Two adults and three small children: which car is the right car for families with 3 children in 2020??

Our VW Tiguan was too small. Therefore we started looking for a car for families with 3 children

Our VW Tiguan was too small. Therefore, we went in search of a car for families with 3 children.

Our previous car – a VW Tiguan – was not small, but not big enough for three small children with their child seats. Not to mention the extra luggage you have to plan for an additional child. Already in 2016 I started with the market analysis and soon realized that it will not be so easy to find the perfect car for families with 3 small children (0, 3, 5). It was not until 2018 that the decision was made – just in time for the birth of our number 3. Inspired by these experiences, the interest in continuing to follow the family vehicle market developed. And so this article is still up to date in 2020, although it takes fewer vehicles into account – compared to our family car advisor, which has been developed in the meantime.

Update 01.06.2021: But if you want to read the evaluation of the best family car 2021 for families with three children, we recommend our very recent article about it.

Our selection criteria for the ideal car for families with 3 children

Our criteria for the vehicle selection were the following:

Criterion	Weight
3 child seats in the 2. row: we want equality for all children. It must therefore be in the 2. Row give enough space for 3 child seats.	17%
ISOFIX for all child seats: For us, ISOFIX is the safest way to secure a child seat in the vehicle. We therefore only have ISOFIX child car seats.	14%
Long-distance capability: We want to decide for ourselves when to take a break.	14%
Sliding doors: make it easier to get in and out, even in tight parking spaces	10%
4×4 drive: since we live in Switzerland and often drive over snow-covered roads in winter, all-wheel drive is an advantage and offers more safety.	10%
7 seats: The possibility to also take grandma or friends along on short trips.	10%
A little luxury is allowed: We don’t want to “transport” people, we want to “travel” as a family. So we are not looking for a utility vehicle, but a family car.	12%
Environmental friendliness: We want to be as environmentally friendly as possible on the road. D.h. also the consumption and the energy type is considered.	5%
Price/Performance: The overall package of price and performance is of course also evaluated. The basis here is not the respective base model, but a model configured to our needs, which comes as close as possible to the above requirements.	10%

Our weighting of the criteria does not match your expectations? Then just make Your own comparisonWith our family car advisor: In three steps to your individual recommendation for your family car.

The candidates for the best car for families with 3 children

After some research and talking to other families, the following list of vehicles emerged that we shortlisted:

Audi Q7 (2020)
BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (2020)
Dacia Lodgy (2020)
Ford Tourneo Connect (2020)
Ford S-Max (2020)
Mercedes-Benz V-Class (2020)
Peugeot Traveller L2 (2020)
Renault Espace (2020)
Seat Alhambra (2020)
Seat Tarraco (2020)
Skoda Kodiaq (2020)
Tesla Model X (2020)
Toyota Prius+ (2020)
Toyota Sienna (2016)
Toyota Proace Verso (2020)
VW Caddy (2020)
VW Multivan T6.1 (2020)
VW Sharan (2020)
VW Tiguan Allspace (2020)
VW Touareg III (2020)
VW Touran II (2020)

Certainly, there are many more vehicles that could be considered as a family car for families with three children. For the purposes of this article, however, we want to focus on one of the most popular family vehicles. In addition, however, we have also included some quite inexpensive models, as well as quite expensive vehicles in the market analysis. Parallel to the analysis according to our list of criteria presented above, we also had to make the difficult choice of motorization.

Car for families with 3 children : More vehicles in family car advisor

However, if you want to have even more vehicles considered, we recommend our family car advisor. The following family cars are currently included there:

Which is the best car for families with 3 children?

Below, we’ll go into detail about each vehicle and explain how we think it fits the above requirements.

Audi Q7 (2020)

The Audi Q7 is a “monster” and full-grown SUV – configurable with 7 seats. However, it is also huge inside and has ISOFIX holders on all 5 seats of rows 2 and 3. That gives extra points. Still, it gets extremely cramped with 3 child seats in row 2. There is also a further point deduction on the consumption side. Nevertheless: If you want the SUV feeling with 3 kids, you’ll surely go for the Q7. If you want even more fun, go for the SQ7, which comes with all-wheel drive as standard.

BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (2020)

The 2 series Gran Tourer had a stone in the board with us, as we would have surely gotten a good offer for the vehicle through connections. Unfortunately, it still didn’t convince us completely. While it can fit three child seats in its second row of seats. In the middle, however, there is no ISOFIX – the K.O.-Criterion for this vehicle, which did well in all other criteria.

Dacia Lodgy (2020)

The Dacia is certainly a veritable transport solution. It is finally also available as a seven-seater. ISOFIX is also available on all seats in the second row. For us, however, a Dacia does not fit the idea of “traveling as a family”. An example: only from the highest equipment line “Ultimate” there are power windows in the back, something that is standard for us today. As written above, we want to “travel” and not “transport”, even if we pay significantly more for it in comparison. All-wheel drive is also not even available at extra cost. Price-performance ratio and fuel consumption are very good for this vehicle.

Ford Tourneo Connect (2020)

We had the opportunity to test the Ford Tourneo for a weekend. Overall, the vehicle made a very solid impression. The sliding doors were of course especially positive. However, there is no ISOFIX on the middle seat in row 2. Points deducted. Not included in the rating is the fact that even in the highest equipment level the seats are only upholstered in fabric. Finally, we were not convinced by the tiny multifunction display and the navigation. Consumption and price-performance ratio are good again, however.

Ford S-Max (2020)

The Ford S-Max was recommended to us by friends who would buy it again at any time. Inside, the S-Max offers plenty of space with three individual seats in the second row. There three child seats fit well next to each other. The S-Max is also available as a seven-seater. The S-Max scores well in all criteria and is therefore certainly a good alternative to the vehicle we ultimately chose. Points deducted for the lack of sliding doors.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class (2020)

Certainly the V-Class is an ideal vehicle for families with 3 and more children. Depending on the equipment, you can travel very well with this vehicle and although it is large, it is anything but a pure passenger transporter. We recommend the vehicle therefore completely clearly for families with more than 3 children. However, there are restrictions regarding ISOFIX on all seats – here you have to look closely at the configuration of the seats (number per row).

However, the V-Class is convincing when it comes to the criteria of being suitable for long journeys and sliding doors. The comparatively high consumption and the not perfect price-performance ratio prevent a place in the top 5. A plus, however, which was not considered as a criterion in the evaluation: Compared to the VW Multivan, the lower height of the V-Class (1.88m vs. 2m for the Multivan) makes it easier to find a parking space.

Peugeot Traveller L2 (2020)

The Peugeot Traveller is available in 2 different length versions, respectively. Wheelbases. We have looked at the shorter Traveller (L2) with almost five meters length in the Allure equipment. This is in comparison to the standard edition already equipped with leather seats. Large sliding doors and decent, equally sized seats earn it plus points with families. And even in the third row there are three seats next to each other. In our test vehicle there was also ISOFIX on the middle seat of the second row. So all seats in row 2 and 3 had this safety feature. The space, the interior and the available assistance systems, together with the economical diesel engine, make for relaxed family trips. Only the missing all-wheel-drive option, which is however retrofittable, provides for a slight point deduction. All in all, it’s certainly a good offering, but – at least from the outside – it looks more like a “people carrier” and less like a family vehicle.

Renault Espace (2020)

The Renault Espace calls itself a crossover, i.e. a mixture of van and SUV. But it still comes across pretty much like a classic family van. And we think that’s a good thing, because it offers plenty of space for up to seven people. We have looked at the Renault Espace in the equipment line Intens, because in this the seats are covered with artificial leather instead of fabric. In row two there are even three seats of the same size, each of which has ISOFIX. In row three it becomes already narrower and ISOFIX is missing there.

The rich list of possible assistance packages allows the future driver to customize the car to his needs when ordering it. The engines, with their decent fuel consumption figures, also allow us to expect economical and ecological progress. Last but not least, the exterior design, which is fortunately far removed from that of a passenger van, is also convincing. Unfortunately, however, there are no sliding doors on the vehicle. Also an all-wheel drive option is not available.

Seat Alhambra (2020)

The Alhambra convinces both regarding comfort, place offer and price. The Seat is not cheap, but for what it offers, unbeatable: In the second row fit 3 child seats (MAXI-COSI Pebble with Family Fix Base, MAXI-COSI 2WayPearl with MAXI-COSI 2wayFix Base and MAXI-COSI RodiFix AirProtect) well next to each other. Each of the 5 seats in row 2 and 3 is equipped with ISOFIX. That gives extra points. Both in the short haul, but especially on the long haul, the consumption is kept within limits – z.B. still 1.4 liters/100 km below the VW Multivan. The 70-liter tank capacity ensures that you don’t have to take any forced breaks.

The electric sliding doors make getting out in the parking garage a breeze. All-wheel drive and the easily retractable seats 6 and 7 offer plenty of flexibility during transport. For us it is therefore the Car for families with 3 children. Update 15.10.2020: Unfortunately, the Alhambra is no longer available as a new car with a diesel engine in many countries. Therefore only the gasoline engine remains to the choice in the meantime.

Seat Tarraco (2020)

Alongside the VW Tiguan Allspace and Skoda Kodiaq, the Seat Tarraco is the third of the group’s brothers on the same basis. It differs from its siblings – especially concerning. of space – only minimally. So it is also optionally available as a 7-seater. ISOFIX is however only on the front passenger seat and the two outer seats of the 2. row integrated. In addition, the middle seat is narrower than the other two seats. Thus fit in the second row no 3 child seats next to each other. Positive: All-wheel drive is available as an option.

Skoda Kodiaq (2020)

The big Skoda is available as a seven-seater. From this perspective, we eagerly awaited the market launch in 2017. Unfortunately, it then turned out that the middle seat in the 2. row is only a narrow seat – without ISOFIX – just like in any smaller car. Three child seats therefore do not fit next to each other there. Admittedly: This was very sad, because otherwise this would have been my dream car. Long-distance capability, all-wheel drive and comparatively good fuel consumption unfortunately do not compensate for the lack of space in row 2.

Tesla Model X (2020)

The Model X from Tesla is available as a seven-seater. In this case, child car seats with ISOFIX can be attached to the two outer seats, as well as to the two seats in row 3. But this would mean that our kids would have to sit behind each other. Point deduction thus. OK, but what about beyond that?

You can configure the vehicle with a range (according to WLTP) of up to 500 km, which provides for an acceptable long-distance suitability. Nevertheless, one will probably have to include at least one forced charging break during a vacation trip.

Then the doors: I also thought at first that the Falcon Wing doors still swinging open at the top would take up a lot of space. These are however extrems sophisticated and open exactly as it is possible in each case. And without touching closely parked cars or hitting low ceilings in parking garages.

All-wheel drive is standard on the Model X. Beyond that the car offers alone by the mad doors, the seats and the assistance systems each quantity of luxury. If you charge the car with pure green electricity, the vehicle definitely becomes the most environmentally friendly means of transport in this comparison. With this criterion the car gets naturally the Bestnote.

But we still decided against it, because the price was twice as high as the car we chose (price-performance ratio). At the same time, the Model X is more than four times as expensive as the cheapest car in this comparison. But maybe the next car will be purely electric anyway?

Toyota Prius+ (2020)

From my point of view, Toyota has done many things right in recent years. In my opinion Toyota’s cars have become much more attractive. Not least through the consistent hybridization, which is technically well solved, Toyota always attracted positive attention. The Prius+ is available as a seven-seater and the seats in row 2 each look the same size. What families with three children will miss: The middle seat, as well as the two seats in row 3, lack the option of attaching ISOFIX child seats. In addition, the vehicle lacks both sliding doors and all-wheel drive.

Toyota Sienna (2016)

The Toyota Sienna can be seen more often in Switzerland. It has sliding doors and is a typical van, but not yet too huge. It would therefore certainly have what it takes to occupy a top place in the comparison list. However, the Toyota is not available as a new car in Europe. In Switzerland you could buy it until 2016 – but not anymore. The Sienna received good marks in all criteria – except for one: the fuel consumption.

