Best Family Cars for Long Trips in Turkey

Planning a road trip across Turkey with the whole family is one of the most rewarding travel experiences you can have — but only if you have the right vehicle. From the winding mountain roads of Anatolia to the sun-drenched coastal highways of the Aegean, the car you choose defines the quality of your journey. At Auris, we have helped thousands of families find the perfect match. Here is our guide to the best family cars in our fleet.

The Hyundai Staria: King of the Road

If your family numbers five or more, the Hyundai Staria is the standout choice. With nine seats arranged across three rows and a cavernous boot that can swallow multiple large suitcases, it eliminates the constant compromise between passenger comfort and luggage space that plagues smaller vehicles. The sliding rear doors are a godsend in tight parking spots — no more door dings on neighbouring cars.

The Staria's high seating position gives every passenger excellent visibility, which means fewer complaints of motion sickness on curvy mountain roads. The cabin is exceptionally quiet at highway speeds, and the automatic climate control keeps the temperature consistent front to back. For families driving long stretches — say, Istanbul to Antalya or Damascus to Latakia — this level of comfort makes a real difference.

Fuel consumption on the highway runs at approximately 9–10 litres per 100 km, which is reasonable for a vehicle of its size. The Staria is also fitted with multiple USB charging ports and rear-seat entertainment connectivity, essential for keeping younger passengers engaged on multi-hour drives.

Toyota Corolla: The Smart Choice for Smaller Families

For families of four, the Toyota Corolla strikes an excellent balance between interior space and fuel efficiency. The boot holds 370 litres — enough for two large suitcases and a pushchair — while the rear seat is wide enough to fit three child seats side by side if needed. The Corolla Hybrid version is particularly popular with families because it cuts fuel costs by roughly 30% compared to a standard petrol equivalent, which adds up quickly over a week-long trip.

The Corolla's ISOFIX anchor points are positioned in both outer rear seats, and the centre rear seat includes a top-tether point for forward-facing seats. This matters: not all rental cars have properly accessible ISOFIX points, and we have heard too many stories of families struggling with incompatible systems at collection.

What to Look for in a Family Rental

Beyond seat count, the details that matter most to travelling families are often overlooked until something goes wrong. When booking your family rental, always confirm:

• ISOFIX availability — essential if you are bringing your own child seat or renting one from us
• Boot capacity — measure your luggage before you book; a roof box can supplement most mid-size cars if needed
• Rear air conditioning — critical in Turkish summers where temperatures in the back seat without airflow can become dangerous for young children
• Automatic transmission — strongly recommended if the driver is not accustomed to manual cars, especially in Istanbul's stop-and-go traffic

Child Seat Rental

Auris provides ISOFIX-compatible child seats for all age groups: infant carriers (0–13 kg), combination seats (9–36 kg), and high-back booster seats for older children. Seats are cleaned and safety-checked between every rental. We strongly recommend reserving your child seat at the time of booking rather than requesting it at collection — availability during peak summer months cannot be guaranteed for walk-in requests.

Planning Your Route

Turkey's motorways (otoyols) are excellent and well-maintained, but many of the country's most rewarding family destinations require leaving them. The road to Pamukkale, the climb into Cappadocia, and the coastal road south of Antalya all involve narrower stretches. The Staria handles these comfortably; just allow extra time and avoid night driving in unfamiliar mountain areas.

For families arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST), hotel delivery is available anywhere on the European side — contact us to confirm fees and availability. For Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) arrivals on the Asian side, our office is located just eight minutes from the terminal. Contact us when your flight lands and your car will be waiting.