Reliable 7 seater, that isn't long, slow or diesel?

[ConfusedOfSomewhere]

Can I have the moon on a stick please?

We've had a couple of '03/04 Civic Type-S 5-door hatches for the last decade odd, and they've been uber reliable, big enough on the inside, fast enough (160bhp and not too heavy), and easy to park in town. We're now needing something more capacious (ideally space for three car seats on the middle row and some occasional extra seats behind).

MrsConfused wants something as short as possible because she's obsessed with fitting into tiny parking spaces. I'd like something that doesn't make me want to die when faced with overtaking (and goes around corners tolerably). Ideally I'd rather not have something that looks like an item of white goods but I appreciate this may be impossible. I've never liked diesels and now the rest of the world is realising that I was right all along, I'd rather not get one this time. We only do about 8000 miles a year, a mix of short trips around town plus trips to friends and relatives further afield. No commuting so it can end up sitting doing nothing for days - though it gets used pretty much every week.

I don't want to replace a 15 year old car with a new one that's less reliable, that would be insanely annoying.

In my dream world it wouldn't have any cabin tech bar a decent stereo. And a key to lock it. And a real handbrake. Cruise control and climate control would be excellent. We have a roof box, bike carriers and Thule bars from the Civic which I presume would transfer across with a new foot kit (we only put them on when we need to carry the extra stuff).

Help!

[Type R Tom]

Vauxhall Zafira VXR
Ford S-Max 2.5T

Plenty of 4x4's come with big engines and 7 seats if not

[ZX10R NIN]

If you go for a seven seater most small 7 seater won't have a proper three seats on the second row I'd say if you don't need the seven seats then something like a Mondeo estate are a better bet.

A Mazda5 is a good shout but you don't get three proper seats.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

1.6T Grand Picasso full size three seats

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Zafira

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Pica-Pica]

We face this dilemma when family stay. We cope by using two cars. If you are talking frequent 7 seater use - you are baying for the moon.



If you are talking much less often, then perhaps rent a decent 7 seater for those odd weeks.

[ConfusedOfSomewhere]

Type R Tom said:

Vauxhall Zafira VXR
Ford S-Max 2.5T

Plenty of 4x4's come with big engines and 7 seats if not

I need to try a VXR to see how compromised it is - it's not like we're used to something particularly smooth and quiet on the motorway! If I could persuade MrsConfused that the S-Max was a foot shorter than it really is, I'd get one for sure. We had one on holiday a few years ago and I thought it was most amusing for a bus!

[ConfusedOfSomewhere]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you go for a seven seater most small 7 seater won't have a proper three seats on the second row I'd say if you don't need the seven seats then something like a Mondeo estate are a better bet.

A Mazda5 is a good shout but you don't get three proper seats.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

1.6T Grand Picasso full size three seats

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Zafira

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Grand Picasso was high on the list (despite the excessive tech inside) but I was concerned about reliability issues with the 1.6 THP engine. Also, they're very rare, on my last search I found something like one 1.6 THP, 20 slower petrols and a few hundred diesels!

The Zafira 1.4T looks a bit too slow - but if I could chip it to 160-180bhp that might be ok. Is that a bad idea?

[strath44]

ConfusedOfSomewhere said:

The Zafira 1.4T looks a bit too slow - but if I could chip it to 160-180bhp that might be ok. Is that a bad idea?

yes in a word, its working hard as it is IMO its not going to enjoy being pushed, I bought my sister a 1.8 Zafira and was surprised how bad it is. My worry was doing an airport run how little power you had to be shifting 7 people and luggage around. If you plan to frequently shift 7 people that's a lot of risk you at least want enough power to get out a squeeze or up a hill at that!

[ConfusedOfSomewhere]

Do I just need to accept that modern diesels are ok and will tolerate this kind of use? Concerned about the short runs. It looks like you can get quite a lot of power out of a 2.0 turbodiesel, especially chipped (again, is this wise?)

[ZX10R NIN]

No be patient & look for a 1.6T Picasso the 1.6T is actually very reliable now, like most modern engines they benefit from more regular oil changes vs the service schedule.

[Pica-Pica]

ZX10R NIN said:

?., like most modern engines they benefit from more regular oil changes vs the service schedule.

Often said, but where is the evidence?

[ZX10R NIN]

Pica-Pica said:

Often said, but where is the evidence?

I can only use my Mondeo as an example when my Indy drained my oil after it's first 14k the pick up pipe looked a bit of a mess (looked at on a borescope) whereas once it was flushed with oil changes at 8k the top of my engine & pick pipe looks in a much better condition with a lot less build up.

[aclivity]

My choice - 110 land rover defender

Matches all of the inside bits and my wife likes driving it?

[rayyan171]

XC90 3.2, that guarantees a facelift which is a lot more reliable than pre-facelift. Do not touch the T6. Won't get crazy MPG that a standard Zafira would get, but it is a SUV and a capable, practical one that has a stinking good stereo. GL and Q7 are too thirsty and have quirky issues, so the only other 7 seat SUV I would recommend is an E70 X5 with the 3.0si engine. 272hp and handles very well, as the XC90 is rather boat like to drive, although that means that women can drive them very easily (designed by women from the get go). Yamaha V8 was also in the XC90, if you want a V8, the X5 one should be avoided unless you want to pay about £1k in preventative maintenance when you buy, which isn't crazy money. When running properly the X5 is an absolute beast, there is a video somewhere on youtube with someone absolutely tearing up narrow country lanes in a 4.8i X5 E70.

If you can't have an SUV, a s-max with the Volvo 2.5T would be what I'd recommend, alongside the VXR Zafira. Left field choice is the Mercedes R-Class, which is basically almost a SUV, but the looks are an acquired taste, but great cars. Petrol ones are probably hard to find however.

[flatso]

Renault Espace 3.5 V6 with the motor from the 350Z

[Mike230]

Following with interest as we are in the same boat. Third child on the way and need something that will fit 3 car seats across the back. It's amazing how many cars cannot do this.

Recently came across the Mercedes R class which looks to have plenty of space inside with room for adults in the rear most seats which is rare. Anyone have any experience of these?

[ZX10R NIN]

You do know you don't get a full third seat in the R Class but it is a more sensible size than most.

[GreatGranny]

Our old Alhambra had 7 full sized seats and the 2nd and 3rd row were removable (with effort as they were pretty heavy).

XC90 is a good shout but they are massive. However we've had 2 and my wife preferred driving it over both the Alhambra and Mondeo estate after that.
Turning circle is comical and auto is sluggish.

X5 will be better to drive with more modern gearbox (XC90 dates back to 2003 i think!).

[aka_kerrly]

Have you considered the Toyota Verso , its a relatively small 7 seat estate.

[rayyan171]

GreatGranny said:

Our old Alhambra had 7 full sized seats and the 2nd and 3rd row were removable (with effort as they were pretty heavy).

XC90 is a good shout but they are massive. However we've had 2 and my wife preferred driving it over both the Alhambra and Mondeo estate after that.
Turning circle is comical and auto is sluggish.

X5 will be better to drive with more modern gearbox (XC90 dates back to 2003 i think!).

Definitely. XC90 is quite a bit more comfortable but air suspension which is on all X5 7 seat models makes it a good ride at speed. The XC90 has an older gearbox m, takes some good time to react, the X5 uses the ZF6HP which was basically all the 6 speed autos then, but BMW were good at tuning it for a faster shift.

[pitchfork]

I know nothing about them, but you could look at a Honda Stream.