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What is the best BMW family car?

If you're after a premium family car that’s reliable and enjoyable to drive, BMW offer some impressive models

A dark coloured BMW X3 driving near a cliffside

When it comes to picking a practical family car, you’ll likely want something that offers space and comfort – but not all families want to sacrifice style and luxury.

Choosing a premium car like a BMW guarantees you a vehicle that will be on-trend and luxurious, but still usable for everyday family life.

Take a look at our top picks for the best BMWs for families.

Is a 2 Series Gran Tourer the best BMW for families?

A dark-coloured BMW Gran Tourer

If you have a big family and need plenty of seats, the seven-seated BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is a larger take on the much-loved 2 Series.

Its spacious cabin still feels airy even when all the seats are filled, and the 560-litre boot at the rear can be packed with essentials when you use the car in five-seat mode.

You'll also benefit from a 1,820-litre loading space with all the seats folded.

Running costs have been considered by BMW and you can achieve up to 68.9mpg from the diesel 1.5-litre engine, meaning it shouldn’t be pricey to run.

Plus, you get plenty of tech inside, including BMW’s slick infotainment system and Apple CarPlay.

Should I buy an X3 as a used BMW family car?

A black BMW X3

If you don’t need quite as much space as the Grand Tourer offers, the BMW X3 SUV is another top choice for a family car.

The X3 excels when it comes to interior luxury, with plenty of high-quality materials and tech to enjoy. There are two 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and the digital driver display, plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard.

Also as standard across the range are all-wheel drive and mild-hybrid assistance. The 2.0-litre diesel option offers up to 48.7mpg, while the 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid can get up to 134.5mpg.

There’s plenty of space too, courtesy of a 550-litre boot and a roomy cabin.

Is a BMW 5 Series a good family car?

Black BMW 5 Series Touring driving along road

The BMW 5 Series is essentially a bigger and more plush 3 Series model, getting many facelifts through the years and expanding the range with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines.

With a 530-litre boot and a roomy cabin, the 5 Series will be comfortable for travelling with the family. It was also awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating on its last test, so you know this is a secure model you can rely on.

It can be an efficient model to run, with the diesel engines achieving up to 58.9mpg and the plug-in hybrids capable of up to 201.8mpg.

What makes the BMW X7 a family car?

Grey BMW X7 driving on road

Another option for a larger BMW family car, the X7 is a luxurious seven-seater that would be ideal if you prefer an SUV over an MPV.

It’s very spacious too, with room for all seven people to sit comfortably.

The X7 is an on-trend option, so it might be the BMW to pick if your family values style. Everything is well built, with flashy interior tech like BMW’s iDrive rotary controller.

There’s also a two-screen spread across the dashboard, offering infotainment and vehicle information with crisp graphics.

Post-facelift models also get mild-hybrid tech. The xDrive40d engine can achieve up to 36.2mpg, so it’s slightly hungrier than other BMWs on this list, but that should be expected given its size.

Best BMW family car: is it the M3?

A white BMW M3 Touring driving through hills

The BMW M3 is a performance car above all else but is comfortable for a family if you don’t want to give up on the high-speed lifestyle.

With features like adaptive suspension and limited slip differential, it’s a lot of fun to drive, with impressive handling.

Plus, there’s up to 550hp on offer from the M TwinPower Turbo engine, making it a real beast.

There's also a spacious 480-litre boot and a comfortable cabin with ISOFIX car seat points, so it’s a practical option for family life.

There’s plenty of tech on offer too, including a 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display.

Read more about the best family cars: