7 seater options and advice

Lemlin

Looking at getting a 7 seater. I presume my main options are:

Skoda Kodiaq
Hyundai Santa Fe
Nissan Xtrail
Kia Sorrento

Any opinions on the above? Wouldn't like to go much more than 35k so the Hyundai looks out of budget.

Will be going with Diesel.

grogi

Lemlin wrote: »

Looking at getting a 7 seater. I presume my main options are:

Skoda Kodiaq
Hyundai Santa Fe
Nissan Xtrail
Kia Sorrento

Any opinions on the above? Wouldn't like to go much more than 35k so the Hyundai looks out of budget.

Will be going with Diesel.

Do you want an SUV? S-Max, Galaxy, C4 Grand Picasso, Grand Scenic, 5008, Careens - all those offer 7 seats as well.

Lemlin

grogi wrote: »

Do you want an SUV? S-Max, Galaxy, C4 Grand Picasso, Grand Scenic, 5008, Careens - all those offer 7 seats as well.

It's for the missus and she'd prefer an SUV.

digitaldr

New 5008 is a SUV but hasn't launched here yet.

AMKC

Mitsubishi Outlander
Ssangyong Rexton
Ssangyong Tivoli XLV

are a few more options.

Of the cars you mentioned the Kia is the best as its the most modern unless you want to order a Kodiaq and wait. The Kia also has the easiest access to the 3rd row seats.

Lemlin

I'm not planning to order until later in the year and have the vehicle as a 181. Just want to start researching my options now.

goz83

What sort of driving and mileage will she be doing? How many kids you got...due?

Lemlin

goz83 wrote: »

What sort of driving and mileage will she be doing? How many kids you got...due?

2 kids but we need more space than a Quashqui etc. will offer due to having extra passengers like nephews/nieces a lot and having three dogs.

She got an Ibiza two years ago and has put 40,000 kilometres on it so mileage is 20k a year.

Driving is mainly in rural areas.

goz83

Diesel may well suit for type of driving, though 20k per year is at the lower end of the scale. 7 seater is a bit overkill if you have 2 kids imo.....we could all argue more seats for extra bums on those occasions. Take it from me....the more seats you have, the more likely she will fill them

Altreab

Lemlin wrote: »

2 kids but we need more space than a Quashqui etc. will offer due to having extra passengers like nephews/nieces a lot and having three dogs.

She got an Ibiza two years ago and has put 40,000 kilometres on it so mileage is 20k a year.

Driving is mainly in rural areas.

Ok this is an offbeat suggestion Why not a custom Transit with seating for 5/7 people. It would have massive storage in the back as well for the dogs and luggage. The creature comforts such as air conditioning, adjustable seats, bluetooth are all available in today's vans unlike in the past when they would be very utilitarian. The additional height would also be handy on rural roads.

:eek: Never thought id be recommending a Transit to anyone for non business work

Casati

Altreab wrote: »

Ok this is an offbeat suggestion Why not a custom Transit with seating for 5/7 people. It would have massive storage in the back as well for the dogs and luggage. The creature comforts such as air conditioning, adjustable seats, bluetooth are all available in today's vans unlike in the past when they would be very utilitarian. The additional height would also be handy on rural roads.

:eek: Never thought id be recommending a Transit to anyone for non business work

I doubt if the op's missus won't drive an mpv' then it fair to assume she won't want a transit. The passenger version of these vans in high spec are 40/50k+

Coming from the Seat she will be most at home with the Kodiaq and although they aren't cheap they should be a good option. The base 1.4 petrol might be a good option at low 30's if her miles stay less than 20k

sword1

Altreab wrote: »

Ok this is an offbeat suggestion Why not a custom Transit with seating for 5/7 people. It would have massive storage in the back as well for the dogs and luggage. The creature comforts such as air conditioning, adjustable seats, bluetooth are all available in today's vans unlike in the past when they would be very utilitarian. The additional height would also be handy on rural roads.

:eek: Never thought id be recommending a Transit to anyone for non business work

Very uncomfortable in the back, the kids would not get far before feeling carsick

R.O.R

Being a commercial vehicle a double cab Transit would probably not be the easiest thing to insure either.

SEAT have their version of the Skodiaq coming later this year - extended Ateca to fit 7 seats in. Might be worth holding off to see pricing for that. Should come in even cheaper than the Skoda.

Lemlin

R.O.R wrote: »

Being a commercial vehicle a double cab Transit would probably not be the easiest thing to insure either.

