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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder why car manufacturers make 7 seaters without boot space?!

69 replies

Snowflakes1122 · 21/05/2019 13:14

Trying to find a new car is proving difficult.

We have 4DCs and, all the 7 seaters look great...until it comes to boot space with all seats up. I also question how safe it is having the seats so close to the back?

Is there a good 7 seater with a decent-ish boot?

OP posts:
sazzle27 · 21/05/2019 14:23

We had the same issue here - bought a nissan nv200 with window panel sides. The best thing we could have done!
All the seats fold up as well so you can get the benefit of a van if needed, 5 seater with a giant boot, 7 seater with a big boot...

Zero complaints 3 months on 👍🏻

To wonder why car manufacturers make 7 seaters without boot space?!
To wonder why car manufacturers make 7 seaters without boot space?!
badlydrawnperson · 21/05/2019 14:25

You’d be looking at a crew cab. Transit, vivaro or transporter.

A crew cab is a pickup truck with a big cab - not what you meant to say I think.

You're talking about a combi or crew van - or just a van with seats like a VW caravelle. Merc V-class etc.

badlydrawnperson · 21/05/2019 14:31

We recently hired a Kia Carnival in Australia and it was AMAZING! Heaps of space with the seats and a massive boot. We decided there and then that we needed to get one but sadly they don't make them the same in the UK.

Up to 2012 the UK Carnival was called the Sedona (same car) but they stopped selling them here as they weren't selling enough.

hedgehoglurker · 21/05/2019 14:33

If not looking at a brand new car, Chrysler Grand Voyager is a great minivan 7 seater. Don't think they are selling them new in UK anymore though.

KissUntilTheyDieOfRabies · 21/05/2019 14:34

Massive roofbox on top of a seven sister zafira

Slacksandblouse · 21/05/2019 14:41

Yes to Kia Canivals. They have amazing seats and boot space. The best one we’ve ever had/tried.

Raffertythe2nd · 21/05/2019 14:52

4 kids here as well. We had a Citroën Picasso but found the lack of boot space a pain. With 3 in the middle and 1 in the back they have to get in and out the boot when they are all in car seats/HBB. The paint work got ruined.
We changed to a VW Sharan last year and it has a great boot and lots of space in the footrests. We can manage pack everything including buggy and travel cot with all the seats up.

PutyourtoponTrevor · 21/05/2019 15:28

X-Trail

araiwa · 21/05/2019 15:46

Reallistically youre looking at a minibus. Ford tourneo or similar

Al2O3 · 21/05/2019 15:49

Hmmmm......I can’t think why?
Stumped.

babysharkah · 21/05/2019 15:56

Because then you'd need a van. When dts were small we had a zafira and a double roof box for the buggy.

babysharkah · 21/05/2019 15:57

Ah, same as @KissUntilTheyDieOfRabies !

weekfour · 21/05/2019 16:03

We have a Kodiaq and only have one of the back seats up. It can also be seven adults sized seats which is handy- a lot of the cars we looked at would have been a squash with adults in the back. I can fit my travel system in with one back seat down, or my food shop. Not both. Id love an XC90 but can't afford one.

stucknoue · 21/05/2019 16:08

We rented a dodge caravan in the USA and it was huge, never seen minivans/mpv's as big in the U.K. though (ours is a typical 5+2)

Snowflakes1122 · 21/05/2019 16:10

Great suggestions, thanks. Smile

The roof box is a great idea too.

OP posts:
badlydrawnperson · 21/05/2019 16:18

Oh and
To wonder why car manufacturers make 7 seaters without boot space?!

That's for occasional 7 seat users, like us. Car gets used rarely for 7 - and not for holidays.

DeathyMcDeathStarFace · 21/05/2019 16:49

We used to have a Fiat Multipla (6 seats) that had a decent boot, but didn't give us an extra seat for giving friends lifts when all 4 of the boys were in the car.

Then had a Vauxhall Zafira (7 seats) but not much leg space for growing children, boot not too impressive either. Borrowed a roof box to go on holiday with.

Then had a Chrysler Voyager, (7 seats) lots of space for gangly legs and a reasonable boot, but would have preferred the Grand Voyager for more space. Did invest in our own roof box when had this.

Then had an old Toyota Previa (8 seats) for a year, decent boot but not very economical. Of course, there is space inside for luggage with it having the extra seats. You can get these as 7 or 8 seaters.

Now have a Ford Galaxy (7 seats) and find the boot too small so have roof bars for the previously acquired roof box.

When between cars we hired an Hyundai i800, it was new and very nice on the inside, unfortunately it looks like a van with Windows from the outside. Not as economical as the Galaxy is though, but if money were no object I would seriously consider having one of these, got about 30 miles to the gallon, similar to the Chrysler we had.

Unfortunately when car manufacturers add an extra row of seats they have to take out space from elsewhere to fit them in, otherwise the cars would end up really long. We find the Galaxy only just fits in most parking spaces so if it had an extra 6 or more inches on the boot it would poke out whenever parked, especially in Sainsburys tiny parking spaces, and I would worry it would get hit all the time.

7 seaters just aren't designed to be used full all of the time or for holidays. I have been known to grumble to dh about the lack of boot space for luggage as you would think it would be obvious that the more people you have the more luggage you need, even just clothes, therefore you need more space to transport it.

What about buying a stretch limo?

CurcubitaPepo · 21/05/2019 16:51

I’d say the Honda frv. 6 seats in 3 x 3 configuration. Boot not huge but ok. Had mine for 5 years and love it. Trouble is they stopped making them in 2009. If I wanted to replace it I’d have no idea what with.

Arrowfanatic · 21/05/2019 17:08

Just a side note, i think if you do go for the van style if they can hold 8 passengers + a driver you need to check your licence as you need to have a particular category on your licence and i think it stopped being standard around the millennium. My husband passed in 1998 and he can but i passed in 2001 and i cant.

SpringtimeSun · 21/05/2019 17:11

Sangyong Turismo. 7 big seats and still a decent book. Loved my one

marine04 · 21/05/2019 17:18

I have four children and when they were younger we had a VW Caravelle which was fabulous on space and seating arrangements but too big to go in most car parks. These days we tend to alternate between the Galaxy, the Alhambra and the Sharan. We've managed to fit seven plus luggage in for a two week British seaside holiday with no roof box!

BeanBag7 · 21/05/2019 17:29

Fiat multiplayer seats 6 in proper seats (not a teeny tiny middle seat with a lap belt) and has a big boot. I dont know if they make them any more.

BeanBag7 · 21/05/2019 17:29

Multipla *

Zebedee88 · 21/05/2019 17:31

We've had a Volvo xc90, great boot space. We then got a range rover and it was awful.

dirtystinkyrats · 21/05/2019 17:34

I'd like to know why its not possible to buy a 5 seater car that actually seats 5 people!

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