Two under 1yo - need car recommendations - under £20k

[GrowingFamily]

Hi all,

Looking for some car-buying advice as the family situation has changed rather quickly!

We currently have a 7-month-old and my wife is due to give birth in July, so we’ll be just missing two under one. Both kids will need to be in rear-facing isofix spin car seats.

I’m 6ft but fairly short-legged, so I tend to have the seat pulled forward most of the time, legroom behind me doesn’t need to be limo-like, but I do need enough space to comfortably get the seats in and out.

Boot space is a big consideration. We’ve got an Uppababy Vista V3 with the rocker seat and bassinet, plus all the usual baby clutter, so it needs to swallow a fair bit without playing Tetris every time.

Currently driving a 2009 3-door Ford Fiesta which I’ve owned from new and has been faultless. We’ve just about managed with one baby, but there’s no practical way of getting the additional bassinet and baby into it, so it’s sadly time to move on.

Budget is ideally under £20k. I’d prefer low mileage and relatively new, as I tend to keep my cars for a long time rather than chopping and changing. One non-negotiable from my wife: a panoramic roof (she’s convinced the kids will love it!).

I’ve been looking at a Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid mHEV ST-Line Estate in Manual (2025 plate, ~7k miles, just under £20k). I like the size and boot space, but I can’t help feeling the engine might be a bit underpowered, especially when loaded up.

SUVs would be my last choice if possible, I’d much rather an estate, hatch, or something sensible but still decent to drive.

I’d love to find a sub £20k, 8s to 60mph, ample boot space and manual but I might be dreaming especially as I want as new and low mileage as possible.

Any recommendations or real-world experiences (especially with two rear-facing seats) would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

[Jamescrs]

I had a Mk3 Focus when I had two children including one in a rear facing seat and I wouldn't recommend it because with the rear facing seat I had to move the front passenger seat a long way forward to make it fit at all, my wife who is 5ft8 was struggling for leg room.

I know it's not trendy but i'd be looking at a good used Ford Galaxy or Smax because with the rear seats flat in a Galaxy the boot will easily accommodate all your needs for the next few years until the kids are out of prams/ push chairs.

[Coldplaya]

For £20k i d be going for a kia proceed estate every day of the week over a focus.
£20-21k will buy you brand new pre reg. sun £20k have a few thousand miles.
I d personally also go for the automatic rather than manual but thats personal choice.

Hugely reliable with big warranties

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025100769...

There s also the Kia ceed estate which has more choice but looks wise isn t much
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025122087...

I d say the focus probably wins on driver involvement, the Kia s are fairly soulless based on extensive drives of my partners 2020 kia ceed. My honda civic 2018 feels like a sports car in comparison.

There’s also Kia sister car the Hyundai i30 although personally that looks slightly more dated now.

Edited by Coldplaya on Sunday 4th January 13:32

[A500leroy]

Fiat Tipo wagon.

[Blue_star]

Bending down to take out and put in 2 kids to car seats does take its toll on the back. You are missing trick with suv despite worse driving experience.

5008 is great for size but you need to make sure fsh, warranty and all outstanding recalls are done on otherwise fine car. Puretech is pants ive heard
You can fit in 2 prams/ pram and big bike next to each other in boot

Edited by Blue_star on Sunday 4th January 13:53

Edited by Blue_star on Sunday 4th January 13:54

[GrowingFamily]

Jamescrs said:

I had a Mk3 Focus when I had two children including one in a rear facing seat and I wouldn't recommend it because with the rear facing seat I had to move the front passenger seat a long way forward to make it fit at all, my wife who is 5ft8 was struggling for leg room.

I know it's not trendy but i'd be looking at a good used Ford Galaxy or Smax because with the rear seats flat in a Galaxy the boot will easily accommodate all your needs for the next few years until the kids are out of prams/ push chairs.

For the Focus do you think this would be the same for the Estate version? I plan to go down to try fitting the pram and car seat in the focus estate this week… I just cannot get my head around the lack of power from the car and wish it had a slightly bigger engine.

Considered an SMax but I’d want one with sliding doors, in the US we use either the Mustang for no kid days or a huge Honda Oddesey with sliding doors which is great, although completely ‘uncool’

[Trevor555]

I'd avoid anything with an opening pan roof.

I've seen some big repair bills.

Like many things, wondefull whilst it's working.

[GrowingFamily]

Coldplaya said:

For £20k i d be going for a kia proceed estate every day of the week over a focus.
£20-21k will buy you brand new pre reg. sun £20k have a few thousand miles.
I d personally also go for the automatic rather than manual but thats personal choice.

Hugely reliable with big warranties

There s also the Kia ceed estate which has more choice but looks wise isn t much

I d say the focus probably wins on driver involvement, the Kia s are fairly soulless based on extensive drives of my partners 2020 kia ceed. My honda civic 2018 feels like a sports car in comparison.

There s also Kia sister car the Hyundai i30 although personally that looks slightly more dated now.

Edited by Coldplaya on Sunday 4th January 13:32

Thanks, didn’t really consider other than a friend recommending the Stinger but not sure the boot would work. Will take a look at the Proceed estate but not sure there’s many examples with the panoramic sunroof!

