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Original poster

Cars with at least three isofix points

76 replies

allthecats1982 · 13/08/2023 18:04

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

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EddieVedderSingsToMe · 13/08/2023 19:05

Citroen Berlingo has 3 isofix points and a massive boot

Original poster
allthecats1982 · 13/08/2023 19:07

@PinkPlantCase it's not so much a case of affording really but it's more looking long term affordability. We are looking at £5-600 a month anyway without looking at an Audi for 8-900 a month. In a year we will be paying our £150 a day nursery care so I can go to work OR dropping to a single income till they start school. We are
Looking future costs as well. But that's the point I made when I was told I shouldn't have so many children if I can't afford them.

There wouldn't be an issue if I could just get a Peugeot because it has rheee full size seats and isofix AND put a passenger in the back. Big everywhere I have looked you cannot use all isofix points And use the back row.

OP posts:
Original poster
allthecats1982 · 13/08/2023 19:09

@GlobetrottingPercy that would be great but is only forward facing and they will be rear facing for at least the next four years. My son is still rear facing at 8yrs and only turning round because we can't have four rear facing!

OP posts:
Nibletmum · 13/08/2023 19:10

My smax has 3 isofix across the back row and the 2 seats in the boot are big. My 8 year old just climbs in through the boot - we leave the 7th seat folded down so it's easy for him. Also means there's still a load of boot space!

Geekygeek · 13/08/2023 19:11

peugeot traveller has 6 isofix seats. Big mind…..

GlobetrottingPercy · 13/08/2023 19:17

Ah I see, there are better options out there then that will be safer.

Hoping that you can find a solution from someone on the thread!

PinkPlantCase · 13/08/2023 19:18

I absolutely wasn’t having a dig about the affordability OP. With any purchase deciding what is a sensible about of money for you to spend is an important factor.

handmademitlove · 13/08/2023 19:20

You can put three isofix in the middle row of a Seat Alhambra - though you may need to check physical space depending on the seat base width... Then have one seat up in the third row for the hbb - with the other seat down you can get in and out via the boot. Even with all seats up there is room for a pushchair in the boot.

Original poster
allthecats1982 · 13/08/2023 19:20

@Nibletmum but that still has the problem of no access to the back seats in an emergency. If I block the middle row with seats the back row cannot be used. This is where our problem lies. We like loads of cars we have seen and all have seven seats but we cannot use the back row if we put isofix in the middle. Also you cannot belt infant carriers into the back row either.

OP posts:
Original poster
allthecats1982 · 13/08/2023 19:22

@handmademitlove I suggested on Facebook that access could be via the boot with a seat down and was told that's not a solution in an accident and that we would need to not use the back row if we use side isofix points or all isofix points in the middle. It's a nightmare!

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 13/08/2023 19:25

Our vw has a front seat isofix also.
So maybe the large vw options also do? That way you then put baby in front, baby either side in middle. Son and 1 adult in back row. Take entire middle seat out for easy of getting in and out and stuff

Oliotya · 13/08/2023 19:25

I think I'd do something like a Galaxy or Sharan with 7 full seats. You'd have to belt in at least one baby, but it would give you loads more space and room to grow. I'd remove the middle row seat by the door for easy access to the back row. We fairly regularly have a 4th car seat in our Smax, and it's a bit of a pain tbh, wouldn't fancy it every day.

notasillysausage · 13/08/2023 19:27

Ford SMax has 3 iso fix points across the middle row and the back seats fold down individually so could you keep one folded down so anyone in the back could enter and exit via the boot?

notasillysausage · 13/08/2023 19:28

Sorry cross post with your last comment!

handmademitlove · 13/08/2023 19:31

@allthecats1982 perhaps you need to put one of the babies in the front - airbag turned off etc is fine. Then the one of the outer middle seats can be used by an adult which should then be fine to use the back row.

Newtothis12345 · 13/08/2023 19:32

We had a third isofix point fitted into the front of our Skoda Kodiaq. Might that help?

Callmesleepy · 13/08/2023 19:46

You absolutely can fit an extra isofix with a Volvo - we did. It was just a simple bolt.

Have you asked other triplet parents about going out alone with them? The one we know says she didn't leave the house alone with all three for a couple of years. Might solve the pram problem.

I know you expect to be able to get the perfect car but it's possible you'll find it doesn't exist and you need to compromise on something. Seatbelt fittings are no less safe than an isofix provided they're fitted properly so that's not the end of the world. Having an eight year old climb over wouldn't be too awful either. It's not ideal but it opens an awful lot of options.

Anyway, I'd go for a 7 seater XC90 as they're so safe and tweak seats to fit.

stargirl1701 · 13/08/2023 19:47

Skoda superb?

MoreHairyThanScary · 13/08/2023 19:48

If you only need 6 seats then something like the touran or the Galaxy would be fine you can put one of the seats down to access to the rear.

bluesky45 · 13/08/2023 19:56

Do you need space for 2 adults too? If not, the Citroen C5 aircross has this but one of the isofix is in the front passenger seat. Then the back has isofix on each of the outside seats and a full size middle seat with top tether but no isofix. Handy for if there's only one adult but if it's your only car then it probably wouldn't work for you

Rockandgrohl · 13/08/2023 19:57

I dont understand the problem with emergency access, it takes about 3 seconds to unclick the base from the isofix...so surely if you crash you take the babies out and unclip one base so there is access to the back row...sometimes i take the isofix base out when the babycarrier is still connected to move it between cars as its quicker now my baby is too heavy to lug about in the carrier so the whole lot stays in the car and i just strap her in/out

Original poster
allthecats1982 · 13/08/2023 20:00

Thank you for all the suggestions. Using the boot as entry/exit isn't an option apparently and even with a baby in the front we still would only be able to use one seat in the middle row as we would need to fold it down for the back. I'm actually going to suggest husband doesn't come out with us and that means we don't need a bigger car.

As to for f out alone with the triplets that's going to have to be done. I still have to get my son to school, after school classes, do the shopping and visit family (they live an hour away by train and I'll take the train 🤣). To cut cost we are dropping to one car and when I return to work I'll have to use my bike because at £150 a day nursery we won't afford two cars!

OP posts:
Original poster
allthecats1982 · 13/08/2023 20:01

@bluesky45 yes we need two adults. If we want to see family we would have to go together. My parents we could go just me and the kids but in-laws it would have to be DH without the triplets and just older DS or me go too as he won't take the triplets out alone I know that now!

OP posts:
Original poster
allthecats1982 · 13/08/2023 20:03

@Rockandgrohl I suggested this on the car seat group on Facebook and was told no it's not an option and in a serious accident emergency services wouldn't waste time doing that and would need the seats accessible. I was told if it was serious and I couldn't get out the car to unlatch the seats and isofix it would be dangerous. However if it's that serious of an accident the car is a write off anyway so they can smash a window!

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