3 kids… what car?

[Gville]

Currently have a 2 and 4 year old, and have a new one arriving in July. Had a Tiguan but sold it in anticipation so currently running an i3s (great car but very small!) and looking for Tiguan replacement.

Was pretty well set on an XC90 but having had woeful responses on the enquiries I’ve made at various main dealer Volvo garages it’s given me some time to rethink and potentially change my mind.

Budget c.£30k and figured that would get me a reasonable not too old or high mileage XC90, now wondering however if anyone would recommend an alternative that might save me some cash; thinking kids will just ruin whatever I buy so why spend £30k! We drive to Cornwall a couple of times a year and intend to do some trips to Europe but most of the time it’s ferrying around in London and the M40 back to Oxford every few weeks!

I guess an Smax a good place to start but any other thoughts very welcome!

[Back2theFuji]

Peugeot 5008, Citroen C5 aircross are the default options for kids to systematically destroy

[Gville]

Back2theFuji said:

Peugeot 5008, Citroen C5 aircross are the default options for kids to systematically destroy

Cheers. I looked at a 5008 and almost liked it. Didn’t feel quite big enough but I suppose can just pop a roof box on when required. Can’t say excites me but having more cash to invest does!

[ZX10R NIN]

The best S Max you can find:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502259...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503200...

They really work for three children families.

Galaxy Titanium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503200...

Scenic, save a load let the kids do their worst & get something nice once they're a bit older:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503220...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501067...

[LightweightLouisDanvers]

Gville said:

Currently have a 2 and 4 year old, and have a new one arriving in July. Had a Tiguan but sold it in anticipation so currently running an i3s (great car but very small!) and looking for Tiguan replacement.

Was pretty well set on an XC90 but having had woeful responses on the enquiries I’ve made at various main dealer Volvo garages it’s given me some time to rethink and potentially change my mind.

Budget c.£30k and figured that would get me a reasonable not too old or high mileage XC90, now wondering however if anyone would recommend an alternative that might save me some cash; thinking kids will just ruin whatever I buy so why spend £30k! We drive to Cornwall a couple of times a year and intend to do some trips to Europe but most of the time it’s ferrying around in London and the M40 back to Oxford every few weeks!

I guess an Smax a good place to start but any other thoughts very welcome!

How will kids ruin your car?
Only if you let them turn it into a st pit.
Keep it clean, if you let them eat in it clean up any spills or crumbs. Chocolate and ice-cream should be banned.

[the-norseman]

Stick with the XC90, I looked at all sorts of usual "family wagons" and decided the Volvo was the one that least looked like you have given up on life.

XC90 blends in everywhere, country clubs, shoots, supermarket, school run.

[Davie]

the-norseman said:

Stick with the XC90, I looked at all sorts of usual "family wagons" and decided the Volvo was the one that least looked like you have given up on life.

XC90 blends in everywhere, country clubs, shoots, supermarket, school run.

Not the best attitude... driving something less precious or expensive doesn't mean giving up on life, if anything it can enrich life. Spend less time worrying about a car getting sand in it or what Gavin next door thinks and spend more time bring, you know.... a dad? Though very much depends on your outlook and approach to life or what matters most.

I've clearly given up on life with a V50 and a Transporter Shuttle. One is run without a care in the world for day to day use and the other goes mountain biking, camping, beach days, holidays and my kids have now seen inflatable kayak and won't let go. Kids don't ruin cars but with kids, there's higher chance of a bit wear & tear / accidental damage but mine haven't ruined anything I've owned. Again just depends what come first, cars or kids.

A third row would be a good shout. I have two and if sat in close proximity for more than 7 minutes it's usually weapons at dawn. Plus don't underestimate how much space the various stages of car seats take up. I had an XC70 for a while and it's big but they made it feel quite small, more so when you start adding buggies / bikes / scooters / bags... if that's your thing.

Edited by Davie on Thursday 1st May 08:44

[St Ives]

Try the car seats in the XC90 first!
I couldn’t make it work despite really wanting to (ref above comment)

Ended up down the Alhambra and Sharon route. It’s annoyingly good at carrying kids and their associated cra…stuff.

Edited by St Ives on Thursday 1st May 22:42

[braddo]

St Ives said:

Try the car seats in the XC90 first!
I couldn’t make it work despite really wanting to (ref above comment)

Yep, very unlikely that 3 kids' seats (for newborn + 2 + 4 years) will fit in anything except a MPV. Once the eldest is out of booster seats completely, you'll be able to squeeze the 3 into a large SUV's back seat, but the eldest will still be cramped between two child seats (going by friends' experience).

It's hard to think of anything better than a S-Max.

[66HFM]

We had a newborn, 2 year old and 4 year old, we found the best solution for us was a Discovery 4, although I appreciate most of them aren't ULEZ, it was a great do anything classless car, and when we moved to the Cotswolds they were everywhere - not your shiny only been seen in Chelsea versions, but ones used to driving down the country lanes etc.

The main benefit was with having 3 individual seats in the middle row, the rear row we barely used, which left a huge boot for prams, pushchairs, bikes etc.although nice to have a couple of full size extra seats when needed.

