Need slightly more room than a Golf hatchback, but what next?

NIMAN

Currently have a 16 Golf hatchback, and it can be tight in the back with 3 kids on car seats/boosters (ages 5,7,9, but only getting bigger).

Have been considering changing of late, but not sure where to go.

Is there any other cars with better room in the back that aren't too massive?

I had mentioned a Renault Scenic with the 3 separate rear seats.

Or what about the likes of a Seat Ateca, that kind of car, would there be much more room?

Or maybe just changing to a Golf SV would suffice?

Shefwedfan

It is just the space for the kids?

If so why not get a multimac?

If just 3 kids could look at the Superclub 1200

I have the Multimac 1260 and it is perfect

Shefwedfan

Apart from that really not many car much bigger to the Golf, any of the crossovers are similar just higher.

To get some more space I went to A6 which has more space in back. 5 Series will be similar.

The Passat is marginally bigger but nothing hectic.

You could look at Rav4, not bigger but you dont have the middle bit pushed up which is a help.....

Next up if your MPV type vehicle etc....SMAX etc.....family wagons :-)

NIMAN

Shefwedfan wrote: »

It is just the space for the kids?

If so why not get a multimac?

If just 3 kids could look at the Superclub 1200

I have the Multimac 1260 and it is perfect

I tend to change the car regularly anyway, its not like I'll be holding on to the Golf indefinitely.

Do multimac's cover all ages?

To be honest, I just prefer the idea of a bigger/wider car rather than one of those. I know you'll say its cheaper than changing the car.

Shefwedfan

NIMAN wrote: »

I tend to change the car regularly anyway, its not like I'll be holding on to the Golf indefinitely.

Do multimac's cover all ages?

To be honest, I just prefer the idea of a bigger/wider car rather than one of those. I know you'll say its cheaper than changing the car.

I do the same, swap swap swap..... :-) the multimac will hold it value better than the car :-)



Not exactly sure what age it goes up to, my eldest is 5 so not anytime soon.....


If I was you and you wanted to stick with combustion engine then A6 :P

MarkN

5008 has 3 separate rear seats.

colm_mcm

Maybe look at the boosters/seats you’re using.

Wildly Boaring

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Apart from that really not many car much bigger to the Golf, any of the crossovers are similar just higher.

To get some more space I went to A6 which has more space in back. 5 Series will be similar.

The Passat is marginally bigger but nothing hectic.

You could look at Rav4, not bigger but you dont have the middle bit pushed up which is a help.....

Next up if your MPV type vehicle etc....SMAX etc.....family wagons :-)

A passat is a lot bigger than a golf.
Passat estate is a big car.

Superb
A6
I've a 5 series plenty room.

As above a lot of crossovers are no bigger really. And deffo no wider

NIMAN

Not mad on estates, and they really aren't needed. Its not more boot space I'm looking for.

I had thought of the Superb, but its a big car.

I was wondering if the likes of the Octavia, Passat, that type of car add enough space to make the difference.

Anyone seen the inside of an Ateca yet? Would there not be more room in that compared to a Golf?

gingernut79

I researched a lot of car widths when I couldnt fit all my kids seats into the ix35 and we ended up going for a touran because there really wasnt a car with more width available, what did make the difference was the seat size and seatbelt distance. The middle seat in most cars is much narrower than the two outside seats, making it difficult to get all the kids seats in.
With the touran they are all the same size and you can move them slightly forwards / backwards to get a little more space to reach in / fasten belts.

NIMAN

Thanks for the suggestion, a Touran would be great for space, but for me its like something I would have had when the kids were younger and they were all in car seats. We needed all that room back then. In fact we had a FR-V which was ideal for the job of 3 youngsters.

But now as they are getting up a bit, and getting bigger, I wanted to avoid the van type MPV car, as a lot of the time I am in it on my own. Thats why a more traditionally styled car would appeal to me more.

listermint

What specifically do you not like about estates.

Because imo they are far far more attractive than a hatchback golf. In all areas. Especially visually.

NIMAN

listermint wrote: »

What specifically do you not like about estates.

Because imo they are far far more attractive than a hatchback golf. In all areas. Especially visually.

An estate surely is for someone who needs more boot space, not more rear seating space?

TheShow

NIMAN wrote: »

Not mad on estates, and they really aren't needed. Its not more boot space I'm looking for.

I had thought of the Superb, but its a big car.

I was wondering if the likes of the Octavia, Passat, that type of car add enough space to make the difference.

Anyone seen the inside of an Ateca yet? Would there not be more room in that compared to a Golf?

I’ve an Octavia with 3 in the back, just. Isofix maxi cosi job, then the slimmest booster and hi back seats I could find. Have the booster in the middle and it’s still a squeeze. Once they’re in they are fine, it’s just getting the belt on in the middle is a pain. I’m not sure if any other saloons or Estates are any wider across the middle to comfortably fit 3. You’d need to be looking at something with 3 full seats which means MPV or a 7 seater jobby.
That Multimac thing looks interesting.

listermint

NIMAN wrote: »

An estate surely is for someone who needs more boot space, not more rear seating space?

