Child seat in 3 door

[JamieD]

Hi guys looking for some advice, Me and my partner will be expecting our first child towards the end of the year and both of us are looking forward to welcoming the little one. One of the concerns I have is about having to deal with a child seat in a 3 door car. Does anyone on here currently have a 3 door with a rear facing child seat in their Leon and how is it on a day to day basis getting your kid in and out? And is there much room with the child seat in place for passengers in the front seat? I know there are many different child seats out there sizes and shapes but just looking for a general overview if it would be worth switching to a 5 door Leon or if it is manageable with the 3 door.

 

[Ashley_ng]

Congrats on the news of the little one

I had my 1st born Son in November last year, didnt have the Cupra at the time but did have a small 3door Fiesta ST which i put up with until April, had enough room in the back for a rearfacing car seat although space for front seat passenger was bearable it wasnt roomy enough, could fit the pushchair (EGG) in the boot with space for shopping etc also, now i have a 5dr Cupra and theres loads of space, i wouldnt of thought there would be a massive difference in space between the 3dr and 5dr hatch's, apologies i cant help much on the 3dr leon but thats my experience with a smaller 3dr hatch

 

[CupraGeezer]

I have a 5dr Cupra and there's loads of space, I wouldn't have thought there would be a massive difference in space between the 3dr and 5dr hatches.

The 3dr Leon has a shorter (by 35 mm) wheelbase than the 5dr so there will be less legroom in the 3dr but it will still be more than in a Fiesta.

Sorry, I don't have experience of baby seats but I suspect it depends whether you have the space to fully open the door.

 

[Sisqo_uk]

If you have concerns about this then 5 dr is for you. If you don’t have passengers very often 3dr be fine but from sounds of it you’ll be needing to go to the back quite often. Having to get your baby or passenger out the car everytime you need to get someone out the back is not convenient for you or the baby moving it potentially disturbing it when it’s sleeping.
You’ll also appreciate that you won’t have to get out the car anymore to deal with that. They can just get themselves out with a 5dr. Same if you was in traffic, they couldn’t simply just jump in or out. You’d have to pull up somewhere to get it sorted out which may be far from where was needed.
It’s the reason why I never buy 3dr. I don’t want the hassle. I’ll stay in my seat thanks.


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[zeffania]

When I was looking for the Leon 18 months ago, my wife said no to a 3 door. Ours were 6 and 7 at the time. I test drove a 3 door and it was a faff to get the seat in and then my lad was ok to do the rest himself. Having had isofix bases, small seats, rotating seats in the past and a small wife, they will not thank you if they have to lift a child out whilst all bent in the back of a 3 door. Go 5 imho

 

[Oddmanout]

Congratulations

We had our little girl in August and unfortunately getting a car seat in and out is a complete PITA so I swapped my 3 door Golf for my 5 door Leon at the end of April. Its not just that you have to lean further the car seat scrapes and marks the interior and I actually hurt my back twisting and reaching to get the seat in. I tried to persevere but just not worth the hassle! Get a 5 door miles easier.

 

[Adrian300]

Yeah totally agree. Esp when its pissing down with rain, trying to get a car seat out when the seat tilted is a real pain! Not only that if u cant get a parent and child space you wont get it out in the tight car park spaces as you can get your door open far enough!

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[Seastormer]

I have a SC (3 door) Cupra 280 and I just leave the car seat in all the time, and it is behind the drivers seat. When we have the grand kids the wee man goes in the back (the seat is one of those that you remove bits till you only end up with a booster left) and he is 6 now and first used it when he was 3. My grandughter who is 13 now, goes in the front with the air bag off as she likes to play with the radio contols/Cupra button, while my partner sits in the back to keep the wee man amused. Has worked like that with no probs at all.

 

[Adrian300]

Newborn car seats are a bit bigger though to get in and out. It all depends if u want the hassle... If they are asleep theres no chance u can get it out whilst keeping babyseat upright

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[JamieD]

Thanks guys for all the replies, we have went and tried out a few different car seats and can see it is going to be a struggle. So I’m going to have a look at a 5 door FR in monsoon grey later today which is a year newer than my current FR with only 17k on the clock and works out £12 per month cheaper than what I’m currently paying.

 

[Adrian300]

Win win

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