Why auto over manual? The engines look and seem a little gutless.. guess that’s the way the world is going now for most manufacturers.

[GrowingFamily]

A500leroy said:

Fiat Tipo wagon.

Interesting choice but the engines are a bit gutless, I want a unicorn but think I’ll need to compromise somewhere!

[GrowingFamily]

Blue_star said:

Bending down to take out and put in 2 kids to car seats does take its toll on the back. You are missing trick with suv despite worse driving experience.

5008 is great for size but you need to make sure fsh, warranty and all outstanding recalls are done on otherwise fine car. Puretech is pants ive heard
You can fit in 2 prams/ pram and big bike next to each other in boot

Edited by Blue_star on Sunday 4th January 13:53

Edited by Blue_star on Sunday 4th January 13:54

Perhaps, I just can’t convince myself to get one just yet! We’ve been fine with one but I guess as they get heavier who knows!

I’ll take a look at the 5008, not heard great things though.

[Blue_star]

One thing I forgot to mention is that estate versions of cars like focus/astra can fit you. But if your wife needs to sit between the chairs in case one of the kids is unwell then uncomfortable to fit.

[Panamax]

Trevor555 said:

I'd avoid anything with an opening pan roof.

Sound advice IMO, especially if the car is parked outside.

Any estate car should tick the box nicely. Merc or Skoda would be my starting point. Whatever you buy make sure the boot space is flat all the way to the back bumper, it makes loading so much easier than the big lip at the back of most hatches.

[Coldplaya]

GrowingFamily said:

Coldplaya said:

For £20k i d be going for a kia proceed estate every day of the week over a focus.
£20-21k will buy you brand new pre reg. sun £20k have a few thousand miles.
I d personally also go for the automatic rather than manual but thats personal choice.

Hugely reliable with big warranties

There s also the Kia ceed estate which has more choice but looks wise isn t much

I d say the focus probably wins on driver involvement, the Kia s are fairly soulless based on extensive drives of my partners 2020 kia ceed. My honda civic 2018 feels like a sports car in comparison.

There s also Kia sister car the Hyundai i30 although personally that looks slightly more dated now.

Edited by Coldplaya on Sunday 4th January 13:32

Thanks, didn t really consider other than a friend recommending the Stinger but not sure the boot would work. Will take a look at the Proceed estate but not sure there s many examples with the panoramic sunroof!

Why auto over manual? The engines look and seem a little gutless.. guess that s the way the world is going now for most manufacturers.

The 1.5T’s are perfectly adequate, especially with the auto it’s more than enough, it’s never felt under powered when i’ve driven it anyways and I’ve had a 911 and Aston Martin.

Having seen my brother have his first kid, an SUV is far easier to live with though and I completely understand why they are the car of choice for families now.

[edc]

If you're keeping it a long time get something bigger to get small bikes in. If you will have grandparents or child friends too then consider a 7 seater. Something with rear sliding seats can be useful with rear facing child seats.

[ZX10R NIN]

Most people find the extra height of an SUV is very convenient, the 1.6t h Stelantis is proving pretty reliable.

1.6Th Grandland X Ultimate/Elite Nav, you'll get a nice one below budget you'll also get AUC at this price point & be able to extend the warranty:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601038...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511117...

1.6T:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511057...

508 GT Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512288...

GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...

DS7:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511107...

Mazda CX-60:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512128...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...

Personally the 2.5h Kuga in Vignale spec has always stood out as a good option when cosidering an SUV:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601048...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511298...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510076...

Or just go full PH & buy the nicest F Pace

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510097...

XF estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509106...

Audi S6 avant:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510287...

You can find & go from there

[edc]

The other thing you may want to think about is whether you want to fit 2 car seats next to each other and a person in the outer seat or 2 car seats in 2 outer seats and a person in the middle. If you want to do either of those then there are very few cars that can do that and you will ideally need 3 equal sized individual rear seats.

[Matt_T]

I'd suggest getting something Mondeo size rather than Focus size - from experience with 2 kids, the lack of space for weekends away etc is a complete pain.

Mazda 6 would be my suggestion to look at...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19533111

[JackReacher]

With 2 rear facing rotating child seats, you do typically need a bit more space in the back, particularly if you have taller people in the front seats. Therefore, you'd want to try them with the car seat in, and £20k would get you into a good Octavia estate, potentially the VRS if you want some driver interest.

[AddyT.]

Have never owned one but indeed as others have said, surely a Skoda? Octavia or even a Superb if in budget? No idea if they are. Speaking from experience once the pram and buggies are gone, you won’t need to be worrying about space so much

[chocolatefingers5000]

As a brief side note, our 3 month old adores the pan roof in our X1.
I believe you can service / drain them / ensure they aren’t blocked to keep things working.
Some BMWs have front isofix so you could have one if you in the back with the newborn if that would help.
X1 wouldn’t be big enough but our neighbour has an X3 which is a decent upgrade in size (2018 plate 2.0 petrol) and can go full PH and get the B58 straight 6 in there if you want too in the 40i I believe