I need a tardis car - any recommendations?

[queenbrunhilda]

We bought a Citroen C3 Picasso in the autumn (looked a good bet - it's a well reviewed and cheap to run MPV). But its boot is just too small (we have to remember to empty out our sports kit/wellies each week before going to the supermarket, which doesn't bode well for the occasional trip to IKEA or camping).

So we're going to sell and look for something with better storage. But we don't want to compromise too much on cabin space, nor can we go much bigger without losing the ability to park on our hard standing.

So if you have a car which swallows up your family and their assorted belongings but is still pretty compact please, please let me know.

We have a renault scenic grande for family of 5 with frequent extras and an inability to pack light. Love it.

A Renault Grande Scenic is a perfect Tardis car however I would never ever recommend anyone buy a Renault as they are notoriously unreliable.

I don't know the exact dimensions of the Picasso and how it will compare size wise, but we have the newest Hinda CRV and it a fab. Before this we've had the previous 2 models and it really doesn't disappoint re space, it's just seems to keep on taking more bags/sports kit/buggy etc. we've also found them incredibly reliable and recently, get excellent mpg.

we must've been lucky then, we've had renaults before and been very happy with them.

we loved our toyota verso too, similar in many ways to the renault scenic but with less gadgets!

Obv that's a Honda CRV

Seat Altea XL. It's the first car we've bought whilst considering how to fit all of our 2 DDs stuff in, and still have enough leg room for everyone (tall family) for holidays etc. While DDs are still quite small, but have bigger stuff, pushchair etc, we can slide the rear seats forward a little way, reducing leg room a bit, but increasing the boot space. It feels massive inside, room round both sides of the front seat for me to reach my arms back and fetch dropped toys, plenty of head room, and can stretch my legs out. Can fit bugg, highchair, suitcase, 2 crates of presents, 4 coats, one big shopping bag, and the changing bag in the boot, and still pull the cover thing over it, so nothing higher than the top of the rear seats. Outside it doesn't look anywhere near as big. It's easy to park, nice to drive. We've had it for several months now, but I'm still really impressed at the space in it.

We've got a C4 Picasso - felt that the C3 was just a bit on the small side, and now we can fit 2 huge teens and an almost 8 year old in the back plus loads of luggage in the boot. It certainly feels tardis like with the huge windscreen and the dashboard-mounted handbrake which gives us lots of space between the driver and passenger seats.

My SMax is cavernous inside. I love everything about it.

I would also be hesitant about recommending a Renault. I've had two and once they get to be a few years old, stuff really starts going wrong.

Is an estate too big for your drive? Have a vw passat, boot is huge, you can just keep putting things in and it never fills up! Also plenty of room in back for car seats/leg room. Good mpg and low servicing costs as only needs servicing every 2 yrs.

Toyota Verso. My parents have one, it's much shorter than my Peugeot 5008 but still has the width to fit three child seats or two child seats and an adult comfortably in the back. You'd never think to look at it that it also has two 'pop-up' seats in the boot floor too. Definitely a Tardis!

Ford B/C/S Max.

S-Max.
Mahoosive boot, 5 proper seats plus 2 hidden in the boot (so people don't know you have a 7-seater and take advantage )

Thank you all wise Mnetters. Will be off to check out a C-Max as soon as the snow clears. Fancy the Scenic too, but you have me worried about reliability. And, yes, we only have a little bit of space for parking n front of the house, so estate cars are ruled out. A double-decker hatchback would be good!

Why don't we have double decker cars? Is it a safety thing? It would solve so many space issues.

And the winner is... a Skoda roomster. Nearest thing to a double decker I could afford find.

I drive a Skoda Octavia estate and it has a massive boot. I've had four people in the car, a mobility scooter, flat pack desk, flat pack chest of drawers and three stuffed Ikea bags and still had space.