Well the question is in the title.

Over the weekend the wife found the Octavia to narrow in the back.

So what car will fit 2 car seats (britax isofix) and an adult or 3 car seat across the back seat significantly better than the Scout.

Budget max = £25k but happier around the £18k mark.

Mileage = 40k max

Age = 08 reg

Short list –

- Volvo XC90 SE Lux / Execusive 2.4D

- Audi A6 Advant Quattro 3.0 TDi

- BMW 530/520d M Sport Touring

- Skoda Superb Estate Elegance 4x4 170 TDi

- Ford S-Max 2.0/2.2 Titanium TDCi

Others not really thought to much about,

Mazda 5, Mazda CX-7, Toyota Verso, Honda FRV, Volvo XC60 plus others I’m sure...

If possible I'd like to keep 4wd.

Although any ideas around the £8k+ mark as I could use this as a way of not spending so much money on cars, allowing me A-not to spend so much on cars or B-Change them more often.

Some times I hate being a car nut and loving cars and being very specific about the colour and spec I want. If only a car was just a way of getting from A to B, then a £6k 1.8 Ford Mondeo would keep me happy.

Cheers,

thewez

The problem is not many if any cars have 3 isofix fixings on the back seat, usually only the 2 outer seats have them. Looks to me. You might be lookin at 7 seaters. How old are the kids? If one just needs a booster seat there used to be volvo that had them in the centre armrest. My dad used to have a 940 and it had it in.

I'd be amazed if the shortlisted cars will have room, even th? 5 series will be tight for that amount of car seats/people

Audi A6 Avant won't do it- It's hard enough to get two adults and a child seat in - the seat belt clips are recessed and hard to access with a full back seat!

A VW Touran will (just about) fit two car seats and a adult - Car seats only have isofix on outer seat though. The new Sharan (perhaps Alhambra) has three Isofix fittings on the second row of seats for 3 child seats and there is the option to have built in booster seats in the two outer seats. - No 4wheel drive though.

Edited 16 March, 201214 yr by io1901

Superb is massive. Buy.

I think the xc90 would do it but the centre seat on the second row isn't very comfortable so swmbo wouldn't be to happy sitting on it me thinks, the xc70 is slightly better aslong as its not got centre cup holders that fold up from under seat

I'd think strongly about looking at how close the rear seats in a 7 seater to the rear door. Know it's long time ago ,in an outmoded design ,but long time ago my firms brand new Sierra was whacked uo the back twice on the motorway. Dog was in boot area and suffered hidden injuries. No real damage to rear end, although the shell had to be replaced . Makes my hair stand on end when I see kids in seats very close to the rear door on 7 seaters .

Update.

Well looked at 3 over the weekend.

Superb, XC90, S-Max.

I messured the distance between the two inner iso fix points.

The Superb was really nice, great leg room, but not really any wider, maybe 32cm for the scout the superb was 34cm. This was a big disipointment as this would be the simplist change...

Next was the XC90. We saw an Executive in the show room, the sale man was great, helped loads. The magic distance was approx 44cm (maybe a bit move) this proved to give enough for room for wife. Lovely car, but is an expensive car.... Probable worth it though....

Then we had a quick look at the S-Max (swmbo couldnt believe that it was same size as XC90) this had over 52cm between point.

I think the xc90 would do it but the centre seat on the second row isn't very comfortable so swmbo wouldn't be to happy sitting on it me thinks, the xc70 is slightly better aslong as its not got centre cup holders that fold up from under seat

I will have a look at a XC70, not sure I'd get one over an XC90 just on looks but a good idea....

Although looking at Warranty Directs reliability index gave a few supprise

Octavia - 2004+ = 91 in index and average cost of repair £368.34

S-Max - 2006+ = 22 in index and average cost of repair £255.64

XC90 - 2002+ = 201 in index and average cost of repair £455.23

Discovery 3 2004+ = 190 in index and average cost of repair £298.75

Freelander 2006+ = 44 in index and average cost of repair £243.49

Citroen Xsara Picasso = 48 in index and average cost of repair £214.54

The index states that 100 is the average score, thus the Octavia and S-Max are better than average where the XC90 is worse. What worries me is that the XC90 is less reliable that a Discovery, known for its poor realibility.... Shock....

Not sure how good these figures are, a Freelander better than an Octavia...

The search goes on...

Edited 19 March, 201214 yr by thewez

Slim hope I know but there could be a Seat Alhambra 4x4....

Having been through this loop when purchasing the Roomster (downsizing from a Verso) I can tell you that for the external width the Verso has the best internal seating space (well it did on the previous shape model).

In terms of being rear ended in a 7 seater I had transit van go into the back of mine and the damage was all at bumper height. I know there is the 5th Gear video of a lorry hitting the back of a 7 seater but most of them have the row 3 seats close to the rear screen.

When it comes to 5 seaters you need to look at things like Berlingos and Citroen Picasso's to get good row 2 seats for 3 people. So many of the cross overs have very poor row 2 seats so you can discount Pug 3008, Mitsubishi ASX as well as the smaller MPV's, Vauxhall Mariva, maybe the new C-Max.

I think there are some of the bigger saloons/estates, things like the Mondeo which might come close.

The reason I can just get the 3 seats in the Roomster is because the outer 2 seats can be positioned in front or behind the middle seat (the Yeti cannot do this so I had to discount it). and this gave it the extra leeway to get 3 seats in place.

The only thing you can do is what I had to and that is take 3 child seats to all the dealers and try to fit them in all the cars, amazing how quickly you can disappoint a sales person by showing them how limited the seating in the back of one of their cars is.

Edited 21 March, 201214 yr by hertsnminds