More than 5 seats, minimum 3 isofix

[rk1883]

Hello all,

I seem to have a very common question that has popped up in these forums over the years. Mine is a touch more specific and I am hoping for more options now time has passed on.

I have 2 kids (6 and 4yo) with another due in a couple of months.

I want them all in Iso fix chairs. The two kids now use seat belts as well as iso fix so 3 in the middle will not work faffing about with belts and reaching over.

So I think I need a 6 or 7 seater. with minimum 3 iso fix points in the back.

I do like the idea of petrol and I like the idea of automatic. Both of these are not deal breakers.

I thought I had it sussed with the Touran but 1.4l is the only one remotely near me and seems.....uninspiring.

We went out and about to the beach yesterday (in our current skoda superb) and the amount of reversing and mucking about on single track lanes put me off the following

Q7 too big for the country roads.
LR D4 too big for the country roads
Vans too big for country roads

Mercedes R350 - local garage has put me off stating when things go wrong they get very expensive to replace on these.

Is there any other cars I am missing?

Many thanks in advance!

Rich

[anonymous-user]

Anything that can comfortably fit three child seats across the back, let alone the ISOFIX requirement, is by definition going to be a wide car and a pain on narrow lanes. I was in the same position a few years ago, you're looking at large SUVs or stuff like the Ford S-Max or possibly C-Max.

We had a Volvo V70 and could just about squeeze three seats across the back but no centre ISOFIX and you couldn't have ever said it was a comfortable fit.

[Kings350]

18 months ago I was in the same quandary needing to get 3 kids seats across and not being able to do it in a Superb. I ended up with a current shape VW Sharan.

Not an exciting drive but very practical. I love sliding rear doors for getting kids in and out. Saves accidental car park door dings,

All of the 5 seats in the back have ISO fix points.

Another possible option is the mulimac bench seat. Not cheap but probably cheaper than the cost of changing cars.
It wasn't right for us as we have kept our kids extended rear facing.

Edited by Kings350 on Monday 13th July 10:31

[jimKRFC]

I had an S-Max and that was pretty good, in the end the boot space ended up as a limiting factor and we couldn't get all the kids & our bikes etc.. in. So we now have a Fiat Talento (Renault traffic) and it's so much easier. The roads round me (Wiltshire) are pretty narrow and have no issues with the size as it generally makes others back up as we're bigger.

[Some Gump]

Touran - we have a 190tdi and it's uninspiring but the practicality of it is amazing.
S max - available with some hot engines but when the good engines are ticked, it comes with halfords bodykit that i couldn't get past.

V90 - 3 across back ok, but centre not isofix.

Then you have a gajillion options where kid 3 is in the 3rd row. Didn't suit us but your SUV's also become options and they often have better engine choices than the mpv's.

[arguti]

Looked at loads of options and none can lug as much as the touran in such a relatively small car.

Been there done that and landed up with the Touran 2.0 TDI - loads of mechanical issues under warranty - leaking turbo, ABS controller, clutch slave went taking clutch and flywheel with it (slave is mounted inside gearbox apparently), etc etc but once out of warranty and looked after by independent, no issues whatsoever. Now 14 years down the line and 160k on the clock, going better than ever.

The Touran is rather ugly but nothing comes close to it re packaging and the square shape enables you to pack a surprising amount of furniture, car engines (yes, more than 1) etc etc.

The only issues with the 7 seater is lack of spare wheel (no space to put it due to fold down seats) so I bought a spare to take on long journeys. the 5 rear seats are foldable and can be removed completely in 2 minutes.

We have a VW Caravelle for the family outings when accompanied by dogs, extra children, etc.- the electric sliding doors and pop up childseats have been killer features for us.

We previously had a 4 seater multimac in the Toyota Prius + but outgrew it once kids got to the 11+ age - reminds, it is still in the garage somewhere.

Rats ate the Prius wiring as the "green" soy based wiring harness sheath was apparently irresistible! (£1400 meal for them in total)

Most of the offerings nowadays have a smaller middle seat so need to look carefully for three proer seats for when they are bigger.

Edited by arguti on Monday 13th July 10:44

[Benni]

I have seen the Dacia Lodgy has 3 Isofix seats in the 2nd row, 3rd row can be ordered.

I know that the Lodgy is not sold in UK, but maybe a Renault "family van" also has this option ?

[GreenMan]

Another vote for the Touran here - we have a 190hp 2.0 tdi as the family wagon, and it’s brilliant at what it does. It’s genuinely more practical than the Discovery 4 that preceded it (at least until the going gets muddy) and in R-Line spec it even looks ok (although I’ll admit I’m biased!).

Try one, it’ll grow on you!

[anonymous-user]

I used to borrow a Touran as a company pool car and rather liked it. Certainly drives at least as well as a crossover but actually had decent ride quality too; I think I discounted it back when I was looking because they were expensive and I was broke.

[ZX10R NIN]

Peugeot 5008 has three isofix points across the middle row.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Cudd Wudd]

ZX10R NIN said:

Peugeot 5008 has three isofix points across the middle row.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I’m looking at these at present (1.2 auto), but OP says 3 seats across one row won’t work and these don’t have isofix in the third row.

So as Q7 is too big, it seems it’s going to be more like a Touran with isofix in row 3, or Tarraco / C5 Aircross where the oldest child could sit in front passenger seat. But the OP or his partner would be relegated to the back... where space might not be generous...

OP, I’ve got just the 2. I feel with 3 a Touran or similar is likely to be your best bet.

[davidc1]

Bmw 2 series grand tourer.7 seater.
I have a 218i. 1.5 turbo.
Not too big.feels.like a normal car rather than a massive ponderous suv. Only 2cm longer than my wifes previous seat leon st.
Quality another level. Might work for you.

[rk1883]

I am so grateful for all the help from everyone above.

I guess I knew the Touran was the one, there does not seem to be much with it to compete with.

Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate all the insights.