AIBU to think we need a 7 seater car?

[Rhayader]

We definitely need a car - we’ve done the maths and it is significantly more expensive to rent for essential trips than own especially when you take into account the cost of using public transport more. Plus we have our fair share of emergency hospital trips with DC2.

Until now we have always had small hatchbacks, we had a 3 door when we had 1 DC and when I was about 6 months pregnant with DC2 it got too difficult to do the car seat for DC1 so we upgraded to a 5 door. But still a hatchback.

DC3 is on the way and I just can’t see how we could possibly fit 3 car seats in, we can’t even fit a small adult in the middle of the two car seats for very short journeys currently. Are there magical 5 seat cars that fit 3 car seats and 2 adults in or are we destined to join the ranks of suburban families with enormous cars? Any recommendations? We won’t buy a diesel.

How old is DC1 now?

DC1 is 6

But short so will need a car seat for a while.

We had one of those little seat boosters for eldest which did fit in the middle, not best practice now I know but that did fit. We are waiting for a hybrid 7 seater, and running our current car into the ground, so interested to know what you decide.

We used to have a Fiat Multipla which was perfect as it had 6 distinct seats. Don't think they make them anymore.

I have an astra estate and I can for 3 car seats in. Or two car seats and and and adult in the back, I do this frequently.

Citroen c4 have 5 distinct seats

I have a ford kuga that fits 3 seats in the back. It's tight but we manage

Friends who had twins and a newborn under 3 really rated their Citroen xsara Picasso for fitting three seats across the back.

Thank you all this is filling me with hope.

I’m checking out the recommendations now, we have quite a while before DC3 arrives to make a decision on the model. Do these cars tend to have 3 lots of isofix?

C4 looks like a really good option with a huge boot.

Renault Scenic worked for us, we had newborn, 5yo, 3yo.

My husbands boss had 1 DC, tried for a second and final DC and ended up with triplet boys (2 identical and one non identical). He suggested an 8 seater Honda but he lives in upstate New York. I can’t think of anything worse than driving something that big especially around where we live!!

We had a Citroen Xsara Picasso when we had three under 3 as it had three equal sized seats in the back. It was diesel though.

We used to fit 3 car seats comfortably in our Citroën Picasso.
I would recommend getting a 7 seater because it is very convenient to be able to give a lift to a friend / relative, share the school run, etc.

There are LOADS of 5 seater cars that fit three car seats in the back seat. Do a search on it - it's a really commonly searched question.

There is a website that tells you which car has 3 isofix points in the back but I don’t know what it’s called. Might be worth a google.

You can find a normal car to fit three. But you'll need to find as slimline as possible car seats. You should try all three seats in the car before you buy. You should also be able to do the seat belts up easily and undo easily. This is vital in case of an accident.

We had a Renault Megane Scenic, that was great. Now have a Citroen Berlingo which I absolutely love. My 3 are now 14, 11 and 8 so only youngest in car seat but had 3 seats across the back when they were younger.
It is diesel though but lots of larger cars are.

We have a Qashqai plus 2. We got it when we had our third child. It’s not too big but has been really useful to have 7 seats when we need them for extra children/grandparents.

You won't need isofix for dc1 if they have a high back booster, isofix only goes up to 25kg I believe. You'll just need to research a slim car seat for them that will fit in the middle and they will just use the car seatbelt

When DC #3 was born we had a ford mondeo. That fitted all three kids aged 0-4 in.
A couple of years later when it finally packed in we got a Vauxhall Zafira with the 2 seats in the boot. I’ve just upgraded to a Nissan X-trail, again with the 2 seats in the back.

A 5 seater is fine for now but if you are planning on keeping the car for a while I would really consider a 7 seater, not necessarily a massive one but one with 2 seats that can be popped up in the back. Means kids can have friends home from school or grandparents can come on a day out with you.

Ford C max, I've had two! Both the older shape and the new shape fit 3 car seats and it's a fairly cheap car to run. I love mine.

I work part time as a nanny and have a Ford C-Max (5 seater) it easily accommodates three car seats at the back. Only time I had a seven seater was when my four kids were little and then downsized after my oldest moved out.

We had a Range Rover which easily fit two car seats and a normal sized adult in the back. Unfortunately any five seater you get will have to be very wide (by British standards).