As above really - Looks like we're going for no. 3 and as per this thread I'm seriously considering the Karoq as the daily family car and the long distance weekend cruiser.

 

We don't want a massive 7 seater as the wife would hate driving something the size of a small Panzer, so I'm hoping to hear of some success stories of how the Karoq with Varioflex was all another family of five has ever needed! 

 

Our current kids are 4 and 2, so no booster seats here, it has to be three proper child car seats across the back (I fully appreciate I'd need to choose the seats carefully - Fortunately we haven't yet bought any as the other thread above hints). I'm aware the middle seat doesn't have Isofix mounts, but that isn't an issue as long as I buy a seat for the middle (probably the new baby's) that is secured by the seat belt - It can't go anywhere with the other two on either side in the event of a side collision (the chief safety benefit of Isofix over seat belt secured child seats).

 

Can anyone share some relevant direct experience?

I think you’ll struggle getting 3 kids seats in the back of a Karoq, I can’t fit 3 in the middle row of my Kodiaq and have to make use of the 3 rd row. 

The only way you'll have a chance of getting 3 in is to go for seatbeltable kids seats, which will give you wiggle room on there positions which is far from ideal. If you go with isofix you won't have a cat in hells chance of getting a third seat in. As basically the karoq (like most cars really) only has 2.5 seats not 3 across the back. If you really must avoid larger 7 seat SUV/MPV's (I did have a citroen c4 grand Picasso, now have a kodiaq 7 seat) might I suggest the citroen c5 aircross that has 3 equal sized seats across the back and will take 3 high back boosters (maybe not all combos will fit but ours did), with the outer 2 on isofix middle one on seatbelt. If you really fancy a karoq you could get a multi-mac but that might not be available for the karoq yet. 

Thanks for the responses, both of which I fear are correct in all respects.

 

I looked at a multimac, whilst clever, it’s a niche option that I would imagine to be ultimately limiting - especially in terms of using the varioflex seating for more luggage space when one or more children aren’t being carried for example. Also when one of them gets picked up for a play date or outing by their friend’s parents (for example), we then need to have a separate car seat to go with them anyway.

 

Perhaps the wife needs to just get used to a bigger vehicle after all - The VW Touran doesn’t look obscenely large. Luckily she’s not style obsessed!

If your not against having a citroen (typically very comfortable but not spectacularly reliable) you could get as I said a c4 spacetourer or c5 aircross which would accommodate most combinations of child seats 3 abreast. Spacetourer has 3 isofix across the back, c5 aircross (we did look at one of these when shopping around but ultimately chose the kodiaq as the wife really wanted to retain 7 seats) only in the outer 2 seats but still retaining the equal size seating. Whilst the vw touran will be a good solid car to buy second hand, you won't get much for your money as they are fairly pricey. 

Edited 19 September, 20196 yr by Gmac983
.

I have a no French policy - Citroen reliability being a key reason!

 

I don’t want to risk ending up with a financial liability further down the road (also not to mention my life not being worth living if my wife and family got stranded somewhere by a car I chose!).

 

I’d rather pay a little more and lose a little style to achieve this, being honest.

Aye that's a fair enough statement. 

Is the kodiaq definitely too big for you? If your looking for something with a raised driving position, 7 seats and a big boot, it ticks a lot of boxes. If you are only using one of the rear pop up sets you still have a fairly large boot to play with. One thing to be aware of. If you can't get all 3 seats in the 2nd row and have to use the 3rd row seats regularly, access can be a pain when you have you child seats in the 2nd row at the same time as needing access to the 3rd row. What we tend to do is which ever of our kids is right in the back they pop in through boot to save tumbling the 2nd row seats forward to get in, kids think it's fun going in through the "boot". However you won't be disappointed with a touran if you go for that, also things like a flat floor across the 2nd row is great for kids, handy for using the travel potty that sort of thing. 

I think the issue with a Kodiaq (and almost any other 7 seater) for my wife is the physical bulk of it and the poor visibility out the back and side windows. She is a small lady and is used to smallish vehicles (or was - she hasn’t driven in 8 years as we don’t have a car in Singapore. This is compounding the aversion).

 

I think something like a Touran is therefore the way to go - Drives like a car, is not too large in length or width,  has the space for all the family plus friends or luggage, slightly raised driving position, excellent visibility all round and economical but with enough power for long, fully laden trips as well as school runs (I wonder what the 1.5 petrol manual does in terms of MPG, assuming it is a non-kangaroo model of course!)

Cars should get 10 miles to a litre, so around 45mpg.   Otherwise they are gas guzzlers.  Sadly Euro 6 and latest cars see less inclined to do that than 10 year old cars.

Obviously they can get more or less which is where averages come in.

So it is about how and where you drive, and how much weight in a car.

 

There is no hard and fast rules on MPG's as different people sharing the same cars can get different MPG's.

38 minutes ago, Roottootemoot said:

 

There is no hard and fast rules on MPG's as different people sharing the same cars can get different MPG's.

 

Although not definitive but good for comparisons I use the Daily Telegraph’s motoring correspondent “Real MPG” figures. 

 

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/real-mpg/

 

tom

Couple of curve balls for you here... What about an E class Merc estate with the rearward facing jump seats. Older used models might fall in your budget or perhaps a Toyota prius plus. 

Edited 19 September, 20196 yr by Gmac983

@Sanqhar

Problems are 'averages'. 

Like if you have a 7 seater and use it as a 5 seater for adults and yet can better the official given MPG's it shows how far out either the official or HJ figures can be.

But as averages maybe it is some indication.

