MY13 Passat wagons big enough for three kids?

[tigger73]

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.

Agree Tig boot is on the small side - especially if you have to take around all the baby paraphernalia. Just check that the Passat (or whatever other car you look at) has the anchor point for the capsule/booster seat on the back of the seat rather than centre rear of the boot. We have a Mazda 3 as a second car and the anchor point is near the boot latch so the straps run straight through the boot (absolute pain). Though it's my wife's car and she was happy with it that way so I don't argue with her.

Yeah I would have guessed Passat was bigger though it's not by that much. If you can, I'd suggest taking a capsule and booster seat to the dealer to make sure they'll fit (no use buying the car if they don't). One other car you may look at is the Skoda Superb. They are cavernous!

[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.

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).

Yes the Septic - 100 times worse then the Euro We had a Camry hire car over Christmas so I know all about driving a truly dreadful car. Parked Passat at airport, took out booster seats and capsule, flew to Brisbane, fitted booster seats and capsule to Camry. The backseat wasn't noticeably wider then the Passat's and the seats and capsule were still a bit of a fiddle to fit, but the boot of the Camry is truly humungous and easily swallowed the P&T pram, port-a-cot and three suitcases.

Agree Tig boot is on the small side - especially if you have to take around all the baby paraphernalia. Just check that the Passat (or whatever other car you look at) has the anchor point for the capsule/booster seat on the back of the seat rather than centre rear of the boot. We have a Mazda 3 as a second car and the anchor point is near the boot latch so the straps run straight through the boot (absolute pain). Though it's my wife's car and she was happy with it that way so I don't argue with her.

Yeah I would have guessed Passat was bigger though it's not by that much. If you can, I'd suggest taking a capsule and booster seat to the dealer to make sure they'll fit (no use buying the car if they don't). One other car you may look at is the Skoda Superb. They are cavernous!

Centre anchor pops up from the top of the backrest, no issues with straps running into the luggage area.

Superb is the same car as Passat with 50cm (or so) wheelbase stretch. Huge rear legroom, but no extra width.

[booba]

I fit 3 adults, 3 large suitcases and 3 kids of the fur variety in carriers.

[FSI 220]

2 adults, 2 kids and 3 animals + 4 days worth of clothing/chattles, starts getting tight... but do-able!

[ope126]

Here are my experiences;

Passat Exterior width: 1820mm
Interior (rear) usable width (inner door handle to inner door handle) i.e. narrowest part from door to door: 1333mm

Here are some other cars I am now considering (Comparable interior widths);
1500mm Toyota Torago
1480mm Ford Territory
1450mm Falcon Sedan
1420mm Toyota Kluger
1420mm Holden Sportswagan
1400mm Ford Mondeo MC
1380mm Honda Accord Euro
1370mm Toyota Aurion / Camry
1350mm Citreon C5
1350mm Opel Insignia Select
1300mm Mitsubishi Lancer (new shape)
1300mm Holden Captiva LX
1300mm Skoda Supberb

Just thought I would share some details.

I am now driving an 09/2011 Ford Mondeo Zetec EcoBoost

I have 3 baby seats in the back with no problems.

Safe-n-Sound Maxi Rider AHR (forward), Safe-n-Sound Meridian AHR (forward/middle), Safe-n-Sound Maxi Rider AHR (forward). So yes it can be done!

As a heads up, I could not fit the above combinations in my previous VW passat 125TDI Highline Wagon or Honda Accord Euro Luxury. So the Mondeo trumps them there!!!

I also have the following in my (current model) Mitsubishi Lancer (work car); Safe-n-Sound Hi-Liner, Safe-n-Sound Compaq Deluxe (reward/middle) and Safe-n-Sound Compaq Deluxe (forward).

[Jmac]

Wow way too much time on your hands lol. i have a 4mo wagon and is ample for me , 2 kids 7 and 5 yrs. Wouldnt swap it. In know its a bit thirsty but i didnt buy it for economy, i know how good it is, same variant with the diesel cant go wrong, fuel miser, new common rail great , if budget says a bit older then the PD engine now has good coverage warranty wise with the common injector issue. If i end up needing economy wouldnt hesitate
Cheers
Jmac

[tigger73]

Here are my experiences;

Passat Exterior width: 1820mm
Interior (rear) usable width (inner door handle to inner door handle) i.e. narrowest part from door to door: 1333mm

Here are some other cars I am now considering (Comparable interior widths);
1500mm Toyota Torago
1480mm Ford Territory
1450mm Falcon Sedan
1420mm Toyota Kluger
1420mm Holden Sportswagan
1400mm Ford Mondeo MC
1380mm Honda Accord Euro
1370mm Toyota Aurion / Camry
1350mm Citreon C5
1350mm Opel Insignia Select
1300mm Mitsubishi Lancer (new shape)
1300mm Holden Captiva LX
1300mm Skoda Supberb

Just thought I would share some details.

The other important dimension is the width of the centre seat (i.e. between seat belt buckles).

I've had the seat belt buckle disappear under the booster seat a number of times.

Can be a bit of a pain to extract.

[The_Hawk]

MY13 Passat wagons big enough for three kids?

We hunted around for our last vehicle looking for something to fit three across too. It's far harder with three child seats and harder still if your using them with the stock seatbelt and have to get a hand down between to click them in every time.

In the we chose the Multivan. It's not small by any stretch and you have to be mindful of car park heights, but damn its comfy and has heaps of room! Especially on long trips.

[Golf Loon]

Audi A4 wagon. That is all.
That said I'd probably go a tdi skoda next time

[CaseySP]

The other important dimension is the width of the centre seat (i.e. between seat belt buckles).

I've had the seat belt buckle disappear under the booster seat a number of times.

Can be a bit of a pain to extract.

Seat belt extenders will fix this.

[Paul_R]

Re those finding it hard to buckle in older kids in a booster which uses the seat belt...

I just leave it permanently clipped in. The 5 yr old pulls some belt out of the roller and slips in through the belts then pulls it tight. We have a CX 9 which is obviously enormous and it is still very tight to get at the buckle.

An Alltrack is on the radar as a replacement. Just need to convince my wife that we don't really need 7 seats because we don't!