Help Choosing Vehicle for 4 Adults and 2 Child Seats

malkakas on 23/10/2017 - 16:19
Last edited 24/10/2017 - 10:01

Hello Ozbargainers,

Our elderly parents(in laws) live with us and helping us with our child's care.
We currently have a Toyota Camry 2010 (bought is 2012) and it is enough to accommodate the 4 adults (Wife, her parents and my self) and child's(he is nearly 2 yrs now) seat without any big issue.
However wife is now pregnant with our second child and we need to find a car within next 3-6 months as the new baby will need an extra seat.

I am 6ft tall and wife is also around 5'8".

We need to find a car that has the best possible 3rd row comfort (which is hard to find) as me or my wife will have to sit there.

possible seat configuration would be;
child seat + adult in 2nd row and other child seat + adult in 3rd row .
or
2 child seats in 2nd row and 2 adults in 3rd row (I am not sure if we can access 3rd row while there are 2 car seats fitted in 2nd row).

The options we have are;
1. 7 seater SUV.
2. People mover.

We prefer a 7 seater SUV if we can find a one that meets our criteria. But will consider poeplemovers also if SUV option is too expensive.
Things we check are;
1. Third row seat comfort (this is the most important thing).
2. Reliability.
3. leather seats would be a plus.
4. Reversing Camera and best safety rating.
5. Not too expensive to service ($400-600 per service is OK)
6. Not too Thirsty (12-13 liters per 100km city driving is OK).
7. Ground Clearance higher than a Camry is a plus.

Our usual driving is habit is couple of 10 minute trips during weekdays, about 1-2 hour long drive during weekend. one or two interstate drive per year (we usually take 30 minute brakes after every two hours driving). Annual Driving is about 7000Km City Driving + 4,000Km freeway Driving.

The In-Laws are elderly(70+) and one of them(father in law) had a total knee replacement few months back. So he takes the front passenger seat. Mother in Law also have difficulty getting into 3rd row as she is over weight :). They are not tall people (around 5'4")

Once bought, we are planning to keep it for a long time (5+ years). Budget is below $50,000.
We will consider Brand new or 1-2 year old vehicles in good condition.

I Watched and read many online reviews, but could not find useful information related to third row seating.

Please share your thoughts on possible options we have.

Thanks in advance.

Note: Edited to add some useful extra information on driving habits and passenger height.

Automotive

Comments

  • spackbace on 23/10/2017 - 16:34
    1. Third row seat comfort (this is the most important thing).

    7-Seater won't be an option. There is no way you will fit adults comfortably. (Though I'm sure some people will attempt to dispute this, but I'm yet to see an adult comfortable in the back)

    People mover it is. Look to the new Kia Carnival. I hate to say it but the Tarago is overpriced in comparison, and there isn't much else out there.

    as me or my wife will have to sit there.

    Poor bastards, sitting up the back of your own car :/

    • altomic on 23/10/2017 - 17:27

      Though I'm sure some people will attempt to dispute this, but I'm yet to see an adult comfortable in the back

      I will dispute this.

      I have a 7 seater 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire Turbo Diesel.

      I just went outside and tested the rear seat/3rd row. I'm 183cms. I do fit in there, it would be ok for short to medium trips.

      if you're kid/kids were out of car seats then I would strongly recommend a 7 seater outlander, unfortunately you run into the problem of lack of car seat mounting points for the third row. so it would have to be 2 adults in the back for the next 5 years.

      what about a LDV people mover? 7 seater is $29,999.

      or a japanese import?

      • spackbace on 23/10/2017 - 17:31

        ok for short to medium trips.

        See here's what I mean. 'OK' and 'Comfortable' are 2 different things, as are trip lengths. You'll put up with it I'm sure, but that's it.

        if you're kid/kids were out of car seats

        Meaningless considering OP's situation.

        what about a LDV people mover? 7 seater is $29,999.

        or a japanese import?

        OP's budget allows for a new/near new locally sold car, with good warranty… Why would you choose either of those options?

        I'm kinda wondering if you actually read the OP's post, or you're just misinterpreting it? Or just felt like piggy-backing off the first comment.

        • altomic on 23/10/2017 - 18:30

          what about a LDV people mover? 7 seater is $29,999.

          or a japanese import?

          just throwing additional ideas out there.

          OP may not have considered these options.

      • malkakas on 24/10/2017 - 10:15

        Hi Atomic,
        I haven't heard of LDV before. I prefer to stay with well known Japanese, Korean and European brands.
        We would like to keep the children in car seats as long as possible due to the extra safety they provide. So at least for another 5+ years we'll need car seats.

