Family Car - 3 full seats

bensboys

Hello All,

I am looking for a family car which will take 3 full seats in row 2 of the car i.e a rear facing baby seat, forward facing baby seat and a booster seat. Some of the larger MPV's are quite big (imo) i.e smax etc and some of the smaller mpv's require 1 child to be in the 3rd rom i.e verso.

Are there any medium sized ones which would enable me to have all 3 seats in row 2 of a car?

Thanks

munchkin_utd

if not the s-max, what about the c-max ???
(it was going to be our choice but our parking space literally is only high enough for a focus, which is what we got! So I decided to look up what I am missing)

i found the following quote (along with lots of first hand account of rear seat configurations) at :
http://www.babyexpert.com/chatroom/topic/25342

hi we have a ford c-max and can fit 2 firststage rear facing car seats and 1 high backed booster seat on the back seat. dont do it all that often but we put the oldest in the middle and the young ones either side and they do fit
hope that helps

you are probably best to check with your exact seats in the new car before parting with cash though.

PaddyFagan

Yeah - a friend has a C-Max and has three seats across the back (baby, high-back and booster) - but it's a tight fit.

I'd say the only way to know for sure would be to try it with your seats - you'd hope that you should find a mini-MPV that will work with that config (C-Max, Golf Plus...).

I'd say the other option would be the larger saloons - Mondeo, Passat etc.....

Paddy

R.O.R

The VW Touran has 3 individually sliding seats in row 2 so you can slide the middle seat forward and the outside ones back, so non of the seats rub off each other.

Had a customer with the same requirements as the OP and he's delighted with the Touran. Huge boot with the final row of seats down, and still a couple more seats (not much room though) if you have the Grandparents.

crosstownk

C4 Picasso comes in a 5 seat version and a 7 seat version. Both have 3 individual sliding seats in the second row.

kenco

Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic both will fit a mix of child seats across the back

E39MSport

My brother has 3 full size baby seats for 2 y/o's in the back of a saloon W211.

corktina

have to smile...I remember way back then buying a Fiat Tipo because we could fit all 5 of our brood in the back (and couldnt afford an Espace or a Granada)..... seat belts? booster cushions? child seats? ...different times and not that long ago!

E39MSport

corktina wrote: »

have to smile...I remember way back then buying a Fiat Tipo because we could fit all 5 of our brood in the back (and couldnt afford an Espace or a Granada)..... seat belts? booster cushions? child seats? ...different times and not that long ago!

... the bro picked up the 03D e200 kompressor with one owner, FMBSH and 70k on the clock for 7500 !!! Happy days.

bensboys

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies - just looked at the cmax and I must say it looks like a good option. I know that our current seats (2, 1 is a high back booster and 1 a forward facing seat) are quite big. There is no wan another seat would fit with them in my peugeot 307 or hubbies vw passat. My friend has a scenic and recently had her 3rd child and she is about to change as the 2nd row too much of a tight fit.

Agree with the fiat tipo comment - there were us growing up and we had a tipo - there wasn't a mention of a seatbelt not to mind a booster seat!

I suppose I am being a bit selfish really would like the space in the 2nd row of seats without the big size of the overall vehicle!

Padraig Mor

bensboys wrote: »

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies - just looked at the cmax and I must say it looks like a good option. I know that our current seats (2, 1 is a high back booster and 1 a forward facing seat) are quite big. There is no wan another seat would fit with them in my peugeot 307 or hubbies vw passat. My friend has a scenic and recently had her 3rd child and she is about to change as the 2nd row too much of a tight fit.

Agree with the fiat tipo comment - there were us growing up and we had a tipo - there wasn't a mention of a seatbelt not to mind a booster seat!

I suppose I am being a bit selfish really would like the space in the 2nd row of seats without the big size of the overall vehicle!

You could try the Peugeot 308SW (or the earlier 307SW if budget is tight). it's an estate version of the 308/307 with more space and 3 individual 2nd row seats on most versions. And the best thing - it ain't an MPV!

tom traubert

Hi O.P.

