Car Advice Please For Three Children Under Two: Hyundai Sante Fe

[Egg]

Does anyone have one of these? Especially anyone foolish fortunate enough to have three children under the age of 2?

We have twins due in Jan/Feb, and a DS who is 20 months at present. I would like a people carrier type thing, ideally with sliding doors and two rows of back seats. However, DH refuses and has done a lot of research on 4x4 type cars, and has come up with the Hyundai Santa Fe. It is apparently a great car, which I don't dispute, but can we fit three car seats in easily, and are the two extra seats just pop up ones that can only seat people over the age of 12 (ie, not ideal for us at all).

Any advice much appreciated.

Doesn't anyone own one?????

sorry can't help. but bumping this for you

sorry no idea about a santa fe. would you be better off with a ford s-max or citroen xsara picasso or something?
i know you can def get 3 kids car seats in those

sorry DH doesn't like it - but the people carrier option is a good one (I had 3 under 18 months - for a whole day - now they are just 18 months apart).

I have never heard of the Santa Fe so can't comment.

BUT - sliding doors are a godsend - DH's car has them - mine doesn't - I am envious.

we've got the mazda 5 (which isnt a 4x4). I love it, its got 2 rows of back seats and sliding doors but it isnt all cumbersome looking like some people carriers.

we have mazdas - very reliable (we had a premacy - the precursor to the mazda 5), and now have an mpv and a mazda2 - which can just fit 3 full sized car seats across the back - but I am not sure they can handle the baby seats - which need longer seatbelts. If you have a baby seat then take them to the relevant dealer and try them out in each seat.

Ah thanks girls . Thought I was going to go unanswered. Will have a look at those options. Just need to buy a car without DH knowing .

sorry no idea. we have a xafira which is obviously only one back row unless you use boot space.

my sister has one - the seats in the back are similar to the ones you'd find in a zafria or the 7 seater meganes and are suitable for children and car seats. she has a large car seat and two booster seats with backs in the middle row. you wouldn't have a lot of boot space though esp with a double buggy if you are using the two seats in the back - you would need to fold one seat down at least. could you not go to a garage and view one- bring seats with you. tbh i think you would be better with a people carrier though esp one that allows you to fold down middle seat and walk thru' car iykwim. the hyundai trajet for example.that has a big boot i could get two dbl buggies in it - and easier to get babies in and out i think.

Thanks for that, I read your post out to DH Ellie and he said "but you are actively trying to find people who don't recommend it". Aherm... yes, I want to make sure it will be suitable for us. Grrrr. I know it has good reviews, I read loads on What Car, but the only one that was negative was from a woman with four children who said it was hard to get to the back seats with a baby seat on one of the middle ones (or something). Argh, I can see I will have no say in the car. We will definitely go for a testdrive, so had better get buying two baby seats so we can try them all.

I drive a Santa Fe, but haven't had 3 seats in, max of 2. Would think that 3 would fit though as it is quite big. A friend is due twins soon and she was looking at the current model which can have 7 seats( she's got 2 already) and was keen bbut I think it was out of price range.

If we can fit three along the main back seats then I will be happy enough... Would still prefer some sliding doors and a walkway though .

Forgot to ask, is it easy to drive? We have a golf at the mo and my only other car was an old Beetle. I am quite small, do you feel dwarfed by the Santa Fe? Does it feel heavy compared to a small car? I am a crap parker too, no idea how I will ever park a big car [worried emoticon].

It's dead easy to drive and for parking....I'm not the best in the world but no disasters yet! Tbh I pick my spaces carefully- obviously not squeezing in where a wee car might fit.

I have to find a space at least three times the length of my car .

Egg - don't fork out for baby seats until you know for sure what car you're going for as they may not fit properly. Is there anyone you can borrow a couple of baby seats from for a day to try out? Or get all the measurements (width would be most important I imagine), cut out paper the same size and try from there lol.

Oh god it just gets worse. Didn't think of that. Was planning on getting maxi cosi as they seem very universal, but now I might be going for Jane pram, hence will get Jane rebel car seats....... Didn't think of that suzi so thanks .

We will have three under 4 next year and have done some research into what car would be best for us (asked lots of other mums). I have no idea about the Santa fe but just wanted to say (in case you do get your way and get a people carrier) avoid any IMPORTED toyota mpv i.e Lucida, Estima as the head gasket WILL go eventually (due to the type of antifreeze the japanese use, the radiators get blocked and the head gaskets go bang). It cost us just under 3K to fix ours .

We were recommended Renault Megane scenic (bit small but does fit 3 seats), and the Citroen Xsara picasso (better sized) lots but I also like the Seat Alhambra (lots of space inside and V. good safety record) and the renault espace (HUGE), but all the seats twist and turn so you can get to the children easily and even have a picnic inside .

I like the Espace. We saw one yesterday. DH said it looks like a silver National Express coach .

Thanks for tip off about imported Toyota too. Don't want to be breaking down at any point in the near (or far) future.

Think your DH might be right!

I think they look a little bit like a space shuttle (requires much imagination to see it though I guess) - much more funky than a national express coach, so I'm stucking with my interpretation .