Flexible family car with big boot... Settle our 'debate'!

[Indecisivelurcher]

I want an estate. Dh wants a hatchback. An mpv might even be an option. We just can't agree! Hit me up with your recommendations please mumsnet!

Must be able to fit 2 car seats without getting kneed in the back. D-dog must be able to fit comfortably and jump in himself. I'd like to be able to sling kids bikes in the boot. Got to be efficient and comfortable, style optional!

We've currently got a dying Renault megane estate which has been brill but dh thinks too big / defo no bigger. And a seat ibiza hatchback which is pretty cramped. We're going down to one car.

I agree with @AnotherEmma on the Skoda octavia. We got a 2014 with panoramic sunroof second hand for £10k. We also looked at the Volvo estates but could get far more for your money with the Skoda.

It’s very safe, boot is HUGE and it’s just lovely to drive and very efficient. Easy for a dog to jump into the boot and when the seats are folded down you can fit all manner of items in it.

I love my Citroen Berlingo but it might be bigger than you're looking for.

Another vote for the Skoda Octavia. We have 2 kids and a buggy to take everywhere and there's plenty of room. DH is 6ft 6 and has plenty of space to keep his seat back without squashing our sons legs behind him.

Tell your DH he's been outvoted on the Octavia
Could he test drive it? He might be pleasantly surprised.

Yes I should say I'm 5'3 and DH over 6 ft we both found it v comfy.

Test drive one.

The Seat Leon estate is worth a look, and would be in your price range. Feels more like a hatchback than an estate somehow, but has a good size boot.

Well we do happen to have a skoda garage near my mums house
You all mean the estate version I take it, tell me if not!

Citroen grand picasso is one of the few of theseoptions available in petrol automatic ( our preferred option too) and ours was in your budget- low milage and a few years old...

@FindMeInTheSunshine I really dislike our ibiza but mostly because the clutch is oddly deep, to push the clutch to the floor I have to put my seat further forward than I'd like which then twigs my sciatica in my other leg! But I've always wondered if it's just because the ibiza is trying to pretend it's a sporty little number!!! So perhaps I need to see one.

Do you already have the car seats you'd put in it? If so just book a test drive and see what you think. You can put car seats in for a test drive, we always do, and take the kids :o

We have just leased a Peugeot 3008 which is fantastic for car seats and boot space, but might be a bit high for your dog. We're really happy with it.

@holymosquito there is 1 that comes up within 50 miles of me, but you're right out ticks all the boxes. Better mpg than the estates! I'll need to look into the size compared to others as think dh will be horrified. I quite like the idea of having room for another passenger myself for car sharing purposes.

Yes Octavia estate

We all loved it

"You all mean the estate version I take it, tell me if not!"

Nope. As I said in my first post, we have the standard version, not the estate. It's plenty big enough for us. And if your DH is concerned about the length of an estate, he might be happier with the standard version.

VW Sharan

KIA Ceed Sportswagen

www.kia.com/uk/new-cars/ceed-sportswagon/

I got this in Feb and I adore it 😩🥰
I have 2 dogs, 1DS and DD on the way. Bags of space for everyone.

Best boot space I've ever seen! With storage underneath (pics below) 🤗

Kia Optima, we loved ours and regret changing it! When this deal finishes we will get another Optima

I love my Mokka. 2 child seats for DC in the back, our spaniel jumps in and sits in the middle, and the boot is big enough for the entire travel system plus bags

Skoda superb estate

@tj17 boot envy But dh specifically vitoed the kua ceed estate for being too big!

@Indecisivelurcher ah sorry I didn't RTFT 🤦🏼‍♀️

But I do love my boot 😂🥰🥰🥰

"And if your DH is concerned about the length of an estate, he might be happier with the standard version."

Actually I think they're the same length 🤦🏻‍♀️

We have the Ford S Max and have never regretted it. However, if you want an electric, take a look at the Kia Neo Hybrid.

@anotheremma that sounds bizarre?!!!

We got a crossover rather than estate for reasons of length (crowded on street parking where we live) - ended up with a Volvo XC60 which we all love. Nice to drive, good flexible boot, great service from Volvo even though we bought second hand.

We’ve had it five years (it’s nearly 10 years old now) and it’s never given us a problem.

I would like electric but most of our journeys would be too fast for the electric component so on balance think an efficient petrol would be best.