The Best Family Car for Your Holiday with Space and Comfort on a Flexible Subscription

Kamilya - August 17, 2025

In this article you will learn how to:

  • Match your trip to the right vehicle type (wagon, SUV, 7-seater)

  • Estimate the boot space you actually need for luggage and gear

  • Prioritise comfort and safety features for long drives with kids

  • Know when a flexible subscription beats rental or buying on total cost

  • Understand what’s included in the monthly fee (insurance, service, taxes)

  • Pick useful add-ons for holidays (roof box, child seats, snow chains)

  • Choose a subscription term that fits your travel dates and season

  • Use a quick checklist to select a model in minutes

Planning a family holiday and wondering which car will suit your needs best? Choosing the right vehicle can be the difference between stressful hours on the road and relaxed days off. Especially with kids on board, comfort, sufficient space and safety are not luxuries but absolute essentials.

Where once the choice was mostly limited to buying or renting, car subscriptions now offer a flexible alternative that’s especially useful for holiday travel. You get exactly the vehicle that fits your trip, without a long-term commitment or hidden costs.

Below we show you the best options for family holidays in Switzerland and explain what to look for when choosing your ideal holiday car. From roomy wagons to versatile SUVs and practical 7-seaters, you’ll find everything you need for relaxed trip planning.

Why the right car is crucial for a successful family holiday

Every family knows the situation: the long-awaited holiday is coming up, but even the drive to the destination turns into a challenge. Suitcases, strollers, toys and gear pile up into a mountain of luggage. At the same time, everyone needs to sit comfortably for longer stretches on the road.

The right family car solves these problems elegantly. A generous boot easily swallows all your luggage, while the interior offers enough legroom and comfort for everyone. This comfort really pays off on multi-hour drives: children are calmer when they have space, and parents arrive less stressed.

Safety features also play a central role. Modern family cars come with driver-assistance systems that make unfamiliar routes easier and increase the safety of everyone on board. A reliable vehicle gives you confidence that technical issues won’t put your holiday at risk.

Choosing the right vehicle goes far beyond simple transport. A well-thought-out family car becomes your mobile base camp. Imagine how relaxed the journey feels when everyone has their own area, there’s ample storage for toys and snacks, and parents aren’t constantly reaching back to find things. These small details often determine whether the trip there becomes the first highlight of the holiday or a test of patience.

Family car by subscription: the flexible alternative to renting or buying

A car subscription works much like a streaming service, except you subscribe to a vehicle instead of films. You choose your desired car, set the term and receive the vehicle ready to go. All major costs-insurance, service and taxes-are included in the monthly fee.

For holiday trips, this flexibility offers decisive advantages. You can choose exactly the vehicle that fits your plans without tying yourself down for years. Need an all-terrain SUV for a ski trip and a fuel-efficient wagon for summer? With a car subscription you simply switch models as needed.

Short terms make subscriptions especially attractive for seasonal use. You can subscribe from as little as one month-perfect for longer trips or covering the entire holiday period. There are no high upfront costs and you keep full cost transparency.

Why is a subscription better than a classic rental?

Traditional rental cars often come with unpleasant surprises. Hidden fees for additional drivers, high deductibles for damage or expensive extras can quickly blow the budget. With a car subscription, you know all costs from the start and don’t have to worry about add-ons later.

Rental fleets usually focus on standard models or very pricey premium classes. A car subscription gives you access to a much wider range of family cars-from practical wagons to luxurious SUVs-often on fair terms.

Availability is another point in favour of subscriptions. While rentals are often booked out in peak season, a subscription arranged in good time secures your preferred vehicle. Booking happens from home without queueing at a counter or dealing with stressful handovers.

Why is a subscription often more practical than buying?

Buying a new family car ties you to a decision for years, and it may not fit every life stage. Families change: kids grow, interests shift, and your ideal car’s requirements evolve.

A car subscription removes that long-term lock-in. You can always choose the vehicle that fits your current needs. Depreciation, repair costs or the hassle of selling later are no longer your problem.

For families that don’t need a big car year-round, this flexibility also makes financial sense. Instead of buying an expensive family car that sits unused much of the time, you subscribe exactly when you need it.

Which vehicle types are best as a family holiday car?

The right vehicle type depends on your travel plans. Different trips place different demands on the perfect family car. While a compact car may be fine for city breaks, you’ll want more space and power for camping or winter holidays.

The classic: station wagon with a large boot

Wagons are considered the gold standard among family cars. A car with a large boot strikes the perfect balance between everyday usability and holiday comfort. The generous load space easily fits suitcases, strollers and sports gear, while the low loading edge makes packing and unpacking easy.

Modern wagons surprise with smart storage solutions. Under-floor compartments, split-fold rear seats and flexible dividers maximise usable space. At the same time, you get the comfort of a saloon with supportive seats and a quiet ride on long journeys.

Wagons often consume less fuel than similarly sized SUVs, which benefits your travel budget on longer trips. Many models offer adaptive suspension that automatically adjusts to different loads to keep ride comfort optimal.

SUV for families: comfort and versatility

A family SUV combines the strengths of several classes. The higher seating position gives everyone a better view-very helpful on unfamiliar routes. Larger windows also let kids enjoy the scenery, making long drives feel shorter.

SUVs really shine on varied holidays. City sightseeing, mountain roads or beach trips-these vehicles handle them all with confidence. Many models offer optional all-wheel drive for extra security in tricky weather or on unpaved roads.

Interiors in family SUVs are usually generous, with plenty of head- and legroom. Practical touches like numerous cup holders, USB ports and storage cubbies make travelling with kids much easier.

7-seaters for larger families or groups

Families with more than two children or groups quickly reach the limits of five-seaters. Here, 7-seater models available in Switzerland are a practical solution. They come with a third row that you can use flexibly.

