Hi all,
Family dictates the need for a 7 seater car.
It seems like the MPV style car died off years ago and modern cars are ginormous faux 4x4 type monstrosities which we have no interest in or money for.
So the question is, in the used car market what is the pick of the 7 seaters as a regular day to day car and for longer distance trips?
- Nice to drive and comfortable for everyone in the car
- Practical seat options and storage (ideally a flat loading boot as we have a child with disabilities and heavy equipment. No particularly large items in mind)
- Practical to drive (no massive turning circle like a Sharan)
- Balance of space inside for all passengers but minimising external dimensions for parking etc
- Would you buy a diesel in the modern world (this seems to be the main recommendations 10+ years ago when MPVs were more popular and therefore more are available)?
- Are there any brands or models which you would flat out avoid for reliability or running costs? Mileage/ service history to aim for?
- Anything you have seen or missed from a 7 seater you would now think as crucial (do sliding doors really make a difference in assisting children for example?)
At the moment I was thinking either a Zafira for lower cost and easier practicalities around town with the smaller dimensions, or if we felt we could live with something bigger then a Seat Alhambra/ Ford S-Max seem a solid choice.
I appreciate there is lots of information online but it is all potentially dated, so I am interested to know what the hive mind would recommend in today's world 🙂
Ta!
I should also add that we are eligible for the Motability scheme so new cars are an option with the downsides of longer term cost, worrying about cosmetic damage with children and lack of availability of new cars...
I have an SMax and it is a great bit of kit. However, seats 6&7 are very much 3/4 size. Anyone over 5ft won't be happy in them.
It handles like a car yet the boot is huge. No lip, so getting heavier items in and out is a doddle. With seats down it'll swallow a 6'6" long bike whole.
I get 40mpg on a 2l diesel.
Galaxy has bigger seats at the back, but it is longer and taller. If I still need 6 seats when it is time to change I'll be getting one.
Thanks @Harry_the_spider The S-Max does seem to be a popular one for massive boot space and being decent to drive. I was a bit surprised about the back seats too but I guess in the life of a family with children as passengers it would rarely be a problem? I can't see us ever putting any adults we actually like in the rear seats of any of these types of car 🙂
Diesel was also one of the points I wasn't sure on- any real life issues or disadvantages beside cost at the pump?
I thought a Sharan and an Alhambra are basically the same car. I don't know about the latest Zafira but the previous model was horrible to drive and definitely not as spacious/practical as a Sharan/Galaxy etc.
The modern MPV is just a van platform with windows and seats.
Motability defintely worth considering but if you’re buying then worth looking at the Japanese import MPVs - they’re excellent. You can also get them with various disability adaptions (seats that articulate out, etc) which are incredibly well done by the Japanese, and if you qualify for Motability then you should be able to buy without VAT.
^ Basically the same but YooToob ancient reviews seem to indicate a few tweaks like the turning circle on the Alhambra. It would be interesting to know if that is correct if anyone has one?
My folks have some kind of modern large VW and they have abysmal turning circle too
I just got an older 2013 galaxy and it is a decent car. It a car person at all but it gets bikes in fine, and is a nicer,quieter thing to drive than my last two - a 2019 vauxhall combo life and a T4.
The modern MPV is just a van platform with windows and seats.
That seems fair and I was worried that impacts size and around town/ motorway practicalities as a family car which needs a bit more space but not necessarily van sized space.
Motability defintely worth considering but if you’re buying then worth looking at the Japanese import MPVs – they’re excellent. You can also get them with various disability adaptions (seats that articulate out, etc) which are incredibly well done by the Japanese, and if you qualify for Motability then you should be able to buy without VAT.
I am yet to really look in to Motability. I am familiar with the scheme but so far I have approached some adapted vehicle garages which seems to mainly be about fitting wheelchair space and a ramp which we don't necessarily need, or approaching normal dealers who do cars on the motability scheme and they all said they won't even discuss a new car with be as they have too much of a backlog of other customer already waiting too many months for a car
Would you have a quick link to an example of this type of import? Ta!
I find this site a very useful tool for comparing wagon sizes -
I’ve put a couple of randoms in to start it off.
Can be a bit of an eye opener for the reality of whos is bigger.
^ awesome, thank you!
We will hopefully be in receipt of a blue badge soon too so that may take away some of the parking and external size worries but a dedicated space isn't always available
We had a 2006 Galaxy 2.0tdci and it was a great bus. Reliable, spacious, perfect for a family of 5 plus bikes and boats.
As HtS says, the back seats are not big.
If you want proper 7 seats and a boot then you need to look at the van based offerings - Dispatch / Custom / Vito sized things.
