7 seater cars/MPV's - please help

[Mummy2Jellybean]

So we've spent the last few days out car shopping and can not decide what to get. We are currently a family of 4 (soon to be 5 when our baby arrives). Our eldest is a teenager (size of a man and has many sensory issues meaning he needs his own space) and our other Son is 4. Due to our eldest sons difficulties and with our baby due very soon we need a much bigger car. We are looking at 7 seaters and have been so dissapointed with our options. Nothing seems to tick all the boxes and it is looking likely we will settle on a VW Sharan but neither of us love it, we do agree though that it is spacious and practical.

Does anyone have any advice please or recommendations? Thank you 😊

Have you looked at the Skoda Kodiaq? It has had excellent reviews.

Have you had a look at the Ssangyong Turismo? I absolutely love mine and it has 2 split seats in the middle so your eldest could have his own space. There is a bench of 3 at the back too. Your only problem might be isofix seats as the middle two are the only ones with that, if you needed more than 2 isofix seats.

We have 3 kids that constantly fight, so we have two in the middle section and one on the back bench. No one is touching each other and it is honestly fabulous. The one on the back bench has loads of leg room if they sit in the middle, plus they can spread out. That arrangement could work for you, your eldest could have the whole back bench to himself? And then have the 2 younger ones in the middle.

We have the automatic version with reversing cameras which I would recommend as it's so big. Would definitely recommend a test drive if you have a dealership near you. It has really good guarantees/warranty and although it doesn't come with all the bells and whistles of some other cars, I don't miss them and the fact that my kids aren't constantly scrapping is such a bonus I can't tell you! I really enjoy driving it although some small car parks can be a bit of a pain. Reliability has been excellent so far. Love it!

(name changed because there aren't many of them about and I reckon someone might know it was me).

Not sure I described the seats brilliantly, so here is a picture of the Ssangyong layout:

carwow-uk-wp-0.imgix.net/727001_SsangYong_Turismo-seat-formation.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&fit=crop&w=1600&h=800&q=60&cs=tinysrgb&auto=format

Chevrolet Captiva at one end of the price range - nicest car I have ever driven!! I have a Renault Grand Scenic now. Both movable rows /individual seats. Great for long legs and short legs!!

Thank you so much for replying. I will start googling those reccomendations now. Hadn't considered those. We liked the Nissan x trail and the Renault grand scenic but neither had enough space when the babies pram was added into the mix. The gadgets and sleekness of those cars were lovely though. Thinking practically is so much less fun!

I love love love my Ford Galaxy!

I'm a childminder with an smax, next time I'd get a galaxy for more leg room

Yes, we agonised forever over Practical vs. Shiny Shiny and I'm so glad we went for the Ssangyong. The boot is pretty huge even with the bench furthest back. As we don't need the space though, we always push it forward (child in middle still has the leg room) and the boot is enormous. It takes the huge buggy we have, plus a loads of room for shopping or suitcases. The layout really works for us. The children absolutely love it and it's a dream on long journeys for us all to have so much room! We got a really good deal on a lease by using carwow too, although we did have to go miles to pick it up. Worth it for the discount though!

Good luck in your search!

• as we don't need the space for 3 children on the back bench, that should say! ^

Ah thanks everyone. A ford was something we were considering until the sales man was really rude to us and put me off. I think I will have a look in another dealership rather than ruling it out.

We have a zafirra, a giant teenage son with autism and two other DC. It's a bit short in rear legroom for your needs and the back seat is inadequately padded for D's sensory needs so we've had to buy padding. I wouldn't recomend it for you.

But, we got around the pram issue when DD was a baby by using the car as a 6 seater with DS1 in the very rear seat (so more space around him) then the other very rear seat permanently folded to optimise boot space. Between DS1 and the side boot space (over the folder 7th seat) we put a pressure fit dog guard so any luggage/ shopping etc didn't fall his way.

It meant the smaller size of the zafirra had adequate boot space for us and was easier for town parking etc.

I don't know if the grand scenic very rear seats can be put up independantly in the same way and this could make it a contender.

Thank you RippleEffects that is something to consider.

An estate car with 3 decent seats ( though may be an issue with dc1) or a proper 7 seater with decent boot. Rather than the little seats in the boot.

No experience but we are looking for a similar sized car and have included Nissan x trail in our list of ones to view ?

We’ve had 2 Vauxhall Zafira which were fab but we have a SEAT Alhambra which is just the best. Fully loaded with all the bells and whistles . I love it . We can get in any combination of Grandchildren, dogs and buggies .

Are any of the recommendations - more 4x4 y. Or are they all people movers? I'd like a 7-seater (or a 5 seater +2) that's a 4x4. The only one I've found is a Land Rover sport that is super expensive. (Sorry to hi-jack)

We've had a Zafira and now got a Galaxy. The Galaxy is soooo much better. It handles well , good visibility when driving and has three full size seats so comfortably accommodates 3 car seats. We frequently have the extra two up in the back (with adults in) and can still fit the baby jogger double buggy in the boot.

When we replace it it will be for another Galaxy!

We have had the following:

Ford Galaxy
Chrysler Voyager
Honda F-rv (6 Seats not 7)
Volvo XC90
Audi Q7

Of them all, I would say the Voyager was the best. Loads of legroom and enough boot space for a full sized iCandy pram and shopping. Also lots of luxury additions as standard. Lovely car.

If I were to choose a new car tomorrow, it would be a Chrysler Grand Voyager for even more boot space.

Vw caravelle. Favourite car ever!

We've currently got a Ford S-Max; but we're considering the new Peugeot 5008 for our next car.

We have Citroen grand Picasso. Vg

I loved my grand scenic. The three seats in the middle row could all be moved independently meaning I could separate my kids out a bit. Could you change the pram instead? We thought the boot was a really good size.

Love my Kia Carens. Fantastic car. Make sure you look for 7 seater though as they also do 5 seat version.

We have a Honda FRV, which is 6 seats rather than 7 but we love it. And you still have the full boot space due to the 3 + 3 configuration, rather than 2 seats taking up a chunk of the boot as is the case in many 7 seaters.

Galaxy is fabulous. I’d like something flasher really, but have3 big dogs and just can’t find an estate with enough room x but that’s just from the outside, it’s lovely to drive, and the top spec one has most bells and whistles (apart from heated seats, which I do mourn!).