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Original poster

Another 7 seater car thread

42 replies

Beginningless · 23/06/2023 09:19

Looking into these. Have 7 and 4yr old, ttc another, have a big dog, go camping with a big tent, need big boot. We generally buy pretty old cars with 40+k miles and wear them down so that’s how I’m starting my search - definitely not people who need cars to look good etc.

But my research so far is making me think we can’t get away cheap this time! Just been reading about how any 7 seater with boot seats, those seats are not safe in a crash? I’d really like to be able to give kids friends lifts etc, move kids about on journeys, but will I just worry about safety?

Also needs to be petrol for our LEZ zone so rules out VWs which I’d probably choose. Plenty of Zafiras in budget but I’m not sure. Should we just get a big booted 5 seater estate? Accept spending more money? Would hope to spend 10ish k but maybe more.

OP posts:
hennaoj · 23/06/2023 09:27

Something like a Citroen Berlingo, Peugot Rifter or Vauxhall Combi would suit you. Big boot and can be had with 7 or 5 seats. The 7 seater versions are longer so are perfect if you have somewhere to store the 2 rear seats as they come out fully. 3 full size middle seats too. Parts are cheap on them as they are van based.

Chocolatespreadknife · 23/06/2023 09:30

We have a 7 seater C4 grand Picasso. Dog crate fits in the boot. 3 full size kids’ car seats fit in the middle row so we don’t need to use the back row seats most of the time, increasing the boot space. We also use a roof box for holidays and find we can fit a huge amount of stuff. It’s been a great family car for us.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 23/06/2023 09:38

A zafira will be OK. But annoying. We have 3 dc and had a zafira until last year. 3 car seats is a squish and the middle. Child has to have 1 foot in each footwell of their siblings which many fights. But it saw us from tiny babies to mid teens.

Finally persuaded dh that we wanted an S Max and it is amazing. 3 full sized seats, no arguments. Boot space is amazing. We went camping in the zafira and had boot full, foot wells full, my feet were on the cool box. 2 months later we went on a 2 week holiday with the S Max, taking the SUP, all our bedding, huge cases etc. Every single thing went in the boot. You can even move the seats forward and back individually to offset your children and solve elbow related fights.

EarlofShrewsbury · 23/06/2023 09:39

I've got a Ford grand c max and I love it, best car I've ever had.

Original poster
Beginningless · 23/06/2023 09:43

Thanks so much everyone. Is anyone aware of the idea that the fold up boot seats are very vulnerable in a crash/do you think about this?? I may be overthinking but now I can’t unsee this! I guess I’m hearing 3 full seats in back means these seats are only used as an occasional back up?

OP posts:
Wildlyboring · 23/06/2023 10:01

We've had a BMW 7 seater, boot space is crap when all 7 are up so depends how often you'd need it. Just switched to a Tourneo and love the extra space and lots of isofix seats. The BMW did fit 3 proper car seats across the back comfortably though.

danesch · 23/06/2023 10:04

I think they are less safe than the middle row (but cars generally are designed to be much safer than they used to be).

Also, and this is just a personal view based on the many and varied 7-seaters we and friends have had over the years, they vary quite a lot in terms of how close to the boot door seats 6 and 7 are (possibly with a corresponding lack of leg-room!). E.g., Tourans and Zafiras are about the same size, but the seats in the Touran are much closer to the back than the Zafira (I'm basing this on 2010-ish plate cars - may have changed). I would do some looking around at different models and look at the safety tests.

We have always had big 7-seaters - Galaxys, Alhambras etc. I'm not sure the back row is any closer to the back than it is in say a Ford Fiesta in those cars. You'd need a new-ish one to be ULEZ compliant though. (Can you tell I've been through this process fairly recently!)

LemonDrizzle10 · 23/06/2023 10:06

I’ve got an S-max, brilliant car, have only occasionally used the seats in the far back. Car is full to brim when we go camping with 2 big dogs too. My mates are amazed everything fits in. I had another S-max before too. Ford is cheaper for servicing I find.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 23/06/2023 10:13

I have a Fiat Doblo. It’s as ugly as sun, but space wise it works really well.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 23/06/2023 10:13

-*sin

LadyJ2023 · 23/06/2023 10:24

Your over thinking if they are thay bad they wouldn't be sold. Berlingo has amazing space

annatoms · 23/06/2023 10:56

I dont think that rear most passengers in a 7 seater MPV are unsafe; I think there would have been an outcry if they were!

The rear seats if 7 seaters are only really of use for children on an occasional basis so very useful for transporting friends, family members etc around on short trips. For full on 7 seater use you need something a bit bigger.