Toyota Proace Verso (2020)

The Proace Verso is available in three lengths and with 6 to 8 seats. Sliding doors on the left and right are standard. Equally pleasing: ISOFIX is available on all seats in row 2 and 3 in this Toyota model. The seats themselves are also available in leather, which accommodates families. However, you probably can’t choose the seat covers freely. They are obviously firmly coupled to the respective equipment line. Once you have found the right equipment line, you can still adapt the Proace Verso to your needs in the interior, exterior and in the area of safety.

Why the hybrid approach has not yet found its way into this vehicle, on the other hand, is unclear to us. Perhaps this is due to the underlying EMP2 platform from PSA, on which the Peugeot Traveller is also based. Nevertheless: This would have brought it surely still a better evaluation with the consumption (environmental friendliness). The appearance of the car is a matter of debate. In the total evaluation the Toyota Proace Verso could place itself however in the Top 5.

VW Caddy (2020)

The Caddy – which used to be a typical tradesman’s vehicle – is now available with a touch more family flair. A clear plus has always been its sliding doors. Not so positive: unfortunately it has ISOFIX mounts only on the outer seats in row 2 and with three child seats it gets very cramped in row 2 already. This leads to a point deduction. In addition, it remains too much of a utility vehicle in terms of its visual character and thus unfortunately can’t take one of the top places in the ranking.

VW Multivan T6.1 (2020)

Three children in the 2. Row. ISOFIX for all three. Long distance capability, sliding doors and 4×4. Yes, the VW Multivan offers everything a family with three children could wish for – and plenty of space as well. This provided in the consequence with nearly all criteria for the highest evaluation. Nevertheless, it didn’t end up at the top of the rankings. This was due on the one hand to the rather high consumption (environmental friendliness), on the other hand to the not optimal price-performance ratio. The fact that the car is no longer driven like a passenger car and that everyday driving is restricted due to the height (parking garages) was not included in the evaluation. If you can live with that, the Multivan is exactly the right family car for you.

VW Sharan (2020)

The Sharan really has everything a family needs to get around comfortably. Sliding doors, a powerful engine, all-wheel drive, plenty of room on every seat and at the same time it can be driven like a slightly elevated passenger car. So it’s no wonder that it scored almost full marks for all the criteria and even got the special points for ISOFIX (ISOFIX on all seats in rows 2 and 3).

Only the identical Alhambra has a minimal better price-performance ratio. For those who still prefer the VW, we have compiled a list of the additional equipment that is important in our view. In addition, we compared the current “United” special model with a regularly configured Sharan. For those who are unsure about the size, we recommend our detailed comparison between the Sharan and the Touran. Update 15.10.2020: The diesel version of the Sharan is now being phased out. As an alternative, the Sharan is only available with a gasoline engine.

VW Tiguan Allspace (2020)

We also took a close look at the VW Tiguan Allspace, as we had good experience with its predecessor – and two children. Compared to the normal Tiguan 2, the Allspace is slightly longer and offers the option to add 2 additional seats in row three when ordering a new car. Also because of the slightly larger trunk, the Allspace may well be a candidate for families with three children. However, like its corporate brothers Skoda Kodiaq and Seat Tarraco, the middle seat in the 2. Row too narrow for three child seats. In addition, this seat, as well as the two seats in row three, lack ISOFIX. That is regrettable, but provides for point deduction. Consumption, long-distance capability and the all-wheel-drive option again score plus points.

VW Touareg III (2020)

The vehicle is big, but – at least inside – unfortunately not big enough. In row 2 do not fit 3 child seats side by side. This means that the most beautiful member of the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and VW Touraeg family, which is based on the same platform, has already been eliminated from the qualification. Long-distance capability, all-wheel drive and luxury would have been a given, but consumption would again have prevented a high ranking.

