Recommend me a 7 seat SUV...
Discussion
We are expecting our third little monster towards the end of summer so the topic has turned to cars - we need something bigger...
Current family barge is the Lexus RXh which has been superb for purpose but unfortunately Lexus don't do a 7 seat version so we will have to change. We will have three kids all under the age of 4 so each will be in a baby/toddler/child seat of some sorts and we will need a ton of space for buggies, scooters, etc etc.
Car obviously has to be safe, practical, able to withstand three kids.... something not costing the earth to run would also be nice (the Lexus hasn't cost a penny in 25k miles...). Not that bothered about brand image, performance, etc etc - it will be a family barge and will be treated as such so lots of luxury will be a waste.
Seems like everyone with three kids around our area has a Volvo XC90 but I really fancy something different so the current thinking is:
- BMW X5
- Audi Q7
- Mercedes GL
- Toyta Landcruiser (although the wife doesn't like it)
All come in 7 seat versions. However, my current top preference is the Discovery 4 - looks chunky, tons of space, practical, etc etc.
I will make sure to drive each but any real life experiences of living with a 7 seat SUV - practicality, any nightmare stories, etc etc. Budget is around £50k max. Do any of them have space in the back seat for three kids in seats or are we forced to always chuck one in the 'boot seats'?
All thoughts much appreciated.
Current family barge is the Lexus RXh which has been superb for purpose but unfortunately Lexus don't do a 7 seat version so we will have to change. We will have three kids all under the age of 4 so each will be in a baby/toddler/child seat of some sorts and we will need a ton of space for buggies, scooters, etc etc.
Car obviously has to be safe, practical, able to withstand three kids.... something not costing the earth to run would also be nice (the Lexus hasn't cost a penny in 25k miles...). Not that bothered about brand image, performance, etc etc - it will be a family barge and will be treated as such so lots of luxury will be a waste.
Seems like everyone with three kids around our area has a Volvo XC90 but I really fancy something different so the current thinking is:
- BMW X5
- Audi Q7
- Mercedes GL
- Toyta Landcruiser (although the wife doesn't like it)
All come in 7 seat versions. However, my current top preference is the Discovery 4 - looks chunky, tons of space, practical, etc etc.
I will make sure to drive each but any real life experiences of living with a 7 seat SUV - practicality, any nightmare stories, etc etc. Budget is around £50k max. Do any of them have space in the back seat for three kids in seats or are we forced to always chuck one in the 'boot seats'?
All thoughts much appreciated.
How about something like these http://www.multimac.co.uk/home in your existing car
I'm with yellowbentines - why on earth do you need a 7 seat 4WD SUV? I accept that you may want one but that's a whole different story.
With your budget you've got the pick of a huge range of vehicles with far more space than you'll ever need. One thing you'll probably never want to admit is that MPV's are very good at carrying families with children - and you may even struggle to use up your budget if you buy one. However our Alhambra makes a reasonable job of carrying a family of 7, and for a family of 5 it would probably put the luggage capacity of most 4x4's to shame. If that's not enough then buy yourself a VW Caravelle Executive thing and stick 2 of the seats in the garage until you sell it again.
Alternatively lumber yourself with another 4x4 just in case it snows and accept that you'll have less space for children and stuff. Note also that if you have child seats in the middle row you may struggle to get to the rearmost seats, unless you've bought a properly laid out MPV.
/rant over
With your budget you've got the pick of a huge range of vehicles with far more space than you'll ever need. One thing you'll probably never want to admit is that MPV's are very good at carrying families with children - and you may even struggle to use up your budget if you buy one. However our Alhambra makes a reasonable job of carrying a family of 7, and for a family of 5 it would probably put the luggage capacity of most 4x4's to shame. If that's not enough then buy yourself a VW Caravelle Executive thing and stick 2 of the seats in the garage until you sell it again.
Alternatively lumber yourself with another 4x4 just in case it snows and accept that you'll have less space for children and stuff. Note also that if you have child seats in the middle row you may struggle to get to the rearmost seats, unless you've bought a properly laid out MPV.
/rant over
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What you need is two cars 
We chose to (strangly accurately, given the posts above, but I did do my homework before buying them ) The daily childcarrier is an Alhambra. They really do the job well with 7 (we run with 6 as we've four children in child seats) full seats with the rear 5 having ISOFIX. Lots of storage and all the little things like a tailgate that keeps them dry when they are getting out of their wellies in the rain. Never let us down but quite a few niggles though it has had a brutal life of short school runs over potholed roads. The handling is surprisingly good for something that size.
