Car for tall driver with rear facing child seats

tomfoolery60

Will likely get to change car this year. We've a baby now and there is basically no room in the boot of the corolla and it's not possible for me to sit in passenger seat comfortably with the child seat in (I'm over 6ft). So isn't practical if we want to go to UK and visit relatives or to France on holiday.

I was thinking of an estate (auris/golf/etc.). But while that solves the issue of boot, it'll probably still be cramped up front with the child seat in. Even bigger issue if we have a another kid in the coming years and have second seat.

I'm not keen to get something massive like a Passat or Skoda Superb. I was thinking therefore a smaller MPV would be suitable? I have no interest in an SUV. Something like the golf or focus with a bit more space in the back seats and the boot without being massive. The Touran/Golf SV/S-Max/C-Max perhaps? Early days looking into this and wondered if anyone else had similar issues and can share their wisdom?

ratracer

I’ve just bought a Superb estate, as my kids are now over 6’ 2” and so am I. The car is massive inside, but doesn’t feel it when driving. I changed up from a Focus, where I constantly had knees in my back when driving with the family on board.

I wouldn’t rule it out without first driving it, and if you don’t fancy the estate, the boot in the saloon version is also huge.

eusap

I am 6ft 4" and we have a kia sportage with the 2 Joie Spins rear facing, its drivable but not comfortable on long journeys no space for somebody in middle seat. We also have a Passat Estate with Joie Spins Rear Facing and there is probably 1" more leg room and can just about fit a small person in the middle seat, but that 1" makes a huge difference.

Have looked at a few other options for more leg room and it seems to be a S-Max/Galaxy, Sorrento/Kodiaq or the Superb as previously said

tomfoolery60

That's very helpful, thanks for sharing your experiences. Yes the likes of the golf interior is like the Sportage from my experience, cramped when you put seats in the front.

I bet I'll end up finding only a Passat or Superb is is suitable...

basskebab

I'm 6ft 4 and the only cars I've been in with enough legroom when you move passenger seats forward are Volvos or Saabs (95 not 93s)

b318isp

How about trying some of the smaller SUVs/MPVs - you'll generally get better headroom than a car based platform - and the raised roof is very handy when putting children into booster seats.

Suggestions would be Ford C Max/VW Touran/Hyundai iX35/Nissan Qashqai, etc.

My wife and I are over six foot, and we have a family of 4 kids, one is 6'5" and one is 6'3" - we've had a Galaxy for years, with great success - but probably too big for your needs.

colm_mcm

Just note, the Octavia hatch or estate has a 50mm longer wheelbase than the Golf estate, and is that bit roomier between the front and rear seats.

Im 6’1 and there’s still good room behind my seat. I would also note that the shape of the roof (ie how narrow the roof becomes at the top of the doors) is different on the Golf, and as a tall driver I felt the side of the headliner was closer to my head than on the Octavia (I was driving them back to back daily)

listermint

A passat is not massive OP. But tbh id get an estate if your having young kids. You'll need the boot space for bikes and prams and the million other accessories they get.

Corrolla won't cut it nor will MPV. We moved away from them. Boots too small.

tomfoolery60

So believe it or not the golf mk 7 estate actually seems to have enough room, I'm going to focus on those and see if something suits. The regular Octavia (tried a 2018) is also grand.