Which 7 seater - crumple zone and size worries

[Newstar]

We'll have 4 kids soon so need 6/7 seats in use in the car a lot of the time.

I've ruled out most 7 seaters because of their lack of a decent rear crumple zone/boot. (Renaults are big but have reliability concerns.)

I've looked at the VW Caravelle, Mercedes Viano, Hyundai Montana(i800) and they all seem too big for daily city driving.

It seems like I either have to cram my nearest and dearest into the rear seat with their heads 2 inches from the back window or else drive a huge minibus around.

The (post 2006) Ford Galaxy seems like it might just offer enough of a rear crumple zone and boot space to be safe and practical. To achieve this I slide the middle and third rows of seats forward as far as possible to maximise space at the boot end. Not much room for adults but okay for small kids. And it claims to have reinforced steel crumple zones - does anyone know anything about the value of this?

Can anyone who's safety conscious like me give their opinion on whether the back row of seats is safe in the Galaxy? If its not I'm willing to consider dirivng a minibus around but if the space in the Ford boot is enough it would certainly be preferable. Or is there another alternative?

Thanks for any advice

Edited by Newstar on Tuesday 17th August 22:34

[simonrockman]

Avoid Renaults. They may have great crash protection but they cost more in frequent garage trips than an exotic sportscar.

[Newstar]

Thanks, I know, they're off the list

[EDLT]

Multimac?
http://www.multimac.co.uk/4_child_car_seat

You could have a proper car then.

[Newstar]

Thanks but I don't think thats for us.

Part of the reason for getting a 7 seater is to make it more comfortable for us all to travel together and we do a lot of waiting around outside schools etc. Cramming all four kids across the back seat wouldn't enhance the peace and harmony in my house. Maybe this would work for occasional use though.

[Si 330]

does a Mercedes R class fall in budget?

[mikefacel]

Well, if you don't want it too big and you don't want kiddies' heads near the rear window then you need to eliminate a row of seats - Fiat Multipla or Honda FR-V.

[odyssey2200]

depending on your kids size, those rear seats will all slide a bit farther forward

[staceyb]

Kia Sedona?

[odyssey2200]

staceyb said:

Kia Sedona?

]
no
look at those rear windows.
It's a PH favorite.

[Steve in Stoke]

Volvo XC90?

[Rum Runner]

My Sis Just bought a Dodge Journey 7 seater very good spec 2.0 VW Diesel engine less than 16k new.

[Sir Bagalot]

S-Max.

New VW Sharan coming out in October.

[Newstar]

odyssey2200 said:

staceyb said:

Kia Sedona?

]
no
look at those rear windows.
It's a PH favorite.

Whats PH

Rodius doesn't fare well on safety rating or reliability http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/ssangyong/ro... and wouldn't it be as big as the minivans?

[mat13]

Landrover 110?

Or if your after something a bit more comfortable either a disco 2, or if the budget allows a disco 3?

[staceyb]

odyssey2200 said:

staceyb said:

Kia Sedona?

]
no
look at those rear windows.
It's a PH favorite.

Urgh its a rodius.

[staceyb]

Anyway what about a Sedona, certainly big enough.

[rottie102]

Newstar said:

Whats PH

I'm sorry but

[Ed]

Discovery 3 / 4 without any hesitation.

[Newstar]

Is the Sedona bigger than the Galaxy? I thought the boot wouldn't be as big as the Galaxy with all seats in use?