Cars with at least three isofix points

[allthecats1982]

We are struggling to find a car! We have the infant seats (maxi cosi) and the isofix bases already but cannot find a car that will fit the three infant seats in and an additional HBB all at the same time. We looked at seven seater cars but they either only have two isofix points so that was a no or I have been informed that if I put three car seats across the middle row then I can't put passengers in the back row because in an accident they cannot get out due to the isofix bases! This renders us lost in a world of ever shortening days till the three musketeers are here!

We currently have an 8yr old DS who we would be willing to move out of the ERF into a HBB to make things easier but the one we have is the kiddifix so is an isofix. The triplets will then each have an infant carrier. Ideally a car with four isofix would be great. We also need to consider the fact I have a large pram and carrycot/seats to get in the car too as I cannot carry all three babies at once when going out for the day. The reason we got three isofix is because it's going to be much easier to click a seat into the middle seat than have to faff about with seatbelts every time we go out. I'm being lazy I know but triplets and the British weather means I want a quick transition in and out!

So far we have looked at:

Hyundai Santa Fe - only has two isofix in the middle row
Kia Sorento - same as above
Peugeot 5008- three isofix in a row but means you can't use the back seats if you use all three
Skoda kodiaq - only two isofix points
Audi q7 and Land Rover - not in our price range
Ford smax- no longer available

DH is considering us buying a van and that gives us loads of space to take stuff out but I don't know if you can get isofix retrofitted to them safely.

TIA

We have newborn twins and a three yo who is still in a Maxi Cosi with a base. We've gone for a second hand Seat Alhambra ( discontinued but available second hand). Three isofix across back and a 3rd row of seats and big boot. Not sure if 3rd row has isofix as not used yet.

Volkswagen touran? I think can have all of its rear seats with isofix (so up to 5). Have you asked on extended rear facing pages on Facebook?

Hi it might be worth asking this in the car seat safety UK group! I’m pretty sure I saw a similar post recently if you searched it - if you have Facebook

Ford galaxy?

@Cookiedough123 I asked and they all said the cars we looked at and to each take a sling to carry a baby. But it won't work if I'm on my own with them. They also said the q7 was a better choice and we can't afford that. OR to just strap a baby in without isofix because it's just as safe.

@rainbug not made anymore and the only second hand ones we could find over the last couple of months are very old and very battered!

I think you will struggle to find any cars that have all back seats isofix due to the 3rd row seats often being too small or needed to use one of the 2nd row seat's for access.
A van will be more useful with luggage and stuff but your unlikely to find any with isofix and getting it fitted after isn't recommended.

If you haven't brought your infant seat yet look at the Avionaut pixel Pro as I guess they will be on the smaller side and this seat has great inserts.

@Lavender2021 we have been gifted the car seats and bases already from a family friend. The car seat advice we were given was the maxi cosi pebble as it's lie flat so we did. The seats are all in place.

I don't know why we can't use the boot as access for the back row or have him go in BEFORE we put a triplet in. But I was told that you can't use the back row if you use the middle row!

You can't retrofit isofix. And in terms of having 3+ isofix points, this is often dependent on vehicle spec when it was new, so if looking for a second hand car it's a good question to go around dealers specifically asking for.

There are belt fitted bases for certain infant carriers. You can fold the isofix away in your Kidfix and not use it. That is actually allowed for every high backed booster seat. You might want to swap the Kidfix for something i-size, as they aren't the slimmest.

Do you have the original Maxi Cosi Cabrifixes or one of their newer i-size seats? Either way you can belt fit all Maxi Cosi infant seats and that might help you out. But the OG Cabriofix has a belt fitted base option.

At least with a van you can climb in to strap everyone in and you can buy high back booster seat which can travel backwards if you had a van with six seats in the back facing each other.
If they wasn't triplets I would say look at extended rear facing seat suitable from birth but they are normally recommend for average sized baby and I would worry triplets would be too small, plus they are more expensive to start with but last year's! (Avionaut Sky, besafe stretch B might be others but many said from birth really are not). You wouldn't be able to remove the seat's each time as well if your keen to use car seat's out of the car for short trips (can't imagine anything will be a short trip with 4 children..)

It's to do with escape in an emergency. You don't want the situation if you've had a crash to have to wait for someone to get all the babies out plus the bases for the car seats before you can let the 8yo out.

That will be even less practical once you move to fixed seats when they are older.

You probably do want to be looking at 9 seater vans. You're more likely to have more isofix points in there.

Have you looked at Berlingo?

I think it's pretty new Toyota Proace 9 seater but you can get 9 seater but can't find any information about isofix.

Touran? Believe it has 5 isofix

Here you go. I would recommend a C4 Picasso. The 5 seater is enough and has a massive boot. The 7 seater Grand is slightly longer the the 2 extra seats go up in the boot. No point imo unless you need the extra seats.

https://www.carshop.co.uk/latest-news/cars-with-3-isofix-points/

So I brought DH into this discussion and he said the only van he would consider is a VW and nothing else.

He also said that they wouldn't make cars with three rows of seats and isofix across the middle (like the Peugeot 5008) if you could t also use the back seats too. I explained getting in and out in an emergency and he said if there's a crash he's 8 and can climb out the car fine the same way he gets in. He also said he knows plenty of people who put kids in the back.

I was wondering if front seat baby, back seat two babies on isofix and my son in the back was an option but I guess that's the same issue with isofix blocking access again. I guess we just have to get two cars and split up if we go places. Or never leave the house. I've already been criticised on Facebook and told don't have so many kids if I can't afford to look after them or fit them in! In my defence we were going for two kids...

Have you the maxi cosi bases that can be put in with isofix OR with seatbelt? Put one triplet in the front passenger seat with airbag turned off, then two isofix and hbb in the back, buy a non isofix hbb.

@Fairydustandsparklylights we need a minimum of six seats if we go as a family. Two adults (myself and DH) my son and the triplets. Trust me if we could get away with five seats I would be fine. I might have to sell one of them... maybe DH would be an option as he's quite useful around the house so could do a deal for someone.

@Garman we have the seats and bases already. They were gifted to us from a family friend (brand new). I wanted three isofix for the simple ease of not having to belt in three seats especially the middle seat.

I’d get the VW Touran and 8 year old can go in and out via the boot. I think you can just put up 1 seat in the boot. Then 3 babies across the back seats. Have a look at them though to see if you’d have enough boot space with one of the boot seats up.

If that’s the best you can afford it’s the best you can afford.

Are you part of any triplet Facebook groups? People may be more helpful in those groups than general car seat ones.

I would definitely suggest the C4 Grand Picasso then. 7 seats with 3 isofix across the second row. I’m just not sure you’d have enough boot space for a triplet pram though. I think you could probably do with a mini van. Not the most stylish but would be practical and meet your needs. Good luck with your search!!

Renault captur has 2 in the back and 1 on front passsenger seat

Full disclosure - I know nothing about this and so it may well not be suitable but a friend has this for her 4 children and gets in well with it:

https://www.multimac.com/home

The rear facing seat doesn’t erf I looked into it once and I think their rear facing seat is up to about 18 months old.