'Thinking about a new family car? Here’s what I’m looking for as a mum of three.'

Thanks to our brand partner, Ford

Without diving too deep into my fertility journey, after a couple of years of trying to fall pregnant, my husband and I went down the IVF route and were lucky enough to conceive on the first round with identical twin girls.

When our twins were three-and-a-half months old, I fell pregnant naturally with my son... Yes, I had three babies in a year.

Funnily enough, one of the first things I thought about when imagining life with three kids under 13 months old was the type of car we would need to accommodate our growing family of (soon-to-be) five.

Six years later I now have two very busy seven-year-olds and a six-year-old wild child. I have to say we are a very active family. My husband and I are both business owners and the kids do lots of different activities in lots of different directions.

As a result, it quickly became clear that choosing the right car was about more than just fitting everyone in. With our busy, on-the-go lifestyle, there are a few key things I now look for in a family car.

Here's what I consider non-negotiable when it comes to our second home.

Image: Instagram/tigga_natoli.

Flexibility (and space).

The first thing you need is space. Not just for comfort but because the more room between siblings, the less poking, prodding and annoying each other they can do.

Ford's new Tourneo is my latest obsession. It has eight seats on a track-based system that allows you to easily reconfigure or remove the second and third-row seats. With 108 different configurations, you can have the kids facing each other, pop them in separate rows or even fold some seats down to create little table stations, meaning you can divide (your kids) and conquer (life).

Plus of course when you have the extra space you often end up with a few extra kids along the way. So if all three of my kids want to bring a friend, they can actually fit comfortably.

Every parent knows that driving often reveals our contortionist skills beyond anything we could imagine as kids constantly ask for "all the things" in the car.

My favourite feature of the Tourneo is that you can literally walk from the front to the back of the car. There's even a space between the driver and passenger so you've basically got your very own in-car runway.

No need for bending over backwards. Literally.

Safety.

Since I'm basically a child Uber driver now, spending most mornings and afternoons doing school and activity drop-offs and pickups, having a safe vehicle is definitely something you must consider when buying a new car for the fam.

The peace of mind knowing you can get your precious cargo from A to B safely is one element that shouldn't be overlooked.

One key part of safety I find with my family is how they enter or exit the car.

The Ford Tourneo also has dual power sliding doors which allow your family to easily get in and out from both sides. Very handy indeed for swift and safe pickups and drop-offs!

Road-trip potential.

Being a family of five, we love creating holiday memories, BUT being a family of five can mean flights can be really expensive, so when buying a family car, you've got to consider its road-trip potential.

Not only do you want all the things I've previously mentioned — comfort, safety, good accessibility and people room — but space should not be limited to human beings.

We need to fit multiple suitcases, bags, three scooters, helmets, beach stuff, snacks, just to mention a few. So when shopping for a family car, make sure to check the boot for plenty of space to fit all your gear.

Accessories and tech.

This is a given but your new family car must have phone connectivity so if you get those on-road phone calls, you can answer them (or not) via the in-car Bluetooth.

And more importantly, depending on which family member has won the ride's music director, you can easily pop a playlist on and get it cranking for happy little passengers.

Last but not least (and this might sound like a minor detail), cup holders. We can't get enough of them in our family!

Every kid needs their own little space to store a water bottle. I guarantee you if you offer them a drink before you leave, they won't be thirsty, but as soon as you're in the car, they will be parched.

So having cup holders throughout the vehicle will be one less thing you'll have to magically arrange while trying to drive and also limit the leaks and spills.

Book a test drive of Ford's new Tourneo online or visit your local showroom.

Feature Image: Instagram/tigga_natoli.

You never know where today can take you, especially when you have a big family. So, when it comes to your family car, you need one that is as flexible and versatile as you are. Introducing the new Ford Tourneo, featuring 8 seats that can take you anywhere. For more information, visit www.ford.com.au/showroom/suvs-and-cars/tourneo/