Cars w/ completely flat floor - Jap imports my only option?

[FlatFloorFan]

Hello all

This is my first post so please forgive me if any details are missing or I've posted in the wrong place.

I'm searching for a car with 3 rows of seats (large MPV/SUV) with a completely flat floor where the 2nd row of seats (middle row) can be completely removed, leaving a space where I can install a large dog cage. The third row of seats will remain in place, allowing a passenger to sit behind the cage to supervise the dogs. (P.S. they get extremely distressed when travelling in the boot where they can't see people.)

I've spent ages searching and it seems like UK options are extremely limited. The usual MPVs including Ford Galaxy, Citroen Berlingo XL, VW Caddy Maxi Life etc. do not have a completely flat floor as they either have moulded seat bases or rear footwells (please correct me if I'm wrong).

The only suitable UK options I can see are the Chrysler Grand Voyager and the Ssangyong Turismo, both of which get generally poor reviews.

Then I discovered Japanese minivans. They all have perfectly flat floors with recessed seat rails.

This would be perfect to install a cage and still have a 3rd row of seats for passengers like this: i.imgur.com/UMI6Nzi.png

This is exactly what I'm looking for, but for obvious reasons I'm hesitant about purchasing an import. They're also quite "unique" looking which doesn't bother me, but does bother the other half (who, to be fair, does 90% of the driving). They're also not amazing on fuel economy.

Actual vans are not an option as this still needs to be used as a family car.

So... are there any other UK-native cars which might fulfil my requirements?

Will be trading in existing car so budget is up to £15k and would prefer fairly recent years (2015+).

Many thanks.

[FlatFloorFan]

Mad Maximus said:

The old vw sharan I’m sure had a flat floor what about the newer one?

Doesn't look like it does any more, unfortunately. Thanks though.

SuperPav said:

A new multivan or an older caravelle is what you need!

Both of those look great but are very expensive even used. There's a 2009 one for £15k on Auto Trader but at that price the Ssangyong or an import seems like a better deal IMO.

kambites said:

It might be worth looking at cars which are available as both three-row MPVs and single row vans? Things like the Mercedes Viano and the VW Caravelle.

The Viano is one I haven't found yet - thanks. Not many around at the moment it seems.

Robertb said:

I’m sure the ‘06ish Renault Espace could do exactly this.

Yeah the layout of the Espace looks perfect. All seats on rails, all removable. Unfortunately just the age of it as you said.

The Big G said:

Maybe comprise on age and accept it as cheaper second dog car? As for imports, could a Toyota estima fit the bill??

We're looking to get a "good" car to replace ours so I'm trying to find one which ticks most or all of the boxes.

Funnily enough the Estima is the first Jap import I found, and it does look very suitable. My worries about an import are things like parts availability, garages not knowing what to do with them, etc. Plus in my price range they seem to be from ~2010 which is not ancient, but gives me pause.

I also worry about older cars not being as safe as modern ones.

[FlatFloorFan]

edc said:

If you Google the car plus flat floor you will find some decent images. Even S max and C4 Grand Picasso have a flat but slightly angled floor with all seats folded. The issue with these is the rear most seats are accessed from the same door and need the outer middle seat to move out the way. If also not want to be a passenger in the rear with a dog crate in front of me. Not sure how you would fix the crate in this sort of arrangement.

I'd be removing the seats entirely instead of folding them; both to save the extra weight and because I'd need to secure the cage to the floor of the car as you say. I don't think it would be too safe to have a cage sat on top of fold-flat seats, and the height would be a problem too.

To secure it to the floor I'd use straps on any available chassis mounting points, most likely the seat anchors themselves. Failing that, the carpet could be removed temporarily and bolts could be added to the chassis itself like in a campervan conversion.

[FlatFloorFan]

Truckosaurus said:

If all else fails you can get a rock'n'roll style campervan seat/bed installed in a panel van, they'll have long floor runners and you can slide it forward and back for as much legroom as you need.

Yeah that's another route I'd wondered about - I've seen "micro camper" conversions where flat floors have been installed. Presumably the cost of a conversion would be quite high though, even if it was just a flat floor and a rear bench. It's something I'll look into if there's any converters round my area.