VW Touran II (2020)

A test with all our child seats (MAXI-COSI Pebble with Family Fix Base, MAXI-COSI 2WayPearl with MAXI-COSI 2wayFix Base and MAXI-COSI RodiFix AirProtect) showed: The seats in row 2 are minimally narrower than in the VW Sharan and Seat Alhambra, but: they just barely fit in. Another positive: All seats in row 2 and 3 are equipped with ISOFIX. However, with the 3. Row almost no trunk space left. The Touran is not currently available as an all-wheel drive vehicle. These two points, in addition to the missing sliding doors, caused points deduction. But: For families with three children who do not go on vacation trips, this vehicle model is quite sufficient. For more information, see our comparison between the VW Sharan and the VW Touran.

Our best car for families with 3 children: The ranking

Based on the individual ratings and the above-mentioned weighting, we arrive at the following ranking:

Rank	Vehicle	Overall rating (5 very good to 0 very poor)
1	Seat Alhambra**	4.14
2	Toyota Proace Verso	4.11
3	VW Sharan**	4.10
4	Mercedes-Benz V-Class	3.92
5	Peugeot Traveller L2	3.91
6	VW Multivan T6.1	3.62
7	Ford S-Max	3.58
8	Toyota Sienna	3.47
9	Audi Q7	3.46
10	VW Caddy	3.19
11	Renault Espace	3.00
12	BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer	2.96
13	VW Touran II	2.88
14	Toyota Prius+	2.87
15	Ford Tourneo Connect	2.69
16	Dacia Lodgy	2.56
17	Skoda Tarraco	2.54
Skoda Kodiaq	2.54
Tesla Model X	2.54
18	VW Tiguan Allspace	2.49
18	VW Touareg III	2.13

Updated ranking according to current rating in Familenauto-Berater (09.09.2020)

* no longer available in the EU or Switzerland.
** no longer available as diesel.

Conclusion

So the race for the car for families with 3 children in 2018 made the Seat Alhambra. Not included in the rating, but still worth mentioning: In the Alhambra there are many storage compartments for the kids, a decent navigation system and assistance systems that relieve the driver and front passenger. We were also impressed by the two integrated child seats, which our children (currently 5 and 7 years old) love to use. And there’s still plenty of room in between for the third large child seat and ISOFIX base for our youngest (2 years old).

Due to the lower overall price compared to the identical VW Sharan, the Alhambra got the nod from us. Which additional equipment is useful in our opinion, which accessories one should always have, as well as an overview of the most important consumption and wear articles we have summarized in further articles. How long Sharan and Alhambra will be built and whether there are possible successors in the VW Group, read our article on the future of Seat Alhambra and VW Sharan.

Update 20.11.2020: Due to the fact that the VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra are no longer available with diesel engines, the attractiveness of these vehicles drops significantly in our view. For this reason, we would buy one of the last stock diesel vehicles today. Alternatively, it’s always worth taking a look at the others of the above vehicles as well.

Our weighting of the criteria does not meet your expectations? Then just make your own comparison: With our family car advisor: In three steps to your individual recommendation. Our family car advisor is constantly being updated and now also contains more vehicles than are included on this page.

You may also be interested in our readers’ top 20 best family cars of 2020? Then read more about this in the report on our search for it. In 2021 we are again looking for the best family car. Read more in our article on the best family car 2021.

Is this also your order for the best car for families with 3 children?

Feel free to write us a comment what you think about our assessment.

Disclaimer: As always, we have put a lot of effort into compiling this article. Nevertheless, we assume no liability for the accuracy, especially because the equipment features and prices of the vehicles can change at any time.

First publication: 23.06.2019
Last update: 25.07.2021

47 comments

We are also expecting our third child soon. It’s good to know that you started the market analysis back in 2016 and realized that it’s not so easy to find the perfect car with 3 small children. I think that for us, however, only a used car from the car dealer comes into question.

I find it also very unfortunate that the current Ford Galaxy was not listed. I drove a Seat Alhambra from 2013 to 2019 until it started to rust, unfortunately. In 2019 we bought a Ford Galaxy with Titanium equipment as a demonstration car.

