Need a family car which can accommodate 2 toddlers and an adult in back and sometimes 3rd child, boot to fit double buggy and/or 2 bicycles, economical and which will not let me down in snow/ice. I live in cul de sac, they didnt grit in there last winter.

I have to take kids to nursery daily and with my husband working away I cannot afford to be stuck in the winter. Do I have to buy a 4x4 now or just fit winter tyres to new family car?

I would like to keep this car for at least 4 years but budget is around £10-12K.

Currently have bmw 318i, getting too small and terrible last year in snow, stuck at home for a week!