SEAT have their version of the Skodiaq coming later this year - extended Ateca to fit 7 seats in. Might be worth holding off to see pricing for that. Should come in even cheaper than the Skoda.

The Ateca looks very small though. Seems to be less room in it than a Quashqui.

thejaguar

Have you looked at the Qashqai+2?

Plenty of room for the 2 kids and extra seats if needed. Might make more sense if the cousins etc. are only occasionally in the car

Oafley Jones

thejaguar wrote: »

Have you looked at the Qashqai+2?

Plenty of room for the 2 kids and extra seats if needed. Might make more sense if the cousins etc. are only occasionally in the car

OP is buying new and the +2 no longer exists. Had a loan of an x trail recently for two days. I was expecting it be massively underpowered, but it was actually fine. Was really disappointed in terms of space, thought it felt quite small inside. It'd be fine for two older kids though.

Shefwedfan

Oafley Jones wrote: »

OP is buying new and the +2 no longer exists. Had a loan of an x trail recently for two days. I was expecting it be massively underpowered, but it was actually fine. Was really disappointed in terms of space, thought it felt quite small inside. It'd be fine for two older kids though.

I was going to replace the Qashqai with X-trail but after sitting in it there was no way. It is very small

I thought the Kodiaq would be the answer but it looks too small so I think my option will be the new 5008

I was about to pull the trigger on the older model on PCP but backed away because it was due to be refreshed so just awaiting game now. Initial reviews look good

murt101

sword1 wrote: »

Very uncomfortable in the back, the kids would not get far before feeling carsick

We've driven ours to France with the kids in back and everyone found it great....now the kids were all still in highback boosters/carseats but it's a great wagon. Wouldn't fancy trying to park it in town for the everyday schoolruns though, but perfect for longer journeys and everything fits in the back, bikes, buggies, travelcot....!

_Brian

murt101 wrote: »

We've driven ours to France with the kids in back and everyone found it great....now the kids were all still in highback boosters/carseats but it's a great wagon. Wouldn't fancy trying to park it in town for the everyday schoolruns though, but perfect for longer journeys and everything fits in the back, bikes, buggies, travelcot....!

Friend in the north has a transporter crew for the family and it really is a fine bus, rear seats are like proper minibus sears rather than workmans bench seats you see in some.
Would love one myself but whole insurance debacle here leave it not worth the bother, would need to be insured commercial which I wouldn't fancy loosing no claims and most commercial insurance is well jacked up at this stage too.

SmithySeller

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I thought the Kodiaq would be the answer but it looks too small so I think my option will be the new 5008

Hhmmm these will be of similar size, however the 5008 Im guessing will be far more flexible and practical for larger families. Still both compact 7 seaters though.
X-Trail really is the joker in the pack, a fine engine with enough power in the 1.6, buts its small, very very small. Should really be a 4 seater, never mind 7. Its interesting that the Renault Koleos (Renault version of the X-Trail) has launched only as a 5 seater with initial quotes stating that they prefer more legroom in second row. I wouldn't be surprised if a 7 seater never launches!

Shefwedfan

SmithySeller wrote: »

Hhmmm these will be of similar size, however the 5008 Im guessing will be far more flexible and practical for larger families. Still both compact 7 seaters though.
X-Trail really is the joker in the pack, a fine engine with enough power in the 1.6, buts its small, very very small. Should really be a 4 seater, never mind 7. Its interesting that the Renault Koleos (Renault version of the X-Trail) has launched only as a 5 seater with initial quotes stating that they prefer more legroom in second row. I wouldn't be surprised if a 7 seater never launches!

The Kodiaq from what I can see is similar size to X-Trail. Maybe a little bit bigger

The 5008 says it will have 3 separate ISO fix in second row. That will be a huge difference in space.

digitaldr

Anyone considering a 5008 could always test drive a 3008 in the meantime. Very similar car - performance and handling would be a little different obviously.

stooge

you should consider the Carens, its not an SUV but does not look like a traditional MPV either. Great space, great extras and decent price.

SmithySeller

Shefwedfan wrote: »

The Kodiaq from what I can see is similar size to X-Trail. Maybe a little bit bigger

The 5008 says it will have 3 separate ISO fix in second row. That will be a huge difference in space.

Yes it definitely has. I mean, overall, they are similar sized buses, Kodiaq could even be bigger! Big and ugly

BnB

goz83 wrote: »

Diesel may well suit for type of driving, though 20k per year is at the lower end of the scale. 7 seater is a bit overkill if you have 2 kids imo.....we could all argue more seats for extra bums on those occasions. Take it from me....the more seats you have, the more likely she will fill them

Would agree 100% with the 7 seater being overkill for 2 kids. We have 5 kids and changed from having a 7 seater as our main car to having one as the second car since January. Since January we've only used the 7 seats twice.

