Most reliable and most roomy 3rd row 7 seater cars?

[mistydock]

Looking to upgrade my car, it's a small SUV. I want 3 full size seats in the middle row to accommodate car seats and the option of an extra two would be nice, rather than only upgrading to a slightly bigger SUV (my current car has a useless half seat in the middle).

Anyone have any recommendations? The 2 rear most seats would be potentially used by adults so maybe that's asking a bit too much space wise? As I've read a lot of these cars would only fit kids in those seats.

The boot space isn't really an issue as majority of the time the 2 seats would be down and I also have a roof box if needed.

The rear seat in an SMax does fit a 6'2" male in but I can't say if it was a very comfortable ride! I suspect it was a bit on the cramped side.

Mine has been very reliable though, I would happily have another.

Ford Galaxy is enormous. That was our last car and the space was incredible. Big for parking spaces though.

We got it for camping gear so it was all about boot size for us but definitely spacious.

Thank you! These are the two I saw that seemed like an adult could potentially fit in but couldn't be sure as I've not looked in person yet

We've had a Galaxy and an X5. If I had to choose again I'd go for the Galaxy, purely on price!

Seat Alhambra / VW Sharon are great with plenty of space in the 3rd row seats. Sliding doors are a bonus!

Nissan Pathfinder - 3 strapping lads and friends all accommodated comfortably!

Ugly ugly ugly but we are now on our second Zafira. Can't fault it.

Love my Zafira

New Honda CR-V can be found with 5 and now 7 seats.

Hyundai Santa Fe is a good shout.

So too is the Kia Sorento. Absolutely massive and will be far more reliable than European crap.

Alas, you dont say what your budget is etc....

Zafira don't have a full size middle seat and dont let you use a child seat on it anyway in the newer models

My budget is 5-10k maybe 11k at a push. Theres been quite a few you suggested that I've not looked at so I'll have a good look at them :)

I only quickly looked but I don't think the Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Nissan or BMW have a full sized middle seat unfortunately. The alhambra and sharan look like they would suit, could they fit an adult in the 3rd row seats?

We've got a Ford Grand Tourneo, it's basically a small van but it's got 3 proper seats in the middle row and the back seats are suitable for adults, even tall ones! It's not the prettiest thing but it's a really good size and it has sliding doors. DPs have a Santa Fe and it feels really cramped compared to ours. We loved the look of the Galaxy but the price difference was just too huge.

My mum travels in the back of my Mazda 5 (old now) but she's not that tall. Seats fold flat when not needed

I would say not the smax. We have one and it's a very tight squeeze in the back row. I'm 5 foot six and only just fit and wouldn't want to do it regularly. Great for 3 car seats across in middle though.

@mistydock we've def for three full size seats in ours and had three kids seats in it. It's a 2018 Tourer. I think it was 12k and p/x our old one.

No problem with adults in the Alhambra/ Sharon. My 5'8" teens both sit on the 3rd row for long journeys with no issues.

The Zafira is only a 7 seater if you eliminate 80% of the boot space and the 2 extra seats are flimsy. Passengers in the back row have their knees under their chins. So not recommended. Ours was a 2009 model and it autocombusted on the fast lane of an Austrian motorway. We later found out they were known for that kind of thing...

I’ve driven a rented VW Sharan with 7 full seats and liked it. If you can find one second hand in your price range I’d go for that.

The Ford Grand Turneo looks huge to drive, I'd have to have a look in person and see if it feels okay lol! Looking like maybe that, the alhambra/sharan and galaxy are contenders far

@AriettyHomily ah yeah the newer ones actually do look bigger in the middle, I remember now I've looked again but I do think I remember reading the manual to check about the child seat and it cant go in the middle because of the weird two point lap belt. If I remember correctly

@mistydock it felt huge for the first week or so but now I forget how big it is until I'm shoving 7 adults in it and everyone realises they actually have plenty of room

I have tall teens and drive long distances with them.

VW Sharan or Seat Alhambra will be my next car. I currently drive a Citroen Grand C4 and they've outgrown the 3rd row seats.

Ford Galaxy is my budget option!

@WithASpider thank you! Good to know about the grand c4 as it's one my husband had his eye on

@mistydock

I have to tell you I absolutely adore my car, it's a workhorse and so reliable! Very definitely not suitable for adults or large children 3rd row though.

I'll be so sad to see it go.

VW Touran. X

BMW 2 series grand tourer

We've had loads of 7 seaters. Currently have a VW Transporter and Volvo XC90.
I'd definitely recommend the galaxy or Alhambra size vehicles for room.