Family carrier required

[country trucker]

My third child has arrived and my wife's Qashqai just isn't gonna work for seats. Our eldest is 3 with an 18 month old and a newborn too which means we are gonna have 3 full sized seats for a while yet (can be 2 belted types but 1 still on Isofix base).

This is our problem. I've searched to find answers on the forum but it seems all answers are with the eldest going in to a booster cushion which we aren't keen on.

My wife drives the car during the week with the 3 kids so any car can do this but the problem arises when all 5 of us are in the car. We would prefer not to have an adult in the back.

We have considered the following -

New X Trail 7 seat - great car
2/3 year old X5 7 seat - also great but harder to find with 7 seat option second hand
A6 Avant - we like how the passenger seat has Isofix too

We both like the look of the A6 but not sure about fitting seats as I tried ringing the local dealer 3 times today and got no response from the salesman to arrange a test drive.

Any other options we should consider? We don't want a people carrier so although the likes of an S Max or Touaran R line are nice, we are ruling them out. We have also ruled out the Kia Sedona.

We don't have mega money to spend and I appreciate we have limited the options by not wanting a people carrier although price wise we are flexible enough. We will probably end up on a lease or PCP deal so it's more about monthly spend rather than outright value of the car.

If anyone knows of good deals available, don't be shy!

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

[steve-5snwi]

We have just sold a 7 seat X5 and I wouldn't say the back row were very useful.

Given you don't want something like an s max or seat Alhambra how about something like a discovery 3 Or xc90 ? A6 is quite wide but the centre seat isn't the best, but then your going to find that with any family estate.

[Trabi601]

Why would you be happy with an SUV, but not a people carrier? - your problem is why the people carrier was invented. If the mainstream options don't suit - there are loads of weird and wonderful Japanese imports out there which do exactly what you want them to do - with more space, comfort and luxury than your average European MPV.

[ZX10R NIN]

Take a look at a 7 Seater E Class.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Or an R Class

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

I have to say that one of these ticks the boxes:

Mazda5 Sport Venture

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

S Max Titanium X Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[5678]

Why not an S-Max out of interest?

I was always a "no MPV" type, but then needs must and we bought one. It drives like a car rather than a van and that's its main saving grace. It's ENORMOUS inside and can take 3 kids seats across the middle row. You should take a look at one at least as a family wagon, they really are great.

[IIIRestorerIII]

S-Max with the right specs can be a cracking car. I have an X5 (5 seater) but I know a few people that wanted a 7 seat SUV and believed the Q7 makes a better 7 seater.

[Paul578]

Hi O/P, are small MPV's also out of the picture? I ask as the cars that you have mentioned are much longer & wider etc.
I'm leaving my work car scheme, currently with a A3 Sportback, and we've just opted to futureproof ourselves with a new Vauxhall Zafira (about 4.5m long) with lounge seating, a brilliant and flexible system, we don't expect to use the +2 seats in the boot much but even I (5'7" / 1.7m tall) could stomach a short (30 mins) journey. The bigger issues with small MPV's are engines, most are diesel, which is not what a mum that does short journeys needs to have for longevity.
If we didn't need a whole bunch of factory fit extra's then I would have considered a 2/3 year old Zafira for 10-12k. Lets face it little ones are dirty and I'm not going to consider a nicer car until they've grown up - scotchguard or not!

[country trucker]

Thanks for the replies.

My wife is used to the Qashqai and we both prefer the look of a jeep. The X Trail is the logical step up.

Once the kids are up a bit we will be able to get the 3 seats in the back (all being non Isofix) but still have the third row for moving extra kids or people if needed.

I'd love an XC90 but couldn't find one at a decent price. I'd probably prefer a Q7 if I was going for an older car as a friend has one with 3 kids the same ages as ours and he raves about it.

I think I'll go and look at an S Max though as I've heard a lot of good reports about them. Any good deals to be had on them?

[Willy Nilly]

Were I a family man, an Smax would be near the top of the list, great family cars. Failing that, Mondeo/Mondeo estate, Skoda Superb. These are big cars which has it's pluses and minuses

[sosidge]

Carwow have this list of cars with 3x ISOFIX points

https://www.carwow.co.uk/best/cars-3-isofix-child-...

Not many SUVs on there.

[country trucker]

Thanks for those again.

I got an A6 saloon out overnight and I've just done some measuring in the back with our seats in.

It would appear we may well be able to get a Maxi Cosi Pebble (baby seat) along with 2 belted toddler seats. I might have to buy 2 seats but this isn't gonna be massive hassle as I can mention that when doing a deal for the car if we go ahead with it. I'm going to call by Mothercare or Halfords in the morning before I hand it back to see if they have the more narrow seats I would need.

If that works, I'd be happy! It was lovely driving it home earlier and the wife liked it too. We would end up picking the Avant because I think they look better than the saloons. I shall keep you posted.

Cheers.