7 seater with large dog

[jarox]

We have a seat Alhambra. 3 dcs 4& under so all in car seats on middle row. We have the rear two seats down in the boot but we have a large dog that takes up half the space with a divider and a double buggy which fills the other half. If we go away we have a roof box but day to day is fine.
Our problem is we want DC4 and we can't find a car that we can fit everyone in. We were sure on the vw caravelle as that seems to be everyone's answer but when we went to look I can't work out how I would fit the dog in the boot and the buggy without splitting it horizontally meaning the dog would be in the bottom of the boot in the dark!!
We can't put dog in the back with the kids as she gets nervous and would jump on them!
There must be a solution out there! Can anyone help!?

Bump. I was coming online to ask the same questions. 3 DCs, would like more, have a big dog and need space for a buggy. Have been considering some of the van-like 8 seaters, but apparently insurance and tax is much higher because they're considered a commercial vehicle.

Bump again

We had this issue - we have 3 under 3 and 2 large dogs. We agonised over what kind of car to get. In the end we got a Mercedes V Class, long wheel base. Yes I get nods from all the mini cabs and scowls from black cabs but it is the best car. It's big but super easy to drive (easier than our previous which was an estate), we can fit everything and everyone in comfortably. Best decision we have ever made on cars.

Oh not a commercial vehicle unless you register it as one! And out road tax isn't too bad because it's all low emissions etc.

We have the two rows of seats facing forward st the moment and the dogs either sit on 3rd row (I let them, DH prefers them in the boot space) or in the large boot area.

Vans are great to drive and much easier for the dog. I imagine they would be good for kids, just because of the space. No stooping, etc.

We have 4 DCs and a golden retriever.... And a VW Sharan. It all just about fits, but already DC1 and 2 are almost 6ft so although we are past the buggy stage we are up against the legroom issue!

When I asked this question a while ago, everyone said Disco or XC90 but we really didn't think there was any more legroom, and the costs of running one are so much higher. If we needed to tow or be in the snow then maybe, but they are like an inverse tardis!

I really really do not want a van, but I think we are going to have to get one next time....!

We have a Vauxhall Vivaro double cab van. 3 seats in the front and 3 REALLY good size seats in the back. The back storage is enormous but is completely separate so I'm not sure whether your dog would like it. The middle front seat is also a little restricted but we don't need to use that one.

The trade off is restricted parking as you can't get in all car parks!

Thank you. Bite the bullet for a v class it is then

The V-class seems to be very hard to come across where I am (Northern Ireland), I think we might end up the Mercedes Viano.

Get a minibus

I'm about to have the same problem, expecting 4th DC, so will have 2 in car seats, pram for the newborn and a big retriever. Vw touran. We have figured out that the pram fits in the footwell for day to day but we will have to use a sling when we need space for luggage/shopping. I would love a Vivaro but can't afford to change car at the moment, we hired one on holiday and it had so much space!

We had the Touran and it cost us £3k in repairs (only 40,000 miles on it). I assume ours was a bit of a dud as VW normally have a veey good reputation for reliability, but my DH won't touch one with a barge pole after that. Or the Seat Alhambra, which uses the same engine.

Bmw 2series gran tourer

Ford Transit Torneo or customise a Transit to your own specifications.
new version is excellent.
just like a car to drive, superb visibility.
Great for Kids and bikes and dogs.