what sort of car is good with a new baby?

rodenal · 13 Nov 2017 at 07:16

Agree with the above, both the fiesta and focus are left with what is really not a lot of room in the passenger seat when a rear facing seat is put in behind.

It's fine for us as neither of us are particularly tall but it would be unworkable for anyone approaching say 6 ft

tamzzy · 13 Nov 2017 at 07:20

3GT? (Granted it looks terrible)

wesley · 13 Nov 2017 at 07:32

Fabia estate Monte Carlo

Howard · 13 Nov 2017 at 07:38

Amp34 said:
There’s a reason so many are buying small/mid size SUV/crossovers (CRVs etc) with kids.

Not sporty but fits more in and more comfortable than an estate/saloon in a smaller footprint.

I'd argue there's more space and more comfort to be had in a proper-sized estate (Mondeo, 5 Series, E Class, Superb, etc.) than a Qashqai-sized SUV. A lot of people just buy them because of the driving position and perceived safety aspect.

theone8181 · 13 Nov 2017 at 07:45

Ill just point out that its only recently thats its become a pain having a 1 year old and an almost 3 year old in the back of my 911. You guys just pack too much stuff, go minimalist

.

Thaifood · 13 Nov 2017 at 07:55

Plenty of room in a Passat. Although the boot sometimes is a small pain to get a pram in the gap if you don't angry it correctly.. Once in the boot, massive amount of room for everything else

Amp34 · 13 Nov 2017 at 08:24

Howard said:
I'd argue there's more space and more comfort to be had in a proper-sized estate (Mondeo, 5 Series, E Class, Superb, etc.) than a Qashqai-sized SUV. A lot of people just buy them because of the driving position and perceived safety aspect.

Of course, but then a Qashqai is comparable to a Golf Hatchback, not a saloon. It's specifically why I mentioned the CRV, which is more comparable to saloons/estates (more space, but a foot shorter than). They're all also higher off the ground making putting things in (like babies and car seats) easier.

Sounds like he's looking for something more premium, so it may always be worth looking at something like the XC60 or comparable premium SUV. Again, comparable boot space (but not as much as the CRV), but smaller footprint.

BIGWEB · 13 Nov 2017 at 08:28

Just buy a Range Rover and be done with it. I resisted buying the Mrs one until our little boy was 4 and we had another on the way. Used to get moaning about fitting stuff in the car and having to take stuff out if we wanted to go anywhere. Since she has had her RRS not one moan.

I am fully aware of how ridiculous the above sounds but it just works.

mjt · 13 Nov 2017 at 09:03

Rilot said:
This is the main issue with very young children. Modern rear-facing seats are absolutely huge and cause an awful lot of cars to have to have the front seats so far forwards that they become useless for anyone over 5'6" ish.

This. Most probably would've bought a Superb if it weren't for stupid local registration taxes.

tamzzy said:
3GT? (Granted it looks terrible)

Rear sloping hatch makes for a small boot if you're carrying bulky items like a pram. Had to use a 5 GT when my A6 broke down as we were setting off and the boot was completely full, whereas my Avant was only half-full before I moved everything across.

Also something to mention is the recline of the rear seat squab. In the 5 GT, it's very steep as it's designed for comfort. This meant that my son's head often fell forward as he slept in the rear-facing ISOFIX seat. Cars that are more family-oriented have completely flat rear seat squabs.

sovietspybob · 13 Nov 2017 at 09:26

Howard said:
I'd argue there's more space and more comfort to be had in a proper-sized estate (Mondeo, 5 Series, E Class, Superb, etc.) than a Qashqai-sized SUV. A lot of people just buy them because of the driving position and perceived safety aspect.

I think it's a lot to do for saving your back as putting a kid into a child seat in the back of an SUV is a lot easier than bending down to do it in a regular hatch or estate.

ArchAnGeL · 13 Nov 2017 at 10:30

robj20 said:
Ive gone for a Mondeo, saloon looks but with a hatchback. Daft amount of boot space.

I had Mondeos when my Daughter was younger. As you say, saloon look with large boot that is easily accessible.

I would consider leather seats a must for cleaning down
As they get older, rear power sockets if you make any long journeys

I would avoid a smaller hatchback due to pram sizes
Has to be 4 doors so you can get in the back and wrestle them into the car seat

GinG · 13 Nov 2017 at 10:44

I currently have a Skoda Superb which is great, rear room is good for the ridiculous size car seats and the boot swallows just about everything.

Changing jobs next year with a bit of luck so this will be going and will be left with just the Qashqai, so currently looking at replacements.

Was impressed with the value on the Kia Sorrento KX-3 but I have now been looking into Volvo XC60, seems to tick some boxes and on the face of it has a nicer interior finish to the Kia.

C Class / 3 Series / A4 sized cars whilst you can get by will soon feel very small when you start filling the car up. People joke about Vans etc, but its not just about fitting everything in...you still want the comfort when driving and when you have a car crammed to the roof with bits it can get a bit stressful!

Edit: An SUV will make life easier with having to put the kids in the car seats, it has been known for my bag to go when trying to fight with the little one when trying to put the seatbelt around her or when she was younger going through the phase of arching the back to not be strapped in...no problem in the wifes Qashqai with the higher stance!

jonessa · 13 Nov 2017 at 11:06

chroniclard said:
Estate cars are just not big enough for small children, you need a large van or 9 seater at least.

Haha - this isn't too far from the truth.

I have an Octavia Estate. It's only just big enough for me, the wife and our 4 month-old daughter to pack all our things in for a weeks' holiday.

A superb would be a great choice.

Don't underestimate the crap you have to carry around, even just to visit relatives. Also, buy a pram/buggy that folds down as small as possible. Personal recommendation is an uppababy vista. Folds practically flat when you take the wheels off.

chroniclard · 13 Nov 2017 at 11:10

jonessa said:
Haha - this isn't too far from the truth.

I have an Octavia Estate. It's only just big enough for me, the wife and our 4 month-old daughter to pack all our things in for a weeks' holiday.

A superb would be a great choice.

Don't underestimate the crap you have to carry around, even just to visit relatives. Also, buy a pram/buggy that folds down as small as possible. Personal recommendation is an uppababy vista. Folds practically flat when you take the wheels off.

Had 2 kids and a 07 Civic for years, no issues at all.

However, depends on your needs. Not gonna work if you go camping.

Massive car may be easier in some regards but its by no means necessary.

thewanted · 13 Nov 2017 at 11:11

Not looking forward to finding out how limiting my girlfriend's F55 Mini (5 door) will be in a few years time.

jonessa · 13 Nov 2017 at 11:17

chroniclard said:
Had 2 kids and a 07 Civic for years, no issues at all.

However, depends on your needs. Not gonna work if you go camping.

Massive car may be easier in some regards but its by no means necessary.

I won't disagree - you can always make the best of what you have. OP wanted some suggestions so i went with the general idea that bigger will probably be better/easier in the long run.

james.miller · 13 Nov 2017 at 11:20

I think if we had two the same age we would struggle but as our kids ar 6 years apart space hasnt really been an issue. We have a swively seat for the baby behind the front passenger seat in both cars and leg room is no issue in either, and thats just a 308 and a zafira. Bags of room in the zafira, quite versatile.

K.C. Leblanc · 13 Nov 2017 at 13:02

I've got a 10 week old and a 5 year old, we manage with a 51 plate Octavia. But it's very cramped especially on long trips when Mrs Leblanc sits between the two. But as far as boot space goes it's fine. We're just sensible with the amount of stuff we carry about. The car now often contains less [expletive denoting excrement] then when I was single.

jigger · 13 Nov 2017 at 13:11

I'd just add a well looked after Volvo estate to the fleet and keep what you have. Something like V50 T5 would be ideal. Maybe consider the AWD as its a little bit taller.

Tinders · 13 Nov 2017 at 13:37

People will scoff at the fact parents buy biggish cars when they have a sprog or 2, but sadly, car seats are huge now, as are prams and women forget logic when they pack for children. We have 2 girls, 4 and 5, and its only now that we travel a little bit lighter, my A4 Avant was soon filled up when they were younger.

Just as i was contemplating going back to a nice saloon, we have child no 3 appearing in a few months, but at least the XC60 i have now will accommodate 3 child seats in the back quite easily.