7 seater that isn' BIG

dinneenp

HI,
Just looking for some opinions on a 7 seater that isn't a large people carrier (e.g. Ford S-Max/Renault Grand Scenic etc.); looking for either SUV or 'close to standard-sized car. The extra seats would be for 'occasional use' and not long runs.
Currently looking at:

[/
• Nissian X-Trail
• Kia Carens
• Hyundai Santa Fe- lovely, expensive
• Kia Sorento
• Nissian Quashqi
  LIST]
  
  I know the Toyota Verso gets recommended but we found the interior extremely drab. Thinking of new or down a few years, 2012 oldest.
  Cheers,
  Pa.

the_syco

dinneenp wrote: »

HI,
Just looking for some opinions on a 7 seater that isn't big. extra seats would be for 'occasional use' and not long runs.
Currently looking at:

• Nissian X-Trail
• Kia Carens
• Hyundai Santa Fe- lovely, expensive
• Kia Sorento
• Nissian Quashqi

By "not big", I assume you want a 5 seater which has two seats that are essentially the boot, but which can fold up into seats if needed?

Something like this, that has two seats that appear in the boot.

loyatemu

Renault Grand Scenic; Citroen Grand Picasso; Ford S-Max

NIMAN

If you don't need 7 all the time, why not look at the Honda FRV?

Smaller than all the others as it's a 3+3, more like a normal car to drive.

Jose Maria

Cmax 7 seater

Toyotafanboi

depending a lot on your budget or the reg plate/ brand name you desire, there is lots out there.

Opel Zafira,
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-zafira-tax-and-nct/11499661
Peugeor 307 SW
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugeot-307-sw-sw-7-seater/11341383
Corolla Verso
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-corolla-verso-1-6-vvt-i-luna/11277936
VW Touran
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-touran-1-4-auto-380-road-tax/11208355
Kia Karens
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/kia-carens-diesel-7-seater/11493536
Peugeot 5008
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugeot-5008-2-litre-hdi-diesel-2011-7-seater/11490388?sv=true
Merc E Class
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-e-class-e200-est/11498676
Volvo V70
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v70/11365715

those are all 5 seater derived or share a chassis with a 5 seat car so are relatively compact.

there is bigger more obscure **** like

Hyundai Trajet
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/hyundai-traget-diesel-7-seater/11291536
Mazda 5
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-5-2-0-litre-diesel/11495519
Seat Alhambra/ Ford Galaxy/ VW Sharan
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2005-volkswagen-sharan-new-nct-diesel/11442953

if you are going new/ nearly new the Quasqai+2 or Kadjar probably seem most logical

Greentree_uk

look out for an S-Max titanium x sport. found the rest of the s-max's drab and basic inside. also has a bit of grunt 163bhp is economical and drives really well.

dinneenp

Thanks for the replies; I updated my OP to clarify what kind/sized car we're not looking for.
Just looking for some opinions on a 7 seater that isn't a large people carrier (e.g. Ford S-Max/Renault Grand Scenic etc.); looking for either SUV or 'close to standard-sized car.

dinneenp

Thanks for the replies; I updated my OP to clarify what kind/sized car we're not looking for.
Just looking for some opinions on a 7 seater that isn't a large people carrier (e.g. Ford S-Max/Renault Grand Scenic etc.); looking for either SUV or 'close to standard-sized car.

loyatemu

even in the Grand Scenic (which I have) the 2 rear seats are only suitable for occasional use as there's not much leg room back there. Do Volvo still do estates with the rear-facing bench seat in the boot?

superhooper

dinneenp wrote: »

Thanks for the replies; I updated my OP to clarify what kind/sized car we're not looking for.
Just looking for some opinions on a 7 seater that isn't a large people carrier (e.g. Ford S-Max/Renault Grand Scenic etc.); looking for either SUV or 'close to standard-sized car.

Grand CMax. Have a Titanium version. Those sliding doors are really practical too. Very comfortable driving position and you can take out middle seat to create passage way for access to 2 seats at back.Good spec level too, auto lights/wipers, parking sensors etc. Very compact car. Downside is that you have very little boot if using the 6th and 7th seats. We tend to fold one in and let the other up.http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/ford/grand-c-max/used-2012-ford-grand-c-max-1-6-td-limerick-fpa-149114253862028370

Shefwedfan

Best question is what is your budget? I am currently looking for something similar

Chris_Heilong

There is a version of the Nissan Cube that is a 7 seater.

Shefwedfan

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

There is a version of the Nissan Cube that is a 7 seater.

