for bigger groups |
What to Check Before Booking:
Choosing a family car is about more than the number of seats. A seven-seat vehicle may have less luggage space when all seats are occupied, so check the luggage capacity against your family’s actual needs.
Also consider the transmission. If you are comfortable driving a manual car, you may have more options, while an automatic can make long journeys easier for drivers who prefer not to manage a clutch.
Hertz states that the vehicles shown in its guide are examples and that specific models, passenger capacity, luggage capacity, transmission and fuel type can vary by location.
Helpful Tips:
Smart Tips:
- Count passengers and luggage before selecting the vehicle category.
- Choose an estate when boot space matters more than SUV styling.
- Consider an SUV for longer countryside journeys and outdoor trips.
- Check seven-seat luggage capacity before booking for a full family.
- An automatic can be useful for long journeys and busy city driving.
- Check whether child seats or other family extras are required.
- Compare the vehicle size with the roads and parking situations on your itinerary.
- Always check the exact vehicle details available at your chosen Hertz pickup location.
Making Family Road Trips More Comfortable:
The best Hertz UK hire car depends on how your family plans to travel. A compact family car can work well for shorter trips, while an estate provides additional luggage space for a family holiday. SUVs offer a useful combination of space and versatility, while seven- and eight-seat people carriers make more sense when travelling with a larger group.
Before booking, think about your passengers, luggage, driving distances and destinations together. Choosing the right vehicle category can make the journey more comfortable while helping you avoid paying for more car than your family actually needs.
