PH dads - which 4x4s take three car seats across the back?
Discussion
Parents of PH your experience please 
Does anyone have practical experience of which 4x4s take three car seats across the back seat, preferably 3 ISOFIX?
I need to replace the family lugger and the stipulations have been decreed as must be 4x4, capable of seating 7 occasionally and take all three kids in car seats across the back seat (2 ISOFIX, one booster at present). Initial research seems to suggest that these stipulations limit the choice to less than a handful and principally Discovery 3 / 4 or Volvo XC90.... but there must be other potential candidates?
I can't be unique with these stipulations, so what are other PH dads transporting their brood around in? Any suggestions please?
Does anyone have practical experience of which 4x4s take three car seats across the back seat, preferably 3 ISOFIX?
I need to replace the family lugger and the stipulations have been decreed as must be 4x4, capable of seating 7 occasionally and take all three kids in car seats across the back seat (2 ISOFIX, one booster at present). Initial research seems to suggest that these stipulations limit the choice to less than a handful and principally Discovery 3 / 4 or Volvo XC90.... but there must be other potential candidates?
I can't be unique with these stipulations, so what are other PH dads transporting their brood around in? Any suggestions please?
I was about to reply that I did not believe you could fit 3 car seats in the second row of seats in my X5 given there are ISO mounts for only 2 but this article suggests you can and lists the seats models.
http://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/2015/01/3-acro...
http://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/2015/01/3-acro...
Just to get the usual stuff out the way: you don't need a 4x4. An estate car is better. What is wrong with you. An estate car. You are a child killer. Estate car. You don't off-road. Estate car. Other cars can tow. Estate car.
Now that's out the way we can focus on answering the specific question being asked.
I'm not aware of a car that has three sets of isofix but you can fit three Recaro Sports across the back of most large SUVs (the type that have completely replaced the old fashioned large estate car due to being even more practical and useful). Also, there is a company that makes entire rows of triple child seats that fit into cars.
But as others have said, I think the easiest solution is to use a 7 seater like a Disco or Volvo. The reason being that to get the middle child into the car is an absolute f
ker. You have to climb into the back, over a car seat and be handed the child. It becomes a two man operation where one person needs to be an oompaloompa.
Go and buy a big back of potatoes and practice lifting it gently into the middle of the back seat with child seats already in the main rear seats.
Now that's out the way we can focus on answering the specific question being asked.
I'm not aware of a car that has three sets of isofix but you can fit three Recaro Sports across the back of most large SUVs (the type that have completely replaced the old fashioned large estate car due to being even more practical and useful). Also, there is a company that makes entire rows of triple child seats that fit into cars.
But as others have said, I think the easiest solution is to use a 7 seater like a Disco or Volvo. The reason being that to get the middle child into the car is an absolute f
ker. You have to climb into the back, over a car seat and be handed the child. It becomes a two man operation where one person needs to be an oompaloompa. Go and buy a big back of potatoes and practice lifting it gently into the middle of the back seat with child seats already in the main rear seats.
DonkeyApple said:
Just to get the usual stuff out the way: you don't need a 4x4. An estate car is better. What is wrong with you. An estate car. You are a child killer. Estate car. You don't off-road. Estate car. Other cars can tow. Estate car.
Now that's out the way we can focus on answering the specific question being asked.
I'm not aware of a car that has three sets of isofix but you can fit three Recaro Sports across the back of most large SUVs (the type that have completely replaced the old fashioned large estate car due to being even more practical and useful). Also, there is a company that makes entire rows of triple child seats that fit into cars.
But as others have said, I think the easiest solution is to use a 7 seater like a Disco or Volvo. The reason being that to get the middle child into the car is an absolute fker. You have to climb into the back, over a car seat and be handed the child. It becomes a two man operation where one person needs to be an oompaloompa.
Go and buy a big back of potatoes and practice lifting it gently into the middle of the back seat with child seats already in the main rear seats.
Quite a few cars have three sets of ISOFIX in the rear; mostly SUV crossover types (S-Max, Berlingo, C4) but also a few estates like the Peugeot 308SW. There's a list here. We have two kids with one on the way and managed to stick to the estate format (outgoing Mazda 6 2.0, incoming Superb 2.0 TSI).Now that's out the way we can focus on answering the specific question being asked.
I'm not aware of a car that has three sets of isofix but you can fit three Recaro Sports across the back of most large SUVs (the type that have completely replaced the old fashioned large estate car due to being even more practical and useful). Also, there is a company that makes entire rows of triple child seats that fit into cars.
But as others have said, I think the easiest solution is to use a 7 seater like a Disco or Volvo. The reason being that to get the middle child into the car is an absolute f
ker. You have to climb into the back, over a car seat and be handed the child. It becomes a two man operation where one person needs to be an oompaloompa. Go and buy a big back of potatoes and practice lifting it gently into the middle of the back seat with child seats already in the main rear seats.
rainmakerraw said:
Quite a few cars have three sets of ISOFIX in the rear; mostly SUV crossover types (S-Max, Berlingo, C4) but also a few estates like the Peugeot 308SW. There's a list here. We have two kids with one on the way and managed to stick to the estate format (outgoing Mazda 6 2.0, incoming Superb 2.0 TSI).
Sorry, I should have said that I'm not aware of a 4x4 in that regard. Searider said:
XC90 has isofix in the two outboard seats. The centre seat has a built in booster. Works for us.
https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/using-a-child-car-seat-or-booster-seatSadly from Jan 2017 the law is changing and you can no longer use the booster seat instead you'll have to buy another child seat.
