Opinion: The ‘typical’ Aussie family car is about to change

We often get asked here at Drive, ‘what is the best family car?’ It's no longer an easy question to answer.

Families have undergone a profound change over the last few decades. Where once the typical ‘nuclear’ family consisted of mum, dad, two kids and maybe a dog, today’s family make-up is as diverse as the society we live in.

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Whether it’s same-sex couples with kids, single parents, the still traditional mum and dad with kids, a childless couple, or a couple with fur babies, today’s definition of ‘family’ has expanded to reflect broader society.

And that makes the notion of a ‘family car’ difficult to define.

Gone are the days where mum’s wagon and dad’s sedan sat under Australia’s figurative Colourbond carport. Today, we see Australia’s families manage shared use of multi-talented vehicles, and while many households make do with just one, according to the 2021 Australian Census data, 53 per cent of Australian households have access to more than two cars.

The medium SUV, typically with seating for five and a large cargo area out back for all the accoutrements of family life on the road, is now the top-selling class of vehicle in Australia, reflecting the shift away from large sedans – such as the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon – that once ruled the roost.

The proliferation of SUVs on our roads has been matched by the surge in sales of dual-cab utes which increasingly represent another dimension for moving the family. Tough enough for work duties during the week, the venerable workhorses increasingly are doing double-duty on weekends as go-anywhere adventure vehicles for the whole family.

In terms of sales, medium-sized SUVs make up 22.4 per cent of all new cars delivered so far this year, but four-wheel-drive utes aren’t far off the pace, contributing 16.3 per cent of sales year to date.

This would suggest that the current ‘average’ Australian two-car driveway features a ute and an SUV. All it takes is a drive down any suburban street to see that this largely rings true. It won’t take long to find a Ford Ranger tucked up next to a Kia Sportage in one garage, then a Toyota HiLux sitting next to a Mazda CX-5 next door.

But the Australian car buyer is still evolving. 

A recent survey by Drive indicates that 58 per cent of respondents aged 17-34 years, and 49 per cent of respondents who have children, will definitely buy a hybrid (either plug-in or closed-loop) as their next car. Pair this with 46 per cent of 17-34 year olds committing to buying a full-electric vehicle, and we may see some change ahead.

In that hugely popular medium SUV segment, 63 per cent of models offered to Australian buyers will, in 2024, have either a fully electric or hybrid variant to choose from. Ford has already announced a plug-in hybrid Ranger ute, and electric car sales have topped eight per cent of deliveries so far this year.

New energy is here and buyers are keen, so what does the Australian family garage of the future look like?

The SUV sales trend shows no sign of slowing, and with the growth in hybrid and electric options, expect to see this continue to be the most appealing type of car for family buyers.

Sales of four-wheel-drive utes are still strong, but the share has tapered somewhat, as buyers look at electric solutions in the shape of the traditional passenger car.

The swoopy sedans and modern hatchbacks that deliver an affordable form factor for an EV are more aerodynamically efficient than an SUV, which is a crucial capability for buyers.

There are currently three electric cars available under $40,000, and while they are well suited to urban living, the pairing with an SUV, hybrid or not, lends itself to being a more popular choice moving forward.

Whatever the case, if you’re building or renovating and are fortunate enough to have off-street parking, then look at installing an electric charger at home, as an ideal way to future proof your driveway for the next generation of motorists.

This weekend in the Sydney Morning Herald (Saturday 14 October) and Sunday Age (Sunday 15 October) Drive will have a 12-page liftout that will further help Australian families navigate the changing new car landscape.