{"id":29707,"date":"2020-11-16T11:02:30","date_gmt":"2020-11-16T11:02:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/?p=29707"},"modified":"2020-12-06T19:56:10","modified_gmt":"2020-12-06T19:56:10","slug":"best-used-cars-for-winter-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/best-used-cars-for-winter-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Used Cars for Winter Driving"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for used cars for sale that can handle winter drives? The good news is that there are a number of capable secondhand cars that can handle your drives no matter what mother nature throws at you. Here, we have assembled five of the most capable used cars that are ideal for the winter season.<\/p>\n<p>Criteria for inclusion in the list<\/p>\n<p>So how did we compile this list? Well, we wanted to make sure that each of the vehicles included offer at least an all-wheel-drive option, are easy to find at more used car dealerships and have a reputation for reliability in winter driving situations. With that in mind, here is the list below.<\/p>\n<h2>Best used cars for winter driving<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>1). Dacia Duster<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If you are on a tight budget, you may be thinking that a winter capable SUV is out of the question. However, the compact Dacia Duster gives you that SUV body style at an incredible bargain. That includes more than 200 mm of ground clearance. Also, if you look above the entry level Access trim, you can find models with four-wheel drive.<\/p>\n<p>Step inside the Duster and you will find a generous amount of space for a vehicle of its size. Also, the HVAC system is more than capable of keeping you and your passengers toasty during the harshest winter drives.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29709\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Dacia-Duster.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Dacia-Duster.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Dacia-Duster-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2). BMW 3 Series Touring Estate<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If you want some luxury and affordability with your winter drive, then the BMW 3 Series Touring Estate is your vehicle of choice. Look for the xDrive version of the 3 Series Touring Estate for four-wheel-drive.<\/p>\n<p>Inside the 3 Series Touring Estate offers lots of comfort and space behind the second row. This is an ideal vehicle for long winter drives that can take all of your baggage with you without crowding up your fellow passengers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29708\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/bmw_3series_touring_estate.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/bmw_3series_touring_estate.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/bmw_3series_touring_estate-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>3). Subaru Outback Estate<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>When it comes to high ground clearance, in a small SUV, then the Outback Estate is your SUV of choice. The Outback Estate also comes standard with Symmetrical All Wheel Drive to give you a sure footed driving experience.<\/p>\n<p>Inside the Outback Estate, you will find ample headroom and legroom. There is also excellent space behind the second road. The HVAC system is also excellent enough during the winter months. Overall, a great choice for a small family.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29711\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/subaru_outback_estate.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/subaru_outback_estate.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/subaru_outback_estate-480x335.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>4). Mazda3 Hatchback<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If you are looking for something compact, affordable and stylish, then a used Mazda3 hatchback is likely to fit your taste and your budget. In order to get all-wheel-drive, you will have to look for the top GT-Sport Tech trim level. However, you will still pay far less than you would for many other used vehicles that come with an all wheel drive system. Finally, the Mazda3 hatchback offers excellent fuel efficiency for those on a budget.<\/p>\n<p>On the inside, the Mazda3 is smartly designed with materials that are more upscale than its price. The only downside is that this vehicle is a tight fit for second row passengers. Therefore, the Mazda3 hatchback is only recommended for single drivers, couples and families with small children.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29710\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/mazda_3_hatchback_winter.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/mazda_3_hatchback_winter.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/mazda_3_hatchback_winter-480x300.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>5). Suzuki Swift Hatchback<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>When you want a top winter secondhand car that will give you the best fuel savings and a low price, then you will want to look for a Suzuki Swift Hatchback. This compact selection is available with its ALLGRIP system. That makes it one of the few vehicles in its class with a four-wheel-drive system.<\/p>\n<p>The interior of the Swift Hatchback is not the most generous on the list. However, this vehicle is an ideal choice for single drivers or couples. Also, the hatchback allows for a little extra storage versus saloons and coupes in its class.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/suzuki-swift-winter.