Most practical cars 2024
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From boot space to interior flexibility and storage compartments, practical features can really make a difference to a car owner, particularly for a family vehicle.
We have rounded up the top 10 most practical cars, based on the views of more than 5,000 owners, from the latest Honest John Satisfaction Index.
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Honda Jazz (2015-2020)
Practicality rating: 9.82
The Honda Jazz has been an HonestJohn.co.uk favourite ever since the original model arrived in 2001, with its big-car versatility, low running costs and a reputation for reliability. Its party trick is the 'magic' seat system whereby the rear seats can flip and fold in various configurations to allow you to carry surprisingly large items - like plants, upright vacuum cleaners and bikes. It has the interior space and versatility to shame much larger cars.
Skoda Kodiaq
Practicality rating: 9.76
Skoda prides itself on practicality and value for money, emphasised by its 'simply clever' features such as the umbrella in the door pocket and the ice scraper in the fuel filler flap. It's not surprising to see its seven-seat family SUV, the Kodiaq, scoring so highly in this year's Satisfaction Index. It's huge, with a massive boot and spacious cabin.
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Honda CR-V
Practicality rating: 9.75
Another HonestJohn.co.uk favourite makes it into the top three, close behind the Skoda Kodiaq's 9.76 practicality rating. Owners appreciate its useful storage areas, generous boot and spacious interior, and it also scored highly for comfort in this year's Satisfaction Index.
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Skoda Superb Estate
Practicality rating: 9.71
The car we dubbed 'near perfect' as a practical family estate has achieved an impressive 9.71 rating from owners in this year's Satisfaction Index. As we noted with the Kodiaq, there are a number of 'simply clever' features, which owners appreciate, and the Superb has a humongous boot which is capable of fitting all manner of family essentials and then some.
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Dacia Sandero (2013 - 2021)
Practicality rating: 9.70
This is not the first time a Dacia has featured among the most practical cars in the Satisfaction Index. The Sandero is not without its flaws - hardly surprising given its bargain entry price - but one thing it does well is practicality. Interior space is among the best-in-class while the boot is just as impressive for a car this size.
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Skoda Octavia Estate (2013 - 2020)
Practicality rating: 9.70
Another Skoda estate makes it into the top 10 for practicality in this year's Satisfaction Index. This time it's the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus rival, the Octavia. It offers more space than its rivals but without charging more for the privilege. Extra practicality comes in the form of an underfloor boot compartment and a one-touch seat-fold lever to fold them down.
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Mazda CX-5
Practicality rating: 9.67
CX-5 owners who took part in this year's survey rate it highly. It's often been the CX-5's looks which have been its talking point but owners appreciate the decent sized boot which is accessed by a powered tailgate on GT Sport Nav+ models. It also featured in this year's top 10 for comfort.
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Volkswagen Tiguan
Practicality rating: 9.66
Another newcomer to this year's top 10 for practicality, the Tiguan offers its passengers ample room and interior flexibility. On SE models the front passenger seat folds down and there is a ski hatch for loading longer items. The back doors open wide enough to enable easy fitting of child car seats while the boot is easy to access with a fairly low sill height and no load lip.
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Honda Jazz (2008 - 2015)
Practicality rating: 9.65
Another Jazz makes it into the top 10 - it must be those 'magic' seats. This model might not look as appealing as later versions of the Jazz but it's a step up from the original (which was already a very practical and versatile car). There are no less than 10 cupholders and the ‘Double Trunk' boot floor (ES spec and above) can be configured in four different ways to separate different types of shopping.
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Skoda Octavia (2013 - 2020)
Practicality rating: 9.62
This is the fourth Skoda to make it into the top 10 for practicality in this year's Satisfaction Index. The Octavia has a saloon car profile but is actually a hatchback with a big boot. Capacity is 590 litres with the seats in place, expandable to 1580 litres with them folded down, which is noticeably larger than rivals like the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.
Can you recommend a car to carry three people in the back?
