Expert answer

Hi Aisling,

OK, that’s a very particular set of criteria, and I think realistically only three cars match it — the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the Toyota C-HR Hybrid and the Kia Niro hybrid. Of those three, I think that it’s the Kia that comes closest to matching your needs, as the RAV4 might actually be a bit too tall for your parents, while the C-HR might be too tight in the back. The Niro’s actually quite a decent car, although totally unexciting to drive. If that doesn’t matter much to you, go check one out. Here are our reviews:

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid review

Toyota C-HR Hybrid review

Kia Niro hybrid review

Expert answer

Hi Donna,

The current Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are both just about wide enough to take three child seats across the back, or you could try the SEAT Ateca or Volkswagen Tiguan too (this has the widest back seat of all those). The Skoda Kodiaq is brilliant, but it’ll be outside your budget if you want a diesel, or, if you can hang on until the summer, the new Peugeot 5008 is coming, which has three ISOFIX points in the back, and should come in for under €30k.

Relevant reviews:

Hyundai Tucson review

Kia Sportage review

SEAT Ateca review

Volkswagen Tiguan review

Skoda Kodiaq review

Peugeot 5008 review

Expert answer

Hi Catherine,

Try having a browse in Halfords or Mothercare. They generally have the widest range of child seats and should be able to help you out. 

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

This is a question we get asked so often and there's no easy answer. Well, actually there is, but it's an answer that many people don't like - an MPV such as the Volkswagen Touran, Toyota Verso, Citroen C4 Picasso or similar.

There are very, very few (if any) conventional hatchbacks or saloons that will these days take three child car seats across the back. There are some conversion kits available that will allow as many as four child seats to be fitted to a 'normal' saloon, but these tend to be designed around the big rear-facing infant seats and won't take your own seats.

The best I can suggest, if you don't fancy an MPV, is to test drive the biggest, widest saloons you can find and make sure you bring the kids with you to actually try the seating properly so that you know for definite before you buy.

Expert answer

Hi Oonagh,

Not many; you really need to be looking at MPVs such as the Volkswagen Touran and Toyota Verso, or the Ford S-Max or SEAT Alhmabra if you fancy something bigger. That said, the recently introduced Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are just about wide enough, but it depends on what seats you're using. Also, larger seven-seat 4x4s such as the Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Discovery will take three-abreast, but they're expensive to buy.

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

Crossover SUV? Only one at that price level; the Skoda Yeti has three individual seats across the back. However, while the outer two slide and their backrests tilt, it's not by enough to squeeze in larger booster cushions/seats with a rear-facing baby seat. Perhaps with particularly slim seats it may be possible, but otherwise we'd suggest not. Bring the seats to a Skoda dealership to try it for yourself though.

Estates generally don't have the width any more to take three seats abreast in the back, but there are conversions available (from EP Mooney in Dublin) that will allow a conventional estate (or any car for that matter) to take as many as four child safety seats.

Otherwise you're looking at larger SUVs or at the least, a compact MPV.

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Short answer, no. The CR-V is one of the most roomy and spacious SUVs around. In fact it makes you wonder quite if other car makers realise that the U in SUV stands for Utility...

The X3 is a typical BMW product - handsome, slick and terrific to drive, but there have been reports of troubles with the turbocharger on the older 2.0 diesel engines and the interior is surprisingly tight, especially if you're carrying kids - it's all but impossible to get three child seats across the back row. 

Why not check out the new CR-V instead? It's a really solid product, just as spacious as ever. Or, if you want a change of brand, have a good long look at the Hyundai Santa Fe - cracking car, that.

What do you think?

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

Okay, so you want to stick with Citroen, need three across the back and an engine under 1.6 litres. That's a tricky combination, but why not try a C3 Picasso? That's a crackingly good small MPV and it comes with Citroen's super economical 1.6 diesel. Or, with a bit of searching, you may be able to track down a 1.4 petrol version. 

As for the back seat, I've personally managed to get three child seats in, but it can be a bit of a squeeze. Depending on the age of your granddaughters though I may have a solution. Have a look online for a company called Bubble Bum. They make inflatable booster seats that both store flat when you don't need them and which are usually a little narrower than the bigger boosters. That could save you a crucial bit of space.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Pamela,

There's a few: Renault Scenic. Toyota Verso. Peugeot 5008. Citroen C4 Picasso. Land Rover Discovery. Chrysler Voyager. Ford Galaxy & S-Max. SEAT Alhambra. Volkswage Sharan. Renault Espace.

That list isn't it either!

Expert answer

Hi Colin,

I'm afraid a people carrier is pretty much your only option. The Renault Scenic, Toyota Verso or Citroen C4 Picasso can all take three abreast, as can the Peuegot 5008. If you want a conventional car that can carry three kids, your only choice is probably a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate with the optional pair of rear-facing seats in the boot.