I finally found the appeal of 4x4s - the rear seats.

[LuS1fer]

I've been mooching round for a saloon with 3 seater capability in the rear and have been astonished at how many large saloons are simply useless at accommodating 3 people. They are largely all sculpted seats with an elevated "hump" in the middle or worse still some fold-down armrest with electronic controls inside and they all look very uncomfortable for the "man in the middle".

Some don't even have a middle seat belt. No wonder hardly any of the adverts for these cars ever bother showing the rear - it's almost like they think the passengers are irrelevant when it's often the main reason for buying a car like this.

I found this pic of the LR Discovery which seems about perfect for 3 persons to be equally catered for in the seat department. Of course I appreciate that having a higher car means the driveline is less of an intrusion but still...


Any nominations for others? (with pics).

[MSport Calendar]

On a more 'dull' level, my sister has a Renault Scenic and because the rear seats are higher off the floor than in a normal saloon you sit in such a way that it appears to have more leg-room than the gap between the seats suggests.

[Codswallop]

Speaking with experience of having spent fair amounts of time both with a Disco 3 and Multipla, I would say they are similarily accomodating in the back given the vast external size disparity.

.

Most MPVs should be pretty good in the back to be honest. The latest Galaxy was certainly nice in the back for three...

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Not what I was expecting. Massive thread let down.

[LuS1fer]

I should add a car needs to retain a full and decent load area for children's bike(s), scooters and a pushchair) so cars like the Galaxy can be a nuisance without removing seats.

Oh and no diesels and preferably a V8....

Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 4th November 13:16

[S1_RS]

I had the unfortunate pleasure of being a back seat passenger in a Range Rover Vogue on a journey to the Alps. It was the most uncomfortable journey ever as the wheel well encroached into the cabin, there were three of us in the back.

[markCSC]

Tallbut Buxomly said:

Not what I was expecting. Massive thread let down.

+1

[redtwin]

Chrysler Grand Voyager. Rearmost seats fold into the floor leaving a flat load area so no issues with having to remove then and finding a place to store them.

[Bill]

LuS1fer said:

I should add a car needs to retain a full and decent load area for children's bike(s), scooters and a pushchair) so cars like the Galaxy can be a nuisance without removing seats.

They fold flat in modern MPVs.

The SMax has a similar size boot to the D3 (although it's not as tall) and has more passenger space and is faster while using less fuel. However the D3 is more "luxury".

[CO2000]

Mercedes GL (no pic's but must be huge in the back)

[HowMuchLonger]

FFRR with the "front seat away" button. Not only can the rear seats recline/slide back but there is a button on the rear passenger side door that moves the front seat forward for extra leg room.

Add in the heated/cooled rear seats, it is a very nice place to be.

[Mr Gear]

Fiat Multipla has perfectly useful rear seats.

[Snowboy]

Audi Q5 Q7.
Toyota Hilux Surf.
Land Cruiser.
Disco
LR

Most the big 4x4s have 3 usable back seats.
I think the BMWs let the side down a little as they often have 2 seats and an armrest.

[bqf]

markCSC said:

Tallbut Buxomly said:

Not what I was expecting. Massive thread let down.

+1

+1

Used to use my Volvo 940 in this way, and was looking forward to the contents of the thread. Let-down!

[S1_RS]

bqf said:

+1

Used to use my Volvo 940 in this way, and was looking forward to the contents of the thread. Let-down!

Likewise, but in a 240 GLT.