CARS: People movers versus estates...

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Are people movers really that much better than 'normal' estate cars? I know there's more headroom, the boot looks big on the one I have had a test drive in (Renault Scenic) - but as I don't want one with loads of seats (ie a Galaxy or anything with 7 seats) just something comfy & roomy. any suggestions welcomed.

Has anyone seen or heard of an article detailing all the different mpvs available from most basic to high end with all relevant details and evaluation as I am v confused and need to try and work out which 7 seater is going to suit our family best.

Just found out that I'm pregnant with number three and we're going to have to trade in our car. First of all, how do you fit three kids in a standard back seat? does one have to sit in the middle with just a lap-belt? is that legal? (my oldest child will be four when no. 3 comes along).
My husband does a lot of driving about the country with his work but we live in London, so need something that's good for getting about the city too. Any suggestions v. welcome.

How old is the oldest one? I'm pretty sure the lap belt is legal but I'm not sure I'd be 100%happy with one of mine using it on a regular basis.

On the subject of cars, we're really pleased with our Renault Laguna - huge boot, lots of room for passengers, enough gadgets to keep Gadget Boy happy, has 3 3-point harnesses for the rear seats and got 5*s in its safety tests. Also, you can fit 1 big car seat, a high-backed booster AND a 1st stage seat in the back too (should you so desire!)

bon, you don't say what size of car you're looking for or what your budget is, but bigger cars are most likely to have a shoulder belt in the middle, and also to have a centre head-rest, which is important as they get taller.

If you can afford it it's worth considering a 6 or 7 seater, because as they get older and go to school you start having friends to take along.

If you do end up with only a lap-belt in the middle, you can use that to anchor many child-seats safely, at least the ones with a metal frame and a proper 5-point safety harness, so the smallest child would be safe there and the 2 older ones could have the shoulder belts. (Lap-belts are better than nothing for a child, but only just.)

Absolutely love my Fiat Multipla (i know it looks odd) but it seats 6 easily with full seatbelts and still has room for all the other crap I seem to carry around !

MABS, just curious, I love the look of the Multipla (is that weird?) but I do wonder what it's like having a child sitting in the middle in the front - is it distracting or do you just put them in a straitjacket when you have to use that seat?

Janh, yeah I reckon it is weird to like the look of the car, particularly as mine is wee coloured 'rainforest yellow' !!

When I use the middle seat at the front, I tend to put dd in it at she's nearly 8 and relatively sensible. Also, as it happens rarely, she considers its a treat so behaves ok. I've never had a child under 3 in front seat and don't reckon I would through choice as it'd be distracting.

When dh bought it for me as an anniversary present I was shocked by the look of it , but have to say I absolutely love it now , 2 yrs later. Needless to say - no more presents like that this year !

I remember seeing Jeremy Clarkson saying that he'd neveer allow a child of his to sit in the back row of a people carrier because he thinks it too dangerous. He recommended the Fiat too.

Hi there, I'm new to the site. I have 3 kids and have recently did the rounds with looking for cars to accommodate all of them. We finally decided (or dh did) on the a Mercedes 7 seater estate. It's not new but I really wouldn't be without it now. I did originally want a people carrier but dh thought it didn't fit his image! Must say the mercedes does have heaps of room. The other day we got 4 adults, 3 kids and luggage in! And it looks like a car rather then a bus!

Landover Discovery's are wonderful. We have three children and often carry other people's too. Seven seats all with proper three point belts. Much competition to sit in the "boot"!