7 seaters with sliding rear doors

tobdom

Hi folks,

Thinking we may be upgrading at some point in 2019 and likely to be looking for some kind of 7-seater. Also likely that the preference would be for one with sliding rear doors, for the added convenience of taking kids out of car seats while in a parking spot, etc.

First of all, any naysayers with regards to rear sliding doors, anything I need to be considering as a con or reason to completely avoid?

Secondly, am I right in thinking that there are some versions of Ford Galaxy & S-Max that have rear sliding doors? (they seem to be rare enough)

We're likely to have a preference for Ford, but open to considering other relaible & reputable options. Will likely be looking for something in the range of 141 - 152, with a budget of something of the region of €16k, I think!

Any helpful input very welcome, thanks!

Del2005

You'll be looking for a Ford Tourneo or similar from the other manufacturer's. I had one for hire last week and it was a grand car. But they are big so parking can be difficult.

Sliding doors should be standard on all cars because too many people don't know how to use normal doors, you don't use the car in the next space as your door stop.

Henry Ford III

Some ideas

https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/recommended/best-cars-with-sliding-doors

tobdom

Del2005 wrote: »

You'll be looking for a Ford Tourneo or similar from the other manufacturer's. I had one for hire last week and it was a grand car. But they are big so parking can be difficult.

Sliding doors should be standard on all cars because too many people don't know how to use normal doors, you don't use the car in the next space as your door stop.

Thanks, but very much want to avoid a van/bus type option!

ayux4rj6zql2ph

Seat Alhambra has 7 seats & sliding doors.

tobdom

So is there no version of the Galaxy or S-Max that has sliding doors? Only the Grand C-Max & B-Max?

Oafley Jones

Alani Clean Beachcomber wrote: »

Seat Alhambra has 7 seats & sliding doors.

We've the VW model the Sharan. Had a Galaxy for a week last month and couldn't wait to get back into the Sharan after it. I was really disappointed in it. Given the adulation the S-Max gets, I though the bigger car might be as good. Those van doors are a massive plus (plus integrated boosters) if you've very young children.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

Oafley Jones wrote: »

We've the VW model the Sharan. Had a Galaxy for a week last month and couldn't wait to get back into the Sharan after it. I was really disappointed in it. Given the adulation the S-Max gets, I though the bigger car might be as good. Those van doors are a massive plus (plus integrated boosters) if you've very young children.

I've driven both, the Galaxy is by and far the better vehicle when it comes to space on the very back, especially for adults, the disadvantage is the tight parking in a car park when kids are on board, this is where the likes of the Alhambra, or indeed the Sharan, same thing really come into their own. As for the integrated boosters, are you talking along the lines of that in the Toyota Verso? I never took notice of them actually as i had no need to

ayux4rj6zql2ph

tobdom wrote: »

So is there no version of the Galaxy or S-Max that has sliding doors? Only the Grand C-Max & B-Max?

Not that big in the Ford range unless you go for a tourneo. if you have all 7 seats in use then you will just about get a single buggy into the boot of a galaxy, the S-Max is smaller at the rear but other than that is similar to the Galaxy. Have you considered the Mazda 5? 7 seats & sliding doors built by Ford, or would they be too small for your needs?

tobdom

Alani Clean Beachcomber wrote: »

Not that big in the Ford range unless you go for a tourneo. if you have all 7 seats in use then you will just about get a single buggy into the boot of a galaxy, the S-Max is smaller at the rear but other than that is similar to the Galaxy. Have you considered the Mazda 5? 7 seats & sliding doors built by Ford, or would they be too small for your needs?

Hadn't looked into it much (Mazda 5) but have been in one and found them quite small for a 7-seater. I thought the boot space (even with all 7 seats in use) in the Galaxy & S-Max was quite good, but it sounds like we'll need to have a good look at all the ones we might consider & prioitise based on what we reallym want/need...

What's the boot space like in the Alhambra & Sharan when the 7 seats are in use? In all of the options discussed (Fords + Alhambra/Sharan), can the rear-most seats be dropped independent of each other (to give more boot space on one side)?

Del2005

tobdom wrote: »

Hadn't looked into it much (Mazda 5) but have been in one and found them quite small for a 7-seater. I thought the boot space (even with all 7 seats in use) in the Galaxy & S-Max was quite good, but it sounds like we'll need to have a good look at all the ones we might consider & prioitise based on what we reallym want/need...

What's the boot space like in the Alhambra & Sharan when the 7 seats are in use? In all of the options discussed (Fords + Alhambra/Sharan), can the rear-most seats be dropped independent of each other (to give more boot space on one side)?

Any of the car based 7 seaters will have a tiny boot with all seats in use, they put the extra row of seats in the boot. That's why they make 7 seaters from vans if you need 7 seats and a boot.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

tobdom wrote: »

Hadn't looked into it much (Mazda 5) but have been in one and found them quite small for a 7-seater. I thought the boot space (even with all 7 seats in use) in the Galaxy & S-Max was quite good, but it sounds like we'll need to have a good look at all the ones we might consider & prioitise based on what we reallym want/need...

What's the boot space like in the Alhambra & Sharan when the 7 seats are in use? In all of the options discussed (Fords + Alhambra/Sharan), can the rear-most seats be dropped independent of each other (to give more boot space on one side)?

I know a family of 2 adults + 4 children who live next door to me, they have an Alhambra, when it comes to luggage such as buggies/shopping etc etc, they have a roof box to carry it all in and the lady admitted it hits her on diesel when the roof box is in use.

Only for the doors the Galaxy is a great motor. If you look up the boards.ie user colm_mcm he is/was a car salesman and would be on the button with his advice. I sought advice from him before myself when looking to buy a car. he really does know his stuff.

Yes every 7 seater i have come across the rear seats are independent of each other. the middle row of seats in the Galaxy are all independent of each other also, i had to use one once to transport stuff.

The next step up is possibly a Volkswagen Caravelle/Transporter/Shuttle 9 seater but they can be a nightmare to insure. They are available in 1.9 & 2.5 diesel mostly.

NIMAN

The Mazda5 is really a 6 seater.....to call the 7th seat a seat should be against the law!

Its the width of an armrest!

ewj1978

I've a Mazda 5, 1.6 diesel, executive. 6.6L/100km. The seven seats are handy when needed. When the rears aren't needed its a huge boot and the space for the middle row is huge.
Yes the middle seat is daft size but I've had plenty of people sit in and not notice.
The sliding doors are the job. We climbed into the back of every 7 seater on the market(in that size segment(zafira,cmax etc) and nothing came close to the ease of access to the mazda.
When the middle row is flat the thing turns into a van, also if caught for a place to stay the mid's push back and you flatten the fronts to make a bed!
I usually run it in 4 seat configuration with the middle seat turned into a handy cup holder/table jobby.(the seat itself folds under one of the others and a table comes out from the other one..)
Comes in two models. One sport(not) and the other exec. The Sport comes with electric opening doors.