Car that can fit 3 full child seats?

techie

My sister is in the market for a car, she needs to fit 3 child seats in the back, she wants something post 2008, preferably petrol as mileage is not huge.

Is there a saloon/estate car that can accomplish this without going to Galaxy etc territory?

Ideally I'm looking for people that have something that they currently can fit 3 seats into please?

Noccy_Mondy

I know for a fact that a mondeo does. I'm sure other ones in that segment such as the insignia, passat etc will too.

snaps

My c5 does. But granted all 3 seats are different brands and slightly different sizes. I know if I had 3 of the slightly larger of seats than that would be a NO.

techie

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

I know for a fact that a mondeo does. I'm sure other ones in that segment such as the insignia, passat etc will too.

Thanks, given your name I assume I can trust you
The Mondeo looks like the car so.

techie

snaps wrote: »

My c5 does. But granted all 3 seats are different brands and slightly different sizes. I know if I had 3 of the slightly larger of seats than that would be a NO.

Thanks, she is not too gone on Citroens.

PN14

We had 2 full child seats and booster in back of last two models of Octavia. The current newer model is a bit wider again. If they fit in the octavia allbeit with a tight squeeze then the skoda superb will fit three comfortable enough. I had all three in a passat as well. I don't know if you can get three full car seats in. There are companies which provide full rear benches which have three seats they are very expensive though.

Hardest part is getting them tied in that can be awkward you wouldn't want to be changing them in and out daily. You can get seat belt extensions which I've seen in-laws with very handy not sure on legality of them though. Basically is short seat belt which connects one end into the existing buckle and has another buckle at the end of the extension. It allows you to bring the buckle up the side of the baby seats in order to get set belts on without skint knuckles

techie

PN14 wrote: »

We had 2 full child seats and booster in back of last two models of Octavia. The current newer model is a bit wider again. If they fit in the octavia allbeit with a tight squeeze then the skoda superb will fit three comfortable enough. I had all three in a passat as well. I don't know if you can get three full car seats in. There are companies which provide full rear benches which have three seats they are very expensive though.

Hardest part is getting them tied in that can be awkward you wouldn't want to be changing them in and out daily. You can get seat belt extensions which I've seen in-laws with very handy not sure on legality of them though. Basically is short seat belt which connects one end into the existing buckle and has another buckle at the end of the extension. It allows you to bring the buckle up the side of the baby seats in order to get set belts on without skint knuckles

Great, will check out the Octavia so too.

stimpson

I have a Verso. 2 full size seats on the outside and a booster in the middle is easy. 3 full size is doable but a pain of you need to take them in and out.

techie

stimpson wrote: »

I have a Verso. 2 full size seats on the outside and a booster in the middle is easy. 3 full size is doable but a pain of you need to take them in and out.

Thanks, what year is your Verso, if its petrol, is it ok on fuel?

stimpson

techie wrote: »

Thanks, what year is your Verso, if its petrol, is it ok on fuel?

2011 2.0d. It averages 41mpg.

Could be up for sale soon

iano.p

I have a passat and fit 3 in no bother and has a big boot for buggies

micks_address

Friend told me he had to go to the superb to get three seats in the back..

Casati

micks_address wrote: »

Friend told me he had to go to the superb to get three seats in the back..

I have one and also have three seats - although the seats fit its impossible to get at the seat-belts. Mondeo is slightly better, I understand Jag XF and Audi A6 have a lot of space

Immy

I have a 307 SW and fit 2 stage 2 seats and a maxi cosi in easily. It has 3 individual seats which is the key for wanting 3 car seats across the back. A C max also has the 3 separate seats.

I didn't have a big budget and the 307 was cheap the newer model the 308 sw is nice. You can also get 2 seats that clip in and out of the boot quite easily to make it a 7 seater.

But IMO she should take the plunge and just get a 7 seater, if she has 3 very small kids that will all be in seats for a few years. I'll be getting one as soon as I have the money, even though I really don't want to. But belting up 3 kids is a pain in the ass and the tight squeeze means they won't be able to do it themselves. Plus you won't be able to collect or bring friends or anything like that.

techie

Immy wrote: »

I have a 307 SW and fit 2 stage 2 seats and a maxi cosi in easily. It has 3 individual seats which is the key for wanting 3 car seats across the back. A C max also has the 3 separate seats.

I didn't have a big budget and the 307 was cheap the newer model the 308 sw is nice. You can also get 2 seats that clip in and out of the boot quite easily to make it a 7 seater.

But IMO she should take the plunge and just get a 7 seater, if she has 3 very small kids that will all be in seats for a few years. I'll be getting one as soon as I have the money, even though I really don't want to. But belting up 3 kids is a pain in the ass and the tight squeeze means they won't be able to do it themselves. Plus you won't be able to collect or bring friends or anything like that.

Thanks, she is now looking at an S-Max, needs the extra seats now having sat into a Mondeo and then a Frv.

Immy

techie wrote: »

Thanks, she is now looking at an S-Max, needs the extra seats now having sat into a Mondeo and then a Frv.

She's right, no one wants a mammy wagon but they just make sense and make life a little easier. Which with 3 kids is what you want.

corkgsxr

I dont understand these problems. Iv see a alto with 3 across the back.

cletus

If she is considering the s-max, then the Chrysler Voyager might be worth a look

Zoney

Just in case anyone else is considering the large family cars suggested, I do recommend getting the hatch version of them, even though the saloons are for some reason more popular here (does Mondeo Saloon for example offer anything over Mondeo hatch?)

Find the hatch in the back of the Laguna soooo handy for buggy, luggage, shopping, etc. Or indeed folding down a back seat to lug back a cot, or Christmas tree, or whatever.

NIMAN

Got an FR-V myself, great machine. Can seat 6 adults, or 3 kids in the back (got 3 myself) and still not a huge looking car.

walus

NIMAN wrote: »

Got an FR-V myself, great machine. Can seat 6 adults, or 3 kids in the back (got 3 myself) and still not a huge looking car.

I agree. I was looking for one for about 3 months and finally got it as it is one of a very few cars that not only seats full 3 child seats of any size at the back but also is fitted with 3 independent isofix mounting points. I looked at C4 picasso and Ranault Scenics but could not get over poor quality interior and the fact that most of them were diesels that are known for causing trouble if not serviced properly (common place in Ireland) but also when driven on short trips.
I've owned the FRV for 3 months now and must say it is a fantastic family car. Interior is its best feature - all 6 seats are independent and you still get full size boot for buggies and other stuff. Drives like a hatchback which is a good thing to say for a car like that - drove Scenic around a roundabout and almost fell of the seat - it drove like a bus basically. FRV is huge inside but somehow compact on the outside. I went for 1.8 petrol automatic - never liked automatics but this one fits perfect the purpose of the car and how it is driven.
There is a good selection of them at the moment albeit most of them are overpriced. I would suggest looking for a 07/08 model registered before the taxing was changed. After June 2008 the tax on those is 750 euro - not only you paying more for the car but also motortax is 110 euro more.
I can not see a better car out there for a family of 2+3 or 2+4 at the moment.

xabi

The E60 5 series cant.