We're just about to hand back a lease Peugeot 5008, its been a great car, loads of space and comfort and never had an issues with it over 4 years, yes it sometimes felt big in tight car parks but great for trips away camping or chucking the bikes in the boot. We're about to downsize as wife no longer a childminder so don't need the 3rd row of seats.
Maybe a van with seats, like the Berlingo Ford Connect, Caddy Maxi would be suitable. In terms of footprint they're like a biggish estate car.
Peugeot 5008
That is a decent recommendation to look in to thanks. I have had a 2008 as a hire car a few times and really liked it to drive and as a nicely thought out car in general
Berlingo Ford Connect, Caddy Maxi
I started to discount them as they seem to be the more expensive options. Also possibly fine as a day to day car but not much fun for longer trips
The longer trips are important for us as our son requires too much equipment for any time away via plane or similar, so any breaks away would have to be by car unfortunately. We are at a bit of a breaking point in not being able to have any change of scenery with our current Honda Jazz and the need for a small trip away is a big motivator for the new car.
Also possibly fine as a day to day car but not much fun for longer trips
I find my van a really nice place to be on a long trip. They have a nice upright seating position and decent seats. I've done Cheshire to Belgium or Cornwall in mine a few times, no bother. I'd not discount them for that reason without trying one.
We had a 2010 Sharan and now a 2017 Alhambra. Dont really notice a poor turning circle but its maybe because ive driven basically the same car for 10 years now. I can still get it into multi story car parks which for me is a proper test as youre not likely to need to turn much tighter than that. the electric sliding doors are handy but i have heard of problems with them as they get older and dont go for a panaramic roof! the VWs started to leak and could fill up the foot well with water in a proper downpour, the solution for us was to park it slightly uphill and we never did find where it was leaking from and the repair costs were about 2k if i remember rightly. overall though both were good cars, the VW had about 140 bhp and the Alhambra is about the 180 mark and its far nicer to drive with that extra bit of go especially when loaded up with the 6 of us.
We have a 2017 Smax 2L diesel. As Harry says, seats 6&7 are a bit cramped for àdults, but ok for small people or occasional use.
I think we average 43ish mpg and servicing costs are reasonable. Can't really fault it reliability-wise (ours has about 56k miles on it), although I did have a check engine light come on recently, which apparently was due to a sticking EGR valve. The RAC guy reset it and suggested that I give the car a bit of a thrashing every now and then. It's been fine since.
Before I bought it, we did also look at the VW Touran. I would have been happy with one of those too, but the Ford was cheaper. Also the VW dealer was a bit of a dick, which didn't help.
I'm planning on keeping it until we can downsize, but other than that, I'd happily buy another.
In true STW style, recommended what you have. We did have a Zafira B but premature cam belt failure wrote that off.
We replaced it with a VW Touran 1.4 DSG which the wife absolutely loves.
It's more of a 5+2 than a real 7 seater and with all the seats in use, there's really not much boot space. All depends on what configuration you need when. Full 7 seats or more luggage space and you're looking at Sharan/Alambra territory.
We got a Kia carens as it seemed cheaper but more reliable than the others. Obviously it’s completely boring but does everything well and it’s nice and quiet on the motorway. Gets 40s mpg around town up to 60 on long trips.
When we had multiple kids in car seats we had an S-Max. Older shaped one on a 14 plate, was 2 years old when we had it, so can't comment on the newer ones. Seats 6 & 7 were definitely pop up seats for occasionall use and you had to clamber into them. Also left very little boot space.
Some silly design oversights that really annoyed me. Things fell out the glove box when it was opened and the boot is higher than the bumper, not even flat, so shopping bags would fall out when you opened the boot. Drove nicely enough but got rid as soon as we could. Everyone else seems to love them but I wasn't overly enamoured.
BIL and SIL had a Seat Alhambra. Was definitely more like a van than a car, but much more space for people and luggage. But everyone here seems to love a van so hey-ho.
Other BIL has a VW Caravell. Clearly a van but even more space and not much bigger than an Alhambra. Bit of forward planning required but they don't seem to struggle, oh and tolls cost more but even better for biking duty.
Friends with a severely disable 14 year old have a converted Vito, but that has a tail lift and all sorts to get his wheelchair in. Sounds like you don't need anything that extreme.
In your situation I'd definitely be looking at Alhambra/Sharan/Galaxy or a smaller minibus/van. Obviously cost of vans is mental ATM.
