There are a lot of things to consider when buying a family car but right at the top of the list are usually space, comfort, practicality, and safety. That being said, each family has different needs and budget so you have to vet your choices wisely. That’s why we have picked some of the best family cars in Malaysia for a wide range of users, from the young newlyweds to the larger families with extended relatives. We also highlight some of the top safety features that a car should have to ensure you and your family are safe on the road.
Top Safety Features to Have In a Family Car
There can be various hazards on the road that can cause accidents, and while older cars generally have safety features for the driver and front passenger, they are not enough for the whole family. Fortunately, car safety technology has made tremendous progress over the years that there are now numerous features designed to protect all occupants and even other road users. Before we take a look at the best family cars available in Malaysia, here are some car safety features you should look out for.
- Car Seat Support – Most cars make it fairly easy to get car seats in and out, but if you have multiple young kids at home, you will want to know how many car seats can fit in one row. Most cars made after 2002 come with the built-in ISOFIX system for easy car seat installation.
- Collision Warning – These come in various forms and the function of it is to alert you when you’re too close to someone in front of you or if you’re moving in too quickly. They work not just for other cars, but also for pedestrians who are crossing in front of you. Some will even automatically apply the brakes.
- Blind Spot Monitor – Using sonar sensors in the rear bumpers or sometimes cameras in the exterior mirrors, blind-spot monitoring systems watch adjacent lanes and can alert you to other vehicles that might be in the driver’s blind spot or hidden by the car’s roof pillars. The warning light goes off when someone is in your blind spot.
- Parking Sensors – Sonar sensors in the rear bumpers that let you know when you are getting too close to other vehicles, shopping carts, or anything else above a certain height.
- Lane Departure Warning – When you start to slip out of your lane, but your turn signal is not on, this will gently turn your steering wheel back and alert you.
- Adaptive Cruise Control – You can set your maximum speed for Cruise Control and your car will speed up or slow down to keep pace with the car in front of you. In many modern cars, the cruise control can even work in stop-and-go traffic.
Best Family Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV): Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is one of the best-selling SUVs in the country and it’s easy to see why. It has a spacious, refined interior, large cargo capacity, and Honda’s best safety technology – all in a modern, sharp package. A new Honda CR-V starts from RM139,912.53 for the base model powered by a 2.0L engine and from RM162,910.18 for the top-range four-wheel-drive model powered by a 1.5L turbocharged engine.
This five-seater SUV is equipped with features that make traveling as a family easy. Some noteworthy features that make the CR-V one of the best family cars in Malaysia include all-around LED lights with auto-leveling headlights, dual-zone auto air conditioning, USB charging ports for the front and rear passengers, active noise cancellation to reduce noise in the cabin, six airbags, and the Honda SENSING safety suite. The boot also has a wide aperture, low floor, and hands-free power tailgate for easy loading and unloading.
Besides the regular safety features, Honda SENSING includes Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a multi-view camera system, and more. Cargo space is generous in the CR-V at 522-liters which is expandable to 1,084-liters with the rear seats folded down.
Best Value Seven-Seater: Perodua Aruz
The Perodua Aruz is the best family car in Malaysia for those looking for an affordable seven-seater. Based on the Toyota Rush, this SUV is a great budget option starting from only RM68,526. It’s powered by a 1.5L Dual VVT-i engine producing a maximum power of 102 PS and 133 Nm to the rear wheels which is not the highest in the segment, but adequate for most people.
As a seven-seater SUV, the Perodua Aruz prioritizes the comfort of the rear passengers with air conditioning vents and 12 V power sockets at the rear. There’s also an anti-snatch hook similar to the one found on other Perodua models, Hill-Start Assist (HSA), an integrated Driving Video Recorder (DVR) or dashcam, and a best in class fuel economy of 6.4 L/100 km. Families with children will appreciate the seat belt reminder for all seats, one-touch power windows with jam protection, and Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 suite.