That third row isn’t just for extra passengers-it can be folded away to create more cargo space when needed. This flexibility makes 7-seaters ideal companions for many holiday scenarios.

Modern 7-seaters are miles away from the uncomfortable people carriers of the past. Expect comfort features like separate climate zones, individual lighting and entertainment systems for all rows. Sliding doors make getting in and out much easier, especially in tight spaces or when child seats are fitted.

What should you look for when choosing?

Finding the perfect family holiday car requires weighing several factors. First, decide how many seats you need. Consider not just your immediate family but also possible travel companions like grandparents or the kids’ friends.

Boot capacity is central to relaxed travel. Measure or estimate how much luggage you typically take and allow a buffer. Think about the shape of the cargo area too: a regular, boxy boot often uses its stated volume better than one full of awkward corners.

Comfort features affect wellbeing on the journey. Automatic climate control, supportive seats with ample adjustment and sunshades for rear passengers belong on the essentials list. Entertainment systems can make longer drives easier for children.

Fuel consumption impacts your trip costs directly. On long drives, fuel expenses quickly add up. An efficient engine helps keep more of the budget for holiday fun.

Safety tech such as autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assistance or drowsiness detection increases safety on unfamiliar roads. Especially for night driving or after long sightseeing days, these systems can be crucial in avoiding accidents.

Also factor in usability. An intuitive infotainment system helps you navigate unfamiliar places without taking eyes off the road. And don’t forget practical details like the number and placement of USB ports so everyone can charge their devices.

Costs and benefits at a glance

The cost structures of different options vary significantly and affect your overall holiday budget. With a classic rental car you pay a daily rate that can fluctuate sharply by season and demand. You often add extra costs for full coverage, additional drivers or navigation devices.

A car subscription, by contrast, offers cost transparency through a fixed monthly fee. This already includes key incidental costs like insurance, service and taxes. You can plan your budget precisely without fearing unpleasant surprises.

Buying a new family car requires high upfront spending and ties up capital long-term. Depreciation in the first years is substantial, and repair costs can add up. For families that only occasionally need a large car, ownership is often uneconomical.

The flexibility of subscriptions really shows with changing needs. You can choose different vehicles for different types of holidays without owning several cars. Predictable monthly costs make budgeting easier and avoid large one-off outlays.

There’s another financial advantage in maintenance and repairs. With your own car, unexpected issues can hit the holiday budget. In a subscription, those costs are covered. You drive a well-maintained, roadworthy vehicle and don’t have to worry about breakdowns during your time off.

How to find your perfect family car on subscription

The right family car can make your holiday far more relaxed and pleasant. Whether a roomy wagon with a large boot, a versatile family SUV or a practical 7-seater for bigger groups-the right vehicle turns a stressful journey into an enjoyable one.

A car subscription gives you the flexibility to pick the optimal vehicle for every holiday without a long commitment. Transparent costs, short terms and a wide choice make it especially attractive for modern families.

Be honest about your needs when choosing: How many people are travelling? How much luggage will you take? What routes will you be covering? The answers lead you to the ideal holiday car.

CARIFY connects you with more than 300 garage partners across Switzerland and gives you access to a broad selection of family cars. From practical everyday wagons to premium SUVs, you’ll find the vehicle that fits your plans.

Booking a subscription is simple and transparent. Choose your car online, configure the features you want and set the term. A few days later you receive your holiday-ready car, with all documents and a full handover. That leaves more time for what matters: looking forward to your family holiday.

Discover your ideal family car on subscription now and take the first step toward a relaxed trip. Browse the available models and find the vehicle that matches your itinerary. With CARIFY, finding a car becomes the easy start to your holiday planning.

Key takeaways

  • Car subscription in Switzerland gives a fixed monthly price with insurance, service and taxes included

  • Pick by trip need: wagon for boot space, SUV for versatility, 7-seater for larger crews

  • Check real luggage fit and legroom instead of only listed volume

  • Prioritise family safety tech like AEB, lane keep and driver fatigue alerts

  • Comfort matters on long drives with kids: climate control, USB ports, sunshades

  • One to three month terms suit holiday travel and avoid peak-season rental surcharges

  • Add roof box or child seats as options instead of buying new gear

  • Often cheaper and simpler than buying a large car you rarely use

Conclusion

The right family car goes a long way toward determining whether the journey is stressful or relaxed. With a flexible car subscription, you can choose a wagon, SUV or 7-seater to suit the trip at a predictable monthly price with insurance and service included. You’ll travel with more space and comfort, greater safety, and peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Which subscription terms work best for holiday travel?

Flexible terms from one month are ideal for holiday travel. Many families choose one to three months to cover the whole holiday period. If you plan several trips in a year, a longer term of six to twelve months can also make sense. You keep the option to use the car normally between trips. Seasonal subscriptions are perfect for families that only need a bigger car in certain months.

  1. Can I add accessories like roof boxes or child seats to a subscription?

Many providers let you add useful accessories right away. Roof boxes and roof racks are popular for ski trips or camping and are often offered as options. Child seats for different age groups can usually be added as well, which is handy if you don’t own several seats or don’t want to keep reinstalling them. Navigation devices, snow chains and other seasonal extras round out the offer and are provided with the vehicle.

  1. How quickly can I get a family car on subscription?

Most vehicles are ready within 6 to 8 days after you confirm your booking. For spontaneous plans there are often express services for quicker delivery. Availability depends on the model and the season. Popular family cars book out faster in peak season, so early planning pays off. For urgent requests, direct contact is worthwhile-there are often short-notice solutions.

More space, more comfort, less stress. Find your family car from CARIFY’s selection of cars on subscription now.


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