God luck

[Moonpie21]

Although mine is only 5 seats, they do a seven seater Nissan X-Trail...

My tekna comes with everything but the N-Connecta is rumoured to be a decent spec too. I love the epower hybrid, it really is like driving an electric car and pretty efficient.

It's well made and pretty well done inside certainly my Tekna is all squidgy material and attractive had it a year and a bit now with a 10 year old and it has held up well. The best bit for you though is the rear doors open 90 degrees it makes getting baby seats in and out super easy plus it has rear sunblinds built in. The two seats in the back aren't suitable for an adult but you can have one up for a kid and the other down to still fit a pushchair/pram in

[CrippsCorner]

I know I sound like a broken record on these threads... but Multimac, brilliant piece of kit and means you can have 3 across the back in any car. The missus wasn't sure at first but now she agrees it was a fantastic buy.

[ilikejam]

We had the previous model 5008 when it came out in 2017 and really liked it. Swapped it in 2020 for a Q5 and regretted it as the Pug was a nicer place to be with acres more space inside, despite the Audi being bigger externally. Ours was GT trim and had every extra you could imagine (massage seats etc).

The older 5008 has 3 individual seats on rails in the second row, so you can fit 3 car seats across there with a bit of staggering. I believe they've changed that for the new model though (that currently has some decent support on lease deals)

[zedx19]

We have a 2014 Peugeot 5008, had it 8+ years now, cost us 10.5k back then and was just a stop gap car that we've kept as its brilliant. We have 4 kids aged 12, 11, 9 and 6 and its used for everything, including trips to South of France from Derbyshire, with a big roof box on for that.

Ours is the 1.6 diesel with a barmy 112bhp, but the torque copes just fine and it'll sit at 130kph on the French toll roads just fine, while returning 50mpg regardless of how you drive it.

It's currently on 100k, 35k when we got it, below a list of problems (most stuff fitted by me unless stated):-

1 parking sensor (20 quid for the part)
Front drop links replaced 3 times (20 quid for parts)
Front dampers x 1 (80 quid for parts)
Top mounts x 2 (40 quid for parts)
Clutch x 1 (1100 quid for supply and fit as I couldn't do it)
ELOY Fluid top up x 1 (80 quid supply and fit)
Cambelt, waterpump, tensioner etc x 1 (800 quid supply and fit)
Aircon rad split from a stone (200 quid supply and fit + regas)

No EGR or DPF problems as the ELOY lowers the temp needed to burn it off. Everything still works, kids haven't managed to break any trim, there's no rust anywhere, it still drives nice and is incredibly comfortable.

Over 8 years I don't think I can complain, looked at replacing it a few times but while its still giving us no problems, we're going to keep it.

[braddo]

CrippsCorner said:

I know I sound like a broken record on these threads... but Multimac, brilliant piece of kit and means you can have 3 across the back in any car. The missus wasn't sure at first but now she agrees it was a fantastic buy.

Can these be used for a newborn in a rear facing seat?

[Stick Legs]

Mercedes GL Class.

HUGE!

Still look great despite being quite old now.

Lots of seats, because although you have 3 children the ability to ferry more people than just your nuclear family is useful.

Not terrible to drive.

Not terrible on fuel.

Did I mention they are huge?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18434104

[zedx19]

Stick Legs said:

Mercedes GL Class.

HUGE!

Still look great despite being quite old now.

Lots of seats, because although you have 3 children the ability to ferry more people than just your nuclear family is useful.

Not terrible to drive.

Not terrible on fuel.

Did I mention they are huge?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18434104

Yet still doesn't have 3 full sized seats in the middle, this is the problem with a lot of 7 seaters, middle seat is squashed in. There's not a huge choice if you need problem 3 proper sized seats, which if you've a family with 3 or more kids, you need.

[Edible Roadkill]

I’ve had smax, galaxy, xc90 & q7 for 3 kids. All worked well and done the job. The former Fords just cost a lot less to run.

[boyse7en]

MX5

If you put the roof down, they'll be able to see you waving as you drive away for a bit of peace and quiet.

[Davie]

zedx19 said:

Yet still doesn't have 3 full sized seats in the middle, this is the problem with a lot of 7 seaters, middle seat is squashed in. There's not a huge choice if you need problem 3 proper sized seats, which if you've a family with 3 or more kids, you need.

It doesn't take long to lose your patience when 3 x car seats are wedged tight side by side and you're trying to wrestle your hand down to clip in a seat belt whilst the rain is lashing down, kids are having a meltdown, wife is on the phone to the solicitor filing for divorce. The other thing often over looked is that even perceived big cars exterior wise can actually be quite restrictive inside depending on how the seats are made, how thick the doors are, how limited rear legroom is... bearing in mind, a rear facing child seat takes up a lot of rear leg room space and as a result, your passenger may be sat wedged up against the dashboard, an issue that big front seats can compound. I realise that years ago when my wife had a Mk5 Astra, I had a V70 estate and as far as distance from the front of the rear seat back to the back of the passenger seats was only a difference in a few millimeters.