Car that will fit three car seats but not a seven seater

[mistermagpie]

I'm pregnant with DC3. Other children are 2 and 4 so they all will still require a car seat for a long time. I currently have a Nissan note, which I love, and am stuck with that until next spring. Obviously, my oldest child will have to go in the front occasionally until I get a new car, which I'm not delighted about, but needs must.

Anyway, DH has a seven seater anyway so we don't need another one that big, but we do need a new car for me. Complicating factor is that I didn't drive for over fifteen years after passing my test due to a crippling phobia which I got help with and am now able to drive, but have only driven my own car. DHs car is huge and I'm really not comfortable driving that or anything so big. My note is titchy!

So - what I want is the smallest five seat car that can fit three child seats in the back. (No point recommending an Audi or Range Rover or something because it would be too expensive). Does such a thing exist?!

I currently have a Dacia Logan and can fit a britax max fix 2 in one side, and high backed booster in the middle and could just about fit another seat in.

My sister managed with a Volvo that was just that bit wider and could fit 3 high backed kid/baby seats but I can't remember which model it was I'm afraid

We’ve got three isofix points in our Renault Scenic. Currently have a 6yo, 3yo and 4mo so they’re all in different seats. It’s a tight fit and the seats/isofix bases can’t be lifted in/out very easily, but it works!

Have you looked at SangYong? You get a lot for your money

The 6yo sits in the middle so he has to clamber over the isofix bases (with the legs that reach to the floor) to get to his seat. But luckily he doesn’t need any help to put his own seat belt on.

Another vote for a scenic. I loved mine and it never felt big to drive.

The boys are currently in a britax romer evolva (4 year old) and a joie 360 spin (2 year old). The joie is massive and will be going, they both have the britax one is their dad's car. These are belted in.

Baby will be in a maxi cosi initially, the ones you can carry with an isofix base.

I can live with it being a tight squeeze because we do have the bigger car when DH is driving.

Down any chance (and no rush!) you could take a photo of your three seats in the back for me? Thanks!

We’ve also got a Renault scenic with a five year old, three year old and baby, works really well for us.

Citroen C4 picasso. Three isofix points across the back and honestly there's loads of room. Also the isofix is so easy to fit unlike every other car I've ever used.

Are you after a new(ish) car or older one? Since 2016 the Scenic has only had 2 isofix points.

Ah that's good to know about the scenic, it will be a brand new car (leased, all our cars have been). I don't think the picssso is called that anymore but that might be the one.

We only bought ours last year - I had no idea the name had changed! But yes apparently the SpaceTourer now!
There's loads of plus points. You can move all 3 back seats forward/back independently to give loads more boot room, or a lot more leg room if needed at any point. Boot fits loads in but actually it's still a relatively small car.
Can you tell I really like it?!

The moving the seats back and forth is something I love about my note, it's such a small car but loads of room inside, I can't believe Nissan have stopped making them.

Vauxhall meriva is a good shout :)

I got fed up of driving massive cars to carry the 3 dc around and now I am driving a Peugeot Rifter, hardly bigger than your Note but fits 3 car seats in the back easily and has a huge boot and loads of headroom. The older version is exactly the same size wise and is called a Partner Tepee, Citroen version is called Berlingo Multispace. They are basically a van turned into a car but are really easy to drive and are not noisy as they must be quite insulated. Sliding doors at the back too which makes getting the dc on and out really easy! We love ours!

Just be careful as if it's a half seat in the middle it's not legally classed as a seat you can put a car seat on needs to be 3 full back seats

Docherty, in the Peugeot? Nope they are three full size seats.

Sorry just Re read! The heat is getting to me!

The new name for citroen C4 is a space tourer I believe (I have 18 plate Picasso) I have three Joie Stages, two rear facing, in a row. Be careful with an isofix base as there is underfloor storage compartments in both outer seats, which means that it isn't safe for supporting leg (design fail). Only middle seat safe for isofix base.

In full of admiration for those of you with children that can be trusted to be within arms length of one another in the car. Not violence, just annoying one another and distracting me.

JellyNo15 the rear underfloor storage isn't standard with their basic model, its only the two better models that it comes with. Which is a good excuse to get the cheapest one I suppose!

Three isofix seats in the back of the Scenic

We used to have a Picasso which fitted three seats easily.
The only issue was the buckles were low so took a lot of fiddling round to get everyone in.