I'm perplexed how you could not need more boot space with 3 kids.

It's quite literally an oxymoron

NIMAN

TheShow wrote: »

I’ve an Octavia with 3 in the back, just. Isofix maxi cosi job, then the slimmest booster and hi back seats I could find. Have the booster in the middle and it’s still a squeeze. Once they’re in they are fine, it’s just getting the belt on in the middle is a pain. I’m not sure if any other saloons or Estates are any wider across the middle to comfortably fit 3. You’d need to be looking at something with 3 full seats which means MPV or a 7 seater jobby.
That Multimac thing looks interesting.

Thats more or less the same with the Golf.
So Octavia off the list as well.

I'm sure even if I went to a Passat you'd probably be talking about a few extra cm at best, so might not even be worth the hassle.

NIMAN

listermint wrote: »

I'm perplexed how you could not need more boot space with 3 kids.

It's quite literally an oxymoron

Thats an argument for another day, but I don't need an estate.

The only time my boot has been full on the Golf is when we have gone on holidays and we have suitcases in the boot.

I'm happy with the Golf boot, can we leave that one out of the discussion?

Shefwedfan

Quick guide to check how big/small back seat is then check which model of multimac fits in....the Golff takes the 1260 and this is the second biggest so it shows for a small car you get decent back seat space

Other option is try to get spec off internet which could take hours

Internally Passat/Octavia might have more cabin space to Golf but seat space is minimal....nothing to write home about. The Touran would be similar but you are adding height which helps the back.....you will be surprised how easier to put in seat belts when you don’t have to bend down and then lean in

A6/superb/5 series all have a significant jump
In rear seat space....apart from that check the biggest multimac on website and will give list of cars supported.....good place to start

colm_mcm

listermint wrote: »

I'm perplexed how you could not need more boot space with 3 kids.

It's quite literally an oxymoron

They’re 5, 7 and 9 years old, why would you need an estate car for that?

Heres Johnny

If it's just rear seat space something in the a6 or 5 series sector will be fine. I had 5 rugby players in mine yesterday, big lads. Middle seat not the best but that's true of any car really. They're a bit wider than a golf.
Skoda superb still the king here though but I don't like them at all

Shefwedfan

listermint wrote: »

I'm perplexed how you could not need more boot space with 3 kids.

It's quite literally an oxymoron

Do you put your kids in the boot?

NIMAN

Heres Johnny wrote: »

If it's just rear seat space something in the a6 or 5 series sector will be fine. I had 5 rugby players in mine yesterday, big lads. Middle seat not the best but that's true of any car really. They're a bit wider than a golf.
Skoda superb still the king here though but I don't like them at all

Do you drive an A6 or 5series?

MarkN

MarkN wrote: »

5008 has 3 separate rear seats.

that's a good shout - recommend you look into it OP.

good car.

Squeaksoutloud

Try a passat. Lots of leg room in rear prob only beaten by superb. This version car is no longer than the 2005 model when it came out... Wheelbase just longer to give the extra room.

NIMAN

glasso wrote: »

that's a good shout - recommend you look into it OP.

good car.

Isn't that a 7seater?

Is there a 5 seater with the same rear seating arrangement?

Edit: checked it out and yeah, loads of room. But its a big looking beast. I checked out the 3008 and disappointingly the rear seating hasn't got the same layout, it would have been ideal if it did.

NIMAN

NIMAN wrote: »

Isn't that a 7seater?

Is there a 5 seater with the same rear seating arrangement?

you don't have to use them. lay flat for an 820 litre boot. don't let it put you off just because of that.

Shefwedfan

NIMAN wrote: »

Isn't that a 7seater?

Is there a 5 seater with the same rear seating arrangement?

Edit: checked it out and yeah, loads of room. But its a big looking beast. I checked out the 3008 and disappointingly the rear seating hasn't got the same layout, it would have been ideal if it did.

Like a lot of those cars the seats in the boots are half seats really. Same with X-Trail etc. Proper 7 seats if Galaxy/Alhamabra/Sharan and maybe the SMAX.....


Even the X-Trail the back seats are probably similar size to Golf.



Getting 3 kids into back of any car these days is a struggle. A lot of these "SUV/Crossover" are tiny in the back, that why people move to the dreaded MPV.....

Believe me I looked at all options instead of going for Galaxy

the rearmost seats lay totally flat on the floor to be clear when collapsed

not even a bad looking car imo.

NIMAN

Thanks for all the advice folks....will bear some of these recommendations in mind when next looking around.

My big problem is that quite often I am in the car myself for a week commuting. And its a waste to have so much space to myself!

Heres Johnny

NIMAN wrote: »

Heres Johnny wrote: »

If it's just rear seat space something in the a6 or 5 series sector will be fine. I had 5 rugby players in mine yesterday, big lads. Middle seat not the best but that's true of any car really. They're a bit wider than a golf.
Skoda superb still the king here though but I don't like them at all

Do you drive an A6 or 5series?

5 series. A6 would do the gig just as well though.