Best cars for three child car seats
If you’re a parent, you should be aware that all children under the age of 12, or under 135cm tall, are required to use a child seat by law.
However, despite manufacturers’ claims, only a fraction of family-focused models can actually meet the needs of families with more than two young children*.
So, for the some 180,000 families in the UK who have three children or more, what are the best cars? Below you’ll find five great options, all of which come kitted out with seven seats and, perhaps more importantly, can carry THREE Isofix child seats.
Volkswagen Touran
The Touran might not enjoy the same popularity Volkswagen’s SUVs do, but it does benefit from the same hallmark quality, excellent engine line-up and a very roomy interior.
Interestingly, VW’s more popular SUVs didn’t even feature on WhatCar’s list, although it’ll be interesting to see how the new Tiguan Allspace compares.
Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer
Citroen has long-been a producer of great people carriers, but it recently ditched its famed Picasso name in favour of something fresh – the SpaceTourer. Happily however, the Grand C4’s immense practicality and original looks remain.
Like the Zafira and Alhambra, even with three kids you won’t be needing the rear-most set of seats – all three fit across the middle row, and all will be safe thanks to those Isofix points.
Seat Alhambra
Sitting on essentially the same platform as the aforementioned Volkswagen, the various Isofix points and huge boot already make the Seat Alhambra a perfect choice for large families.
But that is far from the Alhambra’s only plus point – those sliding rear doors are sure to make school runs a doddle and, while it benefits from the same level of quality, you’ll get more equipment for a lower monthly payment if you opt for the Spanish brand over a VW.
Audi Q7
You’ll have noticed a trend with the above cars – despite declining interest in the MPV segment, it would appear they’re still more practical than some of the latest SUVs. If you’re insistent on that off-road flair however, the Audi Q7 is the one to go for. Not only are there three Isofix points in the rear, they also feature on the front passenger rearmost seats too.
Thanks to this flexibility, it’s a great option if you want to avoid any rear-seat squabbles. Being an Audi, the interior is a lovely place to be too, even when you’re hoovering up the assorted crisps and crumbs from the footwells…
BMW X5
While you won’t be able to fit three child seats on a row with the X5, if you opt for two additional seats in the boot not only does it add to the SUVs practicality but boosts passenger space.
Opting for the seven-seat X5 allows a variety of configurations depending on your needs. Two child seats can be fitted in the outers seats but unfortunately the X5 isn’t quite wide enough to fit a third in the middle. Placing the third child seat in the rear row allows them plenty of head and leg room giving each child plenty of space.
Alternatively, if you’re carrying adults and children, you can fit two child seats in the rear and one in the middle. This leaves the two outer seats available for bigger passengers.
* What Car? tested 16 of the best-selling cars in the UK and used the same three children – aged seven, four and 11 months – in every car; the youngest was in a Maxi-Cosi Pebble infant seat secured by the seat belt, while the older two were in Britax Romer Kidfix II seats with Isofix points. Only one of eight SUVs could fit a trio of child seats in, as well as 66% of MPVs.