Compared to the Seat, the Ford is much quieter, no worse in workmanship, consumption lower and sleeker in form. And we don’t need the missing sliding doors anymore. So don’t forget Ford Galaxy! Lg.

thank you for your comment. It is correct that the Ford Galaxy was not included in this article. In the meantime, however, there is the updated article “Which is the best car for families with 3 children in 2021?”where the Ford Galaxy is of course included. Family car advisor also includes the Ford Galaxy.

Thanks for the helpful post. We came to the same decision and chose the Alhambra

We drive the Seat Tarraco and are glad that we only leased it and did not buy it. We only have 2 kids, but the problem is the step-in height. Our daughter is 5 years old and even now I sometimes have to lift her into the car – no fun. This is the problem with all SUV. You should be aware of this especially with small children.

Would a third person be able to sit in the Seat Taracco in the second row between two child seats?

Thank you for the detailed evaluation of the different vehicles.
I can’t quite understand everything though.

Since 12 years we are also five and at that time we were also faced with the choice.
Since then we drive VW Touran (meanwhile the second one) and with it also on vacation. Since we no longer need a stroller, the space under the trunk cover is enough for all the luggage for a two-week vacation.

However, it is correct that when the 3. The fact that there is hardly any space left in the trunk of a second row of seats. For vacation trips as a family we need the 3. Seat row however not.

But now there are more and more signs that VW will not continue with the Touran. And the topic of eMobility is of course also one of them. Finding a suitable car for a family of 5 currently seems like squaring the circle. Either it will be a giant ship (well over 2m wide), unaffordable, too narrow in the 2. Seat row, insufficient range or simply unsightly … or more of it at the same time.

Thanks for the detailed comment.

When the children are older, so you can save so maches luggage such as travel bed, stroller / baby carriage or but the high chair. And so with bigger children the Touran can be enough. In the Sharan resp. Alhambra remains then but still space for two scooters / scooter and the running wheel.

In fact, in the market of electric vehicles for families with three children, there is not much choice yet. So far we have only included three models (Tesla, Nissan and VW) in our family car advisor. That’s all the market currently offers. The Tesla Model X does quite well in comparison – but it is also quite expensive.

Thank you for the detailed report. We also have 3 children, who are now 8, 10 and 12 years old. When we realized 8 years ago that our big Opel Insignia was not suitable for 3 kids (at that time 0, 2 and 4,5) we decided for the Opel Zafira Tourer.

So far we are still satisfied, although the middle seat is no Isofix and somewhat narrower, it still goes. Now that we only need a child seat and a booster seat, we realize that it is sometimes tight. We have therefore rented a Ford Tourneo for longer trips or drive in stages.

Since our car now has 9 years, we will certainly exchange it in the next few years. That’s why we are already searching a bit to decide which car is suitable for our family. One thing we have ruled out in any case: This is the new Zafira Life, based on Peugeot. It is too much of a van than a family car for us. It is not urgent, so we are still looking around.

Thanks for the feedback. If you – like you – already have somewhat larger children and thus only need booster seats, the choice of family cars again becomes somewhat larger. Nevertheless, unfortunately, most – even large – vehicles have only a narrow middle seat, which is not really optimal for longer trips. The choice of vans, which often had three seats of the same size in row 2, is unfortunately steadily decreasing. By the way, our next article, which will be published next Sunday, will deal with possible alternatives to the van.

Great article, best thanks. This made the decision easier for us.
We have also chosen the Multivan T6.1 looked at, we noticed that the 3 seat bench has only 2 Isofix (on the outer seats) and not 3, as described in the article. According to the seller there is also no option for 3 Isofix next to each other.

Hello!
Thanks for the compliment and 1000 thanks for the info on the Multivan! Here the Caravelle differs from the Multivan.

Hello,
Thanks for the detailed listing! It has helped us a lot. Have you ever thought about including the safety of the cars as a criterion? The listed models have clearly different results in the NCAP crash test in terms of adult/child safety.

P.S.By the way, with the help of your adviser, we decided on the Peugeot Traveller.