Welshbeef said:
Searider said:
XC90 has isofix in the two outboard seats. The centre seat has a built in booster. Works for us.
https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/using-a-child-car-seat-or-booster-seatSadly from Jan 2017 the law is changing and you can no longer use the booster seat instead you'll have to buy another child seat.
Krikkit said:
Why does that preclude the use of integrated child seats if they have a diagonal belt?
Because it has to be a child seat WITH a back attached to it. Integrated options are no longer permitted come next year. So anyone with detachable booster seats from 1/1/17 they need to be binned.
I looked at a new skoda superb and test fitted my 3yr olds seat in t middle and the 5 & 7 yr olds booster either side and that worked OK.
They are wider in the rear than the previous model and the huge amount of legroom means getting them in is easier.
AFAIK they do a 4x4 version. In the right trim they are a very nice thing indeed.
They are wider in the rear than the previous model and the huge amount of legroom means getting them in is easier.
AFAIK they do a 4x4 version. In the right trim they are a very nice thing indeed.
dave_s13 said:
I looked at a new skoda superb and test fitted my 3yr olds seat in t middle and the 5 & 7 yr olds booster either side and that worked OK.
They are wider in the rear than the previous model and the huge amount of legroom means getting them in is easier.
AFAIK they do a 4x4 version. In the right trim they are a very nice thing indeed.
As above those booster seats will have to be binned in Jan and your going to have to buy child seats for them up to the age of 12 or if they grow beyond a certain size. They are wider in the rear than the previous model and the huge amount of legroom means getting them in is easier.
AFAIK they do a 4x4 version. In the right trim they are a very nice thing indeed.
So you'll need to measure again with the new seats bought just in case it doesn't fit
Welshbeef said:
dave_s13 said:
I looked at a new skoda superb and test fitted my 3yr olds seat in t middle and the 5 & 7 yr olds booster either side and that worked OK.
They are wider in the rear than the previous model and the huge amount of legroom means getting them in is easier.
AFAIK they do a 4x4 version. In the right trim they are a very nice thing indeed.
As above those booster seats will have to be binned in Jan and your going to have to buy child seats for them up to the age of 12 or if they grow beyond a certain size. They are wider in the rear than the previous model and the huge amount of legroom means getting them in is easier.
AFAIK they do a 4x4 version. In the right trim they are a very nice thing indeed.
So you'll need to measure again with the new seats bought just in case it doesn't fit
ecsrobin said:
According to this they won't have to be binned and it comes into affect after March and only for new sales. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38182298
It says nothing about built in booster seats. Did the big estate car, did the big MPV, and the Mercedes R-class meets our family needs best.
First class luxury & space, with more legroom & luggage capacity than the largest estates, plus 4-wheel drive.
Not a sports car, but rides & handles better than most SUV's or MPV's.
More like an S-class 4Matic estate with room for 6/7 in comfort if required.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mercedes-benz/...
First class luxury & space, with more legroom & luggage capacity than the largest estates, plus 4-wheel drive.
Not a sports car, but rides & handles better than most SUV's or MPV's.
More like an S-class 4Matic estate with room for 6/7 in comfort if required.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mercedes-benz/...
Welshbeef said:
ecsrobin said:
According to this they won't have to be binned and it comes into affect after March and only for new sales. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38182298
It says nothing about built in booster seats. Willy Nilly said:
Why can't a better solution be engineered into car seats? Just how many deaths and injuries to children to these seats actually save?
3 weeks ago my sister was killed in a head on car crash. In the car with her were my 2 and 5 year old nieces, seated in very good car seats. The police have told us the seats saved their lives, the seats were actually broken, the girls were OK.This isn't something to take a chance with, you'll probably need 3 different seats for a child until they're 12, so that might cost say £600ish, what price do you put on your childs life?
How sad. One of our car seats has always given me a niggling worry because of how the straps work. Its an occasional seat in our non-family car but you're right, why risk it? I'm going to order a new one now.
OP we have three under five so we wanted a family car with three isofix. We ended up with a nearly new Smax Titanium and whilst we've sacrificed some desirability it is absolutely perfect for the job. Its not a bad steer either.
OP we have three under five so we wanted a family car with three isofix. We ended up with a nearly new Smax Titanium and whilst we've sacrificed some desirability it is absolutely perfect for the job. Its not a bad steer either.
What about people with say 3 kids who can't afford a new car, or a big car?
And before anyone says don't have kids u can't afford, in my case 2 of them are my girlfriends from her previous relationship. 5 and 8. We have a baby due next week. There's no way my Audi a3 can cope with the new laws. fk it.
And before anyone says don't have kids u can't afford, in my case 2 of them are my girlfriends from her previous relationship. 5 and 8. We have a baby due next week. There's no way my Audi a3 can cope with the new laws. f
k it.Sometimes it's more about fitting in the right permutation of car seats for them. Chopping and changing cars can waste money and I'd have gone straight to the S-Max much sooner, rather than the Focus > Mondeo MK3 > Mondeo Mk4 > S-Max route our kids took. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
There are other family buses, but the S-Max does the job well and can be had for reasonable money. They've been around long enough for older, cheaper ones to be available.
There are other family buses, but the S-Max does the job well and can be had for reasonable money. They've been around long enough for older, cheaper ones to be available.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff