Family car - 3 in the back inc 2 car seats.
Discussion
An Smax is what you need.
3 x isofix across the back means you can put the child seats next to each other & leave the outer seat free for an adult.
We've got the child seats on the 2 outers (as they swivel - maxicosi axis fix), leaves plenty of room for my 6'2" FIL to sit in the middle behind 2 6'ers.
Don't write it off as an option until you've driven one. 200bhp/300lbft with the 2.2 tdci, so it's no slug.
My 3 series only has about 8" in the middle between 2 recaro young sport heros as a comparison.
3 x isofix across the back means you can put the child seats next to each other & leave the outer seat free for an adult.
We've got the child seats on the 2 outers (as they swivel - maxicosi axis fix), leaves plenty of room for my 6'2" FIL to sit in the middle behind 2 6'ers.
Don't write it off as an option until you've driven one. 200bhp/300lbft with the 2.2 tdci, so it's no slug.
My 3 series only has about 8" in the middle between 2 recaro young sport heros as a comparison.
Leadfoot said:
An Smax is what you need.
3 x isofix across the back means you can put the child seats next to each other & leave the outer seat free for an adult.
We've got the child seats on the 2 outers (as they swivel - maxicosi axis fix), leaves plenty of room for my 6'2" FIL to sit in the middle behind 2 6'ers.
Don't write it off as an option until you've driven one. 200bhp/300lbft with the 2.2 tdci, so it's no slug.
My 3 series only has about 8" in the middle between 2 recaro young sport heros as a comparison.
They also sell them with the 240bhp petrol engine from the focus ST, which provides curiously uninspiring performance in both the Mondeo and the S-Max. 3 x isofix across the back means you can put the child seats next to each other & leave the outer seat free for an adult.
We've got the child seats on the 2 outers (as they swivel - maxicosi axis fix), leaves plenty of room for my 6'2" FIL to sit in the middle behind 2 6'ers.
Don't write it off as an option until you've driven one. 200bhp/300lbft with the 2.2 tdci, so it's no slug.
My 3 series only has about 8" in the middle between 2 recaro young sport heros as a comparison.
The S-max is a very versatile and sensible car, however the hype about it being fantastic to drive is b
ks. Maybe compared to a Renault people bus, but compared to even a modest saloon or hatchback it's decidedly MPV-ish. I was about to order one (not considering such things important in a family car that I wouldn't have to drive very often) but when we left the dealership to discuss it my OH said she wanted to burst into tears at the idea of driving it for the next few years 
dme123 said:
Leadfoot said:
An Smax is what you need.
3 x isofix across the back means you can put the child seats next to each other & leave the outer seat free for an adult.
We've got the child seats on the 2 outers (as they swivel - maxicosi axis fix), leaves plenty of room for my 6'2" FIL to sit in the middle behind 2 6'ers.
Don't write it off as an option until you've driven one. 200bhp/300lbft with the 2.2 tdci, so it's no slug.
My 3 series only has about 8" in the middle between 2 recaro young sport heros as a comparison.
They also sell them with the 240bhp petrol engine from the focus ST, which provides curiously uninspiring performance in both the Mondeo and the S-Max. 3 x isofix across the back means you can put the child seats next to each other & leave the outer seat free for an adult.
We've got the child seats on the 2 outers (as they swivel - maxicosi axis fix), leaves plenty of room for my 6'2" FIL to sit in the middle behind 2 6'ers.
Don't write it off as an option until you've driven one. 200bhp/300lbft with the 2.2 tdci, so it's no slug.
My 3 series only has about 8" in the middle between 2 recaro young sport heros as a comparison.
The S-max is a very versatile and sensible car, however the hype about it being fantastic to drive is b
ks. Maybe compared to a Renault people bus, but compared to even a modest saloon or hatchback it's decidedly MPV-ish. I was about to order one (not considering such things important in a family car that I wouldn't have to drive very often) but when we left the dealership to discuss it my OH said she wanted to burst into tears at the idea of driving it for the next few years From experience...
Subaru Forester 2013 on
Subaru Legacy wagon 2010 on
Skoda Superb wagon - feels narrow but prob wide enough
F10 5 series
Mazda CX-7
Mazda CX-9 - not sure UK got these but great 7 seater that's not a bad steer.
Whatever the Holden Commodore was badged as in the UK - wagons are simply enormous and have 3 isofix across the back. Currently vying for top spot on my shopping list with a 2013 Liberty wagon
V70 will be big enough but, along with the XC90 will send you into a coma.
SUV is great for getting them in and out when they're smaller but kids struggle with the extra height when learning to do it themselves.
Subaru Forester 2013 on
Subaru Legacy wagon 2010 on
Skoda Superb wagon - feels narrow but prob wide enough
F10 5 series
Mazda CX-7
Mazda CX-9 - not sure UK got these but great 7 seater that's not a bad steer.
Whatever the Holden Commodore was badged as in the UK - wagons are simply enormous and have 3 isofix across the back. Currently vying for top spot on my shopping list with a 2013 Liberty wagon
V70 will be big enough but, along with the XC90 will send you into a coma.
SUV is great for getting them in and out when they're smaller but kids struggle with the extra height when learning to do it themselves.
Willy Nilly said:
Sounds to me like it was an image thing with your mrs, rather than any poor reflect on the car itself. If you are buying a family car, it's primary job and function is to cart the family about, which Smax/Galaxys are really good at. Power sliding around roundabouts is only going to result in you having to pressure wash puke out of the interior.
Yes, exactly. I thought it was an excellent family car. To be fair she was trading in a Volvo V70 T5 so she was used to something a bit more exciting. If the 240bhp petrol engine hadn't been such a damp squib we'd probably have bought the S-Max.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff