Are people carriers the only option?

[Arwhen]

Hi there,
Technically I don't quite qualify - we only have 2 to date - but I'm hoping there will be a third baby at some point in the future!
We are just in the process of deciding on a new car; and I want to get something that will take three car seats. I always thought a large estate would do, but after test driving and fitting our 2 seats in the back, I noticed how very little space there is between them!
I can't believe though that you have to get a people carrier for three children these days?! (I'm one of three and we always had regular cars - granted, that was before car seats became compulsory). I'm really reluctant to go down the MPV route as they don't seem to be very fuel efficient or cheap to tax (high co2 emissions); not to mention the looks.
Have any of you got three kids and a normal car? Do you have extra slim car seats?
(Oh and my kids are 1 and 3; the 1yo in a rearfacing group 1 seat and the 3yo in a forward facing group 1 seat).

Yes, three maxi-cosi seats across the back in a passat. It is a squeeze but they feel secure. dc4 is rear-facing in front seat. For some reason the rear-facing seat doesn't sit so securely across the back seat. dh has to walk!

I know lots of 3 child families who manage in 5 seater cars. It's only on MN that I ever read how impossible it's supposed to be.
We had a Passat estate, even had a man from County Council out to verify the fit was fine (baby+toddler+booster).
I did get an extra slim toddler seat, but only because: Our toddler seat was held by lap-belt only & the guidelines changed for the original toddler seat: what I mean is when we bought it, it was supposed to be ok with lapbelt only, but then the manufacturer changed guidance to say don't just use lapbelt. Plus the toddler seat was almost 6 yrs old by then, so not definitely safe to use for another 3 yrs. Since I was buying a new seat, I reckoned get a slim one (Britax Prince).

I had 3 under 3 and bought a peugout 307 sw (the sw bit is important a 307 estate won't take 3 seats - sw also have optional 7 seats, the 2 in the back come out), dh has a VW toran which works - its a company car so new and does a fantastic mpg. All have had maxi cosi seats of varying groups - group 0 and 1 were isofix too.
There are lots of options but you will have to look and try out a few, even if you can physically fit 3 seats across it may not be safe - check for buckle crunch and the seat should seat properly across the seat not at an angle.

Audi a8 or a6, vw passat or golf estate, vauxhal omega, skids superb. There are lots we have had lots of them and still with 4 DCs prefer to use 2 cars as with good estates you get better mpg than a mpv

skids that was skoda silly autocorrect

Hmmm, couldn't get 3 seats in my Passat (2 high back boosters and RF baby seat) so traded for an MPV. Guess it depends on your seats...

If you are not worried about looks Doblo's have three full seats in the back ( as do berlingos and their ilk). We used to have a multipla which was brilliant, again three full seats in the back and a bonus extra seat in the front ( very useful for separating squabbling siblings).

Citroen Picasso 2.0hdi is your answer

It returns 50 mpg, has three full size back seats and a good boot too. The looks grow on you too

Oh and if you get 51 plate or newer tax is £125 for 12 months