Finding a family car that can cater for child seats should be pretty easy with so many family SUVs on the market. But finding a car which has multiple Isofix mounts and which can fit three child car seats safely (and legally) can prove to be a bit of a challenge – doubly so if you want to put all the little ones in the second row, side-by-side, and keep the front passenger seat spare.
Below we’ve got our picks of the best cars with three Isofix points in total and the best choices with three Isofix points all in the rear. There is a huge amount to consider when it comes to choosing a family car beyond seating, so we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on choosing the best family car for your needs – and if that’s not enough, you can also check out our top ten recommendations for the best family cars with seven seats as well.
20 Popular Cars With 3 Isofix Points For Car Seats
- Audi Q7
- BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
- Citroen Berlingo
- DS 7
- Ford Galaxy
- Honda CR-V
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Kia Sorento
- Land Rover Discovery
- Mercedes-Benz GLB
- MINI Countryman
- Nissan Leaf
- Peugeot 3008
- Renault Zoe
- Seat Tarraco
- Skoda Fabia
- Tesla Model S
- Vauxhall Vivaro Life
- Volkswagen Touran
- Volvo V90
What Are Isofix Mounts And How Do They Work?
Isofix was first introduced in 1997 and is now mandatory for all new cars built since November 2012. It is a system of mounting child seats which creates a solid connection between the seat and the car – ensuring greater safety. The points have a metal anchor built into the chassis of the car, which the Isofix seat hooks onto and that secures it into place.
Is Isofix Safer Than A Seatbelt?
A study by the German Insurance Association showed that more than 70% of children's car seats were regularly installed wrongly when only a seatbelt was used, but 96% are installed correctly when an Isofix system is used.
What Are Child Seat Laws In The UK?
The UK government website outlines the legal requirements which you must follow in order to seat your children in a car safely. For the smallest members of the family, if they weigh up to 13kg then you need to ensure they’re in a rear-facing baby seat with a harness. They then progress to a front-facing chair up to 18kg in weight.
Older children must use a car seat and wear a seatbelt, until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first.
The Best Cars For 3 Child Seats
Peugeot 3008
The five-seater Peugeot 3008 is one of the best crossover-SUVs on the market and a popular choice of family car for most buyers. It has two Isofix points which can hold two child seats in the rear of the car, and then there’s another one in the front passenger seat. You’re also treated to a 520-litre boot and if that’s not enough room, it extends to a whopping 1,670 litres with the rear seats dropped. Perfect for those family holidays and trips to Ikea.
MINI Countryman
It's the supersized version of the MINI Hatchback, but has enough room for your family and everything that comes with them. The Countryman has two sets of Isofix points at the back of the car and another one in the front passenger seat. It may seem small but the Countryman has five doors, so is easily accessible and has a large boot space too.
Tesla Model S
If your average people carrier won’t do, you might be surprised to find that the Tesla Model S is shockingly spacious, and can easily accommodate you and your little ones. This stylish all-electric car has top-tether anchorages across all three rear seats, although the Isofix base points are only on the outer two seats. You can therefore get three child seats in the back of the Tesla, providing you have the right fixings for each of the positions.
Renault Zoe
Does a small car take your fancy? How about one which is planet-friendly? Believe it or not, the Renault Zoe has three Isofix mounting points - two in the back and one in the front. What more could you ask for from a small car? Great value? Well, as luck would have it, it's also one of the most affordable electric cars in the UK.
Best Cars With Three Isofix Points In The Rear Seats
Citroen Berlingo
With its upright stance and squared-off shape, you can tell the Citroen Berlingo is derived from a van. But if you’re looking to fit all three kids in the car without making use of the front passenger seat, then this is the ideal vehicle for you. This MPV boasts the ability to fit three child seats in the rear (middle row on seven-seater versions), with each individual seat fitted with Isofix points. This is a great car for family days out too, as it features a large boot with multiple storage compartments.
Audi Q7
An Audi Q7 lease ticks all the boxes when looking for a suitable family car without compromising on luxury. This SUV has seven seats, with five Isofix points in every rear-seating position. The second row is wide enough to take three seats, but you might want to give the kids a little extra room by sitting one in the third row – and (hopefully) avoiding the in-car bickering as a result.
Ford Galaxy
This wouldn’t be a lowdown on the best car for a family without looking at the classic Ford people carrier. The Galaxy has been around for a while, but it continues because it is zero-hassle – a seven-seat MPV which allows you to load all three kids and their seats in the middle row with ease (and without breaking your back). The rear doors open wide, which will grant you access to the middle-row seats easily, and the seats even slide individually for extra legroom for growing children.
Land Rover Discovery
We’re sure the Land Rover Discovery isn’t a surprise when looking at cars which can accommodate safe seating for three children. Brilliant for larger families, the Land Rover Discovery has seven seats in total, five of which have full Isofix points. You can use the front passenger seat, the outer two chairs in the second row and then both the seats in the third row to mount a child-supporting safety system.
Volkswagen Touran
If safety and space is a top priority for you when looking for a new car, then the Volkswagen Touran should be on your list. This compact MPV features nine airbags and five Isofix points on all of its rear seating, spread across the second and third rows of the car. Access is great too, thanks to doors that open wide so you can safely secure the kids in the Touran with minimal effort.
Kia Sorento
Affordability is key when raising a family and if a roomy seven-seater is what you need, take a look at the Kia Sorento. A total of four of the Kia’s seats come with Isofix mounts (two on the third row and two on the outer seats on the middle row), plus you still have an additional three seats for other occupants to sit in.
Child Seat and Isofix FAQs
Which small cars can fit three child seats?
All of the MINI Countryman, the Renault Zoe and the Nissan Leaf have the ability to fit three child seats in them, albeit not all in row two; their third fittings are on the front passenger seat.
Are there any cars that fit four child seats?
There are some larger cars available that offer four or more isofix points including the Land Rover Discovery, Citroen Space Tourer, VW Touran, Audi Q7, Mercedes GLB and the premium Mercedes V-Class people carrier.
How do I choose the best car for my family?
Prioritise what you want most of all – space, practicality, safety or economy – and then size up your preferred family car by which gives you the most of your preferred choice. Of course, the very best family cars can provide you with all four facets mentioned above, as well as a dash of visual style and some enjoyable driving manners.
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