Are there any decent cars that I can fit 3 kids under 5 in?

Are there any decent cars that I can fit 3 kids under 5 in?

Author
Discussion

tjs79

Original Poster:

875 posts

189 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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So number 3 is on its way...current family wagon is an Octavia estate but I'm fairly sure a baby seat doesn't go in the middle. Do I have to get a people carrier or is there a more dignified solution (other than take two cars!). I guess a 4x4 will work but just curious if there are any other more PH friendly solutions. Very glad I just bought a z4m for myself, that should keep me sane if I have to trundle around in a zafira.

DrTre

12,955 posts

247 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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They're tiny, are they Borrowers?

Fleckers

2,878 posts

216 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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have you tried fitting an extra seat in ?

borrow one for a test fit at Halfords or a family memebre

DS197

992 posts

121 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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What you need is a Zafira VXR biggrin

CX53

2,991 posts

125 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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wink



CX53

2,991 posts

125 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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On a serious note didn't they do 7 seat versions of some merc E class and Audi A6 estates?

dave_s13

13,914 posts

284 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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Basically the answer is no.

The only way to be properly comfortable with a family of five is to have a 7 (or 6) seater. No current cars seem to have 3 separate states across the 2nd row so piggy in the middle will always be a bit squished. From memory, it leaves you with a list that looks a bit like this.

Ford Galaxy
Ford SMax
VW Sharan
Audi q7
Volvo xc90
Mercedes R Class
Mercedes ML
Chrylser Grand Voyager
Land Rover Discovery

I'm not including 5+2s like the Toyota verso or renault grand scenic type cars. Also no 5 seater with optional bench in th boot, like the E-ckass. All the above have 7 (or 6) full size seats.

There's probably a few more but basically you're screwed. In terms of space, seating configuration options and kit I think the Chrylser looks pretty good, not on the outside though.


Edited by dave_s13 on Sunday 31st January 20:06

tjs79

Original Poster:

875 posts

189 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
dave_s13 said:
Basically the answer is no.

The only way to be properly comfortable with a family of five is to have a 7 (or 6) seater. No current cars seem to have 3 separate states across the 2nd row so piggy in the middle will always be a bit squished. From memory, it leaves you with a list that looks a bit like this.

Ford Galaxy
Ford SMax
VW Sharan
Audi q7
Volvo xc90
Mercedes R Class
Mercedes ML
Chrylser Grand Voyager
Land Rover Discovery

I'm not including 5+2s like the Toyota verso or renault grand scenic type cars. Also no 5 seater with optional bench in th boot, like the E-ckass. All the above have 7 (or 6) full size seats.

There's probably a few more but basically you're screwed. In terms of space, seating configuration options and kit I think the Chrylser looks pretty good, not on the outside though.


Edited by dave_s13 on Sunday 31st January 20:06
Nice one. That's what I figured. A disco sounds like a reasonably solid bet that doesn't immediately label me as some sort of dodgy taxi driver type. Wish me luck! Time for the snip or a sex change to stop this escalating any further.

surveyor

18,378 posts

199 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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Also (don't laugh) consider a 07 onwards Espace. Surprisingly ok to drive, and 07 facelift addressed engine and other issues that ruined the reputation of french cars.


Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

221 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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My kids are very tall for their age (2,7 & 9). All fitted fine into a Legacy - and had loads of room in the A8. I'm currently borrowing a Seat Altea and that's fine too.

Key is not to put the seat in the middle.

surveyor

18,378 posts

199 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
Mr Gearchange said:
My kids are very tall for their age (2,7 & 9). All fitted fine into a Legacy - and had loads of room in the A8. I'm currently borrowing 208589 Seat Altea and that's fine too.

Key is not to put the seat in the middle.
3 kids under 5 - I'd suspect they are all in some sort of seat.

J4CKO

44,450 posts

215 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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Been there, done that, 7 seats estates are a waste of time apart from occasional use, a proper 7 seater is what is required and the S-Max/Galaxy is the best for the money.

Hitch78

6,118 posts

209 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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I bought a good spec SMax for the wife and that is used as the family bus. It is easily the best option if you want three Isofix seats in there as they have three separate but identically sized seats. Had a look at Disco 4s but you've kind of got to choose which child you'd like to be a little less safe though we'll get one when the eldest is out of proper full seats.

I have to admit to really enjoying driving it when we all go out at the weekends as it is just dead easy to throw everything in, handles well enough on our local country lanes and is brilliant on longer trips. It's a 160ish bhp with Ford's dual clutch auto though there are some tasty 200bhp+ ecoboosts options.

Edited by Hitch78 on Sunday 31st January 20:29

caelite

4,282 posts

127 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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My mate bought a Zafira VXR when his wife whipped him. Its hilarious drives like a tall Astra, bonkers fast for what it is (like small hot-hatch fast).

Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

221 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
surveyor said:
Mr Gearchange said:
My kids are very tall for their age (2,7 & 9). All fitted fine into a Legacy - and had loads of room in the A8. I'm currently borrowing 208589 Seat Altea and that's fine too.

Key is not to put the seat in the middle.
3 kids under 5 - I'd suspect they are all in some sort of seat.
Ah, missed the under 5 bit.
As soon as the eldest is just on a booster seat you can get them all in anything with 3 belts in the back.

burritoNinja

690 posts

115 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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We have 3 kids. 7,5 and 3 and all fit perfect in Volvo V40 cross country.

tjs79

Original Poster:

875 posts

189 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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Bill

55,837 posts

270 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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Mr Gearchange said:
Ah, missed the under 5 bit.
As soon as the eldest is just on a booster seat you can get them all in anything with 3 belts in the back.
Not ime, unfortunately, doing up belts with three child seats in the car is a pita.

Axionknight

8,505 posts

150 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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If a big car is needed I'd recommend a Volvo XC90 (or 60 if the nippers fit), either those or a Ford S-Smax, all are great cars for lugging stuff about.

mclwanB

630 posts

260 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
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http://multimac.co.uk/home

Screw the MPV get an M3!

Nick trott at evo did exactly that....