Is three children in a five-seater a PITA?
Discussion
We currently have a five-seater (MINI Countryman) and a seven-seater (Toyota Land Cruiser). I'm getting itchy feet again and looking at maybe changing the LC. I had been waiting for the new one, but it looks like that is not really going to be an option in the UK, at least, there are still no updates from Toyota. Some of the options I'm considering are only five-seaters, albeit big ones.
Anyway, to those with three children - is it too much of a squeeze using a five-seater day to day?
Additional spanner, three may become four in the next few years, so the point may be moot.
Current ages are 13,10 and imminent.
Anyway, to those with three children - is it too much of a squeeze using a five-seater day to day?
Additional spanner, three may become four in the next few years, so the point may be moot.
Current ages are 13,10 and imminent.
From experience, a fiver seater will be fine, but…
How tall are you and MrsLD?
How tall are the 10 & 13 yo?
How often will all 5 of you be in the car together?
Anyway, rear seat bench width becomes the important factor, and you’ll need to test them with a volunteer or two from your clan. If the rear bench is comfy and has enough space, it’s easy. If not, every time the five of you go (to Dorset?) out together it becomes a pain.
Some big SUVs aren’t as big as you think either, and many supposed 5 seaters are really only 4.5 as the rear bench is shaped for 2 and has an uncomfortable middle bit.
TL;DR - can work but go look and test
How tall are you and MrsLD?
How tall are the 10 & 13 yo?
How often will all 5 of you be in the car together?
Anyway, rear seat bench width becomes the important factor, and you’ll need to test them with a volunteer or two from your clan. If the rear bench is comfy and has enough space, it’s easy. If not, every time the five of you go (to Dorset?) out together it becomes a pain.
Some big SUVs aren’t as big as you think either, and many supposed 5 seaters are really only 4.5 as the rear bench is shaped for 2 and has an uncomfortable middle bit.
TL;DR - can work but go look and test
You're only going to need 1 car seat with that age combination, so worst case the baby seat can go in the front and one adult and the two older kids in the back.
That would be fine for most journeys assuming it's a fairly decent sized 5 seater.
A lot of the third row seats in 7 seaters only really work for a fairly narrow age band of child - out of a car seat (as they never fit right), but not yet as tall as an adult (when the seats are too cramped). Depending on how the child grows that could only be about 4 years of their life!!
If 4 kids is likely and you're thinking of changing, I'd suggest using it as an excuse to get a VW Transporter or similar van derived 8/9 seater. There's then plenty of room for luggage as well.
That would be fine for most journeys assuming it's a fairly decent sized 5 seater.
A lot of the third row seats in 7 seaters only really work for a fairly narrow age band of child - out of a car seat (as they never fit right), but not yet as tall as an adult (when the seats are too cramped). Depending on how the child grows that could only be about 4 years of their life!!
If 4 kids is likely and you're thinking of changing, I'd suggest using it as an excuse to get a VW Transporter or similar van derived 8/9 seater. There's then plenty of room for luggage as well.
If you're using the rear seats with 3 across daily then the key will be how comfortable and manageable that is. With 1 or more car seats in the row you probably want 3 equal/full sized seats. There are actually not that many cars that have this. Citroen C5 Aircross is one such 'car' but is the same sort of size as the smaller 7 seaters like the C4 Grand Picasso / Touran.
philrs03 said:
My defender pretty easily absorbs that combination, that’s a 5 seater. The only “issue” for me personally is the Pram we’ve got which seems to take up half of the boot space!
My old Disco 3 was perfect for my 3 when one was in a full on babyseat, plus two boosters. Flat rear bench seat.Unfortunately it broke down, a lot, from new and one replacement was a RR Vogue with cream leather seats.
Fantastic I thought until I tried to get the kids in. The bolstering and shaping meant only two seats would fit properly.
So you want a flat bench, hence why all 3 did fit in the back of my tiny (compared to the latest models) e36 BMW.
I've 3 kids - 7,6 & 3 and they all fit fine in the back of a 2011 passat estate even with the big car seat and two boosters. So one baby seat and two teens will be fine.
If you do have a 4th, then I'd look at some sort of Multimac rear bench to fit in the car when the time comes, rather than buying a mpv now in the off chance you do have the 4th child!
If you do have a 4th, then I'd look at some sort of Multimac rear bench to fit in the car when the time comes, rather than buying a mpv now in the off chance you do have the 4th child!
SkodaIan said:
You're only going to need 1 car seat with that age combination, so worst case the baby seat can go in the front and one adult and the two older kids in the back.
How does that statement compare to the legal requirements which state age 12, and needing to be at least 135cm.MustangGT said:
SkodaIan said:
You're only going to need 1 car seat with that age combination, so worst case the baby seat can go in the front and one adult and the two older kids in the back.
How does that statement compare to the legal requirements which state age 12, and needing to be at least 135cm.MustangGT said:
SkodaIan said:
You're only going to need 1 car seat with that age combination, so worst case the baby seat can go in the front and one adult and the two older kids in the back.
How does that statement compare to the legal requirements which state age 12, and needing to be at least 135cm.My 8yr old is nearly 135cm. My 12 year old is waaaaay past that and has been seat-less for a couple of years at least
ilikepeas said:
To impart some humility on my three children all trips to see other family across the country are done in a Mk5 Polo
Too true.We managed with an R55 Mini Clubman with two young kids and a dog for numerous trips around the country and to France.
Admittedly we had a roof box for longer trips.....
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