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/suzuki-swift-winter.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/suzuki-swift-winter-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Finding the best used car for your winter drives<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You should be able to find at least one example of each of these top winter used cars in your area. Be sure to check out each vehicle for yourself before making a final purchasing decision. No matter which top used winter car that you choose, you find yourself with a winner.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for used cars for sale that can handle winter drives? The good news is that there are a number of capable secondhand cars that can handle your drives no matter what mother nature throws at you. Here, we have assembled five of the most capable used cars that are ideal for the winter season. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<p>For some of us, car safety is without a doubt one of the most important factors when choosing a car, especially if it\u2019s going to be used as a family car.<\/p><p>A family car should be safe and reliable, so you can have peace of mind whether you\u2019re driving around with teenagers, toddlers, or babies on board. The good thing is, car safety standards have risen greatly over the years, meaning that almost all new cars have a very high safety standard as a basic.<\/p><p>With that being said, some cars are still better suited as a family car due to added safety features compared to those that have the basic high safety features but have different focal points, such as being sporty or the aesthetic look etc. Moreover, as a shopper, there will be other aspects other than safety that will help you determine what car is best for you, such as price, features, visual appeal, performance, reliability and so on.<\/p><p>Below we have compiled together the top 5 safest family cars, as tested and determined by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.euroncap.com\/en\">Euro NCAP<\/a> (European New Car Assessment Programme), all with a 5-star rating that we think would make great family cars.<\/p><h2><strong>5 Safest Family Cars<\/strong><\/h2><h3><strong>1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mazda 6\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><p>Our first pick is the Mazda 6 (2018 plate) which is a large, 5-door family car. It\u2019s offered only as either a saloon or tourer estate body, whereas previous versions of this car were available as a hatchback.<\/p><p>The car also boasts a SkyActiv engine which is a Mazda branded next-generation technology.<\/p><p><img class=\"alignnone wp-image-29166\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Mazda6.jpg\" alt=\"Photograph of a infra red Madza 6 car on a road\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" \/><\/p><h4><strong>Why is it a good family car?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><p>The Mazda 6 is a comfortable, reliable, long-distance car that\u2019s safe, making it an ideal choice as a family car.<\/p><p>Being spacious is an important aspect for a family car, and the Mazda 6 is just that. It\u2019s large for a saloon\/estate car, making it a comfortable ride for the whole family. And although the boot isn\u2019t overly big, it\u2019s still spacious enough for a family of 5 to take advantage of.<\/p><p>Also, the SkyActiv engine in the car increases fuel efficiency and engine output, which will save your family money in the long run.<\/p><h4><strong>What makes it a safe family car?<\/strong><\/h4><p>With a 95% safety rating for adult occupants and a 91% safety rating for child occupants, the Mazda 6 has a high rating for safety according to the Euro NCAP, so you can be sure that this car is a safe choice for your family.<\/p><p>Some of the Mazda 6\u2019s safety features include:<\/p><ul><li>Front & side airbags<\/li><li>Isofix anchor points in the rear (to fix car seats into place)<\/li><li>Active bonnet (to reduce the impact of a collision)<\/li><li>AEB systems (to prevent a collision)<\/li><li>Speed assistance system<\/li><li>Lane assist system<\/li><\/ul><h3><strong>2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mercedes-Benz A-Class\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><p>The Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2018) is a small family car. The car is a 5-door hatchback equipped with the latest technology, making it a great contender in our list of safe family cars.<\/p><p><img class=\"alignnone wp-image-29167 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/2019-Mercedes-Benz-A-Class.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1587\" height=\"1093\" \/><\/p><h4><strong>What makes it a good family car?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><p>As mentioned above, the car is equipped with technology, including its MBUX infotainment system. Also, smaller cars (such as hatchbacks) are cheaper to run than larger cars, which is usually an important element when choosing a family car, and the A-Class is the most affordable out of the Mercedes-Benz range.<\/p><p>With this car being a hatchback, it isn\u2019t overly spacious, however, isn\u2019t cramped either. So, this may be a car better suited for families with younger children; and if you\u2019re holidaying on the regular with your family, you may just need to take extra care to pack lighter.<\/p><h4><strong>What makes it a safe family car?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><p>The Mercedes-Benz A-class has very high standards of crash protection, child protection, safety assist and safety systems that make it a great family safe car, as proven by their 96% safety rating for adult occupants and 91% safety rating for child occupants by Euro NCAP.<\/p><p>Some of the main safety features include:<\/p><ul><li>Isofix anchor points in the rear<\/li><li>Active bonnet<\/li><li>AEB systems<\/li><li>Speed assistance system<\/li><li>Lane assistance<\/li><\/ul><h3><strong>3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hyundai Santa Fe\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><p>For those of you who love big cars, this may be your ideal pick. The Hyundai Santa Fe is a large off-road, 5-door SUV that\u2019s great for a family that needs a lot of space.<\/p><p><img class=\"alignnone wp-image-29168 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/2018-hyundai-santa-fe-revealed-95-e1547200221553.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p><h4><strong>What makes it a good family car?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><p>The Santa Fe can seat up to 7 people, making it ideal for a larger family, without having to feel cramped. Also, as you would expect most larger cars to have, the Santa Fe has plenty of storage options within the car.<\/p><p>The car also has a focus on being safe, reliable, efficient and versatile, which are all crucial when choosing your family car.<\/p><h4><strong>What makes it a safe family car?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><p>The Hyundai Santa Fe has a 94% safety rating for adult occupants and an 88% safety rating for child occupants, making it a solid choice for a family car.<\/p><p>Some of the main safety features of the Hyundai Santa Fe include:<\/p><ul><li>Front & side airbags<\/li><li>Isofix anchor points in the rear and passenger seats<\/li><li>AEB systems<\/li><li>Speed Assistance<\/li><li>Lane Assistance<\/li><\/ul><h3><strong>4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ford Focus\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><p>Probably a more famous car, the Ford Focus is a strong choice as a 5-door family hatchback.<\/p><p><img class=\"alignnone wp-image-29169 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/2018_ford_focus_st_line_4k_2-HD-e1547200314368.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p><h4><strong>What makes it a good family car?<\/strong><\/h4><p>Although the Ford Focus is a small family car, it\u2019s still comfortable, and reasonably spacious (more so than some of its competitors such as the VW Golf and Audi A3).<\/p><p>The Ford Focus is also well-equipped in general, it has everything you would expect a family car to have such as decent storage space (door\/cubby spaces), USB ports, and a decent infotainment system that\u2019s easy to use.<\/p><p>Where the Ford Focus lacks in luxury aesthetics, it makes up for it in practicality, also making it a cheaper choice which is generally preferred by families.<\/p><h4><strong>What makes it a safe family car?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><p>The Ford Focus has an 85% safety rating for adult occupants and an 87% safety rating for child occupants from Euro NCAP. So, although its safety rating isn\u2019t as high as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Mazda 6 cars, it\u2019s still a highly safe car for families.<\/p><p>Some of the main safety features of the car include:<\/p><ul><li>Front & side airbags<\/li><li>Isofix anchor points in the rear<\/li><li>AEB systems<\/li><li>Speed assistance system<\/li><li>Lane Assist system<\/li><\/ul><h3><strong>5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Audi Q3\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><p>The Audi Q3 is a 5-door SUV boasting comfort and practicality. And because of this, it makes it a good choice for a family car.<\/p><p><img class=\"alignnone wp-image-29170 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/AUDI-Q3-6385_9-e1547200388359.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1045\" \/><\/p><h4><strong>What makes it a good family car?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><p>Small 4x4s are becoming increasingly popular among families, and for good reason, as although smaller than regular 4x4s they are still very spacious, providing good luggage space and equipped with good sized side-door pockets and cubbyhole spaces for extra storage.<\/p><p>Being such a spacious car, this also makes for a comfortable ride for all the family.<\/p><h4><strong>What makes it a safe family car?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4><p>The Audi Q3 has a 95% safety rating for adult occupants and an 86% safety rating for child occupants. So, overall although it doesn\u2019t have the highest safety rating for child occupants, its safety rating is still on the higher end.<\/p><p>Some of the Audi Q3\u2019s main safety features include:<\/p><ul><li>Front & side airbags with additional options for the rear seats<\/li><li>Isofix anchor points in the rear with added options for the passenger seat<\/li><li>AEB systems<\/li><li>Speed Assistance<\/li><li>Lane Assist System<\/li><\/ul><h2><strong>Choose your next family car with us\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2><p>We all have our preferences when it comes to choosing our ideal car, but safety is one element that should never be overlooked.<\/p><p>We hope this article has given you more insight to help you choose your next ideal and safe family car.<\/p><p>To compare quotes for your next new or used family car, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29707"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29707"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29707\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29715,"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29707\/revisions\/29715"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carquotes.ie\/pages\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}