Which car should my daughter buy that allows two child seats and an adult across the back seat?

My daughter has two children under two who travel in the back of her 2007 Fiesta in modern child seats with separate ISOFIX tethers. She is looking for a vehicle that is wide enough to seat another adult in the back, as when my wife and I go over to see her we have to use two cars. She does not like the idea of using the front passengers seat with the appropriate child seat, secured with a seat belt. She tells me also that the airbag on her car cannot be turned off and on easily.

Ideally she is looking for a petrol vehicle, but for parking, would like it as compact as possible. She does not want a massive 4x4 or similar. As the range of vehicles these days appears so vast could you suggest a few to look at? Her price bracket is around £7000 and her annual mileage about 5000. Your help would be appreciated.

Asked on 15 June 2013 by MJ, Clitheroe

Answered by Honest John
You don't turn a passenger airbag off if a forward-facing child is sitting behind it. It can save a child's life as effectively as it can save an adult's life. You only switch if off when the passenger seat is occupied by a reversed baby seat. That said, an adult seatbelt is not a very effective way to restrain a child seat and only a few cars (such as the KIA Rio) have ISOFIX tethers for the front seat. Citroen Xsara Picassos and later Citroen C4 Picassos have three full sized seats across the back. So do Peugeot 307 SWs and 308 SWs.
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