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Original poster

Car hire - is a 7 seater big enough for 6 people?

27 replies

OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 15/02/2022 19:08

Wanting to hire a car this summer on holiday. There will be 4 adults and a 14 year old and an 11 year old. Rental companies seem to offer Peugeot 5008 or Opel Zafira tourer or similar. I'm wondering if that type of car would be big enough for the 6 of us AND luggage.
Any experience? We drive a normal 5 seater so not really sure about how much bigger a 7 seater is when bags are included.

OP posts:
peppaminttea · 15/02/2022 19:15

It may be doable but depends how much luggage you have. To maximise space you would be best to have two in front 3 in middle and 1 in back with the second seat down so luggage can go on top of the 7th seat too. Whether there is a parcel shelf to accommodate may reduce space too. It will be tight but may be doable.

User478 · 15/02/2022 19:17

It depends, if you plan on doing lots of long sightseeing drives then its a bit miserable for whoever is stuck in the back the whole time. If its little trips to beaches/whatever then it'll be fine. The trip from the airport with all your bags will be a bit of a squeeze but you'll be fine. Some people might have a bag on their lap but if it's not for hours and hours you'll be ok.

MaizeAmaze · 15/02/2022 19:18

I think both those are 5 seaters, with the boot that can be altered to have 2 extra seats. I think luggage space will be tight in either option, unless you travel very light.

Mumdiva99 · 15/02/2022 19:20

I don't think you can use it to do the airport run. Can you book a local transfer to/from the accommodation and then get the hire car dropped off where you are staying.

Original poster
OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 15/02/2022 19:23

It's not an airport run, we live in Spain and it would be to travel across to another bit of Spain and Portugal, so maybe a 5 hour drive.

OP posts:
Original poster
OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 15/02/2022 19:24

Sounds like it's not going to work

OP posts:
MaizeAmaze · 15/02/2022 19:26

Can you hire a roof box with it?

Original poster
OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 15/02/2022 19:32

How much can you get in a roof box?

OP posts:
AledsiPad · 15/02/2022 19:45

I drive a 5008. You wouldn't get that mix of people in with luggage and be able to breath much, you would need three across the middle row as suggested. However, that is likely to only be transferring to/from the airport so depends if you will find that a deal breaker? During your time there, sight-seeing etc, it would be fine. My 14 year old can fit comfortably in the very back and - occasionally when drunk I and friends of mine have been in the very back of it being dropped home from the pub. I am not skinny, and whilst slightly cramped it wasn't hugely uncomfortable tbh.

Original poster
OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 15/02/2022 19:55

@AledsiPad

I drive a 5008. You wouldn't get that mix of people in with luggage and be able to breath much, you would need three across the middle row as suggested. However, that is likely to only be transferring to/from the airport so depends if you will find that a deal breaker? During your time there, sight-seeing etc, it would be fine. My 14 year old can fit comfortably in the very back and - occasionally when drunk I and friends of mine have been in the very back of it being dropped home from the pub. I am not skinny, and whilst slightly cramped it wasn't hugely uncomfortable tbh.
No, we'd be driving from where we live to another bit of the country so a good few hours. So I don't think it will work. Thanks for the input about a 5008 that's very helpful.
OP posts:
xyzandabc · 15/02/2022 20:12

If all 6 have hand luggage only you might just about get away with it, but it would be tight. Those in the middle row might need bags at their feet. If you will all have suitcases, then no, it won't fit.

Once you have the 6th seat up, you lose half the boot space. If you then stacked luggage in the remaining boot space, it is very claustrophobic for the person in the 6th seat. They are literally hemmed in by a seat in front, the boot door behind and luggage to their side. Not a nice experience.

I don't know what a 5008 is like but a zafira is not big for a 7 seater.

Mindymomo · 15/02/2022 20:19

We go away as a family of 6, usually it’s the luggage that’s the problem as the most suitcases 7 seater cars take is about 3 large or 4 small and that’s with the rear seats moved forward.

TruffleShuffles · 15/02/2022 20:22

Not a chance with the Zafira if you all have luggage, the boot is no bigger than a normal car really and disappears with the seats up. Even if you just had the one seat up and managed to stack the luggage next to the 6th seat in the boot it would be massively uncomfortable for the person sat in it for a 5 hour journey.

Wallywobbles · 15/02/2022 20:30

The opel isn't big enough. There is no luggage space.

We are 6 and the things like the Dacia lodgy work or Volvo XC90 but that's a fortune.

Original poster
OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 15/02/2022 21:01

Yeah and there doesn't seem to be much variety of cars either, there don't seem to be many options for 7 seaters.

OP posts:
ISeeTheLight · 15/02/2022 21:03

I'd get one of those 9 seater transit vans instead if you can find one. Lots more space and you can drive it with a car licence.

Original poster
OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 15/02/2022 21:14

@ISeeTheLight

I'd get one of those 9 seater transit vans instead if you can find one. Lots more space and you can drive it with a car licence.
Yes, it's too expensive really though and I don't really want to drive a minivan. I will have a rethink.
OP posts:
TruffleShuffles · 15/02/2022 21:14

Can you not have two five seaters OP? When we were hiring a car in Spain last year it didn’t work out much difference to hire two five seaters or one seven seater. It would give you much more space if you have two people willing to drive.

Original poster
OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 15/02/2022 21:53

@TruffleShuffles

Can you not have two five seaters OP? When we were hiring a car in Spain last year it didn’t work out much difference to hire two five seaters or one seven seater. It would give you much more space if you have two people willing to drive.
That's an option except that only two of the four adults drive so it means each driver has to do the whole journey iyswim. We usually try to split the driving, mostly because both DH and I (the two adults who can drive) are prone to sciatica and long drives aren't great.
OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 16/02/2022 08:52

Could some people take a train to the destination and you drive the luggage?

BabbleBee · 16/02/2022 08:59

We are a family of 6 and couldn’t cope with the cramped seating of a 5+2 seater, especially on long journeys. The boot seats are not that comfortable and don’t have much space around them.

We’ve now got a van similar to a VW transporter and love it, so I would say don’t be put off driving one! They’re an incredibly easy, comfortable drive especially if it’s an automatic. We’ve done long, long distances in ours (UK to Barcelona is our furthest so far) which we never could have done previously.

emmathedilemma · 16/02/2022 09:05

I would say no, I hired a 7 seater Ford Galaxy for 6 adults and the seat on the 3rd row was "cosy" and we just fitted in a hand luggage sized case each. You need a Mercedes Vito or something in that class.

BritWifeInUSA · 17/02/2022 05:18

You will need at least a roof bag. We have this one. www.walmart.com/ip/MIDABAO-20-Cubic-Waterproof-Duty-Car-Roof-Top-Carrier-Car-Cargo-Bag-Carrier-Coated-Zippers-Cars-Without-Racks/597154394

That way it doesn’t matter if the vehicle has roof bars or not.

TakeMeToYourLiar · 17/02/2022 05:41

I have a zafira

Went on day trip, 4 adults two in car seats.

Had to put up both boot seats as can't get anyone else in with the car seat.

Struggled to fit in a small laundry hamper MIL bought

You'll need a dedicated 7 seater

Beecham · 17/02/2022 06:08

We struggled with 6 in a hired Volvo XC90. It was the luggage that was the problem, just not enough space next to the person sitting in the boot. Plus the sloping shape of the rear meant it actually had less boot space than our people carrier.

It was fine for day trips, just the luggage was an issue.

I'd do two 5-seaters if I were you