Wanted: 7 seater but 4x4 type height?

[rollonthesummer]

I have a Zafira at the moment and really struggle with the front triangular side windows as they seem to give me a huge blind spot-I hate motorway driving in it as I don't feel safe :(

Most similarly height friends (ie short) have 4x4 type cars and don't have this problem as they can see better! These are all 5 seaters though.

Can anyone recommend their 7 seater? One with no blind spots please?!

Tereano, discovery, there are lots of 7 seat 4x4s have a Google. The blind spot is pretty personal depending on you, your seat position, driving position etc so you really need to test drive. They are massively more expensive to run financially and environmentally though.

More expensive than the Zafira? Ouch. That's £260 a year tax (I think) and guzzles petrol.

Booo :(

The zafira is a relatively economical car. I doubt you'll match that with a 4x4 tbh. Happy to be proved wrong though, does your budget run to the very new ones?

No, sadly not :(

I wonder if there are any 7-seaters that don't have the blind spot issue?

I haven't noticed a big 'front blind spot' problem in my Peugeot 5008 (their version of a Zafira). My parents have a Toyota Verso (again a 5+2 car like the Zafira) and it's very noticeable even as a passenger that the front pillars on their car are in an awkward position. My dad is a biker so when driving he spends extra time checking each way twice and leaning back and forth to make sure he can see everything before pulling out of a junction!

Thinking about it, I used to have a 7-seater Peugeot 307 and didn't notice a blind spot with that. I didn't like the fact you had to remove the heavy extra 2 seats though to get the full boot space-that is easy on the Zafira as they just fold into the floor
I'm looking at the Renault Grand Scenic now-maybe I'll start a new thread!

Thank you for the replies :)

Not a 4x4, although we looked at the xc90. We ended up with a grand Picasso and the visibility is one of the things we liked - there's a lot of glass at the front!

Ooh, tell me about the Grand Picasso! Good points, bad points?

Any funky features?

Good points: cheap to buy & run
Nice to drive, decent acceleration and holds the bends ok. Windscreen is good, can push the sun visor right back which for some reason I love. Comes with nice alloys as standard, erm. 3rd row seats are great, fold into the floor and can operate with one hand.

Bad points: interior is a bit cheaply made, there is quite a lot of storage but the cover is cheap plastic. It doesn't have the finish of other, more expensive cars. Probably not the prettiest either (although I do like it)
3rd seats aren't the biggest (fine for our needs but wouldn't suit older teens or adults)

I love mine but think it's a marmite car really. It's quite small compared to things like the galaxy but probably similar sized to the Zafira.

Oh, there's no handbrake - took some getting used to!

i dont understand this blind spot thing and i have a zafira
have you tried adjusting the drivers seat? sorry if that sounds obvious

It is the chunky side pillar bit and the pointless triangular window-it lops a chunk out of your vision. I'm short too-maybe that doesn't help but adjusting the seat makes no difference.

Zafira's are one of the cheapest 7 sweaters around.

If you want a 4X4 7 seater try Discovery, x5 or xc90 but they are al £££££££

The VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra is fab. Nearly 4x4 height and the sliding doors are ace with kids/car seats etc. I love mine.

Nissan pathfinder 7 seater high up and you can pretty much pack everything you'll ever need in it. Downsides is it drinks fuel!

Renault magane scenic expression 2005 1.6 litre for sale I great condition it has 7 seats but can be folded down to make a huge boot 5 of the seats can be moved back and fourth has automatic headlights and wipers electric windows and wingmirrors push button start with key fob central locking digital dashboard bluetooth stereo with usb and memory card slot automatic hand break very clean inside and out starts first time 110000 miles mainly motorway mot till August 2015 3 former keepers 1400 ono

i never have this problem with zafira either so it must depend on seat position/height, but we are thinking of kia carens next - might be better? still quite cheap

I know exactly the issue you are describing with the zafira, I am only 5ft 0! even with seat high and close so I can comfortably control the pedals there is a HUGE blind spot caused by the amount of plastic around the a pillars, no amount of seat adjustment helps unless its so low and far back I can't touch pedals!!!
we are looking for a new 7 seater with 7 full seats and decent boot space, any suggestions that are not minibus or £££££ would be great tganks

My friend had a seat Alhambra and loved it. Do any of the Qashqui's come with 7 seats? I thought the Qashqui's + 2 did? They are more 4x4 style than the Zafira, Peugeot etc which are more mini-van style

I understand what you mean about the blind spot on the old Zafira - I sat in one when I last looked 5 years ago and hated to for that reason. I drove the new Zafira Tourer on Friday and visibility seemed pretty good. Second hand the Qashqui +2 would be an option if you want a higher ride, or the newer xTrail also with a 7 seat option.