Which cars take 3 child seats in the back?

Which cars will take 3 car seats?

Despite many cars being called ‘family’ cars, very few can take more than 2 child seats in the rear seat. Amazing isn’t it – how many families do you know with more that 3 children? Yet most of the automotive industry totally ignore this.

It is a legal requirement for children to sit in a car seat up to age 12/36kg/135cm (whichever they reach first) so child seats are a big part of family life and for a long time!

Here are a few cars that will take 3 car seats in the back:

Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer

Formally known as the Grand C4 Picasso, the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer is a spacious and pretty ‘funky’ 7 seater, but with 3 ISO fix points across the middle row. There are also tray tables on the back of the seats to make entertaining/eating during long journeys nice and easy.

The book can be opened by waving your foot under the car which is great when you have your hands full! With the rear two seats folded down, the boot is very spacious for buggies, mountains of kit bags and any all the other family paraphernalia.

If you had to use the rear two seats, they aren’t ridiculously tiny like in many 7 seaters and doable for an adult.

The Space Tourer comes with lots of safety driver aids which is reassuring when travelling with your precious cargo!

Seat Alhambra

The Seat Alhambra is a traditional MPV that can fit three child seats easily into the second row as each seat has ISOFIX mounting points… one bonus of this car is that the rear two seats also have iso fix points.

Access to the rear seats is easy due to the large sliding doors. There’s also plenty of space in the boot for luggage, even with all seven seats up.

Families can drive the Seat Alhambra in confidence knowing it scored the full five stars in its Euro NCAP crash tests.

Ford S-Max (from 2015)

The good old S Max, the slightly sportier version of its long-standing sibling, the Ford Galaxy.

The 3 individual seats in the middle row comfortably take 3 child seats and again, the rear two seats also have iso fix points should you need to use them.

Its nice and easy to fold the middle row of seats flat just by pressing a button.

The trim options are similar to the majority of the Ford range, and mirror those found in the Galaxy, Mondeo and Edge, including Zetec, Titanium and Titanium Sport; also an executive spec Vignale is available.

Vauxhall Combi Life

The Combi life, is a van-based people carrier, it is essentially the replacement for the Zafira.

Each of the 3 centre seats has iso fix points (the combi life is available as a 5 or a 7 seater) and the sliding doors (manual, no electric function) make it easy to get children in and out the car.

You also have the option of the ‘Child Pack’ which as features such as side window blinds and a rear-view child-minder mirror. Head room is fantastic in this car, so even tall adults in the back would have no issues.

Although the rear seats fold down flush to the floor, you can’t slide them back and forth or recline them like in most MPVs.

VW Sharan

The Sharan has won What Car’s MPV of the Year many times and has proved itself to be perfect for big families, in terms of space it’s 5 x iso fix points, comfort and high-quality interior.

The sliding doors make tumbling out in tight spaces much easier, and there is an electric option too.

Head room is great in the front and middle rows, but a little tight in the back if you were to have a taller adult sat there.

The middle row slides and reclines. There is ample space in the boot, even with the rear two seats but, and its low lip makes it perfect for lugging shopping bags/kit bags or luggage in and out of.

The Land Rover Discovery (5th Generation)

This has to be our favourite, in terms of style and luxury but of course it comes with a price tag!

The centre seat in the back does not have iso fix points, but the other 4 rear seats do, and the very rear seats are surprisingly spacious. This car has lots of hidden storage areas, 4G Wi-Fi hotspot for 8 devices and 9 USB points on board so in terms of children travelling with tech – this car has got you covered!

Peugeot 5008 (second generation)

In 2017, the 5008 changed from a boring and uninspiring MPV to a really stylish looking SUV. Still a 7 seater, but not looking so big and ugly.

The 3 separate seats in the middle row slide and recline and each have iso fix points so easily allowing for 3 child seats. The rear two seats don’t have iso fix points, and can be removed completely and stored separately, giving you a decent sized boot, which is otherwise very small when the rear seats are up.

This car also has the motion sensor under the car to open the boot which is a godsend when your arms are full.

Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is at the top of its game, in terms of its driving capabilities, styling, and versatility.

It will comfortably take 7 passengers, it has 6 iso fix points (!) and the third row of seats is actually surprisingly spacious.

Its at the higher end of most peoples budget, but it’s a luxury SUV which drives as if it something much smaller and lighter, and perfect for a big family who don’t want to compromise on comfort, style and road presence.