2 children & adult in back - which car?

[vvviola]

We're looking into getting a new car and I'm having trouble figuring out which one will work.

We have 1 in high backed booster & 1 in baby seat (toddler seat in a few months). It's usually just the 4 of us which is perfect, but occasionally MIL is visiting & things get complex. I can just about (sitting at an angle, hanging on to side of car seat, belt cutting into my neck) fit in between the two seats. MIL cannot fit but wants to sit between DCs. I am not happy driving any distance with me in middle as I don't think it's safe.

What I'm looking for is a fairly neat car (not an MPV/7-seater) that could comfortably fit an adults between the 2 car seats (or at the side I suppose, probably with the baby/toddler seat in the middle??).

Anyone got any ideas? (otherwise DH & his Mum are going to have a real falling out over cars, driving & who sits where! It's obviously not the reason we're looking at a new car... but seeing as we are, we might as well try to simplify life a bit!)

We have a Toyota verso that has 3 full sized seats in the back. I love it

WHy have you ruled out 7 seaters altogether? Something like a mini MPV, a Citroen C4 would be perfect as it has 3 proper seats in the back. The rear seats fold flat into the boot, so you dont lose boot space, and it isn't a huge bus type thing.

I'm not sure if the 5 seater version has proper seats in the back or not, might be worth looking into.

Chops - we've ruled out MPVs for 2 main reasons: I really don't like the feeling of driving such a big car & DH has a bee in his bonnet about not needing/wanting one - especially seeing as we'd need the 5th seat only about once a month (if even that)

If it was possible to get a very neat one that had decent boot space when the 7 seats were in place we might be able to be convinced - but I suspect we'd need a tardis for that

You could get 3 in back with Vw tiguan (this is a golf chassis) . Vw golf, golf plus and touran same sort of design.
Disadvantage of 1st 3 is limited boot space - if going away we ended up with a roof box too.

I think honda frv also has 3 seats on back.

What about ford c max , Peugeot 3007(or 5007).

Mazda5
Ford C Max

looking for exactly the same thing! Honda fr-v looks interesting, but I'm wondering how much boot space we will need? Currently got a Suzuki Swift which is great other than the hopelessly tiny boot which when combined with our forthcoming second child is forcing the upgrade. Any other suggestions? Also been thinking about a Mondeo - boring but apparently huge. Anyone know if you get 3 in the back seat??

can you get a HBB and a toddler seat in a KI Cee'd does anyone know?

Me too!

Currently have an aged Nissan Almera which is petrol (my first petrol in years) and it's stupidly thirsty so I want another diesel.

I also need to fit 1 x stage 1 car (toddler) seat and a high back booster with an adult sized person in between.

Currently dd2 is the only one who can fit there and whilst she's 12 she's about the size of an average 9yo so space is not really massive. DD1 who is 14, 5'5 and size 10 has no hope! I also would like a better boot as if I ever go away without DH (who has a Vito so no problems with space ) the dog is crammed in with all the luggage and a buggy so he's neither happy nor safe.

I thought that Mazda 5s had a tiny seat in the middle of the 2nd row? I'd love someone to come back and tell me that it is a nice big seat as I looove the look of them [hopeful emoticon].

I'd be looking mainly at German/Japanese makes but I'm aware that Citroens and Renaults are cheaper than a tin of beans so it's a play off against future bills possibly. My budget is as low as I can get it as this is purely a second car - DH's Vito will always be our family car and will never be more than 3 years old but being as he's away all the flipping time the remaining 5 of us spend more and more time in my Almera. Which is driving us all nuts.

Tell me which one you get, because we are having the same problem!

Husband bought which? car and they all look rubbish.

poor reliability etc.

MPV feel like you are giving up and driving a bus.

Husband sent me i to look at a FRV in a Honda garage yesterday, but they didn't have one.

Thought about an XC90,Cmax,Kuga,BMW touring, galaxy, verso.

We have exactly the same requirements and just bought a Verso.

It's exactly the same size as our Renault Scenic, but has a further two pop-up seats in the back and hopefully won't cost as as much in repairs (n.b. DON'T buy a Scenic).

Also tried a few others - see reviews of test drives/sizes
here

Feels and looks like a normal car, not MPV.
Great spec and cheaper than many 5 seaters.
3 full seats across the back (The C-max doesn't, BTW)
0% finance and 5 year warranty

AND you have an additional 2 seats for other people's children, additional family members etc... Otherwise just a really good sized boot.

Worth a look I'd say.

db
xx