For the amount of use that you will get out of a 7 seater, is it worth limiting yourself. If you looked for 5 seater SUVs or a nice Estate you would have a much bigger range to pick from and probably get better value.

If you are insistent on getting a new 7 seater SUV, then you are quite limited in your choice. We were in the same boat at the start of the year. We looked seriously at the X-Trail as it was the most affordable 7 seater suv and very nearly bought one. But by the time you put in the 7 seats it got very expensive for a bog standard spec. In the end, we got a top of the range new Passat Saloon instead with all the bells and whistles for less money we were going to pay for the bog standard 7 seater X-Trail. I then changed my own car and bought a 2010 Outlander as our 2nd car.

Shefwedfan

BnB wrote: »

I then changed my own car and bought a 2010 Outlander as our 2nd car.

I was just about to mention the Outlander

Could also go for PHEV version, only a 5 seater but you do get that few miles at start on battery

goz83

BnB wrote: »

Would agree 100% with the 7 seater being overkill for 2 kids. We have 5 kids and changed from having a 7 seater as our main car to having one as the second car since January. Since January we've only used the 7 seats twice.

For the amount of use that you will get out of a 7 seater, is it worth limiting yourself. If you looked for 5 seater SUVs or a nice Estate you would have a much bigger range to pick from and probably get better value.

If you are insistent on getting a new 7 seater SUV, then you are quite limited in your choice. We were in the same boat at the start of the year. We looked seriously at the X-Trail as it was the most affordable 7 seater suv and very nearly bought one. But by the time you put in the 7 seats it got very expensive for a bog standard spec. In the end, we got a top of the range new Passat Saloon instead with all the bells and whistles for less money we were going to pay for the bog standard 7 seater X-Trail. I then changed my own car and bought a 2010 Outlander as our 2nd car.

I didn't want to mention it, but i'm in similar boat. We also have 5 kids and while the 7 seats are rarely used, we often use 6. Our Zafira is now used as a second car and last month, we picked up a Nissan Leaf.

If I only had 2 kids, there is no way in hell I would be buying a 7 seater.

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I was just about to mention the Outlander

Could also go for PHEV version, only a 5 seater but you do get that few miles at start on battery

The phev is over 50k.

The Diesel is around 35k.

Shefwedfan

goz83 wrote: »

The phev is over 50k.

The Diesel is around 35k.

If going PHEV you would have to go second hand but they are selling at a good price second hand

grogi

Shefwedfan wrote: »

If going PHEV you would have to go second hand but they are selling at a good price second hand

And it is not 7 seater!

AMKC

Lemlin wrote: »

The Ateca looks very small though. Seems to be less room in it than a Quashqui.

I think the Seat version of the Kodiaq is just going to be the Kodiaq in different clothes it is not based on the Ateca at all. Seat might find a bit more room inside there version maybe do the seats different or package it better but it will be basically the same as the Skoda otherwise. Can,t remember what its going to be called now but did see they had picked a name for it.

SmithySeller

Umm Alhambra not being replaced I read. Also read that you are right, it'll be the Kodiaq with different clothes, with a rumoured name of Seat Vugly

Lemlin

Looking at the Xtrails now to order for 181. Anyone with any detail on the specs and what I should go for to get best kit for value for money?

There's the
X-Trail XE - 7 Seater - 33,250
X-Trail SV - 7 Seater - 35,400
X-Trail SVE - 7 Seater - 40,250

Redsoxfan

In the market for a 'full size' 7 seater.

Budget is less than EUR 20,000 and not really willing to go over EUR 1,000 for motor tax.

Ideally

Post 2010
Petrol (mileage and driving doesn't warrant a diesel, especially with respect to DPF etc)
2.0 engine or so
Automatic

Nice to have
Sliding doors
Leather

Looks like a Galaxy Ecoboost Powershift is the only option. Can't see us finding one locally so pretty much resigned to importing. Have no issue with this except having the time and flexibility to travel.

Am curious if anyone had driven the smaller engine versions of the Galaxy/Ahlambra/Sharan.

Seems the 1.6 Galaxy was manual only.

Am ruling out the likes of the S-Max, Mazda 5 due to the size.

Not really sold on Japanese imports like the Honda Stream etc.

Am I missing anything or should I just focus on the Galaxy?