We've recently had our third child and are thinking strongly of changing up from the CMax we currently have. Mrs Traubert will be sorry to see it go though as it's a fine car. We couldn't manage our three across the back of the CMax because of the seats we have and the size of the older two relative to their age. It's doable but difficult!.

I had a front passenger side air bag de-activation switch retro-fitted a fortnight ago to allow the rear facer be fitted up front. It's tiding us over for the short term as we figure out what to do.

When our youngest graduates from the rear facer to a forward facing seat I reckon the CMax will be traded. Before you decide be sure and fit your seats in any prospective purchase.

EDIT: Also, don't lose sight of the fact that your rear facer will be redundant in a relatively short space of time. You'll need to factor that in too.

Dazzy

You should try any potential purchase with the seats beforehand and I recommend trying with 3 high back booster seats. This is what you will potentially have for the longest time and this configuration will take up the most space.

Before I bought my current car I tried with a mix of high back boosters and 3 point child seats which fit fine at the time. However, now moved to 3 high back boosters and it is a real pain getting at the seat belt receivers which are recessed into the seats in modern cars. I put the kids into the car seats in a particular sequence so I can get at the receivers.

bensboys

Like the advice about taking the 3 high back booster seats as a test - hadn't thought about that.

I know its a bit girly but I would like a stylish looking car as well - am I asking for too much:P

Yakuza

The QashQai will (just) fit what you need, OP. My QQ+2 takes my 3 kids (8, 3 and 3 months). The 5-seater is the same size as the 7-seater in that area. We went for the +2 for the bigger boot and the option of more passengers.

Tea 1000

I really think this is a gem of a product:
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/tested-autosafe-seat-belt-adjuster/230874

bensboys

I must say that I do like the look of the qashqai+2 and not too bad from an economical perspective to, my only concern is the 2nd row looks quite narrow (from looking inside the windows of other owners ones).

Is it really possible to get 3 seats into them? or is it an extremly tight squeeze?:eek:

Yakuza

bensboys wrote: »

Is it really possible to get 3 seats into them? or is it an extremly tight squeeze?:eek:

We have the rear-facing seat (for the infant) in the middle, using the 3-point belt that comes down from the roof. That goes into a rock-a-tot whose base rarely leaves the car, so we leave it set up. The 3-year-old's seat is a front facing seat, it's anchored into the car via a seatbelt (again, this is set up more or less permanently. The 8-year-old uses a booster seat, but she's well able to buckle herself up. It is a little tricky to get all 3 in, but as two of them are pretty much permanently in place, it's not too bad. I periodically re-adjust the seats to make sure the belts are taut, but day-to-day it's not too much bother. The two outer seats in that row also have ISOFIX connectors, but none of my seats do, so I use the seatbelts.

The extra height makes a huge difference in trying to buckle the 3-year old into his seat (I had an E46 320 before); nowadays I can stand up and just lean in to buckle him up, before I was bent double with the BMW. It's also a very comfortable drive; I've done over 2500km on UK / Spanish motorways and it's a great cruiser (once you get up to speed ). I looked at all sorts of MPVs (Grand Scenic, Zafira, 5008, C4) and I went for the crossover look. The facelifted SMAX is nice too (and has 3 full, independent seats in the middle row), but I didn't want (i.e. couldn't afford ) to spend nearly 40k (and if I was going to spend that kind of money , I'd have gone for a Santa Fé or a 2nd hand XC90).

bensboys

Yakuza wrote: »

We have the rear-facing seat (for the infant) in the middle, using the 3-point belt that comes down from the roof. That goes into a rock-a-tot whose base rarely leaves the car, so we leave it set up. The 3-year-old's seat is a front facing seat, it's anchored into the car via a seatbelt (again, this is set up more or less permanently. The 8-year-old uses a booster seat, but she's well able to buckle herself up. It is a little tricky to get all 3 in, but as two of them are pretty much permanently in place, it's not too bad. I periodically re-adjust the seats to make sure the belts are taut, but day-to-day it's not too much bother. The two outer seats in that row also have ISOFIX connectors, but none of my seats do, so I use the seatbelts.

