How to Transport 3 Children in a Car
The question of how to transport 3 children in a car has been asked increasingly in recent times, a clear sign that families blessed with 3 little angels are becoming more common in our country.
The answer is not simple, as we’ve noticed that the main concern of parents is often that the car they want to install these car seats in, although seemingly spacious at first, was not designed to safely transport 3 children in special car seats.
ADAC evaluated 332 vehicles from their database to determine the most suitable options for parents with 3 children. Only a few models made it to the shortlist.
Most of the time, for safety reasons, the back seat is designed for 2 and a half seats, not for 3 passengers.
New-generation car seats are larger to improve child safety, so it is physically impossible to install 3 seats on 2 and a half seats, even if we’re talking about seatbelt-secured car seats, not ISOFIX.
Here are some car models that, thanks to their special cabin dimensions, can still fit 3 car seats on the back seat. You’ll also notice a few models that have a second row of seats, where 2 more car seats can be installed:
| Brand | Model | Type | Nr. of chairs on 1st row | Nr. of chairs on 2nd row |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi | Q7 | SUV | 3 | |
| Citroen | Berlingo | Hatchback | 3 | |
| Citroen | C4 Picasso (< 9/2016) | Van | 3 | |
| Citroen | Grand C4 Picasso (< 9/2016) | Van | 3 | 2 |
| Citroen | C5 AirCross | SUV | 3 | |
| Citroen | Jumper II (< 8/2018) | Bus | 3 | 3 |
| Citroen | Spacetoruer | Bus | 3 | |
| Dacia | Docker (< 3/2017) | Hatchback | 3 | |
| Dacia | Duster I (< 12/2017) | SUV | 3 | |
| Dacia | Lodgy | Van | 2 | 2 |
| Dacia | Logan I (< 06/2010) | Berlina | 3 | |
| Fiat | Doblo | HKB | 3 | |
| Ford | Galaxy II (< 5/2015) | Van | 3 |
Important Car Seat Guidelines for Families with Children
Some car manufacturers state that the middle rear seat is considered “not permitted” for child seats (e.g., Opel Zafira Tourer), so it is essential to follow the vehicle’s manual recommendations.
In some cases, ISOFIX child seats with an anti-recoil foot (or anti-rotation device) are only allowed with restrictions (e.g., they may not be used in cars with storage compartments). Make sure to secure all children in the appropriate restraint devices. If the vehicle’s manual permits, the car seat can be installed in the front passenger seat, with specific recommendations such as deactivating the airbag and pushing the seat as far back as possible.
ADAC Expert Recommendation:
For parents with 3 children planning to buy a new family car, it is highly recommended to bring your children’s car seats when test-driving the car to ensure that the vehicle is spacious enough and meets important criteria such as safety, comfort, and most importantly, budget.
The above information is adapted from ADAC guidelines, reflecting the result of extensive research by German experts.
We warmly welcome you to visit our Children Car Safety Centers in Romania and Republic of Moldova, where our specialists are available to provide you with valuable advice and recommendations on choosing and installing the right car seats for your children.
