3 child seats + 2 adults in a V70 or XC70?

[Kev0607]

I think any estate** (note below) with 3 kids, booster seats/car seats + 2 adults will be tight for space. You may manage for a while, but as the kids grow, space will become smaller and smaller. Estates have great room in the boot, but really, the interior space in the back seat is no bigger than a saloon. The only estate that offers vast space, more than a Volvo V70/XC70 is a Skoda Superb, (the newer shape one) ** They have limo size leg room in the rear and the boot space makes the Volvo look small in comparison. The new Volvo V90 has nice rear leg space, but the sloped window on the back restricts boot space.

If you don't plan on buying a Superb, then really you need an MPV or full sized SUV. Its what they're built for. Not only do they have the boot space to stack things, but they're wider than an estate. which gives you more width across the back seats.

[macaulays]

Does anyone have experience of whether a lucky adult of moderate build can sit in the middle rear seat when using the integrated boosters in a V70 or similar or would it really only suit an older child? Also, do any Volvo models have an isofix point on the front passenger seat does anyone know?

Many thanks!

[apersson850]

For a while you could buy ISO-fix for the front passenger seat as an option, but I think that possibility was revoked later.
I'm not sure about this - I haven't needed any integrated child seat since the days of my 854 Turbo.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by macaulays

Does anyone have experience of whether a lucky adult of moderate build can sit in the middle rear seat when using the integrated boosters in a V70 or similar or would it really only suit an older child? Also, do any Volvo models have an isofix point on the front passenger seat does anyone know?

Many thanks!

I'd say an adult of a moderate size would fit, but it would be tight and would only really suit a short journey. If the driver and front passenger were shorter than the adult in the back, they (front driver and passenger) could put their seats forward to allow more leg space in the back for the adult. If not, it would be quite cramped and you wouldn't want to go too far sat like that.

If you want space in the back for booster seats and adults, you need something like an MPV. They're wider and have more room in the back.

Never heard of an isofix in the front on one of these cars. I haven't seen one either. My guess would be no. It may have been an option years ago, but not now.

[simboc2004]

My 2011 V70 has built in booster seats, which I have never used (or needed!). Am about to swap to full leather seats (current ones are off-black half leather) and happy to pass on to someone else if they want to change them over? I'll try it out in a bit and see if I fit between the booster seats. I'm a 6', 95kg man, so a good test...

When my 3 kids were small (mid 90s) we bought our first J-reg 940, which had a built in booster seat in the rear centre armrest - a brilliant idea that served us well through that first 944 saloon and two subsequent 945 estates (that booster seat was added to testates later than the saloon). You could certainly fit two rear child seats either side then. No other cars offered that then - the reason we got into Volvo ownership.

[apersson850]

The idea came from an engineer working for Volvo. He had small kids and noticed that they started folding the arm rest in the rear seat and then sat on it, to get a better view.
So he thought why not make a real seat out of that idea? I had the same in my 854 Turbo, but it wasn't there from the beginning. You could buy that seat as an accessory and just replace the arm rest with the seat.

[Tatsfield]

Originally Posted by macaulays

Does anyone have experience of whether a lucky adult of moderate build can sit in the middle rear seat when using the integrated boosters in a V70 or similar or would it really only suit an older child?

My wife is of small stature and is the only adult member of the family that can sit comfortably between the pop-up booster seats. An oversized adult would not be able to do so. The only impediments she finds when so seated are the two occupants of the booster seats but since they are our grandchildren, all three are happy sitting together!

[simboc2004]

Originally Posted by apersson850

The idea came from an engineer working for Volvo. He had small kids and noticed that they started folding the arm rest in the rear seat and then sat on it, to get a better view.
So he thought why not make a real seat out of that idea? I had the same in my 854 Turbo, but it wasn't there from the beginning. You could buy that seat as an accessory and just replace the arm rest with the seat.

In the UK it came as standard from '92 on the 944 saloon - which is why we bought one. It came a year or so later to the 945 estate (so we then bought two of those!).

[simboc2004]

As you can see from the photos, I just tried to sit between my (never used) booster seats. Actually I fit between them OK. Snug, yes, but would be fine with two little ones either side. Access to the safety belt is good. I'm 6' tall and 97kg, so not exactly compact

[Kev0607]

Thanks for sharing. Handy to know for others.

I don't think anyone over 6ft would fair too well though, not if the driver or passenger is the same!

I guess 6ft is the sweet spot in these in the rear. They aren't the roomiest in the back leg room wise, not for anyone over 6ft anyway.