R class 7 seater anyone? or xc90...?

[louloubelle]

Hi...am expecting no 4 on Feb, the others will be just 6, nearly 4 and 20 months. Have looked at R class long wheel base with 7 seats, and also the volvo xc90. I see lots of the volvo round here, but not many R class. Any comments or views please? Thanks

[dottyaboutstripes]

We test drove the XC90, hoping to love it - but we didn't. We found it really small inside when all 7 seats were in use, it simply wasn't roomy enough for us as a family.

We settled on a Grand Espace at the time, there was plenty of space for us all - but then we had a 6th baby so had to get a bigger vehicle again (Viano, which is MASSIVE!)

[louloubelle]

Yes, I was surprised about the lack of space inside with all seats being used, particularly if they are all in some form of child seats, and the way you would have to take out a child seat to access back seats or climb in through boot...Thanks

[TRL]

We have an XC90 and I love it! We're expecting no 4 in March and upsized from a Ford Mondeo (fast and comparatively fuel-efficient), and are very happy, although maintenance is pricey.

We do mainly London driving ... stop-start-endless-short-but-slow journeys, but it's just as good on long distance (eg Austria & back) and so far we haven't found space to be an issue - constantly have extra children, bags etc. Not sure how a large pram would fit in the boot if all the seats are up which doesn't bother me cos I have an umbrella fold buggy, but you might want to consider that.

My children are a bit older - just 7, just 5 and nearly 4 when no 4 arrives so they already climb in through the boot & buckle up themselves.

I love its sedateness - I feel cushioned against London - and silly things like its heated seats and the fact it resets itself to yr preferred seat position when you use yr key and yr hubbie's when he uses his s can just get in and drive it (v. lazy, eh? and prob not unique to XC90, just out of my mondeo experience).

Have absolutely no experience of the R class so no help there but when I was checking out 7 seaters before we really started to look, XC90's were easier to pick up second hand - don't know if yr buying new? - and seemed a bit cheaper??

[PacificMistletoeandnoWine]

We have XC90 and currently 3 DSs, No4 expected in March .

I actually like it spacewise, it is nice to drive, well equipped and not too noise on motorways etc. We use the backrow only at the moment to transport the occasional visiting grandparent or friends of our boys.
I like that even with 7 seats up there is still boot space and some shopping or folded buggy will still fit.

Worst thing about it is IMO it's HUGE turning circle, doing 3 point turns is similar to turning oil tanker around (or so I would imagine..). In multistory carparks I frequently perform 7- and 9 point turns inspite of >20 years driving experience and front/rear distance sensors.

Sorry, do not know about the Merc.

I am wondering what on earth we are going to do when baby arrives?? I was hoping that the older 2 could go in the very back on booster seats with DS3 and 4 in middle row leaving 1 seat clear to allow access to the back.. Not sure that would work though

I will follow this thread with interest.

[Chalkpink]

Hi,
Also watching with interest. Slight hi-jack but expecting no.4 in Feb and have a Discovery (which I love). Test drove the XC90 but didn't like driving postition (am short and found that the front pillar obstructed my view somewhat which the Discovery doesn't).
Have rear and front parking sensors which helps a lot with a large car.

Pacific, we will be trying the eldest two in the back row (7 and 5 years) and youngest two (2.5 years and baby) in middle row with one seat down for access to back.
No room for travel system or large buggy in the boot with all rows of seats up here either and I have had to limit my pushchair choice as a result!

Dh liked the R class but we never got as far as looking at one or test-driving because they are pretty rare (and expensive) but have owned and loved Mercedes in the past. If you go for the XC90 get a diesel engine.

[PacificMistletoeandnoWine]

Thanks for that, Chalk, I've just come back to this thread.
I was wondering whether your solution would work. Only problem is that DS1 and 2 will quite likely kill each other when sat next to each other ...

Spoke to a friend of a friend today who has the R class and 5 children, she likes it, but I have to say, it is HUGE!
We looked at the Q7 as well but thought it was bigger on the outside than the inside, a bit like a reverse Tardis IYKWIM.

And cost... well, at all of them!
Grand Voyager here we come