The extra height makes a huge difference in trying to buckle the 3-year old into his seat (I had an E46 320 before); nowadays I can stand up and just lean in to buckle him up, before I was bent double with the BMW. It's also a very comfortable drive; I've done over 2500km on UK / Spanish motorways and it's a great cruiser (once you get up to speed ). I looked at all sorts of MPVs (Grand Scenic, Zafira, 5008, C4) and I went for the crossover look. The facelifted SMAX is nice too (and has 3 full, independent seats in the middle row), but I didn't want (i.e. couldn't afford ) to spend nearly 40k (and if I was going to spend that kind of money , I'd have gone for a Santa Fé or a 2nd hand XC90).

I think that you have listed all of ones I was considering - the 5008 and the smax look quite big and are probably a bit on the pricey side. My dream would be the xc90 - but will have to wait for the lotto win on that front. Will definetely give some serious consideration to the qq+2!:)

tom traubert

bensboys wrote: »

Is it really possible to get 3 seats into them? or is it an extremly tight squeeze?:eek:

I checked out the Q+2 also but have ruled it out for us. As Yakuza said it's doable but only just. Width wise it's on a par with the CMax in my opinion.

What I found most disappointing with the Q+2 is that I thought the overall cabin area felt cramped. Maybe it has something to do with being 6' 6''.

Yakuza

tom traubert wrote: »

Maybe it has something to do with being 6' 6''.

You think? I'd say with your height, you'd have trouble with anything less than a full blown SUV, and not a crossover (which is more like a car on stilts).
I'm 5'11" so I've plenty of headroom.

E39MSport

bensboys wrote: »

I think that you have listed all of ones I was considering - the 5008 and the smax look quite big and are probably a bit on the pricey side. My dream would be the xc90 - but will have to wait for the lotto win on that front. Will definetely give some serious consideration to the qq+2!:)

No you won't. You can get a resonable mileage 2005 2.5 D5 for c. 17k now.

bensboys

What I found most disappointing with the Q+2 is that I thought the overall cabin area felt cramped. Maybe it has something to do with being 6' 6''.[/QUOTE]

We should be ok in our house I am 5'8'' and hubby is 5'9'', so at least we don't have that dilema!

bensboys

No you won't. You can get a resonable mileage 2005 2.5 D5 for c. 17k now.

I take your point on the price but was hoping to go for at least a 2008, how wconomical are the XC90 is it a gas guzzler?

useless

One other thing that might be worth considering is changing the car child seats instead of changing the car. Some child seats are wider than others (my 1 y-o has a rear facing Group 1 seat that's bloody enormous).
I'm on the lookout for a narrower Group 1 seat so that I can try to squash it, a baby's MaxiCosi rear facing seat and a granny into the back of an S40...

Cost to change the seat is under 400 euro, cost to change the car is several thousand...

No you won't. You can get a resonable mileage 2005 2.5 D5 for c. 17k now.

Where? The cheapest 05 diesel XC90 on carzone is 22k and has 126,000 miles up...

E39MSport

useless wrote: »

Where? The cheapest 05 diesel XC90 on carzone is 22k and has 126,000 miles up...

I sold a sweet one a few weeks ago for 16,950. Gone is less than 24 hours. Carzone is up its own ass. Dondeal and adverts.ie is the way to go.
Caroll and Kinsella had a silver 2005 1 owner XC90 for 19k. Not sure if its still for sale.

This looks a little too cheap: -
http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/1531710

tom traubert

Yakuza wrote: »

You think? I'd say with your height, you'd have trouble with anything less than a full blown SUV, and not a crossover (which is more like a car on stilts).
I'm 5'11" so I've plenty of headroom.

