7 seater car advice

[user1485762869]

Hi. We're looking into getting our first 7 seater as we plan on having a third child. Any tips on whats good and what to avoid? Tia

Volvo XC90 (old shape), adore mine so much might get the new shape once Volvo sort all the niggles out.

Not cheap to run ... mpg is dire, but the amount of space due to its sheer size and comfort level are well worth it.

Third row is used rarely, mine is a proper load lugger so I need every inch of boot space.

I have a Touran and I love it. But if I had the choice again I would get something with sliding doors.

We have had a Ford Galaxy and now have a VW Sharan (basically the same car). Pros (of both): super spacious, 3 separate seats in middle row, back row comfy even for grown ups. Great visibility/drivig position.
The new-style sharans (post 2010) have sliding doors, which I would like, but we have a old-style one as they have more boot space (the seats are removable, rather than integral).
Cons: not many really - the size when you don't need all the space and you're in a tiny multi-story. Not stylish etc if that matters.

We also have a Toyota verso. Pros - 3 separate seats in back. Toyota, ie highly reliable etc. Nice to drive. Cons - back row is pretty squashed. But, you do have more boot space with the 7 seats up than you do in a Zafira or a Touran. Driver visibility is better than Zafira or Touran. If you don't need a 'big' 7 seater I would definitely recommend it.

XC90 here too. Easily fits 4 kids and dog!

I have a Kia Sorento-love it. Loads of room, loads of gadgets and safety features for your money.

Proper seats in the rear that are 5* safety rated (rare). Doesn't look so much like its mum's car to take the kids out.

Also has a 7yr warranty on all parts, and they also have me 3yrs free labour so basically hardly any running costs apart from diesel and road tax (which is reasonable). Also has a button you can switch to 4wheel drive with for in the ice/snow etc, but isn't classed as a 4wheel drive for road tax purposes.

Love mine and just about to trade in for a newer one.

We have 4 DC and up until a few months ago had an S-max which I loved but it was old and our eldest found it a bit cramped at the back. For 3 DC it is an AMAZING car. I would definitely recommend.

We now have an Volvo XC90 which I also love but it is a lot more expensive to run than the s-max was. I love it though and it works well if you put an older DC on the intergrated booster in the middle row. It has a great boot too.

Just to add, we have the old style XC90. They do a hybrid engine on the newer model (65 plate and layer). If we had been able to afford the price tag I would get that in a heartbeat.

we currently have a Kia Sedona which is a complete POS. It has developed what i have called a death rattle which the mechanic cant locate. As this is the latest in a long line of repairs, we are ditching it.

Currently torn between the Seat Alhambra or the Ford Galaxy. Looking at 14/15 models, possibly 16 if we find a good deal. We have around 20k to spend.

We have 4 kids - 3 under 7 and 1 14 y/o. We do at least two big road trips a year and lots of weekend running around.

The Seat looks refined and a bit more classy than your average MVP which are uniformly bland and unexciting. The Galaxy seems tried and tested which is appealing after the money pit that was the Sedona. The redesign in the 2015 model seems to have upgraded its internal specs more inline with the Seat but it is still so..pedestrian.

I realise neither are going to produce seat of your pants driving thrills but it would be nice to have a little bit of style.

Any advice on which one we should focus on?