    • chumlee on 23/10/2017 - 18:08
      +1

      Only true 7 seat SUV's are:

      Landrover Discovery
      Mazda CX9
      Nissan Pathfinder
      Toyota Kluger
      Audi Q7

      The rest are 5+2 configuration and no good for adults.

      You are correct in saying a people mover is the best choice but depends if OP will need 7 seats long term

      • spackbace on 23/10/2017 - 18:14
        +1

        depends if OP will need 7 seats long term

        Yeah well that's the other thing that I didn't touch on. Some cultures do buy cars this way, always allowing for the parents as if it will be a majority of the time thing, having a full car.

        Interesting that no one is realising that OP needs room for a twin/double pram as well. How many SUVs can fit a pram behind the 3rd row seating once it's up…?

        • Oz8argain on 24/10/2017 - 15:40

          what about those import toyota 'business' vans with 2 front, 2 middle and 2 back seats, I sat in one and was very comfy, there're sufficient leg room in middle and back. If the back row is not occupied, the middle 2 seats can lay almost completely flat

        • whooah1979 on 24/10/2017 - 18:32

          @Oz8argain:
          They drive like a commercial vehicle with soundproofing.

        • Oz8argain on 25/10/2017 - 09:23

          @whooah1979: drives like an extended camry

    • malkakas on 24/10/2017 - 09:59

      Thanks Spacebace,
      The In-Laws are elderly(70+) and one of them(father in law) had a total knee replacement few months back. So he takes the front passenger seat. Mother in Law also have difficulty getting into 3rd row as she is over weight :). They are not tall people (around 5'4")

      I saw you mentioned the boot space for two prams as well. I also forgot to consider it. thanks for bringing it up.

      Our usual driving is habit is couple of 10 minute trips during weekdays, about 1-2 hour long drive during weekend. one or two interstate drive per year (we usually take 30 minute brakes after every two hours driving).

      I saw couple of American video reviews of Pathfinder and Kluger. They do seem to have adjustable 2nd row seats. If we can push the 2nd row little bit forward, it will add some extra leg room to the third row.

  • tissue on 23/10/2017 - 16:35
    +1

    The only SUV with a comfortable and usable 3rd row while still maintaining the boot space is the Nissan Pathfinder. They have questionable reliability of the gearbox though, which I think has been sorted. All the other SUVs have either a very small 3rd row, or offer very low boot space with all seats in play. The new CX9 is pretty good too, you could put eldest child seat in 3rd row and have two adults and child seat in 2nd row.

    Looking into people movers then, the best option is a Kia Carnival (or Toyota Tarago). There are other more expensive options in the Mercedes and VW vans which are just as good. The other options here would be the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso (though probably too small in 3rd row) or the Honda Odyssey, which has issues with the tether points for the cheap model, so would have to go for the expensive model.

  • ausdday on 23/10/2017 - 16:46

    I think you need to re-prioritize your list. From you description, I assume you are going to put the child seat on row 2, then both you are your wife will be on row 3. However, AFAIK, most 3rd row are hard to access without folding down the second row. And with the child seat on row 2, you can't really fold down the seat unless you remove them first.

    You might want to take a look at 2018 Honda Odyssey.

    • malkakas on 23/10/2017 - 16:56

      hi Thanks for the reply.
      It either me or my wife in 3rd row as one of us will have to drive (The parent in-Laws cannot drive :) )

  • ShortyX on 23/10/2017 - 17:12

    As mentioned, I'd say look at Kia Carnival. Otherwise, Honda Odyssey, VW Multivan or Toyota Tarago.

    We have a Sorento and been happy with it.

    Good luck!

    • malkakas on 24/10/2017 - 10:18

      Hi Stix,
      Do you regularly use the third row seats of Sorento?
      Is it comfortable for a tall adult to sit there for 1-2 hours straight?

      • ShortyX on 24/10/2017 - 13:39

        The back seats get some use with our 3 young kids to give them some space. :) As for an adult sitting in the third row, it would be ok for a copule of hours, but probably not any longer. And if you have car seats in the middle row, you'll need to use the boot for entering the third row which can be a bit cumbersome.

        With a people mover, I think everyone will be able to enter and exit easily.

        Are you worried about the looks of a people mover? The Carnival looks quite modern.

  • whooah1979 on 23/10/2017 - 17:49

    Prado lc150 Kakadu, vx, altitude, gxl or lc120 grande. The grande comes in a right seater.

    • spackbace on 23/10/2017 - 18:02

      Can't fit adults in the 3rd row for a long period of time. Won't fit 2 car seats plus adult in the 2nd row.

      • whooah1979 on 23/10/2017 - 18:11

        Can't fit adults in the 3rd row for a long period of time.

