Family car that can take three child seats + 2 adults - £18k

[Maccles]

My friends have asked for my advice for what car they should buy, as I'm a petrolhead and have a similar sized family.

Budget is £18k. Car needs to be available within ~40 miles of Worthing, West Sussex.

They don't have a drive so electric cars are probably out.

It'll be used for school runs (many sub 1 miles journeys) so diesels are also out.

It needs to accommodate their 4 year old twins, and their newborn baby. For the next five years. So it needs to be able to take three ISOFIX child seats. I've mention Multimac to them, and they might consider it.

Also kids squabble a lot, so three rows of seats (7 seater?) is desirable.

I suggested Ford Galaxy and Citroen C4 Grand Space Tourer. I can't think of much else that fits the bill? Seat Alhambra would be good, but they're nearly all diesel, and I reckon the school runs would soon clog the DPF.

What did I miss?

[edc]

Many 7 seaters cannot fit 3 child seats. At that price point there are also VW Touran and Sharan, Seat Alhambra. Many will be diesel. If it will do weeks of only short journeys then expect DPF problems.

We had a C4 Grand Picasso until the summer. It could for 3 extended rear facing seats in no problem. We now have a larger heavier Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seater but will 2 kids it's actually only a 6 seater. Access to the rear most seats is also harder.

[Davie]

S-Max with the 2.5T...? Plus considerable amounts left over.

[127Sport]

Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot 5008, Vauxhall Zafira Grand Tourer, VW Touran.

[blank]

It's about as desirable as herpes but a Vauxhall Combo Life would tick all the boxes.

4 year olds can probably be in high back boosters soon so no real need to focus on isofix (which is more about ease and consistency of fitting and isn't necessarily safer anyway).

[Joe M]

Smax was the correct answer for me 10 years ago and would definately recommend.

[Willber]

I think the C5 Aircross might have 3 individual rear seats?

[lufbramatt]

My sis in law has a Dacia Jogger, she has 3 little kids and it works well for them. Petrol/hybrids available. £18k gets a nearly new one.

[ZX10R NIN]

C5 Aircross in Tech Flair plus trim & with the 1.6T (don't even consider the 1.2t:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609256...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609115...

Sounds like they could do with some space so I'd say the S Max in 2.5h spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609236...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607084...

2.5h Galaxy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604291...

1.3t Grand Scenic:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608064...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609085...

[speedster986]

Not within 40 miles though

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606163...

[Matt_T]

The Honda CRV comes in a 7-seat version. Not sure if it leaves any room for a pushchair etc with a 3rd row seat in use.
Mitsubishi Outlander petrol (non-hybrid) also comes in 7-seats.
Toyota Prius+ is also a 7-seater

Edited by Matt_T on Sunday 4th October 21:29

[_Rodders_]

Could go JDM.

You'd get a 30 Series Toyota Alphard for that price, either 7 or 8 seats.

Vastly superior to smoking round in a Vauxhall.

[Glosphil]

edc said:

Many 7 seaters cannot fit 3 child seats. At that price point there are also VW Touran and Sharan, Seat Alhambra. Many will be diesel. If it will do weeks of only short journeys then expect DPF problems.

We had a C4 Grand Picasso until the summer. It could for 3 extended rear facing seats in no problem. We now have a larger heavier Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seater but will 2 kids it's actually only a 6 seater. Access to the rear most seats is also harder.

I thought that short journeys in a diesel would give DPF problems. However, in 2013 my sister-in-law on Jersey bought a Skoda Rapide diesel (105hp) It's longest journey has been less than 12 miles & most are under 7 (Jersey is 9x5 miles). In 13 years not a single problem with the DPF.

When she bought the car there were more diesels than petrols in the showroom.

[Davie]

Slight twist, but if it's literally to do a sub 1 mile school run... I'd just buy the cheapest suitable sized thing for shed money. 1.8 Zafira, I'm looking at you.

[Matt_T]

This website is useful...
https://babydrive.com.au/

Subaru Outbacks will take 3 seats, two isofix and the middle is a tether.
https://babydrive.com.au/reviews/suvs/all-new-2021...

Edited by Matt_T on Tuesday 6th October 15:44

[edc]

Matt_T said:

This website is useful...
https://babydrive.com.au/

Subaru Outbacks will take 3 seats, two isofix and the middle is a tether.
https://babydrive.com.au/reviews/suvs/all-new-2021...

Edited by Matt_T on Tuesday 6th October 15:44

This picture highlights that some cars will only fit certain seats or certain combinations. Some will just never fit 3 car seats in a row.

[Rebew]

We have two kids, two dogs and a third baby on the way and the option that made the most sense for us was the VW Sharan. It's boring but it is a big box on wheels that can fit everything in with room to spare. You can get 3 isofix car seats in the middle row or have one or both rear seats up as required.

A friend of ours has just bought a new hybrid MG S9 hybrid. On the outside it is bigger than the Sharan but has much less useable space inside which I think is the case with most 7 seat SUVs.

Our school run is 1.2 miles and except for in very rare circumstances we walk it every day.

I think the only genuine 7 seater still in production for the UK market is the Ford Galaxy so if you want something newer with 7 proper seats then you would be looking at a van with seats rather than an MPV.

[Matt_T]

The Stellantis minibus comes in a SWB version which shouldn't be too tricky to park...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20879909