The challenge of finding a car for families with three children
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find cars with three seats that have Isofix anchors for child seats.
Families with three or more children are increasingly rare in Catalan society. According to figures from Idescat, only 5% of Catalan families (single-parent or two-parent) have three or more children, a trend that is steadily declining and shows no signs of slowing down, especially considering that this year Catalonia broke its record for lowest birth rate, with a rate of just 1.08 children per woman. This is not unique to Catalonia, as the Spanish and European trends are moving in the same direction as in Catalan society, with families overwhelmingly consisting of one or two children and the age of first-time motherhood rising.
However, families with three or more children do exist, both in Catalonia and in the rest of Spain and Europe, and it is increasingly difficult to find vehicles with enough space in the back seats to install three child seats with Isofix restraint systems, since most new cars simply do away with the third anchor point for child restraint systems. Currently, the market offers few real options for families with three (or more) children, and the prices of family vehicles are often high and beyond the reach of the vast majority of families.
Citroën Berlingo (from 27,420 euros)
The Citroën Berlingo van is by far the most economical, practical, and popular option if you're looking to buy a new vehicle with three approved seats and Isofix child seat anchor points in the rear. In fact, this vehicle, a hybrid between a commercial vehicle and a family car, is the clear leader in the light van segment, and its handling is reminiscent of a conventional passenger car.
There are two versions of the model (called M and XL) that differ in trunk capacity, but both have three Isofix anchor points. Beyond the price, its advantages include availability with HDI diesel engines or fully electric versions called ë-Berlingo.
Volkswagen Touran (from 37,000 euros)
The Touran is the The quintessential minivan From the Volkswagen Group, it's been on the market since 2016 without major changes. Why change what already works? Its interior features three individual rear seats with Isofix anchors, diesel and gasoline engines ranging from 122 to 150 hp, and a ride smoothness very similar to that of a conventional passenger car.
For a number of years, Seat manufactured a virtually identical model called Alhambra Seatwhich unfortunately is no longer for sale but can be found on the second-hand market.
Hyundai Santa Fe (from 59,000 euros)
The new Hyundai Santa Fe is a robust SUV with standard hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, advanced technology, and a modern, captivating design. Furthermore, this SUV features three rows of seats with a total of four Isofix child seat anchor points (two in the second row and two in the third), offering greater interior versatility.
However, the new Santa Fe is an expensive car, as its mechanics, the technology it incorporates, and the solutions it employs aim to position it as the global benchmark in the family SUV segment. While it is certainly an innovative, all-wheel-drive, and technologically advanced vehicle, its aspirational positioning may not perfectly align with the real needs of families with three or more children.
Audi Q7 (from 85,000 euros)
The Audi Q7 is the premium answer for families seeking space, comfort, technology, and performance. It comes standard with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system and is available in diesel, gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions, making it the range with the most options on the market. However, this comes at a price that is truly prohibitive for most budgets, especially for those with three or more children.
This luxury SUV features Isofix child seat anchor points in all three second-row seats, as well as in the two folding third-row seats, allowing for up to five child seats to be installed in the cabin. However, the new Audi Q7 is more suited to business (as a company car or executive vehicle) than a traditional family car.
A segment where minivans are missing
Ten years ago, the European market still had a handful of minivans, affordable vehicles with plenty of interior space and three individual seats in the second row, like the Kia He worries, the Ford C-Max, the Citroën C4 SpaceTourer, heOpel Zafira Or the aforementioned Seat Alhambra. Its demise was due to its market share (around 3%) not justifying the necessary investments to update existing models or manufacture new ones, as the onslaught of SUVs and off-road vehicles like the Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen Tiguan, Seat Ateca, Peugeot 3008, and Ford Kuga ultimately sealed its fate. However, it's still possible to find some of these minivans in good condition and at a reasonable price on the used market.