Hello Janis,
Thank you for the great feedback. Yes, the issue of safety is of course very close to our hearts and we will take that into account more strongly. NCAP does not work though. The test coverage regarding. of the relevant models is not high enough.

Hello,
thank you very much for the great listing. We are also just facing the problem: large dog should have room, three child seats and on vacation still luggage. If I saw it right, the Ford Galaxy is missing on the list. It is very similar to the Sharan and the Alhambra.
What do you say about the Galaxy?

Greetings from the far north

True, the Ford Galaxy was indeed also in the selection, in our search for the family vehicle. We have now also included it in our family car adviser.

We are since 4 years enthusiastically from our Seat Alhambra in which we can master with 3 children all vacation trips. Since we also drive the kids regularly to their sporting events, the two seats are in the 3. The Mercedes GLB series has always been very popular and appreciated.

Now it is to be replaced by a new family car (company car) and we wanted to replace it with a new Alhambra/Sharan. However, the leasing offer was clearly limited (little choice of engines and accessories ->) z.B. 7 seater with parking heater and panorama sunroof is no longer available for order).

Our children are now out of the child seat age (11,14,16). So now thought to test the usual SUV suspects on their family suitability and have VW Tiguan (with all relatives of Seat and Skoda), BMW (X3), Peueot 5008 test-driven. The disillusionment was great, because if there were extra seats then they were only usable for midgets and the middle seats in the 2nd row. row we have experienced as you also describe them.

Then we took a look at Mercedes. They promptly put the new GLB to our hearts and we are it (7 seater!) test driven. The result is still a compromise but the two seats in row 3 are for people up to ca. 1.70 m in comparison to the offer of the other above quite usable. The interior can not compare with the Alhambra but is absolutely equal to the Tiguan family even in the rear seats. The trunk is quite decent (the GLB is a good 15 cm shorter than the Alhambra; that can’t be hidden) and as a total package with compromises it should definitely be included in your selection.

Well equipped it is just above the level of a VW Sharan with similar equipment. Technically, of course, it is state of the art. We decided on this one and definitely recommend all families with 3 kids to consider it.

With best regards from the south of Germany

Thank you for the detailed comment on the choice of the new vehicle.

They have made us curious. We will look at the GLB and then include it in our family car advisor.

Update: In the meantime we have added the Mercedes GLB to our family car adviser.

The middle seat in the 2. Seat row is not so wide, but a bit better than in Tiguan& Co. However, it is too tight for a third child seat in the middle. Then there is stress with the belt buckles.
The two additional seats in the 3. But both seats have ISOFIX mountings. (in the family car advisor you have noted that they would be missing).

Thank you very much for the hint. ISOFIX in the 3. Row of seats. We have now corrected this.

Hello,
great overview. By the way, the Peugeot Rifter is based on the platform of a smaller car and therefore can be z.B. only 1.050t pull. A complete exclusion criterion if you want to tow a caravan.
Would still be worth mentioning the Peugeot 5008?

Thanks for the compliment.
Yes, the Peugeot 5008 is already on our radar. We will therefore also include the 5008 in our family car advisor in the near future.

Update: In the meantime the Peugeot 5008 is included in our family car advisor.

Great overview! We have an old Alhambra and want to buy a new car.
Tendency goes again to the Alhambra. An alternative is the Ford Galaxy, which is technically newer, but unfortunately has no sliding door. For this there should be the Galaxy and S-Max from 2021 with hybrid.

Hello,
We were faced with the same dilemma. We had a 2 series Gran Tourer and were very happy with the car, however it was always like a “too tight suit”. Sharan / Alhambra was ideal in terms of price / performance for three children (3,5,7), but due to the foreseeable discontinuation of production, the model age and the resulting risk of residual value also economically no longer an option.

T6/V-Class are great for transporting people, but in the end the trunk volume is officially large but also limited, because you would have to pack everything in the height, which is of course unrealistic. With a roof box or trailer on such a big car I would also feel strange on the trip to the summer or winter vacations. In the end it has become a Volvo XC90 – a fantastic family car with booster seat in the middle for the big one and two Isofix seats on the sides for the little ones. Space without end, very comfortable travel and pretty much one of the highest levels of safety at the moment.