At the moment I was thinking either a Zafira
MrsBeanZ has a Zafira tourer as her daily car - rear most seats are cramped for anyone other than children. With a the seats in use the boot is pitiful. I'm ex retail motor trade and it has the worst headlights of any modern car I've ever driven. As a 5 seater its great for her with 3 dogs going in the boot . Elevated driving position is another benefit and the overall size is fine for parking.
You mention turning circle. I had an Alhambra and the turning circle was awful. Far worse than my T5 and a wider vehicle. In fact if it was not for twin sliding doors, the size of the thing makes it less practical on that front. Also the sliding doors weigh so much they are pretty dangerous with little ones. Apart from that a quality bit of kit, takes a kicking from the kids (unlike our present Grande Picasso). Rear 2 seats are a proper size, giving more leg room than the mid rear bench. With all 7 seats up, you could still had a decent boot. Mine was the 150hp diesel. Don’t think I ever saw above 50mpg even on the motorway - lucky to average 40 due to the weight of the thing.
ZAfiras, Tourans, S Max are either 5 seat with big boot OR 7 seats with little to no boot space and the extra seats are only good with children.
Had 2 Tourans, brilliant family buses for a standard family with occasionally need to ferry extra kids. Boring as he'll but comfy to drive, good fuel economy and very practical. First one though seemed to implode just out of the 3 year warranty lots of expensive things that shouldnt have failed did. Second one lasted nine years from new and apart from spare of wheel bearing issues wasn't too bad but still not the most maintenance free vehicle we've ever had. Died at nine years with a completely sooted up exhaust system which was sorted by the bloke we sold it to as a non runner. It's back out on the road now with a new owner. Interior still looked good for a nine year old car with 140,000 miles on it.
I have a 2017 Ford galaxy, diesel. It's great. Biggest problem is that we hardly use it now so getting hard to justify. About 45mpg.
Zafira b from new here, now on year 7 and still going strong (touch wood), so far only set of discs one real caliper and spark plugs
We have 4 kids, rear 2 seats are definitely only for kids, but, ease of folding seats down in any configuration mkes it great, 2 + 0 1, 2 or + 0, 1 or 2 on the boot, obviously boot space is much reduced with 2 seats in rear but still useful, with a roofbox & rear rack we've done bikes & tent camping trips, France with 6 body boards etc
Would quite like a van now kids are getting bigger, but costs seriously increase and then supermarket parking etc becomes problematic
Still got my "old"-style peugeot 5008 here (2011)
Overall it has exceeded my expectations massively.
If you really need 7 seats for your own family, including longish runs and for several years, I'm not sure it's a goer and I'd be looking at a Galaxy/Alhambra or similar - the 5008's back seats are occasional (we pretty much on;y used them for half-hour trips with 5 under-12yrs gymnasts to & from training)
Has some great features like speed limiter (as well as cruise control), head-up display that I'm sure are much more common now
Hasn't had any major failures - so far - and reckon I'll be to see it go. My expectation was that a major electrical fault would arise but nope, nothing of the sort
I don't think it drives badly, though SMax was said to be the benchmark at the time. It's pretty firmly sprung so you definitely feel the bumps when it's empty
I find my van a really nice place to be on a long trip. They have a nice upright seating position and decent seats. I’ve done Cheshire to Belgium or Cornwall in mine a few times, no bother. I’d not discount them for that reason without trying one.
That is interesting, thanks. Quite a few people at the additional needs school seems to have a Torneo Connect which looks a good overall footprint and interesting in being able to fold down the passenger seat or remove all seats completely if ever needed.
Alhambra/ Sharan turning circle
Interesting to see some different view points but it sounds like my understanding the Seat was a little improved is wrong. I can see a poor turning circle being a massive daily annoyance where we are. See 4:41 below
I think we would be looking something a little more compact too, at least at this point in time given children sizes and where we live
Zafira... worst headlights of any modern car I’ve ever driven
Alhambra... sliding doors weigh so much they are pretty dangerous with little ones
S-Max... Seats 6 & 7 were definitely pop up seats for occasional use and you had to clamber into them. Also left very little boot space.
Some silly design oversights that really annoyed me. Things fell out the glove box when it was opened and the boot is higher than the bumper, not even flat, so shopping bags would fall out when you opened the boot. Drove nicely enough but got rid as soon as we could.
These are all really interesting, thanks. It's this type of thing which maybe aren't initially apparent but can become real bugbears when you are stuck with the car.
Family of 6 here with an s-max. Drives more like a car than any others, plenty manouvreable. eldest goes in the boot and can get 3 car seats in the middle row with loads of room. They all slide and recline individually so easy to adjust where the legroom is needed. Towbar bike rack with 3 bikes and 2 20" inside 6 up is possible.
Probably replacing with a lwb custom.
