To buy a Range Rover sport with potentially three children

[Overthinkingalways]

Posted elsewhere but added to AIBU for traffic as got no responses. I know mumsnet typically hate 4x4s and their drivers but hoping my hybrid choice softens the blow!

Changing my car shortly. Ideally want a RR Sport but whilst we only need to fit two car seats for now, baby 3 isn't totally off the cards. Would an XC90 be the more sensible option? Or has anyone got 3 seats across a RR Sport? Preference is to rear face as long as possible however eldest would be 4/5 should we have a third so potentially ready to move into a HBB. Car would be new so latest models.

Other options would be a Disco but i want hybrid and they haven't bought a hybrid model out yet. Obviously can't look in show rooms right now but need to make a decision soon!

These are the only models i like following all my research. Can’t afford the standard RR and not ready to convert to a mum wagon/bus yet! Will have the XC90 if I have to but whilst it’s a perfectly nice car I find it a bit less aesthetically pleasing/luxurious.

Can anyone tell me about successfully having a RR sport with three young children.

AIBU
YES - no way will it work get the xc90
NO - I’ve had 3 littles in a RR S and it’s fine!

A RR sport is not for people who can't afford a RR. We've had both and we actually prefer the look of the sport but it is a lot smaller internally. We've had three baby seats in one but it was a squeeze which is why we got the bigger one but I prefer the sport

Yes and I would add I know someone who absolutely hates her Range Rover. Electric bits malfunctioning and seemingly unfixable.

I think a RR Sport is aimed at people who want the kudos of owning a RR but can't really afford it (No offence if that's not you OP). They're not the most practical size wise, especially with three kids.

Is this really what people think? I don't want the 'kudos' of a RR I want the luxury finish and nice drive and actually prefer the look of the sport.

Yes, this is exactly what people think. I actually had this conversation with someone a few weeks ago.

The XC90 wins by a mile for me.

@Overthinkingalways my boys are in Joie 360 on either side of the back and the youngest is still rear facing and my eldest sits in the middle in a high back booster. We’ve had no issues.

OP, I’ve no experience of the RR Sport as I have the Vogue but I just wanted to say that I haven’t had a single problem with my car in the 5 years I’ve had it and neither has anyone else in the family who drives one.

OP when do you need to buy? The new Rivian R1S 7 seater is coming to the UK next year. It’s fully electric but is looks a lot like a RR. rivian.com/r1s

@Overthinkingalways
Not sure if it helps at all but my last 3 cars have been RR and I have loved them. I’ve just made the leap to a Volvo XC90 and I am a complete convert!
It it fantastic to drive and is easily as luxurious as a RR. The 7 seats are roomier than the Discovery.
I’m not sure how old your children are but in the new XC90 there is a booster seat that folds down in the middle of the second row for an older child. x

This isn’t really much help but I have a Discovery Sport and with two seats there’s not really any room for a third person in the back, let alone seat. With a pram/pushchair and the odd scooter , the boot is small. I can’t get a weekly shop in without clearing the boot. I think it has a bigger boot than the RR

My DF has an RR sport, he absolutely loves it and I personally think it would be ok for 3 car seats.

Not sure why anyone would think people only buy a Sport because they wanted the kudos of having a RR sport but can’t afford the “big one” 😳 apparently a lot of enthusiasts love the Sport for its own merits. (My DF also has the “full fat” version)

@Linguaphile, I can’t wait for the Rivian. I currently have a RR Autobiography but will definitely switch to the Rivian once it comes out/if the reviews are solid. It bodes well that Amazon already uses Rivian as its delivery trucks.

As an aside, I’ve had RR and Land Rovers for a decade and have never had a single issue. My Audi Q5 was a total nightmare.

Not sure why anyone would think people only buy a Sport because they wanted the kudos of having a RR sport but can’t afford the “big one” 😳 apparently a lot of enthusiasts love the Sport for its own merits.

Honestly it makes me laugh when they say that. I've also read on this thread that people with RR sport can't really afford them - such a strange generalisation to make. It has to be jealousy -
I don't ever feel jealous when someone has a better car or house but that's just me I guess.

My DS goes to a very posh private school and a lot of the parents drive a RR sport or vogue and trust me they have enough money and more.

Has anyone thought about going electric? My DP has a Porsche Taycan, it's the only electric I've driven - far too fast for me. I have an electric car on order. Have you looked at electric cars as an option @Overthinkingalways?

We’ve just gone for a Volvo, I think they’re shedding their ‘sensible’ reputation and are more towards the luxury end.

We only have 2 (and absolutely no plans for more!) so got the xc40 which is the same size as a RR evoque (but bigger boot) but if I were planning another dc I’d go xc90 they are huge!

R design pro is the trim we’ve gone for it’s lovely!

Had an XC90, huge and great to drive but it really wasnt the most reliable and was always having software issues. Swapped it for a Hyundai Santa Fe which is fabulous but not "trendy".

We discounted RR as 3 kids so not near enough room. Also kids turn into gangly teens which need even more room

@Bumblebee1980a I'd love to go for a full electric version but i'm not sure it'd be practical as we live rurally. I think i'd feel more comfortable with the back up of the hybrid until the charging network is a little more advanced - maybe by the time we swop again.

@Overthinkingalways I'd love to go for a full electric version but i'm not sure it'd be practical as we live rurally. I think i'd feel more comfortable with the back up of the hybrid until the charging network is a little more advanced - maybe by the time we swop again.

We are rural too. We had a charger point installed at our house. It was £950 but there are government grants to encourage people to have them. We paid £350. DP put his car on charge when he gets home prob every other day. You also don't pay tax on a fully electric car.