MY13 Passat wagons big enough for three kids?

[smithcorp]

Hi all - current Tiguan owner with two kids 4 (in child seat)and 8 (in adult seat). Got a surprise baby on the way. We are looking at the Passat wagon as a larger replacement and I'm looking for views and experiences on fitting a capsule, a booster and another kid across the back. Doable? A squeeze?

Thanks in advance for any replies,

smith

[drad81]

A friend of mine fits 3 kids in her Passat wagon. They're aged 7, 5 and 3. the 7 and 5 year olds are in booster seats but I can't remember what the youngest uses.

[oebrad]

We have a 5yo, 18mth, and new born in a passat wagon and at a squeeze you can fit them in

[smithcorp]

Thanks all for your helpful replies! We will be test driving Passats (and maybe Touaregs) in a few weeks then.

[CaseySP]

We have a 5yo, 3.75yo and 9 month old in ours. The older ones are in Safe-n-Sound Hi-Liner SG Booster Car Seats using the seat belts and the toddler is in a Baby Love child seat (with 6-point harness).

Seats are a cosy fit but looks comfy. Needed to get seat belt extenders for the two Hi-Liners as it is impossible to fit adult sized hands between the seats to fasten the seat belts.

[Guest001]

Easiest way to get an idea is measure across the seats to see difference with TIG I can do it in the morning for you if you like

[kleung]

We are looking at the Passat wagon as a larger replacement and I'm looking for views and experiences on fitting a capsule, a booster and another kid across the back.

I was going to suggest looking at the integrated booster seat option that's available on the Passat, but it seems that using them precludes the installation of a baby capsule in the centre position.

[Guest001]

The width across the back seat is 1130mm between side bolsters and 1320 between edge of armrests on doors
Seat is split 2/3 across

[tigger73]

I fit 3 in my Tig - ages 9, 7 & 4. But this was after the youngest was out of a capsule.

A bit tight but is Ok as long as you're not planning any long trips.

Previous car was Honda Accord and this had a lot more room. Would be bigger than a Passat I would think.

Though Toureg would be nice if you can afford it.

[wai]

The thing is that you are going to be with your children for quite a few years, so it may be a better proposition to get something that will transport them all into their teens. Otherwuse, you may find yourself upsizing yet again.

The issue with squeezing the seats together is that they might not offer the protection desired.

I have a Caddy Maxi Life that is a full 7 seater with 3 child seat positions. With all 3 rows of seats, you still have a considerable amount of cargo space.

[Inego]

Tennager are less of a problem across - kids seats can be really difficult to fit acrossz, even when legroom is fine.

[CaseySP]

I fit 3 in my Tig - ages 9, 7 & 4. But this was after the youngest was out of a capsule.

A bit tight but is Ok as long as you're not planning any long trips.

Previous car was Honda Accord and this had a lot more room. Would be bigger than a Passat I would think.

Though Toureg would be nice if you can afford it.

I'm not sure about that. We test drove a Euro and it wasn't as wide as the Passat (plus no wagon variant). NRMA backs this up.

I was going to suggest looking at the integrated booster seat option that's available on the Passat, but it seems that using them precludes the installation of a baby capsule in the centre position.

The integrated booster seats pretty much preclude anyone using the centre seat, plus they are not available with the sports pack.

[smithcorp]

The width across the back seat is 1130mm between side bolsters and 1320 between edge of armrests on doors
Seat is split 2/3 across

Thanks Hillbilly, much appreciated.

[tigger73]

I'm not sure about that. We test drove a Euro and it wasn't as wide as the Passat (plus no wagon variant). NRMA backs this up.

Yes. Honda Accord Euro is a mid sized car with small rear seats. I was talking about the Honda Accord (non-Euro) - totally different car (though totally confusing to anyone other than Honda owners). Comes in either 2.4l 4 cylinder or v6. About the size of the wide body Camry in the back. Almost as much room as a Commodore which I had before that.

Fitting 3 kids in that was a breeze compared to the Tig (but the Tigs much more fun to drive).

[smithcorp]

Our main reason for replacing the Tiguan is boot size. When we first got the Tig, the littlest kid was still in a stroller sometimes and that would not fit easily in the boot. Same for portable cot. Once she was out of the stroller, the Tig was adequate, but we recognise we will need more boot space to trundle two school kids and a baby about.

Passat's boot is almost 50% greater volume! The question re rear seat width is to see if it gives any more space there. Good news is, it's 5cm wider than the Tig.