For those of you with furry family members, the foldable second-row seats offer plenty of space for your pets to sit and even stretch their legs. Plus, with the foldable third-row seats, you can expand the 213-liter boot to fit all your luggage and your pet’s supplies. All in all, the Perodua Aruz provides excellent value for money with its fuel economy, space, as well as comfort and safety features.
Best Family Sedan: Honda Accord
For users who want a large sedan that’s comfortable for the family and has a sleek, stunning look, the Honda Accord is the answer. The current Honda Accord uses a 1.5L turbocharged engine found in the Honda Civic and CR-V that’s tuned for more power, as well as torque. It starts from RM178,203 and packs a lot of tech and premium finishing in a refined package. The cabin is designed to be quiet and comfortable allowing for pleasant drives in town and on the open road.
There are plenty of features to satisfy the driver and occupants including a wireless charger up front, two USB ports at the front and rear respectively, dual auto air conditioning, side door sunshades for rear passengers, six airbags, and a complete safety suite including Honda SENSING.
The 1.5L turbocharged engine provides a very respectable 201 PS of power and 260 Nm of torque with a fuel consumption of only 6.3 L/100km. With the performance, refinement, and safety that it provides, the Honda Accord is a top contender for the best family car in Malaysia.
Read: Safety Features You Should Have in Your Car
Best Value Family Car: Proton Persona
Budget-conscious drivers who want a comfortable, spacious sedan that drives well should consider the Proton Persona. For a starting price of RM45,800 for the base Standard model and RM55,800 for the Premium one, the Persona offers great value as a family car. It has a decent cabin with leatherette seats on the Premium model, an 8-inch touchscreen display infotainment with Proton’s latest GKUI interface, 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity and six USB ports throughout the cabin.
Safety is crucial in a family car and the Premium model of the Proton Persona offers six airbags, along with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist (BA), ESC, Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Hold Assist (HHA), and a reverse camera. Its 1.6L engine produces 109 PS of power and 150 Nm of torque. Coupled with Proton’s ride and handling, the Persona is stable to drive at speeds, even in the corners.
The cargo space is large at 520-liters, expandable by folding down the 60:40 split rear seats. Overall, the Proton Persona is a great family car at its price point; it’s practical, comfortable, and being a Proton, is affordable to maintain.
King of Practicality: Nissan Serena
The Nissan Serena is easily among the most practical and feature-packed seven-seater MPVs available in the market. Users who have a large family and children will appreciate the thought that’s been put in the design of this family car. Prices for a new Nissan Serena start at RM140,226 for the base 2.0L Highway Star model. What makes the Nissan Serena great for parents with children is its rear hands-free powered sliding doors with kick sensors. Parents can just do a kicking motion under the door while holding their little child or bag of supplies and the door will open to reveal a wide opening that’s very easy to get in and out of.
The rear seats are spacious and multi-adjustable with each having USB charging ports for all members of the family. There’s also a ceiling-mounted monitor to keep the rear passengers entertained on any trip. The boot is big enough to fit several small suitcases and is expandable by folding the rear seats. Another feature that highlights the practicality of the Nissan Serena is its tailgate which can be opened in two ways. Users can either open just the top half to access the boot, or open the whole tailgate. This is especially useful when the vehicle is reverse-parked against a wall.
In terms of safety, the Nissan Serena doesn’t disappoint as a family car. It has six airbags including full-length curtain airbags, Intelligent Around View Monitor (IAVM), Intelligent Moving Object Detection (IMOD), and other conventional safety features. As a C-segment MPV, the Serena has a surprisingly small turning radius of 5.5 m and a decent 6.6 L/100km fuel consumption. With all these features, it’s easy to see why the Nissan Serena is one of the best family cars in Malaysia.
Now that you know what the best family cars in Malaysia are, we hope you can find the right one for your family. If you’re looking for quality second-hand cars or even to sell your car, do check out Carsome. We’ll be more than happy to help you find the right car and best of all, there are no hidden costs when you buy from us.