The Official Comparison figures from VW Group were kidology anyway, they would often have a cheaper and lighter model showing poorer economy than a lheavier one on wider tyres. That was the 'more expensive / premium model' though.

Isn't there an option for additonal ISOfix on the front seat?

 

In your case I would go for the Touran 2.0 TDI SE Family, comes with nice glass pano roof and has some cracking deals on it. I wanted one but wifey pimped for SUV. It's 2nd row seats aren't very big but they are individual. Not sure if all three are ISOfix, I don't think they are.

https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/touran/mpv/20-tdi-se-family-5dr/72439

 

HOw about a Golf SV or a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer?

 

 

We drive a Tarraco 7 seat and it comes with 2x ISOFix on outer seats second row and standard ISOfix on passenger front seat. No chance of 3 full sized boosters with high backs in row 2.

Good saving to be had on TArracos now https://www.snows.co.uk/seat/new-offers/super-savings/

Edited 20 September, 20196 yr by TonyTonic

Isofix on front passenger seat wouldn't help them when they have 5 aboard (Mum, Dad and the 3 kids). Golf SV and 2 series active tourer would have the same 2.5 seat problem as Karoq. 2 series grand tourer might work for them as it's the 7 seat version but again suffers from the same old 2.5 seat 2nd row issue so they would permanently be using at least one of the 3rd row seats. All else considered Beemer is quite a nice car, just abit pricey for what your getting. Also as an aid to the OP's wife who wants to avoid too large of a vehicle the bmw 2 series is quite compact as 7 seaters go might worth considering for them. 

7 minutes ago, Gmac983 said:

Isofix on front passenger seat wouldn't help them when they have 5 aboard (Mum, Dad and the 3 kids). Golf SV and 2 series active tourer would have the same 2.5 seat problem as Karoq. 2 series grand tourer might work for them as it's the 7 seat version but again suffers from the same old 2.5 seat 2nd row issue so they would permanently be using at least one of the 3rd row seats. All else considered Beemer is quite a nice car, just abit pricey for what your getting. Also as an aid to the OP's wife who wants to avoid too large of a vehicle the bmw 2 series is quite compact as 7 seaters go might worth considering for them. 

It's hard to find something small and compact with three ISOfix poitns at the back. I would say impossible. If you need space inside it's going to be large outside.

 

I still would say a Touran is the best compromise

 

The Beeme rlooks nice though https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/all-models/2-series/gran-tourer/2019/at-a-glance.html

Edited 20 September, 20196 yr by TonyTonic

The OP is anti French car so that leaves them with little choice in the market. Beemer is a niche choice. VW touran is about the only mid size mpv left to them if they wish to have the all important 3 equal-ish sized 2nd row seats. Things like a galaxy/sharan/alhambra and most of the 7 seat SUV's would likely be too big. Im not counting Vauxhall zafira tourer as its bloody awful. 

Edited 20 September, 20196 yr by Gmac983

Thanks all - Considering all of the above and that the Touran’s rear seats all have isofix (yes, all five of them!), I think that’s the winner here. Ideally the 2.0 diesel which should return well over 50 to the gallon on longer trips with power to spare.

 

SE family trim looks good - I’d want a heated windscreen amongst other creature comforts - The R-line version doesn’t look too bad either though!

The pnly cars that offer 3 ISOfix poitns in row two on the market as fr as I know are:

 

Citroen Grand  C4 Tourer, SEAT Alhambra, Tesla Model S, Ford S max. Audi Q7 (6 ISOfix points),  VW Touran, Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport, LR Discovery

 

14 minutes ago, TonyTonic said:

It's hard to find something small and compact with three ISOfix poitns at the back. I would say impossible. If you need space inside it's going to be large outside.

 

If OP wasn't anti French car then the citroen c4 space tourer (formerly Picasso) would be perfect for them. 3 equally sized seats all with isofix, good sized boot and about the same size as a focus or golf. So not impossible 

1 minute ago, DJ_EFK said:

Thanks all - Considering all of the above and that the Touran’s rear seats all have isofix (yes, all five of them!), I think that’s the winner here. Ideally the 2.0 diesel which should return well over 50 to the gallon on longer trips with power to spare.

 

SE family trim looks good - I’d want a heated windscreen amongst other creature comforts - The R-line version doesn’t look too bad either though!

Get the family , the kids will love the huge panoroof, tables, built in sunshades. YOu can add extras as well later.

 

the 1.6 diesel (if they still do it) is the most recommended engine.

1 minute ago, Gmac983 said:

 

If OP wasn't anti French car then the citroen c4 space tourer (formerly Picasso) would be perfect for them. 3 equally sized seats all with isofix, good sized boot and about the same size as a focus or golf. So not impossible 

Well therefor a bit harder, no?

https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/features/cars-three-isofix-points/

The word was impossible not harder... 

 

I think we are all agreed that the touran will be the right car for their needs.

 

7 minutes ago, DJ_EFK said:

The R-line version doesn’t look too bad either though!

 

R-line is sweet. 

1 minute ago, Gmac983 said:

The word was impossible not harder... 

 

I think we are all agreed that the touran will be the right car for their needs.

 

 

R-line is sweet. 

Peugeot 5008 also has three ISOfix points in row 2, food for thought

Edited 20 September, 20196 yr by TonyTonic

The difference in length between a Sharan / Alhambra and a Touran in 321mm so just over 1 foot.

Benefit of the longer roomier one is you do not notice the difference when driving or parking but the sliding rear doors are just so handy.

Edited 20 September, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

Aye the 5008 would come under larger SUV/crossover status since the new model came along in 2017(?). The older MPV version was fairly dismal/unloved and not many around to choose from on the 2nd hand market.