It's not solely about headroom though. Consideration has to be given to overall spacial design of the cabin and the range of movement incorporated in the driver's seat design.

I suppose the point I was making for the O.P. was that if she likes the CMax and the Q+2 in equal measure then from the point of view of fitting the seats they're much of a muchness. That's ignoring all the other considerations of course.

Sikie

I have a Mondeo with 3 seats in the rear
2 Britax isofix seats on the outside for 3+ They have a slightly smaller base and they work with a a Britax Group 0/1 seat in the middle front facing at this stage but it also worked rear facing.

cynder

I have a verso and love it, but it drinks petrol.

mine are 11,5 and 3(almost 4) and we have the car 3 years.

we had a passat in the the uk (hire car) and that worked well, very very good on diesel.


used a c max in france and that fitted the 3 of them in the back but wasnt 100% with it, prefer the verso and the passat. if we ever get rid of our 7 seater we will get the passat.

bensboys

grindelwald wrote: »

I have a verso and love it, but it drinks petrol.

mine are 11,5 and 3(almost 4) and we have the car 3 years.

we had a passat in the the uk (hire car) and that worked well, very very good on diesel.


used a c max in france and that fitted the 3 of them in the back but wasnt 100% with it, prefer the verso and the passat. if we ever get rid of our 7 seater we will get the passat.

hubby has a vw passat and there wouldn't be a hope of getting a 3rd seat in between the 2 we have, I know I could probably change the seats but my main concern with all seats is safety so I have the isofix on the big booster seat as well.

Is the verso wider than the passat in row 2 or are you forced to put 1 child in the 3rd row.

Thanks for all the replies so far - really appreciate them

cynder

bensboys wrote: »

hubby has a vw passat and there wouldn't be a hope of getting a 3rd seat in between the 2 we have, I know I could probably change the seats but my main concern with all seats is safety so I have the isofix on the big booster seat as well.

Is the verso wider than the passat in row 2 or are you forced to put 1 child in the 3rd row.

Thanks for all the replies so far - really appreciate them

first we had a baby car seat age o-9 months with a booster seat and a child seat aged 0-4, we fitted all 3 accros the one row (row 2) no child in back but a big double buggy.


when our baby out grew his car seat we then had

2 evolva 123 car seats (in the back seat suitable for 9months to 11 years)
and 1 britax booster seat (for the time 8 year old)

all fitted fine in 2nd row, only ever use back seats when we have an extra person.


just to say the car seats all fit in 2nd row of the verso its a tight fit but they fit, doors can close on both sides. i would suggest to put your mind at ease when looking at a verso (or any other car)get the car seats out of your car and fit them in the back seat and to make sure they fit. it worked fine for us. our eldest is now over 4 foot 11 (and aged 11)so no longer requires a booster seat and she is big for her age but fits fine in the middle between the 2 boys evolva 123 car seats.

tbh i love the car. and having the option of the 2 extra seats is great for when they have friends over.

Tea 1000

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I really think this is a gem of a product:
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/tested-autosafe-seat-belt-adjuster/230874

I think the fact that not one person commented on the product in my link is part of the problem.
Everyone is all about the "what car must I buy?" rather than "how can I properly buckle my kids into my current car?".
I would have thought a £9.99 product to save about 10 grand would be just the ticket in this day and age!

bensboys

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I think the fact that not one person commented on the product in my link is part of the problem.
Everyone is all about the "what car must I buy?" rather than "how can I properly buckle my kids into my current car?".
I would have thought a £9.99 product to save about 10 grand would be just the ticket in this day and age!

I take your point, however my only concern with these is that they don't offer any protection around the head or upper torso - which I can get from my current booster seat.

Tea 1000

bensboys wrote: »

I take your point, however my only concern with these is that they don't offer any protection around the head or upper torso - which I can get from my current booster seat.

From a side-impact you mean?