Cars that fit 3 seats in the back

[insanelycheerful]

Sorry if this has been done before/to death (!!), but which cars fit 3 car seats across the back seat please? Currently thinking about TTC DC3. DC1 is almost 4 so in high back booster and DC2 is 2 and in a Maxi Cosi Priorifix.

We are looking to change our family car in the next few months, and although not actually TTC yet, I wanted to know which cars might be practical for 3 car seats given that we tend to keep a car for a few years and wouldn't want to do so now and then again in a year or so.....

TIA

[DewDr0p]

We have 3 dcs and a Renault Grand Scenic and I have to say it's great.

We also looked at the S-Max, C4, Touran, Zafira and Picasso.

Really liked the S-Max and C4 and they prob would have been our first choice but they were a bit over budget and we got a great deal on the Renault through a friend.

We thought the Touran was too small (in the back and boot wise). Really hated the Zafira. I quite liked the Picasso and still think it was a good budget option but dh was being ridiculous about driving a Picasso.

[RubyrooUK]

Ah this is such a useful thread. We need a new car - probably in next year - and are considering having a third DC in a couple of years.

(Bit premature thinking about it really as DS2 is only 13 weeks old.)

Thanks!

[upjacobscreekwithoutapaddle]

I second/third (?) verso. Brilliant.

[mum23girlys]

Another vote here for the SMax. Had ours 6 years and not a bit of bother. We've 3 car seats in it and often 2 boosters in the boot and I can still fit my pram in the boot with all the seats in use

[Anjelika]

Sorry to hijack but does anyone know if the Mazda 5 has 3 proper seats in the back? I have 3 DCs and am after a slightly smaller people carrier that has 3 proper seats in the back plus 2 seats in the boot for occasional passengers. I know an S-Max and a Grand Picasso would give me this but I don't have off-street parking so was after something slightly smaller to park on a busy street.

[Dancergirl]

Def s-max.

Feels like a much stronger safer car than a Citroen Picasso which we use to have. You could feel it shaking in the wind!

[mikkii]

We have a grand Picasso. Three proper seats in the middle row. We currently have a britax isofix first class stage 1 seat in the centre (yes, it has isofix in the middle too), a britax isofix booster seat on one sie, although it is a bit tight to get your arm in between to do the seat belt up, I can do it without looking. We also have a booster cushion for DS.

Dd 1 is 6 and quite large for her age and, although she uses a cushion ocaissionally, I prefer her in a seat as it is safer. I also find the booster cushions are nearly as wide as the seats as they have "wings" to hold the seat belt in place.

[hackneyzoo]

Our ford focus fits three across the back, its an '07 model.

[LazyDoll]

Second the Honda FRV. 6 seater (3 in front 3 in back). Is a little wide but avoids the bus/utility look of most MPV's imo.

[StuntNun]

I luffs my Ford S-Max. It easily fits three car seats in the middle row and you have two spare seats at the back if you need to take an extra couple of kids any time. I have had two short adults in the rear seats but wouldn't recommend it for a long journey.

Mazda 5 is a seven-seater as well - I like the sliding rear doors.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Peugeot 5008 would do nicely.

The extra 2 seats in the back are handy for having friends round after school or doing the round robin beaver pick up every 5 weeks, but when they're not in use the boot is massive! With rear parking sensors it's a doodle to park anywhere and it has a nice high up driving position.

[littlepeas]

You can also buy seats with a top tether instead of a leg, but the choice is more limited as most have the legs.

[Catbiscuit]

We have a Mazda premacy. It's a normal size car but can fit 3 across back fine. We've had a stage 0, stage 1 plus high back booster, stage 0 plus 2 high back boosters and now have a stage 1 plus 2 high back boosters :-)

[JollyPurpleGiant]

We have a Citroen Berlingo Multispace which has three proper seats in the back.

It does have underfloor storage though so would need the isofix extensions.

[alienbanana]

I think in some cars you can just extend the isofix leg to reach to the bottom of the storage compartment.

DND - cars with storage compartments in the floor need a support for an isofix leg. You can't just rest them on the lid.

[DoNotDisturb]

Polystyrene blocks!?! What have I missed??

[insanelycheerful]

Thanks again, didn't know that about polystyrene blocks and I will also be sure to check NCAP. So useful being able to check your experiences of different makes/models and also these extra details!!

[littlepeas]

Oh, and check ncap - lots of the most popular mpvs aren't as safe as you would imagine for child passengers.

[littlepeas]

We have a VW Sharan (the newer model, with sliding doors). I really like it a lot - very very practical and a good drive too. We have a priorifix, a rodi and an absolutely enormous erf seat across the middle row - easy peasy, plenty of space for the dc. Bear in mind that you will need to buy the polystyrene blocks to fit into the underfloor storage compartments, that most mpvs have, in order to use isofix seats safely.

[Beatrixpotty]

I looked at Touran,Alhambra Sharan Galaxy etc & went for S-max,v happy

[NAR4]

I second the Picasso. This is what we had when we had three. Not very expensive, big boot and reliable.

[mybelovedmonster]

Isn't the law changing on the booster seats soon (or have I imagined that)?
A 4 year old can be on a booster, but my 5yo is still in his ferofix because otherwise he'd be leaning over the back seat. Depends on the child I suppose.

I'd stick with the ferofix- you can retract the isofix bars and just use it as a high backed booster, can't you?

[insanelycheerful]

I do like the look of the s-max and the grand c-max.
Also like the verso and just realised a friend has that so will have a look at his.

Re booster seats....DS1 is currently in the ferofix as mentioned above. But can he use just a normal booster seat, ie without the high back? Obviously I don't want to compromise his safety, but if he was in the middle seat would he be safe on just a booster seat? In guessing this would save on room? He will be 4 in a couple of months so would be well over 4, possibly even 5+ by the time potential DC3 arrives! Just to re-iterate, I don't want to compromise his safety, just considering options.....

[mybelovedmonster]

Careful with the Touran - it hasn't got isofix in the middle seat. You'll be fine with the ferofix as they're narrower than the seats, but the priorifix is wide and you wouldn't get it in there with other wide seats.

[LimeLeaffLizard]

My tip: remember to check there is enough room not just to put the car seats in, but to do up and un do the seat belt for the booster!

I also recommend the S-Max.