Car Choice: How to make child's play of it

For two parents, two boys and a baby a compact or full-sized people carrier will solve the problem of infant seating requirements at a stroke, says James Ruppert

Simon Abbott is 39 and has a 02 Skoda Octavia 1.9TDi Elegance estate and also three young boys, three, six and 16 months - which is at the root of his problem. Trying to fit two child seats and one booster seat across the rear squab is impossible.

Consequently Simon has decided to search for an MPV with three full-size seats across the rear (middle) row, or a possibly a six seater.

Simon highlights a very real problem for today's responsible parents. Back in the 1960s we were all bundled, unseatbelted, on to a bench seat where actually it was quite OK - plus we managed without DVD screens mounted in the front headrests.

But times have changed and now in most people carriers and compact people carriers there are at least three very adjustable seats with their own three-point seat belts.

One way around the issue of has been the Isofix system where specially designed child seats actually fix to the seat. The trouble is, not all cars have this system and so the seats are transferable between vehicles, not that this should bother Simon too much if this is the main mode of transport for the family.

I note that the children are small, although they do generally have a habit of getting much larger. Certainly for the next few years Simon could get away with having a compact rather than a full-size people carrier. I know that Simon has a shortlist for compact and large MPVs and he has identified the Honda FR-V and Citroën C8. So I think I can divide this answer into compact and large, starting with the compact option, which makes the most sense.

A CAR FOR THE HEAD

Simon, I reckon, only need start with a compact. I have a lot of time for the Honda FR-V, which is a reasonable price for a Honda and it is obviously very well built as well as reliable.

There are, however, two rows of three seats, which can be slid backwards and forwards. Six adults would feel cramped, but not three kids and two parents - and there's the added benefit of being able to separate squabbling siblings by sticking one in the front with mum and dad. I also think he should consider the Mazda 5, which has a big advantage in sliding rear doors, which is much better when getting youngsters out in a tight parking space.

The middle row of seats has two full-sized seats and smaller centre seat (fine for the smallest child) which longer term may not be ideal, but then the boys can separated again by putting one in the rearmost seats, which fold flat.

Probably the best of the seven-seat small people movers is the Vauxhall Zafira, but if the two extra seats are never needed for friends or for grandparents then the five-seat Renault Scénic is worth a closer look. It has three decently sized rear seats that should be ideal for the growing needs of Simon's family.

A CAR FOR THE HEART

The Citroën C8 is an excellent choice of large people mover and I am sure that Simon knows that the Fiat Ulysse and Peugeot 807 are identical. First off, though, the C8 is cheaper and the Ulysse even cheaper.

So it all depends on whether Simon is bothered about the badge thing. I have direct experience of a Ulysse, which belongs to a family who, coincidentally, have small three boys and there's no doubt that it fits their lifestyle perfectly.

Ideally any Fiat should be bought when it is a year old when depreciation has already taken its toll, but it will still be covered by the manufacturer's warranty which will come in handy, as there are always plenty of things to fix.

A 2.0-litre Fiat Ulysse JTD diesel Eleganza automatic which cost over £22,000 in 2005 will now sell for £13,500 with just 10,000 miles. It is certainly easy to live with and has a smooth family pleasing ride.

In the Eleganza trim there is satellite navigation and parking sensors - which is effectively the minimum specification for most vehicles these days. All the seats can come out and some owners may have specified that the rearmost seats can be changed into a single bench.

The only long-term downside of this option is poor resale value, but if it lasts Simon most of the decade until the boys are bigger he will be quids in.

CAR CHOICE

Please write to Car Choice, Features, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS, or e-mail James Ruppert at carchoice@independent.co.uk, giving your age, address and contact number, and details of the type of vehicle in which you are interested and your budget.

www.jamesruppert.co.uk