Maybe a van with seats, like the Berlingo Ford Connect, Caddy Maxi would be suitable. In terms of footprint they’re like a biggish estate car.
Do these converted van-car things get taxed, insured or treated any differently in any way? Anything to be aware of if we were to go that route?
We have shopping fallout of the boot every now and again, but when you offset this with having a flat load bed and no sill I'll take having to catch the occasional bag every time.
@DanW I think your best bet is to have a sit in as many of them as you can and judge them against your particular needs. If you are in North Manchester you are more than welcome to come and have a poke around in ours.
I have the 7 seat Carens, only paid c15k in 2014 new. Billy basic spec but ac and Bluetooth. Never missed a beat tho, just tyres and reg servicing.
I d have another, it's the Sportage underneath but c5k cheaper.
As said, dull as dishwater but loads of space and easy 50mpg.
So bored once I logged all costs, exc depn, was 2k pa at 10k miles pa. Servicing, tyres, fuel
@DanW I think your best bet is to have a sit in as many of them as you can and judge them against your particular needs.
Indeed 🙂 This thread has been exceptionally helpful in giving us some extra things to think about and helped narrow down the selection a bit I think. Thanks!
We have an Alhambra (2019) on the motabiltiy scheme for our son. Its a great car and huge for wheelchair/buggy/clothes changing etc etc, the top spec model which had a cheap (by today's stds) advance payment of £1500. Problems we have had include leaking A pillar, one of the electric sliding doors doesn't want to close in freezing weather although will do with assistance. I wouldn't buy one second hand, so much to go wrong on them assuming you go for a well specd model with lots of lovely electric stuff We're also looking at a new motabilty car now as our lease has ran out. EBerlingo is an option or the vauxhall equivalent. Options for MPVs are very limited these days.
Do these converted van-car things get taxed, insured or treated any differently in any way?
Just the same as any other MPV.
We had a galaxy and now have a zafira (tourer). If you have more than 3 kids the zafira is likely too small, otherwise it's fine. Boot space in the zafira and the smax is pretty much the same, the galaxy is significantly bigger. Old shape galaxy isn't euro6/ulez compliant.
The zafira is astra based rather than Mondeo/insignia/Passat sized car based. This means it's a touch smaller, easier to drive/park but a load more economical. The 1.6 diesel does 70mpg at 70mph with everyone onboard.
We had 2 families (4+3), 2 dh bikes and all our holiday kit in/on our car for 2 weeks in France. Worked out alright 🙂
To add. This site is awesome to find out the actual measurements of things https://www.ridc.org.uk/features-reviews/out-and-about/choosing-car/car
My sister has just gone from a Zafira to a C4 Grand Picasso and they're very happy with it. Was a lot cheaper than the competition too, possibly because it is black and a diesel. Seems a popular option for grandparents round here so could be worth a look.
BMW 2 series Gran Tourer. We have one of these and it's great as a 6 seater, the middle seat in the middle row is only really 0.5 of a seat so if you need to seat 7 adults it's not going to work.
I think it's the smallest 7 seater thing out there
on my 2nd Zaffira. 2.0 diesel. had it 7 years noe, it was 1 year old. serviced when needed. mot has been very kind to us. nothing done since we have owned it.
fits 3 bikes int he back. sleep in it now and again. massive space with all sears down.
jusr perfect really
Zafira tourer 1.4t here. Been reasonably reliable for us but just chucked an engine error with injector issues, 36mpg average with a lot of town running on super unleaded. 3 kids.
Now the youngest is (a big) 7, the rear seats are poor. On a journey we'll put them all in the middle as there's no boot space.
We'll probably run it till it dies.
Wife bought it with the idea of taking us 5 with her folks on holiday. Actual number of times that's happened? Zero. There's not enough space.
What will we get when it does? Probably a proper 7 seater with a boot.
The van/car things get treated as commercial vehicles by Bradford’ new clean air zone, meaning you need to pay. People I know who are definitely not commercial (just T5 family vehicle types) are trying to appeal it, but it’s a PITA.
Fwiw, here’s a piece I wrote about cars for MTBers, there are a few 7 seater options there that might be worth considering.
https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/what-car-for-mountain-biking/
We have the 1.4 turbo petrol zafira tourer. Personally, I think its great, build quality and reliability have been good and the seats are the comfiest I've ever sat in. There's often 7 of us in it, my youngest 2 (12 & 8) go in the back just fine and we just slide the middle row forward a bit and they have plenty of room. No boot space with all 7 seats in place, but massive but when 5 up. Drives like a car, easy to park and even a reasonable turn of speed when required I won't be getting rid any time soon 🙂
