General Bravo as a family car

[TheJamie999]

Hey guys and girls,

The girlfriend gave birth yesterday so now my Bravo is a family car. I know some of you guys have kids and was wondering what the Bravo is like as a family car?

 

[JackFi]

Technically what it is isn't it?

 

[Matthewr1990]

Hey guys and girls,

The girlfriend gave birth yesterday so now my Bravo is a family car. I know some of you guys have kids and was wondering what the Bravo is like as a family car?

I have a 18 month old daughter: as a family car it is fantastic. Car seat fits snugly and if you pay the money you can get the Isofix seats which the bravo has the fitments for, there's lots of cubbyhole's for storing nappies and General baby supplies. 5 doors makes it accessible. The lock for the rear electric windows is great too (for bravos that have rear electric windows like mine). The boot is plenty big enough for a buggy and then a pram. Another little thing I liked was my daughter was scared of the dark as a baby, so there's a little light above the rear doors that can be turned on separately.

Safety wise the Bravo has a 5 star NCAP safety rating. If you use the front seat to store your daughters car seat. It's easy to turn passenger airbag off, there is also an auto lock feature you may or may not know about, you can turn it on in the settings that locks the doors after you go above 15 mph. This for me is fantastic. I have a neighbour who had parked up in traffic and a guy just walked up to the car and opened the back door and stole what was on the seat. (Just a bag of shopping). But my point is what if my daughter was there when someone just opens the door. This auto setting gives me peace of mind, and I don't need to remember to lock it myself. It's also safe as you can still get out the car without issue as pulling the handles unlocks the doors. There are also child locks on the 2 rear doors to stop your child accidentally opening the door.

Then there are running costs of the car, it's actually rather economical when you don't race it around. Tax isn't unreasonable and I find insurance is quite cheap.

All in all its a very recommendable family car.

 

[RobBravo]

It's good, but perhaps not for me.

I agree with mostly what Matthew says, but we've got a silver cross pram now that won't fit in the boot. It only just fits sideways on and totally racks off most of the boot space now.

You just need to be careful, and order yourself a nice compact buggy.

Overall it will do for now, but honestly I want more kids, and the Bravo isn't big enough.

I used to own a Vauxhall Signum, and when I went on holiday I could fit everyone in plus LOADS of "holiday equipment" including a full sprung mattress for my daughter to go into her travel cot.

You try that in a Bravo lol.

My next car, when I have another child, will probably be a Skoda Octavia VRS estate or something similar. Performance, build quality (VW) and HUGE space for two kids + their equipment. They are also very nicely equipped.

Like I say, the Bravo is good for now, but not for too long in my eyes.

 

[jay1464]

I have a 10 month old and can say the car has served us well as a young family motor.

The boot is 400 litres which is much bigger than other cars in its class especially the latest focus which is only 330 litres.

My only comment would be about the rear seats. With our isofix car seat (maxi cosi pebble) the passenger seat has to be set quite far forwards. In addition the rear seat belts are too short to strap a modern size 0 car seat in.

The underfloor storage in the boot has been really handy and I have used it to store a lot of our baby's things.

 

[Whaley247]

Its a great family car unfortunately I have sold mine this weekend because of a similar situation I have recently become a farther for the second time but my eldest is only one as well which means double prams and double prams either fill the boot completely or doesn't fit so I have had to get a car with a bigger boot ? a little heartbroken tbh that I had to sell it was a lovely car will own another one day ha. Congratulation to you and you girlfriend

 

[RobBravo]

I feel I will go the same way as you Whaley!