5 seater cars, please come and tell me about yours

[TheHouseofMirth]

MIL has very kindly offered to replace our ancient Punto. She spends quite a lot of time with us so we really need a 5 seater but I like the convenience of a small car and as we live in London it makes more sense.

Cars seem to have changed such a lot in the time since we bought ours and I haven't got a clue where to start. I'd like something big enough for 2 car seats and an adult in the back. Although she's buying the car we'll obviously need to pay tax, petrol and maintenance and as we're skint I need something reliable economical to run (more in terms of garage bills than petrol as we don't do many miles) and with cheap insurance.

Any pointers?

I've got a Honda FRV & it's very good. Has 3 full seats back & front, but the front one folds down to make somewhere to put snacks & drinks. They've stopped making them (outs is 2008 model), but still available used & Hondas are very reliable. Ours is diesel & does about 45 mpg. Insured it for £70 more per year than my 8 yr old 1.6 Astra.