In size and width all the comparison candidates do not take each other much – 5cm more or less – it is tight with all in city center parking garages. Price-wise, the XC90 is already more between upper mid- to premium range, but it must also be said that z.B. T6/ V-Class are just as expensive and a very well equipped Sharan is also no longer far from a more simply equipped XC90. But for that you drive a completely different car class.

That simply as a train of thought for our decision. Maybe it helps someone in the decision making process.

Hello Marcus,
Thanks for the detailed report on the purchase decision.

The XC90 we had as a family vehicle for 3 children so far really not on the radar. But the comment made us curious and so we took a look at it right away. The integrated child seat in the middle rear seat (2. seat row) from 15kg resp. 97cm body height is of course a great way to fit three kids in row 2. The narrower middle seat would otherwise not offer enough space for a third child seat.

We have now included the Volvo XC90 directly in our new family car advisor.

Hello,
super article! The research has certainly taken some time& Thanks for this! Also the equipment notes are super helpful!
We also had the Alhambra or Sharan in mind, but are unsure if we really want to buy a car that is technically on the level of 2010. It is a pity that VW and Seat seem to believe that vans are no longer in demand. Many families are probably waiting for a new model like us.
The Skoda Kodiaq is now our current favorite, although I will miss the sliding doors already.

I am a big fan of the VW Tiguan as it is a bigger car but still quite fuel efficient. We are looking for the right car for our family. I think we will visit a VW car dealer.

Hello,
very good article! We chose the S-Max (front wheel drive) four years ago for the similar reasons: three kids (0-3-6 years), long distance capability, driving comfort. The sliding doors were not so important to us, and since I am at work also very much alone with it on the road, the S-Max comes visually not quite so large. However, I was and am bound to a price ceiling due to a company car.
Now we are on the lookout again and a re-evaluation is on the cards. The children are now 10, 7 and 4 years old. The big one doesn’t need a child seat/booster seat anymore. The criterion towing vehicle (caravan,horse trailer …) has risen in priority.

So far we have the S-Max (4×4) on the list again and the Kodiaq (4×4).The Kodiaq is convincing in terms of trailerability, the S-Max because of the space in the back. We have a Kodiaq on test next week. Then testing how the three of them will manage in the back seat.

Thanks for the positive feedback.
As soon as only two child seats or. If booster seats are needed, the choice of the family vehicle is a bit more flexible. I assume that in your case then only one child seat is used for the four year old child and one booster seat for the seven year old child.

thank you very much for such a detailed report.

Which Touareg model did you test? I ask because I have seen myself once in the current model that a Maxi-Cosi infant carrier (pebbles) and two real child seats(Cybex M..) have found space on the second row. You write that no three child seats fit in the second row. Or have I misunderstood something?

And then another question: Have you looked at the VW Tiguan?

Best regards and many thanks

Thanks for the compliment.

We took a look at the 2018 model of the Touareg. The center seat is narrower than the two outer seats. In addition, there are no Isofix mounts in the middle. The latter, however, was decisive for us. I assume that one of the Cybex M seats or the infant carrier was only secured by belt.

Of course, we also looked at the current Tiguan, since we drove the Tiguan I facelift until then. The current model also lacks Isofix in the middle of the 2. Series. Also the width of the middle seat is too narrow for a 3. Child seat. With booster seat fits a child – for short distances – just about in between. But it is not comfortable.

Have you not considered the latest models of French brands from 2019?
Peugeot Rifter L2
Citroen Berlingo XL
Opel Combo
What do you think about them?

Thanks for the hint. These three sibling models we have indeed not considered, because they came too late on the market for our selection. We will update this article but now again and again and so these three vehicles will certainly soon also be considered. Spontaneous impression: Of course, the sliding doors are nice. Everything else has to be seen on the real vehicle.

exactly so we have also decided. With 3 children it is not easy to find a suitable vehicle. We also had the S-Max in mind but we said to ourselves, if we are going to buy a new, big car, then please one with sliding doors.