And it is shocking to look at

_Brian

The Seat Aleta XL might suit.
Friend has one and Loves it.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/11455904
2012 Seat Altea XL 1.6TDI Ecomotive

Shefwedfan

_Brian wrote: »

The Seat Aleta XL might suit.
Friend has one and Loves it.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/11455904
2012 Seat Altea XL 1.6TDI Ecomotive

Is it not a 5 seater?

I seen mentioned of the Kadjar above as well but this is also a 5 seater, there is talk of Renault bringing out a 7 seater based on the X-trail but it will be 2017 by the looks of it.

_Brian

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Is it not a 5 seater?

I seen mentioned of the Kadjar above as well but this is also a 5 seater, there is talk of Renault bringing out a 7 seater based on the X-trail but it will be 2017 by the looks of it.

They come as seven seat models too.
Very car sized mpv

Shefwedfan

_Brian wrote: »

They come as seven seat models too.
Very car sized mpv

You sure? everything I have found says there is no 7 seater option.

Even quick look at Parker and it says it is one of the major con's on them is no 7 seater option: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/seat/altea/xl/

munchkin_utd

...

munchkin_utd

Toyota Corolla Verso to my mind is the only 7 seater that you wouldnt know is a 7seater and its actually narrower and shorter than a ford focus saloon if I have read the numbers correctly.

Heres a video showing the interior
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEDu7TpM33U

driver123

I picked up a new x-trail a few weeks ago. Early days yet.
The extra 2 seats are very small, defiantly kids only, and short trips at that. but used as a 5 seater they have loads of space in the front 2 rows, and the boot is a very good size. The sliding second row helps things a bit in the third row, but it is a compromise. Boot space is good, and the cars are very well spec'ed.

munchkin_utd

driver123 wrote: »

I picked up a new x-trail a few weeks ago. Early days yet.
The extra 2 seats are very small, defiantly kids only, and short trips at that. but used as a 5 seater they have loads of space in the front 2 rows, and the boot is a very good size. The sliding second row helps things a bit in the third row, but it is a compromise. Boot space is good, and the cars are very well spec'ed.

thing is, for many the extra 2 seats are really only there to haul a few more kids, or to put kids in the back to bring some adults.

If you want proper comfort for adults then youre looking at something like an smax type or a proper 9seater van (which really are the business)

bazz26

The Seat Altea XL was still only a 5 seater. Had a bit more rear space than a regular Altea though.

Volvo xc60 might be worth looking at if budget allows.

Shefwedfan

bazz26 wrote: »

The Seat Altea XL was still only a 5 seater. Had a bit more rear space than a regular Altea though.

Volvo xc60 might be worth looking at if budget allows.

Does the XC60 have 7 seats?

bazz26

It was available with 2 extra small occasional seats in some markets afaik but looking at carzone there doesn't seem to be any for sale here from the examples I checked.

Millem

My friend has a Volvo 7 seater suv I think it is called xc90. The boot space is fine, can fit buggy etc. She has 5 kids all in some sort of car seats and fits all of them in;) it is by far the best 7 seater I have ever seen.

bazz26

XC90 is a fairly big bus though.

Millem

bazz26 wrote: »

XC90 is a fairly big bus though.

Gosh I don't really don't think her's looks that big. She has an old one. Lots of other people I know have smax, c4 grandPicasso, 5008 and they look huge to me!!! I will check tomorrow that it is defo an xc90. It is defo an Xc of some description!

bazz26

They are fairly bulky to be fair, which probably won't suit the OP.

Millem

bazz26 wrote: »

They are fairly bulky to be fair, which probably won't suit the OP.

I will check tomorrow. It may be an xc60? It looks no bigger than the old version of Kia sportage. Another friend has 7 seater Santa Fe which I think looks way big and bulky. She can barely park it lol lol

dinneenp

Thanks for the replies so far.
Budget- very expandable, could go up to €30k but would prefer not to. €20k would be preferable but open to more if needed.
We don't want a large people carrier, like the scenic, Picasso etc. Functionally probably great but we just don't find them stylish at all. Any SUV would be OK, large suv isn't off-putting (Santa Fe and Xc90 both are lovely I think)
I really like the Volvo Xc90 but, God it's expensive. €24k upwards for 2010 model, which would have a lot if kms on the clock.

Even though willing to spend a fair amount I'd like fairly fuel efficient and low tax (sub €300 p.a.) for lowish running costs. I'm also aware that big tyres cost more;good 19" tyres cost about €200+ each, which is a cost to factor in.

Lastly, it's not a deal breaker but would be delighted with leather interior, plush trim. After all you spend all your driving time in it so why not have great comfort.

Getting a Carens for 24 hour test drive on Friday, have had short test drives on Santa Fe, X Trail so far. Both nice to drive.
Cheers,
Pa