Which medium hatchback for ERF

[nocake]

We're in the happy position of being ready to change our car just before DD grows out of her Maxi Cosi bucket which means we can choose the best car to fit an ERF seat. It needs to be a medium size hatchback (think Ford Focus size) and we'll be buying one 2-3 years old. So... which cars are best?

An old shape Honda Civic has bags of room in the back - I know someone with one and it's massive. A 54-plate should have Isofix too.

Not sure of any others though. A3s aren't massive in the back, unless we just have the seats too far back.

I only have a new-style Punto. I can fit a besafe izicombi in the back, but it doesn't leave much room for the front passenger. There are more compact ERFs though.

Someone more helpful will be along soon I hope. Sorry!

We have a Ford Focus 02 and it's fitted everything i've been able to get my hands on! (I'm a child seat fitter)

Thank you for your suggestions. I keep suggesting a Focus to DW as it gets good reviews but she says it's a bit dull. I think she has her eye on an Alfa Guillietta

If the Alfa is anything like a Bravo in the back, I'd say you haven't got a hope in hell's chance of fitting an ERF.

I looked at one (a Bravo that is) at the same time as my Punto, and the Punto totally outstrips the Bravo for back seat room. At the time (pre-baby) I was thinking about a child kicking the back of the seat and how annoying that would be. As it turns out, I'm coverted to ERF so I'm glad of the extra leg room. Still doesn't leave much for the front passenger, mind, unless you're short like me.

Although I think the Alfa was built on an entirely different floorplan so she you may be in luck!

I know what she means, but the way I see it, it won't be that long in the grand scheme of things before we can start going for Cars We Want rather than Cars We Buy Because It Fits The Seat We Have.

The newer shape Civics fit them too. We went for a britax, but the besafe fitted fine too.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I've had a look at the Focus in our price range and there isn't an engine that will suit us (either too gutless or too heavy on fuel/co2). So does anyone have an erf seat in a mk5 or mk6 Golf? Is there plenty of space?

We have a KISS equivalent in the back seat of an Audi A3 (same chassis as the Golf). It fits fine, but the passenger seat has to be almost all the way forward to fit it in - most people can still get in unless they are a 6'+ monster.