What is the best kiddy friendly family wagon now?

[A911DOM]

I am trying to rid the family of the dreaded Renaults following my list of 'issues' we've had with ours (for those who havent seen any of my previous whinging about it, Yes I have 2 - a scenic and Espace )

Anyway,

We've started looking about and there appear to be a lot of midsize crossover type vehicles available and Im interested to know what the general feeling is about them.

My Mrs wants a car thats not too bag, not too small, preferably has 3 proper spaces across the back seat, and starts and finishes where she can see it - ie no long bonnets etc.

For me, I need something similar (ie to carry 3 kids safely in the back, but I also would like something capable of towing my track car (944) so will need some tow weight capability without being too large that the tax nazis here take me to the cleaners (Im in belgium so its based on engine size or power ie whichever yields them the greatest return ).

We saw an advert for the latest Misubisi ASX and we started wondering about the merits of a crossover style car as opposed to a people carrier style.

So, these are a few of what we've seen on the market - Whats good? Whats definately bad? Which are worth further consideration? and what other alternatives are there?

Mitsubishi ASX
Nissan Quashqai
Toyota Verso
Kia Sportage
Skoda Yeti
Hyundai ?

Please add as appropriate.


!!! Anything French is out of the question - been there, done that - wallet is still hurting !!!

[markh1973]

3 kids across the back (assuming that they all need some sort of seat) is where the problem lies.

I had a Honda FRV which accomodated the 3 kids - 2.2 diesel engine but fuel economy was crap, as was the radio reception.

Having acquired a labrador as well as the 3 kids we now have an XC90 - loads of space. Middle seat in the second row has a built in booster cushion.

Edited by markh1973 on Wednesday 24th November 13:29

[A911DOM]

markh1973 said:

3 kids across the back (assuming that they all need some sort of seat) is where the problem lies.

I had a Honda FRV which accomodated the 3 kids - 2.2 diesel engine but fuel economy was crap, as was the radio reception.

Having acquired a labrador as well as the 3 kids we now have an XC90 - loads of space. Middle seat in the second row has a built in booster cushion.

Edited by markh1973 on Wednesday 24th November 13:29

I love the idea of the Volvo - but the financial side of things wont work as we need to have a car each, the cost and tax implications would just be unbearable (and still needing the 2nd vehicle).

[Orangecurry]

Passat IIRC has space for three kiddy seats.

[Bluebarge]

What sort of tow weight are you looking for?

[A911DOM]

Grunt certainly isnt an issue for the Mrs, and I quite like the quirky look.

I noticed one when I was at a track day recently and had to swing round to see what it was...

The Mrs still has the age old 'SKODA thing', which I have tried to educate her with, but it may take some work to get her to try one just for that reason. (What platform is the Yeti from - anyone know?)

So what of all these other manufacturers and models, its a big market now and we'll have to stick with the cars for a while once we get them, so need to make a better decision this time

[A911DOM]

Bluebarge said:

What sort of tow weight are you looking for?

The 944 weighs around 1000-1100kg as a rough estimate. Not sure what an average trailer weighs but needs to be able to tow that around occasionally.

[A911DOM]

Orangecurry said:

Passat IIRC has space for three kiddy seats.

I dont mind the idea of a 'standard' car, as long as it has the towing capability.

The Mrs however, is more in to the idea of having something a little more like the list above (she was dead set on a verso until she started to notice a few of the others listed).

[300bhp/ton]

A911DOM said:

I am trying to rid the family of the dreaded Renaults following my list of 'issues' we've had with ours (for those who havent seen any of my previous whinging about it, Yes I have 2 - a scenic and Espace )

Anyway,

We've started looking about and there appear to be a lot of midsize crossover type vehicles available and Im interested to know what the general feeling is about them.

My Mrs wants a car thats not too bag, not too small, preferably has 3 proper spaces across the back seat, and starts and finishes where she can see it - ie no long bonnets etc.

For me, I need something similar (ie to carry 3 kids safely in the back, but I also would like something capable of towing my track car (944) so will need some tow weight capability without being too large that the tax nazis here take me to the cleaners (Im in belgium so its based on engine size or power ie whichever yields them the greatest return ).

We saw an advert for the latest Misubisi ASX and we started wondering about the merits of a crossover style car as opposed to a people carrier style.

So, these are a few of what we've seen on the market - Whats good? Whats definately bad? Which are worth further consideration? and what other alternatives are there?

Mitsubishi ASX
Nissan Quashqai
Toyota Verso
Kia Sportage
Skoda Yeti
Hyundai ?

Please add as appropriate.


!!! Anything French is out of the question - been there, done that - wallet is still hurting !!!

Personally I still reckon these make great family vehicles:




They are certainly very easy to park because they have corners, so you can see where the vehicle starts and ends. It has 3 seats across the middle and in the UK certain models are "commerical" so cheaper on road tax.

Very good residuals too. And according to the UK Dft (Department for Transport) they are the safest vehicle on UK roads.

[A911DOM]

300bhp/ton said:

Personally I still reckon these make great family vehicles:

I like - She wont (Oh and the small subject of cost, engine size etc etc).

She has also stipulated that the cars must be new or nearly new and I cant see us being able to afford one of these big ol fellas new

Shame!

[blugnu]

A911DOM said:

My Mrs wants a car thats not too bag, not too small, preferably has 3 proper spaces across the back seat, and starts and finishes where she can see it - ie no long bonnets etc.

For me, I need something similar (ie to carry 3 kids safely in the back, but I also would like something capable of towing my track car (944)

3 full size seats in the back, and the front. You can take the back seats out if you want more room. Shorter than a Golf, 45mpg in 1.9 diesel, 1300kg towing weight, big enough boot and cheap, so you can spend more on the 944.

