3 kids - what car do you have?

[RobynOC]

Help! What car should I get?
We have an 8 year old, a 4 year old and expecting number 3 in the summer. We need a new, bigger car and want to buy outright.
Ideally, we’d like a large 5 seater as opposed to a 7 seater (I’ve never driven bigger than a golf but not against 7 seaters - just don’t want a people carrier)

Those of you also crazy enough to have three children - what do you drive and would you recommend it?

thanks in advance!

Watching with interest as in the same boat. Kids will be 8 and 6 when baby arrives so will need to fit 2 x HBBs and an infant seat. Currently have a Skoda Octavia and pretty sure will need to change it 😫

I have smaller age gaps (4, 2 and 1) so bulkier car seats, but I drive an XC90 which I really rate. I used to drive a Hyundai Tucson which was also amazing, and I think with two HBBs and an infant seat would be fine.

Thanks @biscuitcat! My neighbours have one and love it but I have an irrational dislike of SUVs which I know is going to limit my options significantly 🙈

We had the Peugeuot 3008 and then the 5008 and they worked well for us. We had the version which is an SUV style but not the latest one - they changed something with relation to car seats for the latest. I think maybe 2021-2024 versions, something like that.

We also drove a Berlingo (which has several other names under other branding) on holiday once which was also good.

Although the Berlingo and 5008 are 7-seaters, we had the seats folded down in the 5008 90% of the time and the Berlingo ones can be completely removed, which is OK if you have space to store them.

I don't like SUVs either but it seems to be all the companies make now. No estates left.

Kia Sportage GT-Line

I now have 4 children so have a much bigger vehicle but when I was still on 3 children I had a Ford Kuga. We managed a booster and two proper car seats in the back without a struggle

I’d love an XC90 but it’s a bit out of our price range unfortunately. We’re looking at Around 15k as my husband isn’t keen to finance.

Yeah I have an irrational dislike of people carriers/vans 😩 it’s so silly because I know it’s the sensible option.

We have a seat Taracco with our 3

Peugeot Rifter, but probably not the vehicle for you if you don't like people carriers or vans! Previously we had a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso

Ugly but Vauxhall Zarifa has served me very well over three years. The boot is actually boot sized which I need we’d either three kids and a dog…

I have 3 and currently have a Skoda kodiaq 7 seater. It's been great so far, fits my 3 in and their friends comfortably. We also have a small dog.
Car before was an Audi q7 - felt very fancy but an absolute money pit so don't recommend!!

Both SUVs I know though

Other friends with 3 have Peugeot 5008, VW minivan and ford galaxy.

Our DC are 8 and 5, and although we're done with procreating we regularly find ourselves carting friends or relatives around too. We have a Dacia Jogger which is seven seats with the two rear-most ones completely removable. It's not an SUV, but a sort of cross between an estate and an old fashioned people-carrier. We find it astonishingly good for what we need from it.

A brand new one is just out of reach now for £15k but you should still be able to get one within the manufacturer's warranty.

We have an Audi SQ7 (three kids with 4th on the way). It’s wide enough for all the isofix car seats and the 6&7 seat can fold down in the boot

best car we have ever had

Renault grand scenic (3 full size isofix seats in a row and massive boot or two more seats in the back)

also looked at the c4 Picasso

VW Touran. it’s ideal.

We have a Ford S max, and our last car was an S max as well. They don't make them anymore which is a shame, 10 years ago everyone on here with 3DC had one. By the time ours dies the kids will have all left home so we'll be able to get a little electric car for DH and me.

Citroen C4 Grand Space Tourer. Three full seats in the back which means all children (mine are 12, 5 and 2) are comfy. The cargo space is immense. Three kids come with a lot of stuff!

Previously had a Tucson which fit an extended rear-facing seat, an infant carrier and DD1 with no seat but it was a squish. We changed cars for other reasons too (catastrophic engine failure).

We’re looking to replace our second car with a Citroen C5 Aircross as it still has three full seats but it’s a 5-seater.

Citroen c5 aircross, three full seats in the back and loads of space, I love it