        Op's partner is 5'8. Two or three hours in the third row is breeze.

        Won't fit 2 car seats plus adult in the 2nd row.

        That could be true if op's parents in law is the same size and build as op/partner. Are they?

        • spackbace on 23/10/2017 - 18:13

          That could be true if op's parents in law is the same size and build as op/partner. Are they?

          No, that wouldn't matter

          Source - have put 2 car seats on the 2nd row of a Prado and seen the distance between them.

          Not many SUVs have room for 2 car seats across the 2nd row (need to have a car seat in the middle to suit OP's requirements). Middle row seat isn't normally full-sized.

          OP also requires room for a twin/double pram for both kids. Try fitting that behind most SUV 3rd row seats…

        • mskeggs on 23/10/2017 - 21:06

          @Spackbace:
          The Prado has anchor points in both the 2nd and 3rd row of seats (or at least my older one does). And the 2nd row seat slides forward very easily at the lift of a latch.
          I would be inclined to put two child seats in the 3rd row.
          We had two kids seats across the 2nd seat and there was enough space for a skinny 8yro in between, but not an adult.

          I suppose it depends if all six are travelling together often, or if it is a once a week, once a month thing.
          If less frequent I would move the seats from 2nd to third row when extra space is needed.

        • malkakas on 24/10/2017 - 10:21

          @mskeggs: usually we travel together and all 6 seats will be utilized for most of time .

        • mskeggs on 24/10/2017 - 11:46
          +1

          @malkakas:
          Then I don't think any of the SUV options will be suitable.
          I think you will need to look at the people movers.

  • Nugs on 23/10/2017 - 18:02

    not this one, but something like it?

    https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Toyota-Hiace-2008…

    .

  • Jonski on 23/10/2017 - 18:08

    plus for the kia carnival

  • nephilim on 23/10/2017 - 18:29

    nissan elgrand
    25k-30k near new from Japan
    http://www.j-spec.com.au/recent/Nissan/Elgrand/766

    Wont find anything in Australia for that cost in luxury and 7 seats

    • malkakas on 24/10/2017 - 10:24

      Thanks for the hint on Elgrand. There was an elgrand in our street and it looked spacious from the outside. Is it expensive to run and maintain?

      • Oz8argain on 24/10/2017 - 15:42

        I heard from the family friend that insurance was difficult to get for them, not sure if thats a common thing

  • Seraphin7 on 23/10/2017 - 19:23
    +2

    Or for a completely alternative view … "sorry guys, no room in the car".

  • El Draino on 24/10/2017 - 10:14
    +1

    Remember to do your research on childseat achors for the 3rd row - some have them, some dont

  • pegaxs on 24/10/2017 - 10:32

    Get a people mover. You will thank yourself in the long run. They cover everything you are asking it to do, easy to get in and out of, lots of space, good ground clearance and big doors for ahem "big" mother in law's.

    I have tried to do the whole SUV thing with full family outings and there is just no way that any SUV we have tried out had very comfortably sat adults in the 3rd row.

    Father now owns a Hyundai iLoad type of van with diesel auto (apparently it's called iMax) and it makes me want to buy a cat just to see if this whole spacial swinging test works out.

    If you're moving 7 people around and plan on keeping it for a few years, you're going to need something big enough to have kids to grow into.

    Edit: +1 for the Kia Carnival that people have noted above. Plenty of other posts on OzB where people have recommended them.

  • Euphemistic on 24/10/2017 - 11:58
    +1

    We have a seven seater, our second one. This one is a supeceded PAthfinder (proper 4wd) the first was a Captiva SUV. I'm 181cm and have been in the back of both a few times, but wouldn't want to take a long trip there. 10-20mins tops. Our 7 seats have mostly been used by under 12 kids and it is so helpful to be able to take an extra kid along when we already have a family of 5 in the car.

    The Captiva had terrible boot space with the third row in use, one of the reasons - along with reliability that we traded up to the Pathfinder (R51).

    More important than leather seats and features are cargo space with third row in use and the ability to get into the back row with two kid seats buckled in. Flipping the seats forward with a kid seat on will not work in most cars. Flipping the seats forward with a kid seat in the centre might be difficult. Resign yourself to having kid seats in for the next 5 years at least. Take your pram with you when shopping and make sure it fits behind the seats. We had to buy a smaller pram when we had the Captiva, and even then on at least one occasion it ended up on the roof racks. We had mostly grown out of using prams by the time we go the Pathfinder.

  • negger on 25/10/2017 - 18:35

    Kia Carnival is the best option out there based on your post. Many with similar requirements buy SUV's but it's a choice of questionable style vs substance/practicality.

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