The other car is a Landcruiser. Offroad and towing loads it is fantastic and has never failed - that's what it was bought for. The interior is a nice place to be. On-road it's handling is less impressive though it is adjustable via the air suspension. For children it's not so clever. There is a strange ISOFIX setup in the second row where one seat is 66% and the other 33% of the width - and they've placed the fixings in the middle of each: so only two children. I have got three child seats in there using belts, which is less secure, but due to the sculpting of the LC seats they were at strange angles. I tend to put the little ones in the middle row and the bigger two in the boot.
I know there is a bit of an LR cult that will disagree but I've now known several Disco owners and that's not my thing. If you are handy with a spanner and are willing to spend a lot of time with it then go ahead. They are cheap considering their capability. In the last JD Power owner satisfaction survey I read LR were bottom of the 4x4 class and second from bottom out of all manufacturers.
We chose to (strangly accurately, given the posts above, but I did do my homework before buying them ) The daily childcarrier is an Alhambra. They really do the job well with 7 (we run with 6 as we've four children in child seats) full seats with the rear 5 having ISOFIX. Lots of storage and all the little things like a tailgate that keeps them dry when they are getting out of their wellies in the rain. Never let us down but quite a few niggles though it has had a brutal life of short school runs over potholed roads. The handling is surprisingly good for something that size.The other car is a Landcruiser. Offroad and towing loads it is fantastic and has never failed - that's what it was bought for. The interior is a nice place to be. On-road it's handling is less impressive though it is adjustable via the air suspension. For children it's not so clever. There is a strange ISOFIX setup in the second row where one seat is 66% and the other 33% of the width - and they've placed the fixings in the middle of each: so only two children. I have got three child seats in there using belts, which is less secure, but due to the sculpting of the LC seats they were at strange angles. I tend to put the little ones in the middle row and the bigger two in the boot.
I know there is a bit of an LR cult that will disagree but I've now known several Disco owners and that's not my thing. If you are handy with a spanner and are willing to spend a lot of time with it then go ahead. They are cheap considering their capability. In the last JD Power owner satisfaction survey I read LR were bottom of the 4x4 class and second from bottom out of all manufacturers.
Edited by UnderTheRadar on Tuesday 8th May 01:58
We are going to Le Mans Classic this year in my friends Hyundai i800.
http://www.motors.co.uk/cars/reviews-and-best-buys...
Been in it just the once and was impressed with it's car like ride.
He has no kids, but two huge dogs, so took the rear row of seats out to fit their cages.
So if badge image is not a real problem, it might be worth checking one out?
http://www.motors.co.uk/cars/reviews-and-best-buys...
Been in it just the once and was impressed with it's car like ride.
He has no kids, but two huge dogs, so took the rear row of seats out to fit their cages.
So if badge image is not a real problem, it might be worth checking one out?
No need for a 4x4 by the sounds of it save yourself 20k+ and just get yourself a decent people carrier designed for the job you need it to do i.e. carry lots of kids and luggage unless image does actually concern you...
Seat Alhambra
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3821757.htm
Ford S Max
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3816891.htm
Personally I would go for the S Max myself can pick up a complete top of the range nearly brand new model for 25k as linked they are very good to drive and more than quick enough (200bhp 0-60 8.6 and nearly 140mph). They are nice inside very comfortable seats fold easily and seem a well made and appear to reliable as well. The boot on them with the seats up is not huge but still probably better than a Discovery 4 to be honest and could always add a roof box if needed for journeys away
Seat Alhambra
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3821757.htm
Ford S Max
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3816891.htm
Personally I would go for the S Max myself can pick up a complete top of the range nearly brand new model for 25k as linked they are very good to drive and more than quick enough (200bhp 0-60 8.6 and nearly 140mph). They are nice inside very comfortable seats fold easily and seem a well made and appear to reliable as well. The boot on them with the seats up is not huge but still probably better than a Discovery 4 to be honest and could always add a roof box if needed for journeys away
Ignore the heretics saying you don't need a 7 seat SUV, of course you do! Why compromise with a one trick pony such as an estate or MPV when you can have something that does everything they can do and more. It may cost more to run and fuel, not handle as well etc. but as an overall all rounder it is always going to be far more useful.
Now we know that you need a 7 seat SUV there is only one choice - a Land Rover Discovery - probably the best "car" in the world.
Now we know that you need a 7 seat SUV there is only one choice - a Land Rover Discovery - probably the best "car" in the world.
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