We had a Peugeot 5008 MPV which was very good - loads of space and 7 seats. They were discontinued in 2016 so there are lots of cheap ones around. They are inevitably mostly diesels but if you get a 2016 model they are ULEZ compatible

Original poster
Beginningless · 23/06/2023 12:43

That’s reassuring about the back seats thing, I think you’re all right. And the 3 full seats thing makes a difference. Also starting to discuss should we actually consider electric as we are getting solar panels…I hate making decisions like this!

OP posts:
Housekeeperbatcocoa · 23/06/2023 12:51

The Zafira tourers have three full sized seats mid row, and the boot seats are a decent size.

I've had a few Zafiras now and love mine.

Clairet1976 · 24/06/2023 21:42

The two rear seats are not crash tested as they are classed as ocasional seats.. I wouldn't put my children in them. Someone in the citroen group on Facebook said he had an accident at 30mph and the rear of the car including the two seats were totalled.

Clairet1976 · 24/06/2023 21:43

They are as the seats are not crash tested like the others. They don't have to be as they are occasional.

FixTheBone · 24/06/2023 21:48

Agree, we had 2 at one point (family of 9) and the versatility was great, sliding doors, 5 seats and a big boot. 4 seats and extra space in the middle, 6 seats and can walk through without moving car seats. We got a massive roof box for not much money for the one or two times everyone went on holiday together.

Looked at s tourneo custom as an strong second option.

Thatlldopiggie · 24/06/2023 21:49

Seat alahambra would be great for you.

Same as VW Sharan

FernsAndFlowers · 24/06/2023 21:49

I’ve got a 7 seater Toyota Noah, imported from Japan. Not everyone’s cup of tea but I absolutely love it for its versatility (rear seats flip up leaving a massive boot and middle seats are on rails and also rotate. Floor is completely flat from front to back which makes it feel more spacious too. It’s car sized but quite tall and hoping to camp in it during the summer

FixTheBone · 24/06/2023 21:51

Beginningless · 23/06/2023 12:43

That’s reassuring about the back seats thing, I think you’re all right. And the 3 full seats thing makes a difference. Also starting to discuss should we actually consider electric as we are getting solar panels…I hate making decisions like this!

If you go electric it narrows your choices significantly...

Mercedes eqb
Tesla model x
Mercedes eqv

Were the only seven seat eV options when I looked a year or so ago.

ArcticSkewer · 24/06/2023 21:53

The rear seats are not as safe. It makes complete sense - look how close they are to the boot!
But ... when you do drive with kids in them, if it's occasionally, where will you be going? Because a crash at 30mph isn't going to be that bad but one at 70mph would be

Playgrind · 24/06/2023 22:02

Not sure how it compares to a Zafira but we have 3 kiddie seats in a newish Modeo and the boot is HUGE. Cheaper to buy and better fuel economy than a 7 seater.

celticprincess · 24/06/2023 22:52

I have a Zafira and mainly bought so that the space for the 2 extra seats could be used as boot space as I couldn’t find anything else that didn’t look boxy in my price range with a big enough boot. But they aren’t made anymore so the 2018 models I think seem to be the newest. Mine has had a new clutch, new gear box and various other bits that hood fluid replaced due to cracking. We have the roof box on too as I bought it with camping in mind but haven’t actually camped since we got it due to Covid and lack of tent sites and our availability. We have used the boot seats a few times mainly when I’ve had extra family so the 2 kids have gone in the very back and the adults have gone in the middle. Depending on how far back your middle row people like their seats to be there can be a lack of leg room in the back. But it’s mainly been short journeys we’ve used it for - squeezing everyone in after a family funeral to save taxis type scenario. I did have a small adult in the back too for an event. Maybe. 45 minute each way journey. Drove carefully.

I did prefer the Citroen Picasso - I had the 5 seater but my ex had the 7 after we split as he went on to have a third child so wanted more space. My cousin fancies the 8 seater Skoda as she has the 5 seater and loves it. Another friend who has 3 kids has the Ford 7 seater and always has one of them in the back to save arguments!

Angua2112 · 25/06/2023 00:50

Seat Alhambra is the same vehicle as the VW Sharan and the same chassis/floor pan as the Ford Galaxy. I have loved my Sharan and Alhambra.

JeandeServiette · 25/06/2023 01:01

Beginningless · 23/06/2023 09:43

Thanks so much everyone. Is anyone aware of the idea that the fold up boot seats are very vulnerable in a crash/do you think about this?? I may be overthinking but now I can’t unsee this! I guess I’m hearing 3 full seats in back means these seats are only used as an occasional back up?

Yep. I've just order a Ford Tourneo MPV for this reason. Second and third row still fold down (or clip out) but they are full size seats and not in the crumple zone.