Older 4x4 with 7-seats - which are best (and have most boot space)?

[PlinkertyPlonk]

We're looking for a not-new 4x4 7-seater (new being WAY too expensive) and wondered what you might recommend (or avoid!)...

We only need the 4x4 to get through the lanes in winter as we're quite remote. The rest of the time it will be carting 4+ kids up and down the motorway.

And how big is the boot once all 7 seats are up? I'm struggling to find photos to compare.

So far we've thought about 5 year old Discos (but concerned about appalling reliability), Volvo XC90s, Shoguns and even the Kia Sorento. What do you think is the best option - and ones to avoid of course!

Thanks!

Hi

Do you really need a 44? British winters are not that bad (well last year was an exception!) It will cost you at least 25% more to run which in real terms means you could have a much nicer non four wheel drive car. Is it really worth several thousand pounds more to be able to get out on a few days each year? Alternatively buy a cheap small 44 (Panda/Jimny) as a second car for emergencys and SORN it untill the bad weather hits.

More generally, you are doing the right thing in concentrating on reliability. The Hyundai Santa Fe and especially th Kia have good warranties. Parts will be expensive but then this is true of most 4*4's yes Land rovers have a deserved reputation for unreliability. Also most French cars are expensive propositions as they get older.

Good luck!

Thanks flibbles, good advice.

We thought long and hard whether we really needed a 4x4, and you're right, we probably only need it a few weeks of the year, but came to the conclusion that we really can't afford to be stuck. We are in the wilds but a lot of our life (work, the kids' mum and friends etc) is based miles away. We have only just moved here and hadn't considered a 4x4 until the neighbours started sharing stories of people getting stuck in snow several years on the trot!

We've written off French cars already for exactly the reasons you stated.

To be honest, I'm just happy I've dissuaded DP from buying a brand new Disco with all the 'really essential' flashing bits and bobs. I think we'll take another look at the Japanese models you suggested.

PlinkertyPlonk, we're in similar situation, DC3 due March next year and could do with a bit more space for grandparents and the like.

We;ve test driven a Disco, XC90 and Santa Fe - I rather felt there was a bit of a premium for the LR badge with the Disco, though it didn't feel quite as much a truck as I expected it to - XC90 prob the best contender as had good boot space with seats up and obviously very safe - only thing we're still pondering is the handbreak issue - it doesn't have one in the manual, just a footbreak instead and not sure how we'd fare with that - not a problem of course if you're looking at an auto.

As a manual, our favourite so far's been the Santa Fe, much cheaper to buy, insure and run, as it runs as a 2x2 unless the 4x4 is needed (think it kicks in somehow, no idea how!) so cheaper on the fuel. Boot a bit small once seats are up is the only thing, but we have a top box if needed! I could see myself being able to drive it 'normally' whereas can imagine avoiding narrow places in the others - it just felt a bit more like a car - flip side to that is a bit less space.

Should stress we haven't bought any of them so far, but it's definitely between the XC90 and Santa Fe - we keep annoying dealers by turning up with all our car seats and trying them out all over the place, but they've been pretty understanding!

Oh, and having been massively anti 4x4s, after the last 2 winters (got stuck in my parents in Northumberland in 2010...) am converted - we have an A4 quattro which I thought was a frivolity, but it's been a godsend, saved me from being stuck for 4 hours with lots of other cars last year in one of the local lanes too.

Happy testdriving!

I got a 2005 XC90 a couple of months ago and love it! We tow a caravan so need a big heavy car. We've swapped cars round so I went from a Renault Modus to the Volvo which was a bit of a size difference but I got used to it very quickly.

The boot is massive with the 3rd row seats down and a reasonable size with them up.

You don't see many manual versions around, and I gather that is because the auto is much better, I've also got used to the auto quickly though haven't driven a manual very much since which could be more of a problem.

About the only disadvantage I can come up with so far is fuel consumption of about 30mpg but we were expecting that and are replacing DH's car with something very efficient for when we don't need the big car.

Just watching this thread - considering the Hyundai Santa Fe and would be keen to hear more experiences.

have you considered a defender 110? We have an 08 plate one, with 7 seats, the back two of which are really comfy. I have to say its not cheap to run but it is bloody good fun. DH has it for work primarily and it is quite agricultural but it is fantastic in the snow, and the kids think its brilliant.

I throughly recommend Shoguns..we had them for a few years, older ones as well and they did us proud..we have 5 kids and when the two smaller ones were little we could squeeze a double buggy in the boot..just x

Think this is the list you're after! - www.carbuzz.co.uk/blog/Best-7-Seater-4x4-as-Voted-by-Experts

My neighbours used to have a 7 seat Santa Fe but had to get rid because it was really lacking in boot space with all 7 seats up, they did love it though. They got a five year old Mercedes M-Class 7 seater and it's much better space wise. Damn near bigger than our house!

What about Chevrolet Captiva? Does anyone have one and recommend it?
As we need the extra seats only a few times a year and will know when well in advance, I am considering a 'normal' car or 4x4 and hire a MPV on the occasions we need it. Any thoughts?

As far as I know the XC90 has an electronic handbrake? Although I'd prefer a good solid lever as opposed to a button.