Handles quite well for what it is too - nice and wide, and a wheel at or near each corner.

Edited by blugnu on Wednesday 24th November 13:57

[angusc43]

Can you buy/use Multimac seats in Belgium. Turns almost anything into 3-abreast for kids. Evo just fitted one to an M3 IIRC.

Might broaden the choice.

[A911DOM]

blugnu said:

A911DOM said:

My Mrs wants a car thats not too bag, not too small, preferably has 3 proper spaces across the back seat, and starts and finishes where she can see it - ie no long bonnets etc.

For me, I need something similar (ie to carry 3 kids safely in the back, but I also would like something capable of towing my track car (944)

3 full size seats in the back, and the front. You can take the back seats out if you want more room. Shorter than a Golf, 45mpg in 1.9 diesel, 1300kg towing weight, big enough boot and cheap, so you can spend more on the 944.

Handles quite well for what it is too - nice and wide, and a wheel at or near each corner.

Edited by blugnu on Wednesday 24th November 13:57

Uuuuuuummmmm...

Now, my negotiating skills arent too bad usually - But 'that' face is going to take some selling

[Bluebarge]

A911DOM said:

Bluebarge said:

What sort of tow weight are you looking for?

The 944 weighs around 1000-1100kg as a rough estimate. Not sure what an average trailer weighs but needs to be able to tow that around occasionally.

I suggest that you get it down to a weighbridge to be sure but I would guess trailer + fuel in car would add up to another 400kgs so about 1500kg.

if you follow the 85% rule you want a car that weighs about 1800kg to reduce the possibility of the tail wagging the dog so I would think most of the cars on your list will be a bit on the small side.

How about a Mitsubishi Outlander or a Hyundai Santa Fe or a Volvo v70?

Otherwise there's the new Sharan - parking sensors all round and sliding doors so size would be less of an issue for parking, and as the kids grow, you will appreciate the extra room (assuming you are keeping the car for a long time).

[A911DOM]

angusc43 said:

Can you buy/use Multimac seats in Belgium. Turns almost anything into 3-abreast for kids. Evo just fitted one to an M3 IIRC.

Might broaden the choice.

I dont know the answer to that actually.

I showed these to the boss when I saw a thread on them before.

I guess the answer is:- I'd prefer not to have to install something else to make it workable when having to compromise so heavily in the first place

[Fish]

Skoda Yeti, Octavia Scout or Subaru Forester Deisel?

[blugnu]

A911DOM said:

blugnu said:

A911DOM said:

My Mrs wants a car thats not too bag, not too small, preferably has 3 proper spaces across the back seat, and starts and finishes where she can see it - ie no long bonnets etc.

For me, I need something similar (ie to carry 3 kids safely in the back, but I also would like something capable of towing my track car (944)

3 full size seats in the back, and the front. You can take the back seats out if you want more room. Shorter than a Golf, 45mpg in 1.9 diesel, 1300kg towing weight, big enough boot and cheap, so you can spend more on the 944.

Handles quite well for what it is too - nice and wide, and a wheel at or near each corner.

Edited by blugnu on Wednesday 24th November 13:57

Uuuuuuummmmm...

Now, my negotiating skills arent too bad usually - But 'that' face is going to take some selling

You could always go for the characterless facelift version?

[A911DOM]

Bluebarge said:

A911DOM said:

Bluebarge said:

What sort of tow weight are you looking for?

The 944 weighs around 1000-1100kg as a rough estimate. Not sure what an average trailer weighs but needs to be able to tow that around occasionally.

I suggest that you get it down to a weighbridge to be sure but I would guess trailer + fuel in car would add up to another 400kgs so about 1500kg.

if you follow the 85% rule you want a car that weighs about 1800kg to reduce the possibility of the tail wagging the dog so I would think most of the cars on your list will be a bit on the small side.

How about a Mitsubishi Outlander or a Hyundai Santa Fe or a Volvo v70?

Otherwise there's the new Sharan - parking sensors all round and sliding doors so size would be less of an issue for parking, and as the kids grow, you will appreciate the extra room (assuming you are keeping the car for a long time).

Yep, wise words again fella - the ones listed above are more geared to the Mrs' car (Mine will need to be a little larger to accomodate the towing weights etc as you rightly point out!)

[Orangecurry]

A911DOM said:

Orangecurry said:

Passat IIRC has space for three kiddy seats.

I dont mind the idea of a 'standard' car, as long as it has the towing capability.

The Mrs however, is more in to the idea of having something a little more like the list above (she was dead set on a verso until she started to notice a few of the others listed).

Shame.

BTW a modern defender is not good on tarmac at anything - someone I know has an 08 plate from new, and
a) it's constantly going wrong
b) his wife won't even get in it

Everything about it is 'poor' - engine, gearbox, paintwork, rustproofing, materials used blah blah blah. One illustration of the 'design' of the modern Defender, in one model the a/c unit is in the passenger footwell.

As regards being a good family vehicle, rear seating and views-out are utter ste, passengers instantly and constantly feel ill, and the ONLY WAY I can see this statistically being a 'safe' vehicle is that no-one will travel in them, other than old blokes with no friends, who do 33 mph to try and attain the woeful mpg figures.....

[A911DOM]

Fish said:

Skoda Yeti, Octavia Scout or Subaru Forester Deisel?

Im assuming from a quick google image search that the Octavia scout is like the 'Cross Country' version of a normal Octavia.

One good thing is that a couple of people have already mentioned to her that the Octavia served them well - This might be a good option for me!!!