Best car for the school run Volvo XC60
If in doubt, go Swedish. The staple of the school run for generations, Volvo makes cars of immense practicality and, most importantly, safety. They also look nice and drive well. Five seats, plenty of space in the boot and a good driving position. ‘Designed to simplify and improve your life,’ they say. We can agree with that.
Best car for doing the school run with dogs Volvo XC90
As above, but bigger. First introduced in 2002, the XC90 is the ultimate people mover. Jeremy Clarkson has owned three and once described it as ‘designed by someone who must’ve had children due to its practicality’. Like him or loathe him, he does know a thing or two about cars.
Best first car Volkswagen Polo
What else? The ultimate ‘starter car’, Polos are easy to drive, practical, economical, cheap and when your child inevitably dings it, easy to fix. The only issue is trying to remember which one is yours in the university halls car park.
Best car for driving extremely quickly with golf clubs in the boot McLaren GTS
Late for a tee-time? The McLaren GTS has you covered. First things first, some stats— twin-turbocharged V8 engine spitting out 626bhp; 0–62mph in 3.2 seconds; top speed 203mph; room for two sets of golf clubs in the boot. It’s odd to think of a McLaren as practical, but the GTS is as good as it gets when combining everyday use with eye-watering speed and performance. It only weighs 1,520kg, too.
Best EV for everyday living Polestar 2
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Stay the hand that itches to deadhead spent roses and you can enjoy their glittering fruits instead, writes John Hoyland
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