If you’ve got to ferry a troupe of children, you need to think big. With bulky Isofix seats and the mountain of stuff you need to support a small child you quickly run out of space, especially if the grandparents want to tag along, too.
Should that be an issue you’re currently facing, this list of the best child-friendly cars should certainly help. Although each and every one boasts a huge boot as a five-seater, they also have a third row of seats to minimise the chances of someone getting squeezed between two baby seats.
Most of the cars on this list have been out long enough to have made it onto the second-hand market, so you might save a fair amount over the new price. Speaking of used cars, you might be wondering ‘where do I value my car?’ Thankfully there are plenty of online services for this, while you can check MOT history and tax rates on the DVLA website.
10. Hyundai Santa Fe
Whether you want traditional diesel or bang up to date hybrid or plug-in hybrid engines, the Santa Fe has you covered. It’s massive inside with usable third-row seating, gets lots of standard equipment and should be reliable. There’s also a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty to fall back on.
9. Skoda Kodiaq
There’s just regular petrol and diesels to choose from in the Kodiaq, although there is a quick vRS version that shares an engine with the Golf GTI. Keep to the lesser engines and it’s cheaper than many key rivals despite being larger inside.
8. Dacia Jogger
Despite costing less than some superminis, the Jogger manages to provide a third row that’s bigger than some far pricier cars. It’s not particularly wide though, and while the interior is perfectly pleasant, you wouldn’t call it luxurious.
7. Peugeot 5008
The 5008 is one of the few SUVs on sale today that’s able to fit three Isofix child seats side-by-side in the middle row. It’s a neat trick, especially as the rearmost row isn’t out of the question for adults. It’s plush inside, but don’t be fooled by the rugged looks, the 5008 is front-wheel drive only.
6. Kia Sorento
You know we said the Santa Fe was good? Well, the Sorento is closely related so also well worth a look. There’s the same choice of engines, the option of four-wheel drive and it’s similarly spacious inside. However, the Sorento gets a seven-year warranty, making it a more tempting long-term purchase.
5. Ford S-Max
Don’t be tempted to scroll past just because this is an MPV, the S-Max is a terrific family car. Yes, its third row is best left to children, but it’s spacious in the other rows and is much better to drive than most of the cars on this list. It handles very well for a seven-seater and the hybrid system is efficient and punchy enough.
4. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
If you’ve grown fond of your five-seat Tiguan and want some more room, you might want to consider the Tiguan Allspace. With a bit more length to its body, there’s a couple of small seats in the boot that’ll suit kids. While you can get petrol and diesel Allspaces, you can’t have a plug-in hybrid.
3. BMW X7
At over five meters long, the X7 is simply vast. The upshot is seven comfortable seats with exceptional space up front and more than you’d think in the third row. It’s also properly luxurious and available with a range of excellent six-cylinder petrols and diesels and a powerful petrol V8. It’s expensive, but you’re unlikely to feel short-changed.
2. Range Rover
The Range Rover is only available as a seven-seater if you opt for the long-wheelbase model, an SUV that’ll dwarf even the X7. Fully grown adults will be comfortable in the third row, and all occupants will bask in the luxury offered. We’d recommend the smooth, punchy and reasonably frugal D350 diesel.
1. Land Rover Discovery
It’s as good off-road as the Range Rover and nearly as good as the X7 for those in seats six and seven, yet costs tens of thousands less. It shares six-cylinder diesel engines with its bigger, posher sibling and they prove every bit as impressive here.
